One would be remiss not to participate in the four-course tasting menu at 1500 Ocean, the signature restaurant at famed 127-year-old beachfront property the Hotel del Coronado in California. At 1500 Ocean, chef de cuisine Meredith Manee pays tribute to her heritage with the fresh garden-to-table dishes. “I’m a California girl—from Santa Barbara—but my family is Italian,” she says. “I draw inspiration from both to introduce people to the amazing bounty of food this area has to offer.” Manee brings with her an education from California’s School of Culinary Arts Le Cordon Bleu and over 13 years of industry experience. She tends to the Del’s beachfront herb garden and remains steadfast in her commitment to local fare and fine California dining.
To start, try the chicory and arugula salad—the truffle vinaigrette highlights the freshness of the vegetables sourced from Manee’s garden. From there, the options abound: veal cheeks with gnocchi and butternut squash in a brown butter balsamic; lobster ravioli served with a coconut-basil sauce; blue cheese-crusted filet mignon; seared diver scallops with lemon-pepper risotto. The wine pairings throughout are expertly selected, and the staff are both knowledgeable and attentive, making for a wonderful experience set against a backdrop of the property’s expansive beaches.
Eventually, dessert comes, too; try the lemongrass crème brûlée or the house-made sorbet and ice cream, offered in three seasonal flavours. End with a glass of Graham’s 1994 port, just the thing to cap off an outstanding meal.
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1500 Ocean, 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, California, 92118, United States, 619-522-8490.
