Posted by David Porter on November 23, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Phoenix, Arizona – The Heard Museum Presents Harvest Feast: An Edible Gallery
A New Way to Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Valley’s Favorite Native Venue
WHAT: Harvest Feast: A Native American Edible Gallery
On November 25, join the Heard Museum for a special, cuisine-based American Indian journey! Harvest Feast Day: An Edible Gallery is an incredible way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with friends or family without needing to cook a thing!
Chef Freddie Bitsoie, Diné, bridges American Indian culture and professional kitchen expertise. This unique epicurean event under his direction centers on five edible galleries. Four of the five stations will focus on traditional ingredients from the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and the Southwest. The fifth station’s menu will be a modern twist on tribal foods reflecting the culinary influence of the French, Spanish, Dutch and English on native foods and ingredients.
The sample menu for the Southeast region includes Chitimacha baked duck with choke cherry sauce, Hopewell-inspired stewed red beans in tomato and herbs, Macque Choux, Muskogee Creek cabbage slaw, Cherokee sweet-pepper pot soup and Seminole-style wild berry dumplings in grape sauce. Not surprisingly, many of the foods associated with the current Thanksgiving meal—such as turkey with all the trimmings—are comprised of foods native to the United States. What better way to celebrate the generosity shown by Native peoples at the first Thanksgiving!
The Heard Museum and Heard Museum Shop will be open to the public Thanksgiving Day, making it the perfect way to spend the day with family and friends in town for the holiday weekend. Shoppers can get a jump start on holiday shopping with books, jewelry and hand-made ornaments in the Shop and guests can tour the museum with an expert docent.
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 25, 2010, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz.
COST: $70 Adults, $60 for Heard Museum Members; $30 children 12 and under.
Price does not include gratuity; beer, wine and cocktails are additional. Price does not include museum admission.
INFO: Reservations must be made by calling 602.252.8848 ext. 2276.
Heard Museum Thanksgiving Harvest Feast Menu
Posted by David Porter on November 23, 2010 · 2 Comments
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California – If you only had one day to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, what would you do?
Well, one of the objectives here at The Roaming Boomers™ is to do all the homework for you, go experience our choices, and report back to you.
Fifty years after Columbus discovered America, Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sighted the white sands and green pines of Carmel. Two centuries later, in 1771, Father Junipero Serra established Mission San Carlos de Borromeo on a knoll overlooking the Carmel Bay—the jewel and the heartbreak of his ministry. In the early 1900s, the village of Carmel began its growth around an eclectic group of young artists, writers and intellectuals.
Today, roughly 4,000 people call Carmel-by-the-sea home and it has become a mecca for artists, writers and musicians since the turn of the last century. Today, more than 100 art studios, galleries and antique stores represent the works of master artists, both local and from around the world.
When we arrived in Carmel-by-the-Sea it was a cloudy, somewhat cool October day. Therefore, the intermittent sprinkles dictated our decisions to a point. Nonetheless, we had a great time.
Here’s what we did:
Shopping
This was #1 on Mrs. Roaming Boomers list. Shopping on Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Ocean Avenue is a discriminating shopper’s delight where you will find fashion, jewelry, antiques, gifts, art galleries, and furniture boutiques along tree-lined streets, secret passageways, charming courtyards, and curlicue-roofed shops. Don’t forget your walking shoes!
Exploring Neighborhoods
A few hours simply driving around and exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea’s neighborhoods is certain to delight. You will find homes where you will swear that Hansel and Gretel live as well as modern majestic structures overlooking the sea. In our opinion, you can’t get to know the town without some exploration. Be prepared for some major ogling and jaw-dropping vistas.
17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach
This is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. You will witness stunning rocky ocean views, palatial mansions overlooking the sea, drive through the world famous Pebble Beach golf course, and will likely find California Sea Lions frolicking in the surf. There is a small charge to enter this scenic drive, but a purchase at one of the many restaurants, boutiques, or perhaps the Pebble Beach golf shop will get you a refund.
These three activities will give you a very, very full day. However, if these don’t seem to wet your whistle, here’s a great website from Carmel-by-the-Sea with myriads of further options.
Posted by David Porter on November 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (November 16, 2010) – The Phoenician captures the spirit of the holidays with a variety of delectable offerings for area residents and visitors to the Grand Canyon State. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, family and friends can continue or begin new traditions while enjoying the AAA Five Diamond experience provided by Arizona’s premier resort destination. For more information and reservations, visit www.thephoenician.com, or call (480) 423-2530:
Traditional Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet – November 25
10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the new, state-of-the-art Camelback Ballroom
Pricing: $89 per adult; $44.50 for children 3-12 years of age (children under 3 years of age complimentary)
Featuring carved turkey breast, butternut squash stuffing, sweet potato casserole, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, prime rib of beef and a tamale station; breakfast favorites including scrambled eggs and omelets, waffles and French toast; seafood offerings including a raw bar and smoked/cured fish; complemented by a selection of breakfast pastries and desserts. Also featuring Mumm Sparkling Wine.
Holiday Tea – December 1-January 1*
1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. in The Phoenician Tea Court
Pricing: $55 per person
Featuring a variety of finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves, pastries, unlimited champagne and a diverse selection of premium tea blends – all accompanied by a live pianist and presented in a festive, holiday atmosphere.
Breakfast with Santa – December 11 and December 18
9 a.m.-12 p.m. each day in the new, state-of-the-art Camelback Ballroom
Pricing: $45 for adults; $30 for children ages 3-12
The menu features French toast, waffles, chocolate-chip pancakes, Danish, mini bagels, scrambled eggs, fresh fruits and granola yogurt parfaits.
Includes: Commemorative digital photo with Arizona’s authentic Old Saint Nick; cookie decorating and holiday movies on the big screens.
Traditional Christmas Brunch Buffet – December 25
10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the new, state-of-the-art Camelback Ballroom
Pricing: $89 for adults; $44.50 for children 3-12 years of age (children under 3 years of age complimentary)
Featuring carved turkey breast with foie gras gravy, apple and chestnut stuffing, New York strip steak, potato gnocchi, Paninis, eggs Benedict, malted sweet potato waffles, caviar, sushi, antipasti and a selection of breakfast pastries and desserts. Also featuring Mumm Sparkling Wine.
New Year’s Eve Party – December 31
7 p.m.-1 a.m. at Relish Burger Bistro
Pricing: $55 per person
Featuring special appetizers, house margaritas, wine and beer on draft, as well as live entertainment.
Other seasonal treasures include:
J&G Steakhouse
From renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the premier restaurant offers a full a la carte and fall prix fixe menu. Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas night. Call (480) 214-8000 for reservations.
Phoenician Gingerbread House
Visit one of the largest gingerbread houses in the Valley of the Sun, designed by Executive Pastry Chef Roy Pell and The Phoenician Pastry Team. Requiring approximately 250 hours to produce, the confectionery creation features 500 pounds of gingerbread, 210 pounds of flour and 108 pounds of sugar. The Phoenician Gingerbread House is on display to the general public in the resort’s main lobby November 25 through January 1. Admission is free.
The Thirsty Camel
Enjoy one of the best views in the valley from the lobby lounge and terrace, featuring a sushi bar and chocolate buffet on December 31 to accompany the resort’s renowned wine list and largest vodka collection in Arizona.
Grape & Grain
Looking for an exclusive holiday gift for someone special? Stop by the Grape & Grain and select from The Phoenician’s award-winning collection of international wines, spirits and beers. Specialties include the resort’s limited edition private label tequila, and Santa Margherita Prosecco — for creating The Phoenician’s signature Bellinis at home. Shipping is available.
Located at the base of Camelback Mountain, the 250-acre Phoenician offers two exquisite experiences – a 583-room AAA Five Diamond luxury resort hotel and an exclusive Five Diamond boutique hotel, The Canyon Suites — at one magnificent destination. The property features elegant, residential-style accommodations, distinctive and tantalizing cuisine across such restaurants as Il Terrazzo, J&G Steakhouse and Relish Burger Bistro, a championship golf course, 11 tennis courts, The Centre for Well-Being and Salon Mila spa complex, an activities program for all ages and interests, numerous boutique shops, a $25 million art collection and the new 15,000 square-foot Camelback Ballroom. In addition to these offerings, the stylish 60-room Canyon Suites provides more intimate surroundings and enhanced services, creating an atmosphere of uncompromising splendor. Both The Phoenician and The Canyon Suites are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., as part of The Luxury Collection. For additional information, please call (480) 941-8200; (800) 888-8234 or visit www.thephoenician.com.
*Closed New Year’s Eve
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Posted by David Porter on November 22, 2010 · 3 Comments
We will soon be star gazing in the dark Sedona, Arizona skies with Evening Sky Tours. I can’t wait to see what the sky might look like during our visit. Stay tuned!
Posted by David Porter on November 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment
For 33 years, the Desert Botanical Garden has offered a night of luminaria where guests can enjoy the soft evening glow of 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags as you stroll with a warm cup of cider with the sounds of handbells ringing and Dickens Carolers singing. Stay tuned!
The Roaming Boomers
