Travel Feature Story

Terranea: Relaxation and Romance

By: CANDICE MERRILL
Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 6:24 PM

The azure sky met the turquoise water of the ocean as we drove along the rugged rock cliffs. A lone pelican soared over the sunlit water looking for its breakfast. Were we in some Mediterranean paradise? No, we were on the Palos Verdes Peninsula looking forward to a romantic weekend at the brand new Terranea Resort.

Located in Rancho Palos Verdes on the site of what used to be Marineland of the Pacific, the Terranea Resort makes full use of the 102 acre-property with winding walking paths, three pools, an oceanfront spa, three signature restaurants, a 9-hole par 3 golf course and 360 hotel rooms, 30 suites, 20 bungalows, 50 ocean view Casitas and 32 Villas.

The architecture fits the setting with Mediterranean influences and incredible ocean views from most of its rooms. Like Marineland, Terranea is terraced and we were surprised to find that the resort’s lobby is actually on the fourth floor.

Our room included a king size bed, flat screen HD TV, a refrigerator instead of a mini-bar (nice touch) and a balcony with a table and chairs that overlooked the ocean. I slept with the balcony doors open so I could hear the ocean. All was quiet and still except for the sound of the waves that lulled me to sleep.

If you’re timing is right, in the mornings you can watch pods of dolphins at play and seabirds on the search for a meal.

Speaking of meals, on the first night of our stay we ate dinner at Catalina Kitchen, one of the many restaurants on site. A casual dining restaurant, Catalina Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and on Friday nights it offers a seafood buffet that is outstanding.

Freshly steamed crab legs are brought to your table if you want them (and who wouldn’t!) while an array of fresh fish and shellfish prepared in various dishes await at the buffet. Sushi chefs busily prepare sushi and sashimi if you’re so inclined (and I was).

My only complaint is that I can’t eat that much! Everything was delicious; from the assortment of salads, breads and cheeses to the wide range of main dishes and of course, dessert! We sat on the outdoor patio overlooking one of the pools and the ocean beyond.
The beamed, Mediterranean style arcade dotted with colorful glass and wrought iron lanterns was beautiful. What a wonderful beginning to a relaxing weekend.

The next morning we were scheduled for a couple’s massage at the oceanfront spa. Gentle rocking, acupressure and passive stretching relieved the tension from the work-a-day world.

The Spa at Terranea is a wonderfully-designed (and spacious) building which also houses a salon, gift shop and café. It is situated on a point close to a clifftop with unobstructed ocean views, and is a holistic oasis.

After a blissful 60 minutes, my companion and I stood on a large, wind-whipped balcony outside the Spa’s co-ed relaxation lounge overlooking the ocean. We felt serene, relaxed and refreshed.

We decided to have lunch in the spa restaurant overlooking yet another pool with the ocean just beyond. Not wanting to “harsh our mellow” we took our time relaxing in the sun and just enjoying the gorgeous day.

If you are into an active life-style the resort offers yoga, exercise classes and a fitness center along with kayaking, kayorkling (a combination of kayaking and snorkeling) and nature walks. For those wishing to embrace the beach lifestyle, Terranea Resort provides one-on-one and group volleyball and paddle board lessons. Even if you are not all that active the way the resort is laid out will keep you walking in spite of yourself.

For dinner we decided to dine at the Café Pacific on the Trump National Golf Course, a three minute drive from the resort. (Terranea also offers a bus that will take you to Trump if you wish to play a full round of golf or just enjoy a meal.)

With a new chef, Jean Pierre Vincent, and his new menu, I was looking forward to an exciting dining experience at Trump, and I was not disappointed. Overlooking the green golf course and blue ocean the Café Pacific offers breathtaking views of the ocean and Catalina Island. The restaurant consists of a cozy room with brocade covered chairs, a hand-painted ceiling, a roaring fire and understated elegance. Newcomer Maitre D’ Georgio Silva has changed the dining room around to offer views of the ocean from most tables and a more intimate atmosphere.

Chef Jean Pierre re-worked the menu to take advantage of the vast bounty Southern California has to offer. Combining fresh seafood and local fruits and vegetables Chef Jean Pierre has created recipes that reflect California’s vast ethnic diversity as well as his bent for Mediterranean cuisine.

Warm artichoke and hearts of palm were combined with pears, avocado, shaved Pecorino and citrus dressing to make a delicious starter.

My companion ordered the tender beef Carpaccio served à la Nicoise with Peruvian potatoes, capers, haricot verts and Nicoise olives. Each bite rewarded the diner with a complex taste sensation.

Our next course is frankly one I will never forget. It will go on my list of dishes I will crave, think about and order again. A lobster tail coated in tempura batter and fried to a crispy golden brown was accompanied by the most sinfully delicious coconut curry sauce. It was sweet, savory and complex and melded with the buttery lobster in a favor ecstasy. I told Chef Jean Pierre that I would love to try the curry sauce on ice cream and he admitted that he had and it was wonderful.

House-made Papardelle pasta topped with tender braised beef in a complex red wine sauce and creamy risotto with porcini mushrooms and Pecorino cheese were served as our next course. Both were worthy of main course status, and are usually served that way.

I’ve never eaten Skate but I’ve always wanted to try it, and I got my opportunity that night. How fortunate for me that Chef Jean Pierre prepared it for me. Looking like a delicate fan, the Skate was touched with just a hint of orange and vanilla and served over a creamy soft polenta with a bit of bitter braised endive for contrast.

My companion selected the grilled hanger steak topped with a bright Chimichuri sauce. The Argentinean sauce of minced parsley, olive oil, garlic and wine vinegar was sadly wasted on the stringy hanger steak. This less than enjoyable piece of meat was really the only discordant note in an otherwise symphonic meal.

I found a small amount of room to sample dessert: fresh peach and almond cheese cake and a trio of crème brulee. Both desserts where worthy of the calories; although I found the crème brulee to be a bit heavy, more a mousse than a true custard.

I should add that the prices for these dishes are quite reasonable, beginning at $12.00 and going up to $40.00 for the ‘surf and turf.’ (Even if we weren’t staying a few minutes down the cliffs, this restaurant is worth the hour’s drive to Palos Verdes just to enjoy a dinner created by Chef Jean Pierre.)

Back at the ranch (or should I say, resort) my companion and I enjoyed a leisurely walk along one of the many lighted paths to a moonlit cove before retiring to our room for a restful sleep.

The next morning (our last, we were leaving that afternoon) I delighted in exploring the many walking paths weaving through the property. One way took us to the cliffs overlooking Abalone Cove, along the other we could walk to one of the few lighthouses still left along the Pacific coast. Native grasses, flowers and cactus dot the grounds while indigenous birds and insects take advantage of the open spaces. I could wax poetic about the views of cliff, sea and sky, but they are best experienced in person.

For Sunday brunch, I chose The Admiral Risty, a local hangout. I grew up in the South Bay so I know that some of the best food to be had is served in local restaurants with community roots. Opened in 1966, The Admiral Risty fit the bill.

Decorated in 60’s nautical kitsch this charming restaurant is situated only a few minutes from Terranea in a small shopping center with easy parking and a great view. They specialize in fresh seafood but do offer steaks, lamb and chicken if you are a land lubber.

Admiral Risty’s Sunday brunch is a mixture of breakfast-type dishes and fresh fish. Your meal is started with fresh banana and lemon-poppy seed bread accompanied with plenty of soft butter. Fresh fruit and a Mimosa completed the beginning to a great meal.

I ordered the Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict; I didn’t think crab cakes could get any better but top them with a poached egg and excellent Hollandaise and you’ve got a Grand Prize winner. Plenty of crabmeat studded the cakes, with just enough spice to make them interesting. They were accompanied by browned potatoes served with plenty of onions and bell pepper.

The broiled seafood Brochette appealed to my companion. This char-grilled assortment of scallops, shrimp, salmon and halibut was fresh and flavorful and was served with drawn butter and tartar sauce. Rice and fresh vegetables finished the dish admirably.

The Admiral Risty is a great place to come and watch the sunset while sipping a margarita (that only costs $8.00 instead of $13.00 at the resort) or for a change of pace while staying at Terranea. If you have kids, the Admiral Risty has a great, time-tested kids menu. It’s obviously a favorite of the locals; almost every seat in the restaurant was full when we ate there. The restaurant also offers take-out if you’d like to eat on the beach.

My weekend on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is one I will long remember. Terranea is one of the most beautiful spots I’ve visited anywhere on any continent, and since it just opened in June, 2009 it is a real original destination which should be on your short list of places to visit.

The Terranea Resort is located at 100 Terranea Way Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. For reservations and more information call (310) 265-2800. They are offering special packages for the holidays, go to www.terranea.com for more information.

The Pacific Café at Trump National Golf Club is locate at One Ocean Trails Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. For reservations and more information call (310) 303-3265 or log onto www.trumpnational.com.

The Admiral Risty is located at 31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes. For reservations and more information call (310) 377-0050 or log onto www.admiral-risty.com.

One Response to “Terranea: Relaxation and Romance”

1. Georgio Silva Says:
   November 9th, 2009 at 2:38 am

   Ms. Candice Merrill

   I want to sincerely thank you for coming to dine at Trump National Golf Club. We are grateful for your kind review on Pasadena Travels and look forward to seeing you at Trump National in the near future.

   Warmest Regards,

   Georgio Silva

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