Monterey Plaza Hotel Between Moontinis and Moon Jellies

By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov

The full moon over Monterey Bay is a fascinating view to behold. Especially with a themed Moonlight Cocktail in hand, and from a heated patio of Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Located in the oceanfront section of Monterey, known as Cannery Row and immortalized by John Steinbeck, this majestic hotel was built on a footprint of the historical cannery and occupies four and a half acres of land – almost an entire city block. These nights, during the full moon, hotel guests and Monterey Peninsula locals congregate on its expansive open deck over water to celebrate “Moonlight on the Bay.”

Designed for the chilly autumn nights, “Moonlight on the Bay” promotion includes specialty cocktails, like Blue Moontini made of Pearl plum vodka, lavender elixir, and plum bitters, and Harvest Moon Coffee with Tuaca, spiced rum, Frangelico, coffee, whipped cream, and nutmeg. Valley of the Moon wines and gourmet pizza are also a part of the popular deck-side reveries of the lunar cycle.   

In fact, Schooners’ Caprese pizza with fresh mozzarella, tomato, fragrant basil and a sprinkle of balsamic is offered in honor of the classic Dean Martin’s song with its famous funny lyrics, “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza-pie, that’s amore…”

Wrapped in warm blankets provided by the restaurant’s attentive staff, and obviously overcome by amore, Schooners’ patrons tend to linger on the patio, suspended over the waters of Monterey Bay.  The newly remodeled restaurant, lead by the Executive Chef James Waller, is known for its California-fresh contemporary American cuisine and sustainable seafood. 

Local seasonal Dungeness is a star of roasted corn and crab chowder from Holiday Specials menu.

A troll-caught in Washington state King salmon from Fish Stories menu is pan-seared and served on a bed of beans and shrimp in a wonderfully mildly-spiced Peruvian mole sauce.   

All desserts are made in house, and warm Schooners’ brownie with vanilla ice-cream and shaved dark chocolate is sure to warm anyone’s heart.

A good-night sleep guaranteed in a hotel room where the only sound that comes through the open balcony door is the sound of waves splashing underneath.

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa has 290 deluxe guestrooms decorated with classic Biedermeier-style furniture and fabrics, and even equipped with sea binoculars. It is easy to spend hours on a cozy balcony over the Bay contemplating leisurely kayakers surrounded by sea otters, seals, dolphins, seagulls, and pelicans.    

They can also be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows from any table of the Schooners main dining room at breakfast.

Some of the immensely popular breakfast treats here are California Crab Cake Benedict with grilled Portobello mushroom and Béarnaise sauce, and Cinnamon Blueberry French Toast with maple syrup and blueberry compote.

After breakfast, the nicest short walk along Cannery Row takes hotel guests to all the area attractions and activities. Bicycling, kayaking, sailing, whale watching, scuba diving in the protected marine sanctuary of Monterey Bay, and golf at 19 local championship courses are readily available.

The world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium is just three blocks away. Its enormous well-appointed space is dedicated to all forms of marine life on the ocean’s edge and at the open sea.

From jewel-like coral reef fish to giant octopi the Open Sea exhibits are teeming with wondrous creatures. Touch Pools bring to the surface bat rays, sea stars, and sea slugs.  

Leopard sharks with bright cat eyes swim through the kelp forest in Monterey Bay Habitats.

Graceful multicolored seahorses, sea dragons, and pipefish populate the mind-boggling show The Secret Lives of Seahorses.    

In the Jellies exhibit there are giant violet Crown Jellies – first time on display anywhere in the world; and Blue Blubber Jellies of all colors from baby blue to deep purple; and – suitable for the occasion pale Moon Jellies – very much in tune with the full moon and all things moonlight.

“Moonlight on the Bay” promotion at the Schooners Coastal Kitchen & Bar’s patio continues through November 30 from 5-11 p.m., but the holiday season in Monterey goes on way beyond the full moon phase.

The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is located at 400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940. For information and reservations call: (831) 646-1700 or (800) 334-3999 or visit: www.montereyplazahotel.com

The White Snake from Classic Chinese Fable Uncoils at Berkeley Rep

By Emma Krasov

Folk tales and ancient legends, like no other literature, hold their spell over countless generations throughout centuries. Weird, poetic, and inexplicable, they feed into our mythical thinking and excite our imagination with their ability to transcend the mundane, to apply magical glow to the everyday objects and events, and to spread a thin veil of colorful dreams over grim reality. Brought to the stage, these tales and legends can become gloriously tangible, expressing the very essence of live theatre, where script, vision, design, and acting come together to bring audiences to the state of attentive reverie.

That is especially true if a tale is taken into consideration by an undisputed master of the theatrical dream world, though always firmly grounded in contemporary reality, the Tony Award-winning Mary Zimmerman, whose most recent Argonautika and The Arabian Nights made history at Berkeley Rep.

Adapted, written, and directed by Ms. Zimmerman, The White Snake conveys a heart-breaking legend of a mythical shape-shifting spirit turned a young woman who dares to fall in love with a mortal and live a life of a human being with all its disappointments, betrayals, and sacrifices.     

The plot is much more complex, though, and the emotional impact of the play cannot be justified by mere words. This piercingly beautiful, tragic, and at the same time filled with gentle humor tale was brought to its stage incarnation by a copious amount of talent working in the realm of all the senses.

The White Snake is performed in wonderful harmony by a highly talented ensemble of actors: Amy Kim Waschke in the lead role; Tanya Thai McBride in the role of Green Snake; Christopher Livingston as Xu Xian; Jack Willis as Fa Hai, and Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Gina Daniels, Richard Howard, Cristofer Jean, Emily Sophia Knapp, Vin Kridakorn, and Lisa Tejero in other parts.  

The airy set, mostly awashed in flowing silks, is designed by Daniel Ostling; gorgeous costumes by Mara Blumenfeld; poetic lighting by T.J. Gerckens; original music and haunting sound design by Andre Pluess, and vivid yet minimalist projection design by Shawn Sagady.

Live music is performed by Tessa Brinckman, Ronnie Malley, and Michal Palzewicz.

Images: courtesy of mellopix.com. 1. Amy Kim Waschke (left) and Christopher Livingston. 2. Tanya Thai McBride as Greenie. 3. Amy Kim Waschke (left to right), Tanya Thai McBride, Christopher Livingston and Lisa Tejero.

Eating Your Vegetables is Easy at Veggie Grill

By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov

With San Jose recently making the news as the healthiest city in the United States, there is no coincidence that the first Northern California location of Veggie Grill opens right here, in the upscale shopping, dining and entertainment Santana Row center.

Veggie Grill, the unusually healthy fast food restaurant serves the ever-popular American diner staples, only 100% plant-based and free of animal fat, dairy, cholesterol, trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup.

How do they do that? Breaking the stereotype of boring vegetarian chow, Veggie Grill chefs create little masterpieces out of protein- and fiber-rich grains and legumes, brightly-colored fresh vegetables and herbs, and unusual spices that add a special touch of deliciousness to the restaurant’s salads, sandwiches, soups, and sauces. 

The feel-good culinary adventure starts with the uplifting interior design in vibrant colors of red, orange and salad-green, sustainable bamboo tables and wall panels, oversized patterned globes of light fixtures, and a busy open kitchen lead by the executive chef Miguel Gonzalez.   

The attentive staff members, clad in white Ts and orange aprons, greet visitors at the door and deliver kale and sweet potato delights maneuvering among the cozily laid out tables and booths. Families with children, groups of friends, and couples are steadily flocking in on a busy shopping weekend.    

If you are dining with your sweetheart, and even if you don’t have one, Sweetheart Fries made from sweet potatoes and complimented by chipotle ranch dressing are sure to warm your heart.

Buffalo Wings with celery sticks are as traditionally spicy and as addictive as the best of their kind, and it will take you some time to realize that they are not chicken wings but rather made of Chickin’ – a blend of soy beans, wheat, peas and other vegetable proteins. Tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce they look and taste like boneless chicken wings, and are as satisfactory.   

All Hail Kale Salad with strips of blackened Chickin’ is one of the most popular items on the menu. Thinly chopped and marinated for 24 hours, healthful kale is joined on a festive plate by red cabbage, corn salsa, agave-roasted walnuts, and ginger-papaya vinaigrette.   

Another crowd pleaser is Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ Sandwich – a lightly-breaded fried Chickin’ “filet” topped with fresh guacamole on a toasted wheat bun with and all the trimmings – shredded lettuce, tomato, red onion, a pile of sweet potato fries, and even spicy vegan mayo for dipping. It makes a meal with a side of cauli-mashed potatoes and a glass of iced tea or lemonade.      

Veggie Grill offers a variety of gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free options, plus kids’ meals and a selection of beer and wine. Dine-in, take-out, and catering.

Veggie Grill at Santana Row is located at 3055 Olin Avenue in San Jose. Open daily Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Friday and Saturday, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. For more information, call 408-296-6473 or visit www.veggiegrill.com.

Have a Fluttering Holiday Weekend with Die Fledermaus at Opera San José

By Emma Krasov

A dazzling new show at Opera San José is as fitting for the holiday season as a glass of tiny bubbles. The classic Johann Strauss’s operetta Die Fledermaus (“The Bat”) with libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genee sparkles with waltzes and polkas, witty remarks and hilarious situations – perhaps, as refreshing and charming today as it has been at its premiere in Vienna in 1873…

Conducted by David Rohrbaugh, directed by Marc Jacobs, and choreographed by Robyn Tribuzi, this musical comedy set to the unforgettably vivacious tunes is performed by a master cast of OSJ, harmoniously interacting onstage with grace and ease suitable for the premise of the play.   

Revenge, infidelity, class envy, bank fraud, imprisonment, and other otherwise morally “heavy” themes are treated with a tongue-in-cheek lightness and humor, perfectly delivered by opera singers in the roles of vaudeville villains.

James Callon nad Melody King (von Eisenstein and Rosalinde) play a bourgeois couple of mutually-cheating yet loving spouses, while Jillian Boye makes the audience burst with laughter as the chambermaid Adele, sneaking out in her mistress’s gown to a lavish all-night party thrown by an eccentric Russian prince (Nicole Birkland).

Michel Dailey is as persuasive as he is funny in the role of Rosalinde’s unlucky ex-lover Alfred who goes to jail through no fault of his, straight from his beloved’s arms.

The whirlwind of a wild-night adventures involves a number of other expressive characters – the play’s culprit, Dr. Falke (the title Bat, performed by Zachary Altman), the misfit lawyer Dr. Blind (Michael Mendelsohn), Adele’s inventive sister, Ida (Tori Grayum), police chief Frank (Isaiah Musik-Ayala), and a jail warden Frosch (Kelly Houston).

The show runs through November 25 at the California Theatre at 345 South First Street, San José.  Tickets and information at 408-437-4455 or www.operasj.org.

Images: Pat Kirk.   

Life’s a Beach in Redondo Beach, California

By Emma Krasov, photography by Emma Krasov

A 20-minute taxi ride took me from LAX to the historical Redondo Beach – a seaside resort since 1892, and a vibrant SoCal community today – and all of a sudden it was vacation.

Best Western Sunrisein the middle of downtown is a short walk away from all the major attractions of the beach city. Redondo Beach Marina, teeming with boaters ready to explore the softer side of the Pacific; Redondo Beach Pier – a marvel of modern walkway architecture;  Seaside Lagoon Water Park designed for tiny swimmers’ and their parents’ safety, and an array of seafood-centered restaurants, old-timer funky bars, and nostalgic little candy and ice-cream shops are all found along the sparklingly sunny waterfront.

On the night of my arrival I sat on an open-air terrace of Bluewater Grill, enjoying golden sunset with black silhouettes of tall palm trees, and a plate of wild swordfish from Catalina – a fresh catch from the boat belonging to one of the restaurant owners, according to my server.  

In the morning, I accomplished my workout for the day on Beach Barcycle – a new inventive attraction that combines the notions of sitting in a bar, pedaling a bike, and moving along a busy street in a kind of a party street car. While the vehicle is powered by a team of leisurely “cyclers;” operated by a company driver who stirs the wheel; and moves only as fast as the pedaling goes, it is a part of the city traffic, and therefore no alcohol is allowed in this “bar.” I felt fine with just a bottle of water, and so did all my fellow passengers, trying our hardest to move faster amidst bursts of laughter and cheers from the passersby.

Lunch at white-table-cloth H.T. Grill quickly restored my energy with a market-fresh green salad, pecan crusted orange roughy in lemon butter, and rich chocolate molten cake topped with Frangelico whipped cream.

Inspired by the freshness of produce I just consumed, I walked along the stalls of the Riviera Village Farmers’ Market where many local chefs find ingredients for their delicious dishes. Compact, but incredibly colorful and diverse, the market carries everything from fresh berries to tropical fruit and from small-farm grown greens to homemade pickles, cheeses, salsas, and chocolates.

For a relatively small town populated by close to 70,000 people, Redondo Beach has plenty of great places to eat, drink, and be merry.

An historical and festively decorated Tony’s on the Pier offers creative cocktails, shrimp galore and of course, the views. 

Captain Kidd’s Fish Market carries all imaginable seafood prepared any way from sashimi to deep fried, or cleaned and packed to take home. 

Samba Brazilian Steakhouseis a dinner and a show at its best, with efficient servers clad in black and carrying flaming skewers to the tables, and gorgeous samba dancers in sparkling carnival attire with ostrich feather headpieces dancing in the middle of the low-lit dining room. 

Culinary art is not the only one that engages Redondo Beach residents. At the Sea Side Art Walk local watercolorist, photographers, glassmakers, and jewelers display their wares steps away from the bustling Redondo Beach Marina.

Here, I returned several times during my short vacation to experience the many different ways to engage with the sea and the wondrous sea life in the friendly King Harbor.

On a nature cruise with Voyager Excursions I basked in the sun, inhaled the sea breeze, and watched brightly-colored sail boats and shiny dolphins playing around them.  

On an exciting tour aboard SSV Looking Glass – a semi-submersible underwater viewing boat – I’ve learned quite a few interesting things. Our captain brought his passengers very close to the colony of resident sea lions and pointed out that they have ear flaps and longer faces as opposed to seals that have just hearing holes on the round heads. He also named several fish species, like opal-eyed perch, silvery smelts, and fiery-orange Garibaldi, all clearly visible during the underwater part of our journey.   

I had a couple more chances to come close to the richness of Redondo Beach’s wildlife on a pedal boatand a kayak, readily available in the recreation area of the marina.  

Cocktails and fresh sushi on the open air terrace of Kincaid’s, located at the Upper Redondo Beach Pier, seemed like a perfect way to round up a glorious day by the ocean.

At night, I had a chance to check out at least three hugely-popular concert venues of the art-loving beach town. During my stay in Redondo Beach, Missing Persons performed at the BriXtonsnightclub on one night, and John Waite on another; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Nokie Edwards gathered an enormous crowd during a free concert on the Pier; and a Frank Sinatra Tribute Concert was going on at the lavish Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center – a crown jewel of the South Bay arts scene, equipped with a stage, lighting- and audio-systems fit for Broadway, and a plush 1,457-seat auditorium.  

Coming up in December:  Voyager Whale Watching – December through April. Gray whales migrate annually from Alaska to Baja California. Voyager excursions off the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Catalina Channel depart seven days a week: www.voyagerexcursions.com       

To learn more and to plan a visit to Redondo Beach, go to:  www.visitredondo.com, www.redondo.org, www.redondochamber.org.