by Linda Lang | Dec 12, 2014 | À la Carte
It’s a fabulous gathering of four renowned Michelin-starred chefs and experts on everything truffle including the science of growing, hunting with trained dogs, foraging, handling and cooking during the prestigious 5th Annual Napa Truffle Festival January 16-19. Michelin-starred host chef Ken Frank, owner of Le Toque in Napa Valley, will show you how to handle fresh truffles in the kitchen and share common myths and misconceptions about the various species.
If you are a prospective truffle grower, there’s a seminar on the science of truffles from world-renowned scientist and American Truffle Company’s chief scientist Dr. Paul Thomas and the company’s managing director and truffle expert Robert Chang.
On Saturday, ATC master dog trainer Alana McGee will guide you through the 
fascinating training of dogs to sniff out the delicacy culminating on Sunday with a working demonstration in a truffle orchard at Robert Sinskey Vineyards.
Mycologists (botanists specializing in fungi) David Campbell and Stephanie Jarvis, along with Paul Thomas take you foraging in the woods in search of exotic mushrooms in their native habitats. Past forages have resulted in the discovery of the fruity, peppery chanterelle; candy caps, often found in cookies and ice cream; and matsutakes, highly prized in Japanese cuisine and more recently in Michelin- starred restaurants around the world. 
Foragers have also found beautiful, non-edible species including toadstools. While enjoying the hunt, you’ll also learn the basics of mushrooms, the process of identification, as well as proper handling and cooking options for any edible specimens you may discover. Important reminder: hunting for wild mushrooms should only be done with qualified mushroom experts, and Campbell just happens to be the Bay Area Poison Control Center’s go-to mushroom guy.
A winery truffle lunch on Saturday at Peju Province Winery includes a tour and tasting, and a second on Sunday at St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery includes a tour and cooking demonstration.
All activities lead up to the fabulous Truffles & Wine Dinner at La Toque where 
owner/chef Ken Frank and three other Michelin-starred chefs from around the world prepare an extraordinary, multi-course culinary experience. Completing the Michelin quartet are Riccardo Agostini, executive chef and owner of Ristorante il Piastrino in Pennabilli Rimini, Italy; Roberto Donna, executive chef, Al Dente Ristorante, Washington, DC; and Tony Esnault, executive chef, Church & State, Los Angeles, CA.
It’s not every day that you have four Michelin-starred chefs in the same kitchen preparing for you an extraordinary culinary experience of the freshest, most flavorful black truffles in each course. And complementing the unique, complex flavors of each course are the most refined wines from around the globe.
You can also peruse The Marketplace showcasing truffle menu items, artisan vendors, specialty food products and local wines. Here you can sample the distinctive flavors of the black truffle prepared in a variety of ways. You can also enjoy mushroom goat cheese truffle enchiladas, truffled grilled oysters, and pizza al tartufo as well as truffle-infused martini cocktails, rustic rolled dark truffles with roasted almonds, and cookies and cream cupcakes. And, of course, there are local wines to sample. You can also sign up for a chance to win a Marketplace Basket full of goodies or a black diamond truffle. For a complete list of activities, tickets and hotel packages, go to http://napatrufflefestival.com/.
by Linda Lang | Dec 9, 2014 | À la Carte
Nuevo Vallarta
The inaugural Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival being held December 12-14 in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit features 20 acts including American rockers the BoDeans; blues favorites Fabulous Thunderbirds; rock-a-billy specialists Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats; country rockers Poco, Pure Prairie League and Firefall; and iconic classic rock bands Jefferson Starship, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Foghat and Spencer Davis Group.
Set on Riviera Nayarit’s beautiful beach coastline overlooking the Banderas Bay, fans will also enjoy gourmet tacos, tequilas and other regional specialties. Discounted room rates and event packages are offered by Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, the Villla Group, Bel Air Collection Resort and Spa and Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort.
“As the world’s first and only festival celebrating classic rock, our mission is to treat fans to three days of performances by some of the greatest musicians from the era while collecting toys for local children and raising money for DIF (a local children’s charity). Whether you love roots rock, blues, soft or hard rock, you won’t be disappointed!” said festival creator, John Zaring.
In addition to the headliners, solo artists and singers performing with the festival’s all-star house band include Dave Mason (Traffic), Gary Wright (best known for his smash hit “Dreamweaver”), Craig Fuller (lead singer of both Little Feat and Little River Band), former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri, former Grand Funk Railroad lead singer Mark Farner, Monkees frontman Micky Dolenz and blues legend Sam Moore (Sam and Dave).
The house band musicians are from several stellar rock acts include former Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan lead guitarist Jeffrey ‘Skunk’ Baxter, former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette, The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton, bassists Kenny Lee Lewis of Steve Miller Band and Kenny Gradney of Little Feat, drummers Curly Smith (Boston) and Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp), and keyboardist Teddy ‘Zig Zag’ Andreadis (various artists including Carole King, Guns ‘n Roses). In addition the backing soloists, the house band will play songs from their own catalogs.
The weekend-long event also includes a celebrity golf event benefiting DIF, an exhibit of famous album cover art and concert photography, and other events in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
For tickets and hotel specials, go to http://vallartanayaritclassicrockfest.com/schedule.php.
by Linda Lang | Sep 29, 2014 | À la Carte
Designer purses on complimentary loan at Casa Velas
Short on suitcase space? Forgot to pack an evening bag for that special outfit? No problem if you are guesting at the luxurious, all-inclusive Casa Velas on the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Their “Handbag Bar” offers a choice of seven different bags from designers such as Carolina Herrera and Tory Burch to Michael Kors and Pineda Covalin, often called the” Hermes of Mexico”. Once registered at the resort, you can reserve your selection which will be on complimentary loan for the evening. Casa Velas, an all-inclusive luxury boutique hotel and ocean club for adults just steps from the beach, is only minutes from Puerto Vallarta Airport and downtown. Reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda and situated on Marina Vallarta’s 18-hole golf course, each of its 80 suites has a private terrace with plunge pool or in-suite Jacuzzi and original artwork. Casa Velas Spa features singles and couples treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy area, state-of-the-art fitness center, and beauty salon.
Grand Velas Oceanfront Grand Class Suite
Emiliano, the AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant serving fine Mexican and international cuisine, is supervised by one of the area’s leading chefs. You also have dining privileges at the sister resort, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, home to three AAA four-diamond restaurants. All-inclusive rates include luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, premium liquor and wine, 24-hour suite service, use of the fitness center facilities, WIFI, taxes and gratuities and dining at Riviera Nayarit.
Grand Velas dining
Casa Velas has received the AAA Four Diamond Award for hospitality seven times and has been in the top two of “TripAdvisor for Puerto Vallarta” since 2010, including being named Puerto Vallarta’s #1 Luxury Hotel and #1 Hotel on the Beach in 2013. It also won a Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Readers’ Choice Award. For more information or reservations, call 1-877-418-3011 or go to www.hotelcasavelas.com. Note: Puerto Vallarta escaped any damage from the recent hurricanes.
by Linda Lang | Aug 31, 2014 | À la Carte
Turtle Bay on the north shore of Oahu
And the beat goes on. Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s fabled North Shore will host the first-annual Oahu Jazz & Blues Festival in November, bringing together Grammy & Blues music award winning artists with the best in Hawaii-sourced cuisine and wine for an incredible four-day event.
You’ll want to make your reservations at the resort as soon as individual event and package tickets with special room rates are available. Events outline includes: Thursday, Nov 20 –Jazz & Blues Meet & Greet at Turtle Bay’s Surfer, The Bar; Friday, Nov 21 — VIP Sneak Peek Jazz Dinner at one of Turtle Bay’s feature restaurants (TBA) Saturday, Nov 22: Concert at Kuilima Point featuring performances by Grammy winners and legends of Jazz, paired with food and wine selections: Sunday, Nov 23: Jazz Brunch at Turtle Bay’s North Shore Kula Grille restaurant.
Turtle Bay just completed a major renovation of its 410 guest rooms and suites which feature unobstructed ocean views and private lanais. The beach cottages with vaulted ceilings, deep soaking tubs and direct beach access come with a dedicated cottage concierge, and the villas overlooking Kuilima Cove offer the ultimate in exclusivity and beachfront location. The spa, restaurants and other amenities have also undergone major makeovers, resulting in a whole new ambience for an already extraordinary resort. More will be revealed in our next Luxury Travel Tips post.
For more information and updates on the Oahu Jazz and Blues Festival, go to turtlebayresort.com.
by Linda Lang | Aug 31, 2014 | À la Carte
Dresden Semper Opera House
2014 marks the 150th anniversary of Richard Strauss’ birthday which will be celebrated in Dresden where nine of the composer’s 15 operas premiered. One of the festival’s highlights at Semper Opera Dresden are the Richard-Strauss-Days November 6 – 23, 2014.
Capriccio, Daphne and Arabella will be performed with superb casts. Featured guests are Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson. (insert image of Dresden Opera House) Caption: Dresden Semper Opera House. Photo by Jűrgen Pollak, courtesy of the German National Tourist Board.
The ballet evening, Legends, combines newly-created choreographies by Stijn Celis and Alexei Ratmansky in homage to Strauss. The series will be complemented by an evening of Lieder with Thomas Hampson and a screening of the 1926 silent film, The Knight of the Rose, accompanied live by the Staatskapelle Dresden.
In addition, there will be a philharmonic concert with the Staatskapelle conducted by Christian Thielemann and two chamber concerts. Follow this link for MORE INFORMATION.
by Linda Lang | Aug 24, 2014 | À la Carte
The legendary Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood is more than just a hotel. For half a century it has welcomed a mega-roster of the world’s most famous rock stars,actors, writers, directors, super models, fashion designers, and other A-listers.
Located between Beverly Hills and Hollywood just blocks of the Troubadour, Whisky a Go Go and former Playboy Club, guests in the 1960s included rock legends like The Byrds, The Doors, The Who, and Led Zeppelin. In the ’70s came new acts such Neil Diamond, who performed by the pool to pay his tab; Elton John who still frequents the restaurant; and Bruce Springsteen who is still an occasional guest.
The 1980s saw the invasion of heavy metal performers including Metallica, Kiss, Guns ‘N Roses, and Aerosmith plus top celebs including Phil Collins, Sting, and Julio Iglesias. In the ’90s, musicians like Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Green Day, Usher, and Kings of Leon mingled with other megastars such as George Clooney, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, and Billy Bob Thornton. For half a century, the hotel has seen it all.
Today, the Sunset Marquis‘ Mediterranean-style villas and gleaming white buildings covered with red tile roofs offer 154 recently-redone suites and villas and indoor and al fresco dining in its world-class restaurant, Cavatina, which has over $1 million in renowned celebrity photography by Timothy White lining its walls. There are two outdoor heated pools, full-service spa that’s open to locals as well as hotel guests, and Nightbird Recording Studios–home to numerous Grammy winning artists. BAR 1200 is a known hangout for models, celebrities and musicians such as U2, Rolling Stones, John Mayer, Aerosmith and Eminem. The recently-updated main building completed the $35 million renovation and expansion begun in 2004.
Continuing to provide the seclusion for new stars like Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and various American Idol winners, the hotel maintains the loyalty of those who created the legends there. With its new facelift, the Sunset Marquis is ready for the next 50 years.
Before staying at or visiting the property (tour busses stop there), you might want to get IF THESE WALLS COULD ROCK by Mark A. Rosenthal and Craig A. Williams which details the continuing drama, decade by decade, of a special place as legendary as the stars who have stayed there.
It’s a fabulous gathering of four renowned Michelin-starred chefs and experts on everything truffle including the science of growing, hunting with trained dogs, foraging, handling and cooking during the prestigious 5th Annual Napa Truffle Festival January 16-19. Michelin-starred host chef Ken Frank, owner of Le Toque in Napa Valley, will show you how to handle fresh truffles in the kitchen and share common myths and misconceptions about the various species.
fascinating training of dogs to sniff out the delicacy culminating on Sunday with a working demonstration in a truffle orchard at Robert Sinskey Vineyards.
Foragers have also found beautiful, non-edible species including toadstools. While enjoying the hunt, you’ll also learn the basics of mushrooms, the process of identification, as well as proper handling and cooking options for any edible specimens you may discover. Important reminder: hunting for wild mushrooms should only be done with qualified mushroom experts, and Campbell just happens to be the Bay Area Poison Control Center’s go-to mushroom guy.
owner/chef Ken Frank and three other Michelin-starred chefs from around the world prepare an extraordinary, multi-course culinary experience. Completing the Michelin quartet are Riccardo Agostini, executive chef and owner of Ristorante il Piastrino in Pennabilli Rimini, Italy; Roberto Donna, executive chef, Al Dente Ristorante, Washington, DC; and Tony Esnault, executive chef, Church & State, Los Angeles, CA. 
You can also peruse The Marketplace showcasing truffle menu items, artisan vendors, specialty food products and local wines. Here you can sample the distinctive flavors of the black truffle prepared in a variety of ways. You can also enjoy mushroom goat cheese truffle enchiladas, truffled grilled oysters, and pizza al tartufo as well as truffle-infused martini cocktails, rustic rolled dark truffles with roasted almonds, and cookies and cream cupcakes. And, of course, there are local wines to sample. You can also sign up for a chance to win a Marketplace Basket full of goodies or a black diamond truffle. For a complete list of activities, tickets and hotel packages, go to http://napatrufflefestival.com/.
