OK, "A hotel restaurant?" you say, yawning. Certainly there are examples of great ones but surely most of them fall into the "we can eat here without having to leave the hotel..." category. Yet Arterra, located in the Del Mar Marriott, surprises in almost every way. The restaurant itself is clean, crisp and very modern, yet it has a feeling of warmth and coziness to it. And the bar is almost always full of professionals and folks just looking for a break and good conversation.
Heading outside near the great pool brings you to a beautifully redesigned outdoor lounge with modern furnishings laid out amongst glowing fire-pits and beautiful views. You can even dine in a private cabana...at a price. Think New York chic with SD weather - no need to go downtown any longer.
But, the best is yet to come. The food at Arterra is top quality all the way. It is said that the restaurant gets most of its food from local ranchers, farmers and fisherman who harvest and hand-select produce, meats, poultry, fish, game and other products exclusively for Arterra. And the selection seems to verify the claim - daily menus feature seasonal offerings that are "updated, refined and intensely flavorful."
Some of the items I really enjoyed were the grilled Day-boat scallops over tortelloni, the Kurobuta Pork served Three Ways and, for the adventurous side of you, the Truffled Popcorn Sweetbreads served as a Chef's Table entree. If you want simpler fare, the lounge served sliders, sushi, and a variety of offerings you can enjoy while mingling with a great crowd. Did I mention the sushi bar? This place has it all!
Pros : Great food, terrific atmosphere, always a crowd
Cons : After this bill you have to pay for parking? What's that all about?
Price Range : $50 - $100
Recommended : Yes
Review Date : 11/10/2008
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