Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


SPA DINING AT ITS BEST
OJAI VALLEY INN & SPA RESORT

by Bonnie Carroll

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa ResortMany of us have seen the new chef Jamie West manning the exquisite food service at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort on television and as a culinary associate of the latOjai Valley Inn & Spa Resorte and so great Julia Child, but now he is presiding ove the magnificient  Marvilla dining room at the historic Ojai Valley resort.

The decor is diva delicious, with warm cranberry colors, and rich French inported fabrics, envelolped by fine art and brilliant gold accents. The artwork, and it surrounds the four room dining venue, is so beautiful it is hard to stay foOjai Valley Inn & Spa Resortcused on the equally artistic plates created by Chef West.

Although the menu is huge, I would like to recommend the scallops with mushrooms and veal cheek ragout in white port sauce. This dish leaves you witOjai Valley Inn & Spa Resorth a surf & turf impression. The mushrooms and veal are served in a full bodied port reducgtion that takes on the taste of beef, and the scallops are huge and cooked to perfection. I would also recommend the Kobe short rib entree. The appetizers Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resortare many and all superb, as well as the divine desserts. I loved the strawberry creme friachi with honey.

The one thing never to overlook at this splendid restaurant is the nearly unending wine list, features has some of the finest wines in the world, as well Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resortas favorites from vintners in nearby Calfiornia communities. The sommeiler Jon Mahoney is very happy to assist with pairing selections, and the general manager has some nice suggewstions as well. The service in the Marvilla is perfect.

The new decor, exciting menu, perfect pairing of wine, and unchallenged excellence of the culinary skills of Jamie West will make this a star amoung award winning restaurants in California. An evening in this enchanting dining room is an opportuity no one should miss. With this final culinary piece set in the outstandeing mosiac presentation of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa it is destined to become the finest iresort of its kind n America. For information visit: www.ojairesort.com.

Ojai Valley Inn & Resort
905 Country Club Road
Ojai, California 93023


REPUBLICA DI SAN MARINO
Where Abraham Lincoln Is Remembered
by Bonnie Carroll

Republica Di San MarinoPoet Giovanni Pascoli described San Marino as “The azure vision…”, and the views of Marecchia Valley and Montefeltro to the Adriatic coastline are spectacular. San Moreno is an independent state that has been preserved for centuries. Sitting high on a hill it is a medieval and magical destination, where visitors are amazed to find a bust of President Abraham Lincoln in the council of Parliament. Republica Di San MarinoLincoln was honored by citizens of this Italian republic for his desire to preserve the integrity of the republic of  the United States of America, which guaranteed one nation under God with liberty and justice for all..

The old town center is located on the top of Mount Titano, 750 miles above sea level. The Piazza Della Liberta is the heart of the cRepublica Di San Marinoountry’s institutional life. Here you will find the Government Building, where the great and general council of Parliament sits.  The council room has the latest sound technology, but the benches, art, murals and sculptures are all from grand centuries past. These regal looking chambers have seen the negotiations’ of its residents since the 14th century.

The entrance to this city within these fortress walls presents crossbow and flag throwing events at the Cava dei Balestrieri during historical pageants on the 1st of April and 1st of October. San Marino offers a full schedule of special events, including music festivals, art exhibits,  a Mille Miglia with vintage cars, a world class tennis tournament, a motorcycle grand prix and the September 3rd celebration of the foundation of the republic and Saint Marinus. You wilRepublica Di San Marinol also find the Gallery of Modern Art, the Ancient Monastery of Santa Chiara and the Teatro Titano, a charmin theatre built in c. 1750 within this ancient compound.

For centuries San Marino economy was based on farming and producing fine food products. The food, olive oil and wine of this region are a tribute to these years of developing agricultural techniques and the grapes for wonderful regional wines. San Moreno Biancale and Roncale are delicious paired with traditional home made pasta dishes, fish, cockerel or rabbit.

A restaurant just a few steps from the Parliament offers outstanding food in a dining room with an amazing panoramic view that is unforgettable. The menu offers local antipasto and a variety of wonderful pasta selections, salads, and desserts that are perfect for tourists who prefer a light lunch.

A visit to Republica di San Marino remind you of how precious our own republic is and how proud we are that our President Lincoln was so admired by the citizens of this historic Italian republic. For additional information visit: www.italiantourism.com or www.visitsanmarino.com.


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | May 09 | June 09 | July 09 | August 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | March | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | September | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | March 13 | February 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | November 13 | December 13 | January 14 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | October 16 | November 16 | February 17 | December 16 | March 17 | January 17 | April 17 | May 17 | July 17 | August 17 | June 17 | September 17 | November 17 | October 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | August | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | December 20 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | April 22 | May 22 | March 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | May 23 | June 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
Dember 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06 | March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05 | March 05 | February 05 | January 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved