February 3rd, 2012

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.

◄ Back
1 of 47

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

Posted on February 3rd, 2012 in Behind the Scenes, Entertaining, Food & Recipes, Friends, Gardens, Photo Gallery, Travel | Permalink |

Comments

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them.