Going with the Flow at the Hyatt Regency Monterey

Edible Skinny has a love affair with the Ocean.  We grew up next to an Ocean (the Atlantic), we live by another Ocean (the Pacific), and most of our favorite vacations involve in Ocean location (too many to count).   So when we found ourselves at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Monterey about a month ago, a mere few miles from the famed Monterey peninsula, we embraced a lifestyle of all things Ocean.   

One of the best lessons to be learned from the Ocean is the concept of going with the flow, of being all things to all people, of embracing the world of fluidity.  And fluidity is something the Hyatt Regency Monterey proudly displays like an Pacific Ocean badge of honor to its guests.

A larger hotel than the Carmel Highlands we had stayed at the night before, 550 guestrooms and suites, the Hyatt Regency Monterey is all about catering to whatever you desire.  

Looking for the perfect place to get away with family?  Done deal!  With a campus environment, two outdoor pools, ping pong tables, and fire pits for cooking S’mores it’s the ideal spot for families.   (And BTW it was absolutely fabulous sipping some Monterey County wines under the stars and having what started off as perfect strangers but quickly became friends offer us marshmallows and graham crackers for roasting!)  A great place for large scale corporate retreats?  Absolutely!  With 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space on the famed Del Monte Golf Course and a twenty minute walk to downtown Monterey, it’s a fantastic place to setup that annual pow wow.  And with an onsite spa and some fantastic vistas, it’s also a great place to get married (Heck, there were seven weddings scheduled the weekend we were staying at the hotel…).   

The Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Monterey is the third busiest Hyatt Regency in the world after New York and Key West, and there’s a reason for that.  This is a hotel that can be all things to all people without forgetting to focus on the details.   Details like cold post workout eucalyptus towels available in the 24 hour fitness center.  Or how when I spilled my morning Starbucks Latte back at the room after waiting in line twenty minutes, my barista proceeded to make a new one for me on the spot, free of charge.  

One of Edible Skinny’s favorite experiences while staying at the Hyatt Regency Monterey was the morning Dave Lambert, Director of Marketing, took us on a personally guided hike of one of the most beautiful vistas south of Carmel Highlands.  The sunrise view was a breathtaking way to greet the day.  And mind you this was on Dave's day off! 

The Hyatt Regency Monterey’s restaurant offerings, also cater to the fluidity of its guests.   TusCa Ristorante offers a taste of both Tuscany and California with a casual spin that caters to business travelers and families alike (more on this restaurant to come!).  The Fireplace Lounge, located in the lobby, of the Hyatt offers free live jazz by some of the premiere jazz musicians of the famed Monterey Jazz Festival.  And their sports bar, Knuckles, was the perfect place to grab a post whale watching drink.  Voted the top sports bar in the area 12 years and counting, a pint glass Margarita with a side of complimentary popcorn was the perfect spot to help us return to normal body temperature after three hours on the Pacific.  

The Monterey coast has been described as the “greatest meeting of land and sea."  The Hyatt Regency Monterey is a perfect reflection of this concept; a place where the Ocean meets our soul, reminding us to embrace the fluidity of it all.

Here’s to life being delicious and ALWAYS going with the flow!    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Things Edible Skinny Love Love Loves about California Market

By Kelly Grace Thomas

California Market, a gem of a restaurant, tucked away at Hyatt Carmel Highlands is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or brunch with friends. Built with breathtaking views of the Big Sur and Yankee Point, California Market offers a sophisticated and savory selections to be enjoyed on their open air redwood deck or snuggled inside by their cozy fireplace. Because there are so many wonderful things about this place, seriously, we could go on and on and on and on…. We want to give you, our fabulous readers, the top ten highlights of California Market

Top Ten Reasons Edible Skinny loves California Market

10. They’re latte that looks like layer cake. Edible Skinny noticed this deliciously decorative drink as it was being carried across the restaurant, it looked like the prettiest liquid tiramisu like decadence you’ve ever seen, in a glass. We just had to try it, fortunately they were able to give us coconut milk instead of whole milk. Even with our slight substitutions, it was caffeinated luxury.

9. They respect the vegetarians. Kat Thomas, editor-in-chief is Edible’s resident vegetarian. And while she eats lots of delicious food, sometimes her options are more limited, especially during brunch. Kat was excited to start the day California Market’s Zucchini & Cheese Frittata made with Gruyere, Goat, & White Cheddar Cheese, Tomato & Onion, Ciabatta Toast. A light and healthy option that was heavy on health.

8. They know how to make a real salad. When it comes to salads, restaurants have a tendency to go to extremes. We have all seen the garden salad with one cherry tomato or the chicken finger explosion covered in ranch. California Market is still health focused without skimping on flavor. We were delightfully surprised by how refreshing and satisfying their Seared Ahi Salad with Tatsoi, Haricot Vert, Chopped Romaine, Mandarin Oranges, Enoki Mushrooms, Pickled Ginger Vinaigrette was. We also sampled their  Monterey Salad with Shrimp, Jack Cheese, Cucumber, Avocado, Tomatoes, Pickled onions, House Vinaigrette but substituted Grilled Portabello Mushrooms for Shrimp. It was “light and fresh like something you should eat a la piscine, in France,” said Kat.

7. The fact that Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt had lunch here after they got engaged, according to Shelly Rodriguez, Catering and Events Manager. And who could blame them? California Market is the perfect romantic backdrop to celebrate life’s most precious moments.

6. Server Tony Lorenz!  Our server Tony Lorenz delivered excellent service. Knowledgeable and friendly, Tony went above and beyond sharing details about the dishes, hotel and Monterey’s wildlife. In the past Tony worked as a Naturalist for Monterey Bay Whale Watch where he invited us to whale watch the following afternoon. Thanks, Tony!!!  Best whale watching ever, Monterey’s marine life is something of a marvel.

5. The bacon. Oh the bacon... I am somewhat of a bacon connoisseur. Applewood, Hickory Smoked, Maple. You name it, I love it. The Hyatt Highlands side of bacon served with breakfast was the perfect savory compliment to our delicious Point Lobos dish. It was thick and plump, with a depth of flavor without being too rich. An A+

4. Point Lobos.  Perhaps the most decadent thing we have sampled before 9am. Point Lobos Dungeness Crab, Avocado, & Cilantro, English Muffin with Hollandaise. The light refreshing crab mixed with the rich and creamy hollandaise is the perfect combination to pamper your palette.

3. The insta-vacation effect.  Today we all lead such stressful jobs. And sometimes it is difficult to unwind. California Market is an instant vacation, after five minutes on their deck staring at the view and sipping their delicious Carneros Chardonnay by Rombauer Vineyards and you’ll think, “Stress? What stress?”

2. The indoor/outdoor versatility.  Some of us love the sunshine of the outdoors, the feel of salt air in our lungs, the breeze in our hair. While others love to snuggle up next to a fire and lazily sip coffee as we read the newspaper. California Market is the best of both worlds, you can dine with any backdrop of your choosing enjoying both beauty and comfort.

1. The view, how that pacific sparkles. When we stepped out on their deck, where we enjoyed both breakfast and lunch, I couldn’t help but hold my breath for a minute. This type of beauty stops you mid sentence sometimes, it is that powerful. It is rare that you get to dine this closely to nature, in all its awe and power. California Market has so many beautiful and delicious opportunities to soak in.

Thank you, California Market, for proving as always, life is delicious.

For more information about California Market visit http://highlandsinn.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/CaliforniaMarket.html

 

Point Lobos, the Greatest Meeting of Land & Water in the World

A few weeks ago Edible Skinny spent the night in Carmel at the rustically luxurious Hyatt Highlands.  The next morning Kelly and I were able to pedal some of their killer Bianchi bikes only one mile north to the stunning Point Lobos State Park. 

Long considered the “crown jewel” of the California State Park system, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a magnet for nature lovers from all over the world. 

Coined the “greatest meeting of land and water in the world” by landscape artist Francis McComas, Point Lobos’ beauty is breathtaking beyond explanation.   The 2 mile shoreline park offers 14 interconnecting trails that wind through, pine forests, Cypress Groves, and jaw dropping rugged coastal scenery.  

Whalers Cover and other locations provide plenty of opportunities to view over three hundred types of plants and 250 bird and animal species including sea otters, sea lions, and, from December to April, migrating gray whales. 

Point Lobos ocean vistas are unmatched anywhere else on the Monterey Peninsula.  Their rocky shoreline is constantly under attack from the relentless waves of the Pacific Ocean.   These infamous “angry seas” crash on the shore like the finishing bars of a philharmonic performance. 

From flora to fauna to vistas this perfect natural orchestra a must see destination for anyone on the Monterey Peninsula. 

 

 

 

 

Pacific’s Edge Takes Dining to New Heights: A Perfect Pairing of Beauty and Taste

Pacific’s Edge Takes Dining to New Heights: A Perfect Pairing of Beauty and Taste

By Kelly Grace Thomas

Pacific’s Edge, the award-winning restaurant at Hyatt Carmel Highlands, takes dining to new heights in every decadent and delicious way possible. Built cliff-side with soul-stirring views of the Big Sur Coastline, this restaurant is the perfect blend of both beauty and innovation. 

With its glass walls for sweeping views and its outstanding offerings, Pacific’s Edge has found the perfect pairings to match natural beauty with culinary curiosity. To rival the jaw-dropping vistas is an equally impressive culinary cast. The restaurant is headed by Executive Chef, Chad Minton, who previously earned a Michelin Guide recommendation for his restaurant, Jerne and Executive Sous Chef, Alvaro Dalmau, who formerly studied at the world’s best restaurant El Bulli. This dynamic duo has crafted an impressive menu full of inspired eats and regional treats.

Pacific’s Edge was named one of the top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. by Zagat and has also won a number of awards, including a Four Diamond award and was distinguished as one of the Top Ten Restaurants with a View by USA Today. With more than 900 wines to choose from, Wine Spectator has lauded their wine list with Grand and Excellence awards. Pacific’s Edge raises the bar on craft and service. Therefore, it is no surprise that they hosted the 1986 Masters of Food and Wine, and have hosted world renowned chefs like Julia Child and Gordon Ramsay to cook on their premise.

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to sample some of Pacific’s Edge standout selections and one thing’s for certain, this place has done their homework. While some places are all view and no value, Pacific Edge has some stunning sophistication that showcases both talent and innovation of the area and staff.

 

Edible Skinny began our Pacific’s Edge dining experience with a stunning sunset and a Domaine Eden 2012 Chardonnay. Light, but still rounded with hints of oak, this was the perfect sipping wine to prep our pallet for Pacific’s Edge outstanding starters. 

Being a lover of seafood, I just had to order the Octopus Confit. Being both local and sustainable the dish was served with Fingerling Potatoes, Smoked Paprika, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Maldon salt.  This was perhaps one of the most impressive seafood dishes we had in California. Delicious. Moist. Cooked to perfection. Confit translates to cooked in it own fat, but for this dish the octopus was cooked in a terrine for five hours in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  The result: meat so tender you could cut it with a spoon. Octopus when not cooked well can feel like a tug of war in your mouth, instead this dish was both tender and firm without being hard. There was accents of salt and smokiness without being over pronounced. Thanks to the Spanish inspiration and amazing talent, Executive Sous Chef, Alvaro Dalmau, has created an exquisite starter that showcases skill, it knows its personality without apologizing, it plays on its savory strength without overpowering.

We also sampled some vegetarian friendly starters to report back to our more health conscious readers. The  Zucchini Carpaccio, Wild Arugula, Shaved Parmesan Reggiano, Pickled Mushrooms, Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette is a new take on a old classic. They have adapted this meat dish to create a freshness of deliciousity. With rich but light flavors there are amazing mushrooms dotted a valley of wild arugula. We also sampled their Faro Burrata Cheese, Garden Herbs, Cauliflower, Crème Fraiche, Extra Virgin Olive Oil which was light and pillowy but in a savory way. This creamy cheese had cloud-like consistency, almost a whisper, like what the freshest marshmallow seeks to be.

  

While Pacific Edge we had some delectable samplings to start, during our main course it was clear that these entrees were perhaps one of the most delicious and detail orientated meals we have had to date. Paired with a Weingut Brundlmayer 2004 Cabernet Franc from Austria the dinner was filled with so many divinely delectable dishes.

Being born and raised within miles from Barnegat Light, New Jersey (one of the seafood mecca’s of the country) Edible Skinny tends to be a little snobby about their seafood, especially scallops. While they are one of our favorite delicacies, scallops are usually overcooked and over-flavored, but not at Pacific’s Edge. We were blown away by their Maine Dayboat Scallops served with Grilled Asparagus, Romesco Sauce, Shishito Peppers, Crispy Basil. All seafood at Pacific Edge is never frozen, from ocean to table within 48 hours and what a difference in taste.  These scallops were graceful in taste and presentation, they had just the right amount of rich and round notes, while still being airy, difficult in craft but an amazing juxtaposition to experience. 

To accompany these tastes we also ordered a their impressive Parmesan Potato Gratin. Built with the towered flakiness of a croissant, the gratin mix and cheddar and rosemary was the perfect invitation to autumnal flavors we seek take comfort in during the colder seasons. To satisfy the herbivore in us, we also enjoyed Haricots Verts and Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Garlic Spinach. With an impressive mix of vegetarian options, Pacific Edge serves an exquisite vegetarian fare showcasing that less options doesn’t mean less flavor.

Impressive until the last moment, Pacific Edge dessert selection could be a separate dining experience in its own. The  Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding with Sea Salt, Praline, Balsamic Caramel Ice Cream, had the perfect texture and tenderness. With most bread pudding as hard and overcooked, this dish was moist and runny in a good way, like great scrambled eggs in which technique can be perfected over the years. We also sampled Peanut Butter Mousse Cake with Vanilla Crème Chantilly, Manjari Chocolate Ganache Caramel Sauce, Roasted Peanuts along with a Tawny twenty year old port.

  

This is one of our best dining experience in California, and perhaps the states. So it you find yourself near the Carmel Highlands or even Monterey Peninsula, make the trip to Pacific Edge, a restaurant centered around the beauty of each delicious flavor with an unbeatable view. It is sure to be an edible experience you won’t forget. As always we at Edible Skinny hope life is delicious. 

The Hyatt Carmel Highlands, a Location of Details

Welcome to living the High Life!  Edible Skinny was up in Carmel last weekend for a night at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands.  This charming rustic retreat is surrounded by the inspiring crisp freshness of pine trees (absolutely nothing smells cleaner, there’s a reason why we use this smell in all our cleaning supplies…) while overlooking the Big Sur coastline with epic views of the Pacific Ocean!

So let’s get this out of the way: YES! The Highlands is definitely the perfect place for a small intimate sunset wedding ceremony.  It’s absolutely gorgeous during the magic hour!  And this is a venue that thrives on making each couple’s special day perfect (and their booking schedule reflects such…).  But there’s so much more to the Highlands than a fantastic place to wear a white dress…

There’s the award winning Pacific’s Edge restaurant (of which you’ll hear more about from Kelly).   There’s complimentary Bianchi bikes you can take down to Point Lobos (also more on this one coming up).  There’s S’Mores kits in the gift shop and fire pits every few steps.  Complimentary binoculars allow you to get a closer look at the seagulls drifting on the gusts echoing from the cliffs below.   The saltwater pool is heated to exactly 82 degrees and three outdoor Jacuzzis are strategically placed around the property for those chilly Carmel evenings. 

The Highlands is a location of details.  When we arrived at this picturesque hideaway we were quickly greeted with a welcome glass of Prosecco, not one but two roaring fireplaces, and a view you will never forget.  Each of the 48 rooms also has a fireplace (whose chimneys are the originals of the 100 year old property) with preset kindling in the hearth so all you need to do is light a match.  There’s intimate boardrooms with view inspiring vistas for an intimate corporate retreat of thirty or less.  When showing us our room our bellman recommended we leave our balcony open at night, allowing us to hear the Pacific’s melodic waves crashing below when drifting off to sleep. 

And with the potential for bottles of wine, plates of cheese, and fabulous Monterey Meringues strategically placed around the room, it’s the perfect retreat for a couple looking to drive up the coast for the weekend.  Or to return once again!  Along with the hotel, Hyatt offers a timeshare side of the property for those who want to return year after year, a popular choice for those wishing to celebrate their wedding anniversary in the same location they got married at!

The Hyatt Carmel Highlands, a great choice for a romantic getaway, an intimate corporate retreat, and yes a charming boutique wedding.