Food + Drink
A Taste Of Northern California
Discover our collection of restaurants and lounges, where inventive dishes, delectable cocktails and convivial vibes are always on the menu. Our chefs work with local farmers, fishermen and purveyors to craft seasonally inspired cuisine that celebrates our region's best ingredients, and ever-evolving menus mean every dining experience is an opportunity for a new culinary journey.
Get in the happy hour state-of-mind with our West Coast playlist
Cocktail Recipe Menlo Tavern Whiskey Smash
This refreshing bourbon libation combines distilled whiskey with sweet notes of lemon and mint, shaken and chilled to perfection.
Ingredients:
- 3 lemon wedges
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 4 mint leaves
- Garnish: mint sprig
Steps:
- Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker.
- Add bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves, and ice, and shake until well-chilled.
- Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig
Chef Spotlight
Michael Rotondo, Executive Chef at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
As the culinary leader of the Monterey Plaza, Chef Michael's plate is always full. Since joining the team in August of 2021, he has introduced new menus at the hotel's signature oceanfront restaurant, Schooners Monterey, expanded the offerings at Tidal Coffee, and introduced an entirely new restaurant concept with the opening of Coastal Kitchen in early 2022. His impressive background includes roles at multiple Michelin starred restaurants and Forbes 5 Star hotels across the United States and Europe, and in 2008, he received the “Most Promising Chef” award from chefs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller after competing in the United States Bocuse d’Or culinary competition. "My favorite dishes are always ones that enliven your senses and are created with passion. It could be enjoying some beautiful local oysters on a sunny day overlooking the bay, or indulging in local seafood like halibut, black cod or Monterey squid. This is where you can truly have a transcending dining experience."
Food + Drink
