An Emerald Oasis - The M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas

A few weeks ago Edible Skinny was lucky enough to spend a night at the delightful emerald oasis that is the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas.  Now I will confess, I had driven by the M Resort for over a year on our multiple sojourns between Sin City and the City of Angeles, never stopping to consider it at all.  So when I walked into this shelter for Vegas Locals and those not interested in the craziness of the strip, I was stunned by its elegance.  Infused with originality, quality, and value in every amenity, this resort is committed to providing a total guest experience.  The M is dedicated to the art of a well-crafted getaway. 

A Forbes Travel Guide Four Star and AAA Four Diamond resort,the M Resort Spa Casino spans more than 90 acres.  Driven by an innovative function meets pleasure aesthetic, progressive architectural style, and a balance of luxurious offerings, this resort allows guests to experience the South Strip like never before.  The property boasts a premium location, situated 400 feet higher in elevation than the resort-casinos on the Strip.  It’s a shimmery refuge in the rough desert wild of Vegas; echoed by their sparkly M Resort pens of which I now possess almost half a dozen ;-) 

The resort is a dedication to the art of detail.   Our inviting 15th floor room’s view housed floor-to-ceiling windows; BTWs all the 351 rooms and 39 suites on property have this amenity, allowing for views of the spectacular pool (more on that later) and the Las Vegas skyline.  Uniquely designed, more than 70 percent of the rooms at M Resort provide views of the world famous Las Vegas skyline.  All resort rooms and suites feature automatic lighting controls for energy efficiency measured through your keycard (so don’t forget it when you leave your room like I did!).  

After settling into our room, I waltzed down to Spa Mio, the Forbes Four Star award winning spa at M Resort Spa Casino, to indulge in some relaxation and rejuvenation.  The 23,000 square foot, full service spa and salon features 16 luxurious Men’s and Women’s treatment rooms and offers a variety of treatments including massage therapy, facials and body treatments.

I indulged in the Mio Signature Massage with Melissa, which turned out to be one of the best bodywork experiences of my life.  Melissa has amazing healer hands that transported me to another plane.  The massage table was custom built so it is 25% larger than a normal massage table.  It is also layered Princess and Pea style with numerous heating pads and memory foams for layer upon layer of lavishness.

The restful Spa Mio also offers a wet area with two whirlpool hot tubs, a steam room and sauna (that includes LED rainbow lightings for a more vibrant experience).  As I relaxed under the kaleidoscope of colors, I delighted in fresh cucumber available for my puffy eyes while sipping on a cucumber and lemon water refreshment.  Elegant locker areas with plush robes and slippers and a luxurious vanity stocked with grooming essentials including Moroccan Oil hair products were also available.  Day passes are available for purchase for Vegas Locals wanting a quick getaway and allow access to the spa and M Pool fitness center.

After a delightful detox, I headed down to dine at Anthony’s Prime Steak and Seafood.  The restaurant was a recipient of Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence in 2016, and it definitely deserved its accolades.  This classic casual steakhouse was hopping for a Monday night, perhaps it’s because hospitality sits at the head of the table here.  During my dining experience I conversed with multiple locals who noted this was their favorite steakhouse in Vegas.  I was celebrating a birthday, so my waiter Mario greeted me a glass of champagne.  The bubbles were tiny (the best kind according to Don Ho and anyone who doesn’t want a hangover). 

I commenced my meal with an appetizer of Calamari; Bell Peppers, Lemon, Remoulade Sauce, and Fried Capers balanced the lightly battered squid perfectly!  I continued with a glass of the amazing Trilogy Cabernet from the Flora Springs Winery in Napa, California.  This was paired with a Surf and Turf of a 10oz. Australian Lobster Tail (which my server deboned tableside) and a 9oz. Wet Aged Filet Mignon.   Both were succulently crafted to perfection.  Even though the restaurant was bustling, manager Anthony came over to make sure I was having a fantastic dinner.  I reassured him and that the meal and hospitality exceeded my expectations.  

The next day I spent a few hours delighting at the M Pool, the showstopper of the M Resort Spa Casino’s grounds.  The pool is an ideal destination to soak up the sun, boasting over 100,000 square feet of pool and entertainment space with a capacity of 6,500.   The M Pool is a luminous oasis featuring two, 5,460 square foot infinity edge pools, whirlpool hot tubs surrounded by fire torches and luxurious cabanas and day beds that offer guests a relaxing environment with a variety of unique features and amenities.  Both infinity edge pools are three and a half feet deep and feature a nine inch wading depth pool on each side.  In the summer this area becomes Tropicalé on Friday evenings when it transforms into a Tiki Bar imparting beachy vibes and island libations.  It also perfect for large scale concert events like the upcoming Kesha performance there is on September 16th. 

After hanging a few hours poolside, I slide inside to Burgers and Brews for a late morning brunch at the countertop.  My Southern classic meal of Chicken and Waffles was comprised of fluffy super sweet waffles, piping hot honey breaded chicken, whipped butter, and maple syrup.  Balanced with a bottomless cup of coffee, it was the perfect Tuesday morning hooky playing pleasure food.  

And M Resort Spa Casino has new experiences a-coming!   Opening in September is their 16th floor bar that will dispense whiskeys via enomatic wine dispenser machines.  This is similar to M Resort’s Hostile Grape Wine Cellar and Tasting Room which is the largest enomatic wine bar location in the world.  Offering 160 wines by the glass this way, the space is a popular Vegas watering hole for those looking to sample many different vinos in a night.  The yet to be named whiskey version of this concept harbors a top floor terraced patio primed for cigar smoking opportunities.   

So whether you’re a Vegas Local or a tourist avoiding the Strip, The M Resort is the perfect place for those looking for a spot dedicated to the art of the well-crafted getaway.  It is truly an emerald oasis in the rough desert wild.  

Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com

Parrish Family Vineyard - ES DOES PASO ROBLES

By Kelly Grace Thomas, Edible Skinny

Parrish Family Vineyard was Paso's perfect place to pamper your taste buds during a girls’ getaway. With an intimate tasting room located in Paso’s charming downtown, Parrish offers everything a girl could want: chocolate, cheese and (you guessed it) wine. Not to mention the close proximity to great shopping and sensational restaurants.

While the choice between chocolate and cheese is a tough one or any gal, we simply couldn’t pass up Parrish’s delectable duo that pairs decadent wines with locally handcrafted crafted chocolates. And what a divine sipping experience.

We sampled Parrish Family Vineyards 7 wine tasting ( 3 whites and 4 reds which includes Silken and & Estate Cabernet Sauvignon for $12) & with a seven chocolate pairings crafted from the Chocolate Stache ($10) Each chocolate was created and crafted to bring out added accents and aromas, to deepen the complexity of flavors.

Below is a list of some of our favorites:

--The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc paired with white chocolate and nectarines. This is the perfect summer pairing for those sweltering days. Light and brights the Sauvignon Blanc has aromas of white peaches with hints of guava, coconut shavings, and gardenia.  It is a refreshing wine with beautiful notes of grapefruit, apricots, cara cara oranges throughout the palate and emanates honey into the lingering finish.  This white chocolate and Sauv Blanc combo is bright and light, a perfect hint touch of dessert after a heavier meal.

--The 2016 Estate Rose paired with Chocolate: A’ La Manzana was picnic perfection. Great for summer days this Grenache Rosé has a delicate nose of rose petals and bubble gum.  Its palate also opens with hints of strawberries, hibiscus, with soft notes of stone fruit.

--The 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a Fig & Pistachio Dark chocolate was luscious luxury.  With boysenberry and hints of suede and sandalwood, blackberry and a touch of coffee, the rich and velvety chocolate paired perfectly with this deep and balanced Cabernet. 

--The 2012 Silken paired with Lavender Espresso Dark Chocolate was by far our favorite “treat yourself” combo. It was the equivalent of silk pajamas for your palate, a perfect pampering.  The Silken blend at 60% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Petite Sirah has notes of dark berries, plum, and hints of black pepper.  It also accompanies with smooth, sumptuous blackberry and hints of cocoa that lingers on the finish. The Silken has ranked 93 points with Wine Enthusiast, and a Gold Medal at San Francisco International Wine Competition and Silver Medal at Orange County Fair Wine Competition.  

Thomas Hill Organics - ES DOES PASO ROBLES

By Kelly Grace Thomas, Edible Skinny

As the farm to table movement grows in California, we have more and more restaurants focused on sustainable food and organic offerings. While the organic movement brings fresh flavors, many are never pushed to their full potential. Many health-focused restaurants keep flavors simple and sometimes safe, but not Thomas Hill Organics in Paso Robles. Thomas Hill Organics has one of the most innovative and creative menus featuring any farm to table fare. 

 

Thomas Hill Organics, located in the heart of downtown Paso, puts a funky spin on organics creating flirty flavors that tap dance on our palette in fresh, unexpected ways. Thomas Hill offers a dynamic menu offering a variety of imaginative dishes full of savory surprise.

Not to mention, Thomas Hill Organics decor is also a designer’s dream. Owner Debbie Thomas, has a great eye for not only food but decor. The restaurant is decorated with funky light fixtures, one of a kind art, and bright umbrellas that make every color pop. With touches of European accents it reminds us of spring picnic in the plaza meet California casual. Thomas Hill has the perfect patio to sip some wine and soak in the sunshine, all while providing regionally-produced food so fresh it tastes straight from the soil.

Edible Skinny sampled some incredible dishes but was also blown away by the exceptional service. Christine, our server, who has been with Thomas Hill for the past seven years knew the menu and wine list inside and out. Owner Debbie Thomas, shared stories of passion and inspiration.  From hostess, to server, to owner everyone at Thomas Hill Organics anticipated our needs before we even knew we had them, making for a relaxing experience full of bright flavors and foodie fun.

To begin our meal we started with a glass of the 2015 Sea Monster, Eclectic White, a Rhone White, Viognier, Riesling, Grenache Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Blend from Central Coast, CA. This is the perfect sipping wine for a light lunch on a hot day.

The Sea Monster complimented the creative blend of spices and textures in Black Lentil Tacos. It would be selling this appetizer short not say these were the most delicious vegetarian tacos Edible Skinny has ever had. Made from Carrot purée, candied jalapenos, cashews, pickled watermelons, cilantro, coconut this was Bombay meets Nantucket summer vacation. Really complex in Indian sweetness, but also traditional in the New England summer flavors often selected. They were savory enough to satisfy but not too heavy to fill us up.  And we want to go back just talking about them.

For entrees Kat had the Goat Cheese Sandwich. A picnic perfect combo of strawberries, pistachio, balsamic reduction, arugula, toasted whole grain bread. This combo, another perfect vegetarian dish, was creamy and light, with sweet hints of fruit contrasted by the tang of balsamic. Thomas Hill Organic is a master of combining flavors for a full palate of taste. 

 

Kelly, a seafood junkie loved, the Smoked Salmon Sandwich. Made with macerated onion, avocado, blonde frisee, sriracha aioli, on wheat toast. The salmon, sliced and served cold, was a perfect hearty (but cold) hot weather sandwich rounded by the flavor of chipotle zest. 

 

While we were too full for dessert we are positive that Thomas Hill’s we are certain that their olive oil cake  with olea lemon verbina olive oil, seasonal preserve as well as their pumpkin bread pudding with pepita brittle, crème anglaise, caramel are out of this world.

Adelaida Vineyards & Winery - ES DOES PASO ROBLES

By Kat Thoma, Editor in Chief, Edible Skinny

The next day we started with one of Paso’s pioneers, established in 1981, the enchanting Adelaida Vineyards & Winery.  Peaking at an elevation of 2,320 feet, the Adelaida Estate marks the highest point in the Paso Robles AVA and is an impressive patchwork of mountain vineyards and ancient soils.  The vineyard is composed of 2,000 acres, but only 168 acres are planted with grape vines with another 600 acres of organic dry farmed walnuts, the rest of the space is open for vegetation and animals.

 

As soon as we got there we were whisked away on a TT&T – Tour, Taste, and Tailgate.  For only $50 guests see first-hand the landscape, vineyard practices, and the terroir that bring their wines to life.  The tour culminates with a tailgate picnic at 2,300 feet.  As Adelaida staff member Paul notes, (who has a side hustle business of owning 24 sheep that weed for local farmers), “tastings come with an outrageous view and charcuterie.  Our SUV ride up to the top of a mountain (see the Drone footage on our YouTube page) was with Jeremy Weintraub, Adelaida winemaker.  Though best known for its Rhône wines, Weintraub creates classic wines at Adelaida – Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.  He noted, “I’m happiest when wine is described in emotional terms.  My primary motivation is to make distinctive and beautiful wines.”

We then descended to 2320 Hilltop, another SUV stop under a canopy of a 100 year old oak trees with breathtaking views of the Santa Lucia Mountains.  There we explored Adelaida’s Picpoul Blanc.  Picpoul is an ancient variety, native to the Languedoc of southern France, that’s the new white wine in town.  Luscious, straw color, the wine is immediately brisk and refreshing.  With pings of Lemon zest, grapefruit tang, flavors of juicy pineapple with deceptively rich and expansive finish reminiscent of guava nectar and cashews, the wine received 90 points in Wine Spectator for Adelaida.

  

After a descent to the tasting room, we sampled another one of Adelaida’s standout wines, their Cabernet Sauvignon from the Viking Estate Vineyard.  The wine was firmly rich with accents of tobacco, dirt, and dark chocolate.  It tasted of the warm of a velvet cloak donned before a winter ball.