Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/288975
THE MESSAGE 18 / the tasting panel / april 2014 New GM and Exec Chef at Balboa Bay Resort T he AAA Four Diamond Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California, part of The Meritage Collection of luxury resorts, is get- ting a celebrity-styled facelift. When completed this fall, it will include a dramatically enlarged and redesigned lobby, and in the space formerly occupied by Duke's bar, a stylish gastropub is planned, with a dedicated kitchen, separate from the resort's new fine dining seafood-themed Waterline restaurant. To spearhead this makeover, the legendary 15-acre resort drew top talent from Northern and Southern California. Sam El-Rabaa, formerly hotel man- ager of The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, is the new General Manager, while Vincent Lesage, previously Executive Sous Chef at the St. Regis, Monarch Beach, is now the Executive Chef, overseeing both new restaurants as well as the adjoining Balboa Bay Club's private Member's Grill. "We are focusing on local, organic and seasonal foods," says Executive Chef Lesage. "For example, most people don't know there is actually a season for fish. So we are buying only the freshest local fish that is in season, such as scallops right now. Our pan-seared scallops are not only the freshest possible, we put an American spin on them with carrot vinaigrette and English peas. And because you see rack of lamb every- where, instead, we serve a braised Sonoma lamb shoulder with potato pancake and corn succotash. We try to have fun with the classics by giving them new twists." Thus, working with pastry chef Brooke Martin, they have created a one-off "Chocolate Cigar" dessert, with a dark chocolate "wrapper" tipped with cocoa nib "ashes" and filled with Cognac-scented mousse that was infused overnight with an actual cigar. "In nine months this hotel will look brand new," says El-Rabaa. "This is going to be the place in Newport Beach. I mean, you're right on the water. How can you go wrong?" —Richard Carleton Hacker / the panel / april 2014 John Wayne's Legacy Get the inside scoop behind the spirit of John Wayne, Duke Bourbon, on page 72. THE TASTING PANEL's Richard Carleton Hacker with Ethan Wayne, son of John Wayne, and his pal Wes. Balboa Bay Resort's new Executive Chef, Vincent Lesage, in action in the Waterline kitchen. Sam El-Rabaa, new GM at Balboa Bay Resort. Balboa Bay Resort's new PHOTOS COURTESY OF BALBOA BAY CLUB pan-seared scallops are not only the freshest TP0414_001-33.indd 18 3/21/14 11:53 AM