Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

LOEWS PROVIDES HOLIDAY FAVORITES FOR ALL
by Bonnie Carrol

Chef Greg and his staff at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel provided favorites to please a bevy of guests with their Chrismakuh menu this holiday season. The unique menu at $75.00 (without wine) included 1st course selections of sweet potato latkes, cheese fondue, white truffle custard egg, or Hawaiian big-eyed tuna; 2nd course of butternut squash soup, mushroom cappuccino, hearts of palm with Maine lobster, or ultra speckle green salad; 3rd course of prime ribeye mignon, seared wild caught salmon, black cod loin, or roasted ghuni hen and dessert favorites included "cookies n' cream", chocolate hazelnut crunch, rosemary-heirloom apple tart and holiday sorbet selections.

Each year this hotel is so beautifully decorated, and is a delightful place to have family celebrations. I have done this with my family in years past, and always enjoyed it so very much. For information visit www.loewshotels.com.

BONNIE CARROLL'S LIFE BITES
BEST OF 2005

Best International Chef
Fabrizio Innocenti, Grand Hotel, Firenze, Italy

International Female Chef
Paola Budel, Hotel Principe de Savoia, Milan, Italy

Best Hotel-Resort Restaurant
AZUR by Le Bernadin, La Quinta Resort & Spa, La Quinta, California

Best Kid's Adventure
Universal, Universal City, CA

Best Boutique Hotel
The Crescent Hotel, Beverly Hills, California

Best Cocktails
Windows Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles, California

Best Spa Vacation Destination
Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Maui, Hawaii

Best Well Being Destination
Deepak Chopra Wellness Center, Carlsbad, California

Best Golf Course
PGA West, La Quinta Resort & Spa

Best Bed & Breakfast
The Simpson House, Santa Barbara, California

Best Sport Resort Destination
La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California

Best California Chef
Conny Anderson, The BLVD, Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills

Best Frozen Dessert
Ciao Bella Gelato

Best New Frozen Soup
NUTZ4SOUP, Positively Pumpkin

Best New Beverage
Naked Juice - Blue Machine

Best Day Spa
The Petite Retreat Spa, Los Angeles, California

Best European Restaurant
Roof Top, Hassler Hotel, Rome Italy

Best International Resort Hotel
Villa d'Este, Como Italy

Best Island Retreat
The Lodge at Ko'ele, Lana'i, Hawaii

Best Island Cuisine
Pacific O', Maui, Hawaii