orange county & long beach Spring 2011

the great restaurants of orange county & long beach

Queen of the Sea Chelsea Chowder House & Bar on deck page 22 tastes and trends to feed your inner foodie Hey chef, wanna fly? 12 :: The world’s best destinations...in OC 16 Upgrade your kitchen 26 :: A mighty Russian wrestles juniper berries 28 Tasty wines from Argentine vines 30 :: Why is water so wet? 90 ArgentinaAwake to Mendoza’s wineries are ripe for a visit By Rebecca Caro

A blend of Old-World European charm and the raw energy of South America, stands alone on the southern cone. And in Mendoza, a city nestled at the foothills of the majestic mountain range, one finds the best of both worlds: urban elegance in the city center—with its world- class restaurants—and a rustic hospitality that makes you feel right at home. One better, it’s a region flush with world- class wineries.

30 Mendoza’s grapes are grown between 2,500 and Along Ruta 7, Napa legend Paul Hobbs has imported wise to hire a remise (unmarked, numbered taxi) 5,000 feet where they bloom in a desert-like climate his precision with Viña Cobos. Nearby for day trips, or an English-speaking guide from sharing the sandy earth with pines, eucalyptus, is Decero, one of the region’s newer wineries Liz Caskey Tours {lizcaskey.com} or Uncorking and palm trees. The growing season is long and making a name for itself with award-winning wines Argentina {uncorkingargentina.com}. the harvest late—especially for —with that stray from the expected to include Located on the city’s picturesque tree-and the mild fall making for a prolonged hangtime. Cabernet, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. fountain-lined central Plaza Independencia, The The region’s wares offer a full bounty of flavor Park Hyatt {mendoza.park.hyatt.com} is a great and a wine escape here makes for a multitude of East of Mendoza’s city center lies the village of respite for the weary traveler, offering a luxurious unforgettable experiences. Maipu, home to more of the region’s renowned respite between winery tours. The hotel also wineries. Rent a bicycle and pedal your way along hosts the annual Masters of Food and Wine event, Many of Mendoza’s wineries are a short drive from the winery route. You’ll no doubt enjoy exploring drawing chefs and sommeliers from around the the city, in the suburbs of Maipu and Lujan de bodegas (as wineries are known locally), like globe for workshops, demos, and tastings. , while the up-and-coming Tupungato region the historic Bodegas Lopez {bodegaslopez.com. in the is about an hour’s trip. With ar}—opened in 1898 and bearing the likes of The Park Hyatt is also steps away from a the scenic Andes as its backdrop, it’s easy to see and Sémillon. pedestrian mall where shopping, sipping coffee why so many visitors to the region have fallen Maipu is also where you’ll find Bodega La at an umbrella-topped sidewalk café, and people- in love. Mendoza is one of the world’s hottest Rural {bodegalarural.com.ar}, producer of local watching are daily rituals. Before dinner, head to wine destinations at the moment—the the Vines of Mendoza {vinesofmendoza. wine, food, landscape, and charming com} tasting room to whet your palate. Argentine warmth make it the trip of Visiting all of the region’s 500-plus a lifetime. wineries would take years, which is why Vines gives the winery-goer a head start One of the region’s best bets is Catena by collecting the country’s best boutique Zapata {canetawines.com}, home to offerings. The tasting rooms here offer one of Argentina’s great winemaking flights of more than 50 of Argentina’s families for generations. Winemaker unique gems—which can be enjoyed by Nicolas Catena is credited for bringing the glass or delivered to your doorstep quality winemaking back to Argentina— via their acequia wine club. recreating his family’s empire and, in the process, ushering in a winemaking Of course, no trip to the Land of Beef renaissance in the region. In addition would be complete without a good to the Catena Zapata label, the winery steak dinner. Francis Mallmann, Argentine has partnered with Lafite-Rothschild celebrity chef, television host, and to create Vino Caro. Daughter Laura cookbook author—is an enchanting mix heads up Luca wines and has authored of gaucho and gentleman. His Mendoza’s Vino Argentino, the bible of the digs, 1884, translates his blend of rural country’s wine history. charm and uptown sophistication, creating the ideal setting to enjoy a steak made And speaking of history, Susana from the country’s prized grass-fed beef. Balbo has nearly 40 years in the business. Her years of expertise Getting bottles home each day can be show—Balbo’s winery, Dominio del a challenge, so visit wine shop, Winery, Plata {dominiodelplata.com}, has before you leave Mendoza. This chain been producing award-winning wines stocks the best wines from across since 1999 under the labels Crios, Susana Balbo, Gewürztraminer (among others), and home Argentina, and their expert staff (many of whom Nosotros, and Benmarco. Her Torrontes put to the Museo del Vino—which celebrates are sommeliers) will lead you to a bottle (or Argentina’s signature white on the map, and Mendoza’s winemaking history. Lunch at nearby seven) that you’ll love. The Mendoza store is she’s the force behind winesofargentina.org, the Almacen del Sur is a highlight. This delicatessen housed in the first provincial governor’s mansion, online guide to the country’s greatest wines and serves lunches featuring goods from their line perfectly restored from its parquet floors and wineries. of gourmet preserves in an impeccably restored colonnaded lounge to its stained-glass ballroom 19th-century mansion. The patio, hung with ceiling. Bonus: Winery has a tapas and wine bar Good for a relaxing lunch punctuated by great wisteria and overlooking the rose garden, is in their stunning courtyard—right in the heart of local juice, Ruca Malen offers stunning views of an idyllic treasure. Acres of organic farmland the bustling city center. vineyards flush against the snow-capped Andes. surrounding the property are used to source No detail is forgotten, with Mendoza’s country their savories and sweets—like their tasty Plan accordingly and you’ll savor the memories of charm melting artfully into the winery’s studied piquillo pepper spread. the flavors of local delicacies, the friendly locals, elegance. If weather permits, sit on the outdoor the vistas of the dramatic Andes, and, of course, patio, where you can indulge in their five-course Overall, Mendoza’s wine routes are often poorly the region’s robust wines, for years to come. wine pairing luncheon at a leisurely pace. marked and can be difficult to navigate, so it’s

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