Next Level Farm-to-Table Culinary in California

It’s another picture-perfect day in Palos Verdes, and the crystal-clear views from Terranea Resort’s 94-acre estate, Catalina View Gardens, extend as far as the eye can see.

Though it’s hard to pull away from the panoramic view, Catalina View Gardens offers more than just a pretty vista.

This organic farmland showcases what exceptional local and sustainable cuisine should look like. The strong emphasis on the farm-to-Terranea philosophy can be seen and tasted throughout the resort.

One conversation with Terranea Resort's executive chef Bernard Ibarra is all it takes to get excited about Terranea Resort’s interactive culinary program.

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“When you arrive at Terranea you get naturally inspired, you’re constantly challenged,” said Ibarra during a farm tour. “You look around, and there’s always something that you can incorporate in the cooking. Our menus are written based on how our chefs are inspired by their surroundings.”

75 of the 102 acres of Terranea’s property is untouched.

Ibarra’s culinary program is purposefully focused on celebrating the surroundings of the resort by using locally sourced products from its grounds and the nearby peninsula as much as possible.

From on-site lemon and avocado trees, honey-filled beehives to blossoming cacti fruits, and continually expanding herb and vegetable gardens, it’s refreshing to know that so much of what is served actually comes from what you see on the property.

“It’s like being a part of a storybook. Everything you need to forage, to taste, and to experiment with is here,” noted Ibarra.

Who doesn’t want to be wined and dined like a celebrity? For those lucky enough to stay at the property, don’t miss out on Terranea’s Land to Sea Culinary Immersion Package, a three-day, two-night culinary experience.

You’d be hard pressed to start your day in a more incredible way than with whale watching.  Grab a casual, yet artisanal to-go lunch from Sea Beans three-fourth a café that makes a killer latte, house-made pastries—who knew a scone could taste so good?—and a variety of bites that include an extremely thick avocado toast with a soft boiled egg on the side.

With your picnic basket in hand, post-up in front of an unobstructed ocean view for an afternoon of whale sightings.

Then take a visit to Catalina View Gardens for a tour with the enthusiastic chef Ibarra himself. Using what you’ve learned, get your hands dirty (so to speak) with your choice of either a salt (highly recommended) or cheese making workshop.

Enclosed in a charming, small glass structure is one of the resort’s most intriguing offerings: the sea salt conservatory, engineered in part by Ibarra himself.

With Pacific Ocean water taken straight out of Terranea Cove, natural evaporation allows Terranea to produce its own sustainable signature sea salt in under five weeks. Home-harvested salt plays a big role on the resort. It's not only featured in Terranea’s cuisine, but also at the award-winning spa in saltwater baths, exfoliations, and more.

One of the highlights of Terranea’s dining scene is mar’sel, a seaside restaurant that embodies California-cool. With its ocean view and the accompanying breeze making your meal even more surreal, it’s a luxury dining spot, sans pretension, yet effortlessly upscale.

The menu is seasonal, meaning that each dish showcases the best of the resort’s produce whether that be as a main ingredient or a simple garnish. From an impressive Maine lobster with burrata and uni to a mouthwatering lamb porterhouse, the menu quite honestly appeals to anyone who appreciates delicious food.

If you’re a fan of sweets, this is for you: a pastry and liquor pairing workshop with executive pastry Chef Pierino Jermonti and sommelier Alicia Ajolo.

To give you an idea of how decadent chef Jermonti’s creations are, imagine taking a bite of a white chocolate banana cremeux. I wasn’t really sure what that was when I ordered it, but what arrived was a rectangular brick of dark chocolate fudge; a rich, thick layer of dense banana pudding; and a side of peanut butter snow and vanilla gelato, topped with salted caramel and bruleed bananas. Heavenly.

Making the package even more intimate is the VIP access to the Chef’s Table Dinner Series, which occurs bi-monthly. This series offers guests an exclusive evening with the resort’s celebrated chefs.

“The Land to Sea Culinary Immersion Package offers resort guests the opportunity to experience our Farm-to-Terranea philosophy through interactive tours and activities," shares Ibarra.

"Guests can learn about how we harvest and produce our own sea salt from the Pacific, and soon thereafter discover and appreciate the ingredient in a wide variety of dishes throughout our restaurants and in treatments at The Spa. It's about nature, connecting and sharing the bounty of our coastal setting with our guests." 

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The resort has eight exceptional dining venues that range from upscale to more casual fare, each featuring an ocean view. Aside from the previously mentioned, guests can dine at Nelson’s for a more relaxed setting that boasts a cliff-top locale and a cozy atmosphere, thanks to outdoor fire pits which are unbeatable on a chilly SoCal evening.

During the day, guests can enjoy a meal at the lively Catalina Kitchen, which has both indoor and outdoor seating, and plenty of libations—perfect for a day out with family (including the kids) or a group of friends.

Then there’s Bashi for those craving an inventive take on Asian cuisine. Chef de Cuisine DJ Eusebio cooks ‘wok’ style dishes inspired by his heritage, plus there’s a wide variety of sake and Asian beers to try.

The Details:

—Two-weeks advance notice is required. Non-refundable.

—Available booking dates in 2017: August 24-26, October 5-7, December 7-9.

—Rates for the Terranea Resort start at around $500 per night. Visit terranea.com.