Page 11 - May 2004 • Southern California Gaming Guide

E Casino Fine Dining ating at a casino doesn’t
café fare. e Grill specializes in American, Asian, Mexican and Ital- ian items featuring daily “Bucket” spe- cials that change each month and include lobster and steak, and steak and shrimp. e Grill is one of those restaurants
thatcantakeontheveneerofupscale
have to mean overindulging
at the buffet. There’s a lot more dining variety at casinos. Some Southern California casinos have several restaurants including coffee shops, family-style cafes, and some even have fine dining comparable to any restaurant in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Palm
Springs.
In the 1990s Las Vegas witnessed
somethingofadiningrevolutionwhen Wolfgang Puck opened Spago in 1992, followed by Emeril Lagasse with the New Orleans Fish House in 1995.
sometimes with a celebrity chef presiding.
Barona Oaks Steakhouse is Barona Valley Ranch’s award-winning signature restaurant o ering diners an exciting combination of steakhouse favorites
lodges, has created a unique menu with specialties that include Diamondback Rattlesnake Fritters and the popular
Bu alo Steak entree. Less exotic, but truly memorable dishes are artfully presented at this elegant and beautiful restaurant.
Reservations are encouraged, but not necessary. When you go to Barona Valley Ranch, this restaurant is a must-try!
Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center’s Golden Grill is the casino’s main restaurant, o ering round the clock ser- vice and some menu items that transcend
dining while catering to a wide ety of tastes. (For
healthy eaters
they’ve added
some Atkins-
style wraps that
are just deli- cious.) If you haven’t been to Golden Acorn yet, schedule a time to take in a meal there and some time at the tables and slots.
v a r i -
book, Southern California casinos and resorts have created their own upscale signature restaurants with
unique
specialties,
Many Southern California casi- nos feature fine dining venues with varying menus and themes. Check out the Café Serrano at Casino Morongo, with a wide array of fine menu choices in a lovely room. At the Agua Caliente Casino in upscale Rancho Mirage, make sure you dine at the Prime 10 Steakhouse for the beautiful ambiance and the delicious fare. Don’t miss the amazingly beau- tiful and exciting restaurants at the new Spa Resort Casino, including thestylishAsian-fusionRoppongi, and also The Grove, Viejas Casi- no’s fine dining restaurant is not
to be missed. Pala Casino’s Oak Room is a lovely restau- rant with an inventive menu, and Pechanga Casino Resort’s Great Oak restaurant is a gorgeous room
with an incredible menu. You read- ers voted Barona Oaks, Pala’s Oak Room, and Pechanga’s Great Oak the three best restaurants of all Southern California casinos. (Is there something about great food and the oaks?) Eat well and enjoy all the dining options at Southern California casinos!
Eating Healthy at Casinos!
e in ux of high-caliber celebrity
restaurants transformed the city of
all-you-can-eat-bu ets into a world- and gourmet fare. Executive Chef class dining destination. Taking a page Scott Kidd, who mastered the kitchens from the Las Vegas food and beverage at the Grand Canyon National Park
Casino buffets are seductive —all that wonderful food, all salad, topped off with tomatoes. Resist the fatty dressings Barona Valley Ranch’s buffet, you get to choose what goes those beautiful presentations. But many of us try to watch (they’ll make you sluggish) and use either balsamic or into your dish, with all the ingredients. Seafood, chicken or what we eat and make healthy food choices. But a casino rice vinegar. beef can be combined with vegetables and condiments for a buffet doesn’t necessarily preclude eating healthy. Using a Seafood — Shrimp and Crab Legs: We love the peel-and- very tasty, healthy meal.
buffet’s enormous choices can keep you in the spirit of the eat shrimp! And so do most buffet eaters. Nutritionists say to Desserts: This is one of the most difficult areas of the buffet experience, grazing from one station and another, trying go easy on the shrimp as they are high in cholesterol, but the for healthy eaters. With the huge array of pastries and sweets this dish and that, while still watching what you eat. The crab legs are a go-for-broke item. Those on high protein diets on the buffets, it’s hard to say no. Fruit is the obvious healthy key is not to graze yourself into an overeating stupor, but and Atkins® devotees will be in heaven at this buffet station. choice, but many casinos have sugar-free dessert versions. to enjoy the experience of eating well at the buffet. After Carving Stations: Roasted turkey (without the skin) or Here quantity is the issue. One bite may be enough.
all, a healthy body has a sharp mind, and you want to hone chicken is the best bet on carving stations, as they are a Beverages: It’s a must to drink a lot of water at a casino. your awareness for your maximum winning potential at the great source of low-fat protein. And the roast beef or prime Casinos are heavily air-conditioned which has a drying effect casino, right? Here are some possible healthy choices from rib? For Atkins dieters, these are a dream. For the rest of us, on the body, and can eventually lead to fatigue. Drink lots of casino buffets to keep you alert (and trim). they’re great for a once-in-a-great while special treat (and water. Go easy on the caffeinated coffee, tea or cola drinks. Salad Bar: Pile those greens high, the greener the the casino buffet may be it). And by all means, drink alcohol sparingly.
better! Dark greens (spinach, green leafy lettuce) are Action Stations: Casino action stations, where cooks Yes, you can eat healthy and well at casinos buffets, and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Add prepare individual dishes that are custom created, are perfect not feel deprived. Make conscious choices, drink lots of broccoli, carrots and raw mushrooms for a beautiful for healthy eating. For example, at the Mongolian station at water and enjoy!
May 2004 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
Page 11
Soboba Steakhouse at Soboba Casino is also the casino’s main restaurant and venue for its fantastic buffet, in addition it offers menu dining, featuring steaks (of course) and lobster. Beautifully appointed with photographs and art of the Soboba Tribe, the Steakhouse is right off the casino floor.