Beautiful Laguna Beach and an Ad Sales Dinner
Following the D: Dive Into Media conference, we made our way to the beautiful Montage Resort at Laguna Beach, where an ad sales dinner was scheduled. Our destination was the renowned Studio, where Chef Craig Strong would be cooking for us. The cuisine at Studio is modern French with California influences and it has recently been recognized with Three Stars from Los Angeles Times, Five Stars from Mobil Travel Guide, and Robb Report as one of ‘America’s Finest Dining Restaurants’. I really enjoy these ad sales dinners because I get to meet and to thank our advertising partners. It’s also a really good opportunity for me and my COO Lisa Gersh to explain all of the latest events taking place at MSLO.
1 Shopping is always a must on any trip and while in Laguna Beach, we popped into Stephen Frank Garden & Home, which carries distinctive tabletop, unique collectibles, vintage artifacts, European pottery, and decorative accessories.
2 They have quite a few pieces by metal artist, Michael Aram.
3 Michael Aram's work was transformed during a trip to India, where he discovered that country's rich metalworking traditions and applied it to his art.
4 We also stopped into Tuvalu Home Furnishings & Accessories. These metal-edged dishes are called Match Pewter and are handmade by artisans in the north of Italy.
5 Interesting artwork - These are called gorgonians, also known as sea whips or sea fans. They are found throughout the oceans of the world, especially in the tropics and subtropics.
6 And fun folk art
7 This is the very beautiful Montage in Laguna Beach.
8 Montage Laguna Beach is located on 30 spectacular, beachfront acres in the heart of Laguna Beach.
9 The grounds and the vistas are simply magnificent!
10 Harris hawks and Saker falcons are on patrol at the Montage.
11 Trained falconers work with these birds of prey to discourage pest birds, like seagulls, starlings, finches, and pigeons from seeking feeding and nesting opportunities at the resort.
12 This safe and natural method of non-lethal bird control has been proven to be very effective and is also used to protect many vineyards.
13 The view from terrace of the restaurant, Studio was gorgeous.
14 The terrace tables had crisp white linens and a lovely centerpiece.
15 The tables in the private dining room were set in a similar fashion.
16 The decor was pleasing to the eye.
17 All of the arrangements were composed of the loveliest white flowers.
18 One beverage offered was a White Nixon, inspired by the MSL March issue cocktail - ruby red grapefruit juice, Bellocq White Nixon tea (bellocq.com), vodka, and Domaine de Canton ginger liquor
19 Joe Petrillo - Integrated Sales Director for MSLO in Los Angeles, Kelly Brent - West Coast Manager for Martha Stewart Weddings, toasted with Lisa and me.
20 Studio chef, Craig Strong, greeted us and explained how the restaurant had been designed using many of his ideas.
21 He proudly told us about the organic Studio Garden just outside the restaurant, which is overflowing with herbs, fruits, and vegetables, much like a garden he experienced as a chef in Spain.
22 Those fruits, vegetables, and herbs are used in Chef Strong's restaurant creations and also in seasonal cocktails, as well as in soothing spa treatments in the hotel's spa.
23 Gael Towey and Mark Brown - SVP-Communications Planning Director The Garage/Team Mazda
24 Mary Beth Hagen - Senior Product Manager Allergan/Botox with Heather Kimoto - Integrated Sales Manager for MSLO in Los Angeles
25 Daisy Schwartzberg - my makeup artist and Tammy Swenarski - Marketing Director Allergan/Botox
26 Kelly Brent sitting with Kevin Lu - President and CEO of Casablanca Bridal and Kim Stuart - VP of Marketing and Casablanca Bridal
27 Chef Strong at work
28 The kitchen is impeccably neat
29 And very attractive.
30 The lemon tart gratins for our dessert were cooling in the kitchen.
31 Chef Strong must have known that I love all things lemon!
32 Fred Sattler - EVP Managing Director Initiative, his wife, Carol Sattler, and Raul Escobar
33 I'm laughing hard in this photo, as I was having a very good time!
34 The first course was a Spanish Salad - mizuna lettuce, serrano ham, manchego cheese, garlic prawns, and sherry vinaigrette.
35 The second course was a choice of either Pacific black cod, with broccolini, potato confit, roasted cauliflower, and romesco sauce
36 Or, grilled beef tenderloin with crispy asparagus, potato mousseline, bone marrow crostini, and sauce bordelaise.
37 Dessert was the lemon tart gratin with pistachio ice cream. Yum!!!
38 Posing with Mark Brown and his wife Zoila
39 James Johnson - Senior Director MS Home Office Marketing Avery Dennison, me, Amy Ladwig - VP of Sales Avery Dennison, Amy's husband Don Ladwig, and James's wife Tina Patterson
40 Mary Beth Hagen and Tammy Swenarski
41 Sitting with Fred Sattler and his wife, Carol
42 And with Dionne Colvin - National Strategic Planning Manager Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
43 Lisa Gersh and Dionne Colvin
44 Cynthia Jensen, SVP, Media Operations at Innocean Americas and her husband, Raul Escobar
45 With Kevin Lu and Kim Stuart
46 Tina Patterson and James Johnson
47 Posing with Chef Craig Strong after the wonderful meal
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Lovely setting and fun things to do! You look so cute, Martha and nice to see you having a fun and relaxed evening. You are a 'good thing' and simply keep getting better as you age! An inspiration to all 'seniors'.
Posted by: sherey | February 3rd, 2012 at 2:16 am
California trip must have been wonderful. Makes me think of my time with our entire family there for wedding where kids loved animals at Rancho Los Lomas, boating and swimming at Laguna and I also was fortunate to get a A M Bower hand carved wood picture.
Posted by: ann | February 3rd, 2012 at 5:48 am
Hi Martha,
Looks like so much fun! Beautiful photos and amazing place. The menu looks delicious. Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | February 3rd, 2012 at 8:42 am
"Shopping is a must on any trip" My sentiments exactly Martha! Thanks for showing us this shop, I love the Match Pewter dishes and the interesting candlesticks by Michael Aram in photo #3. The views at Montage Resort in Laguna Beach are spectacular and how impressive they use falcons to keep away pesty birds. I have to say you did look like you were enjoying yourself at the ad sales dinner. Good for you! The food looked yummy and I have never seen such a clean, pretty restaurant kitchen! Thanks for sharing this trip Martha and have a great weekend!
Posted by: Cindy F | February 3rd, 2012 at 9:01 am
Martha,
Have a good weekend. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 3rd, 2012 at 10:16 am
Hi Martha, WOW! What a beautiful place that you and your crew visited for dinner at Laguna Beach! That is one of the best places to go in the middle of winter with the weather looking so fantastic! Your photos and the websites you shared are awesome! Photo #9 is stunning and #10,11,&12 of the hawks and falcons are outstanding!The dining tables are so lovely! Photo #19 was such a happy group! Chef Craig Strong must have created a delicious meal and his kitchen is impeccibly neat!Sure was fun to view this lovely tour and would love to go there some day! Enjoy the Super Bowl on Sunday and have a great trip to Germany next week! Can't wait to see your tweets and blogs about that, too! Have a great day and a delightful weekend! Off to see The Daily Wag again-love it all! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 3rd, 2012 at 10:38 am
Hi Martha,
Thanks again for more interesting pictures of your stay in California. We have plenty of beachfront resorts in South Florida but it’s still nice to see areas I haven’t been to before like Laguna Beach. I really like the offerings in Stephen Frank Garden & Home – the best part of any vacation for me is the shopping because I actually enjoy it then. When I’m home, there’s always something else I’d rather do. Michael Aram is a wonderful artist – I wouldn’t mind owning some of his work! Have a great Super Bowl Weekend and GO GIANTS! Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 am
Dear Martha,
Thank you for the wonderful photos and comments about our store, Stephen Frank Garden & Home. My partner Frank and I were on a buying trip at the Home Furnishings/Gift Market in Las Vegas and unfortunately missed your visit. It would have been such a treat to greet you in person. And thanks to all your readers for their wonderful comments. Laguna Beach is such a special place. We're happy we can share in some of the beauty.
Stephen
Posted by: Stephen Jacobs | February 3rd, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Thank you Martha wonderful photos, number five is black coral and is found in deep water until it is broken due to bad seas or storms, my mother used to have a large collection as she lived on the Barrier Reef and sometimes these would wash ashore and if lucky not damaged, I have no idea where they are now unfortunately as some were quite large.
Posted by: Aussie gal | February 5th, 2012 at 3:11 am
Dear Martha,
As always, you continue to share your wonderful wisdom and interesting experiences with us. I would just like to thank you so much for always being so consistent in every endeavor your attempt. I have been learning to bake and have been using your recipes frequently. I visit your site often for tips on everything from cleaning house to entertaining guests. I know that I can always count on you for the utmost in quality and class and I just want you to know that I really deeply appreciate you and all of the efforts you have made towards making all of our lives better. Keep up the wonderful work, Martha. No one can compare to you.
Sincerely,
Mary E. Vance-Frame
Posted by: MARY E. VANCE-FRAME | February 5th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Martha.
Thanks as alway for your wonderful updates on your trips!
I think that's a Julia Knight bowl! I own the same one in 2 colors, but not pink
! May need to go back! Love her stuff!
Keep sharing w/us, we so enjoy it!
Thanks - Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | February 6th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Hi Martha, What a treat for you to visit Laguna Beach and for us to have you in our store, Tuvalu! Wendy was thrilled to meet you and we were so glad you loved the Arte Italica ceramic and pewter serveware (photo 2) and our sea fan art (photo 5). We hope you can come back to Laguna and see us again soon!
- Laurie and the Tuvalu Team
Posted by: Tuvalu Home | February 10th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Dear Martha,
I was sorry that I missed you at my shop, Hillary. I hope you enjoyed shopping experience and if I can be of assistance for any future visits to Laguna Beach, please do not hesitate to get in touch. So happy you were able to see my beautiful shop!
wendy estreicher
Posted by: Wendy Estreicher | February 12th, 2012 at 2:36 am
The product featured here is actually Arte Italica, we too sell beautiful Italian pewter and ceramics! Thanks Martha for including us in your blog!
Posted by: Mary Ann Hairfield | August 7th, 2012 at 3:45 pm