I don’t know about you, but Los Angeles can turn into a nightmare of noise, crowds, and traffic. I remember a time when there was a peaceful, small-town atmosphere, where the salespeople knew your name or the waitresses knew your favorite dish. I crave that serenity, and I have recently found it with mountains and lakes.
Ninety minutes away the newly refurbished four-star Lake Arrowhead resort beckons. Glorious trees surround the hotel and most of the rooms have balconies overlooking the lake.
A large pool sits right on the lake with a private sandy beach for hotel guests only. The hotel will arrange a sunset cruise, walking tour, stargazing, and fishing. Throughout the year there are wine dinners and yoga workshops.
The Spa of the Pines has every imaginable service given by superb technicians, plus a rest area with a fireplace and wine. Bin 189’s Executive Chef is the famed Joseph Atonishek from L’Ermitage Hotel, Mondrian and Fenix. Among his dishes; filet mignon carpaccio with truffle soy dressing, a bourbon and molasses-brined pork chop, or lobster macaroni and cheese. Bin 189 also has a very hip bar and fireplace lounge.
The Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa is located within walking distance of quality restaurants, shops, and even outlet stores! Try the Belgian Waffle Works in the Village, open for breakfast and lunch. How’s this for a treat—The Brussels Belgian Waffle stuffed with Ham, Turkey and Cheese, baked to crisp perfection, dusted with powdered sugar and served with strawberry preserves (homemade) and cream cheese!
Snowcreek Resort in Mammoth is five hours by car from Los Angeles. Daily flights to Mammoth are available from Horizon Air, leaving conveniently from terminal 3 at LAX. Now you can be there in only one hour! Catch the introductory offer on selected dates in January. You can find them at www.horizonair.com
Snowcreek Resort Vacation Rentals, at the base of the Sierra Nevadas, is lovely. I stayed in a luxurious two-story, four-bedroom, four-bath home with a fireplace and gourmet kitchen overlooking the mountains. The concierge will help with everything during your stay, including skiing and lessons.
Skiers will be delighted to discover that the Patina Restaurant Group has partnered with Mammoth to bring their fine dining to the mountain. Aalto will replace the MountainSide Grill and Dry Creek Bar will become Bacaro. The Yodler will become Pizzeria Cervinia, and the group will also take over the Mill. Patina is the creator of Paper Fish and Eat on Sunset, to name a few. Yum!
Restaurants in Mammoth are plentiful, with everything from mom ‘n’pop establishments to the very chic. Skadi’s is a cross between the old Scandia on the Sunset Strip and Spago, only casual. They have a vast wine list, and I’m still thinking about the appetizer Crepes stuffed with Wild Mushroom Duxelle and Jarlsberg cheese with a sauce of minced Porcini Mushrooms and Amontillado. Many of the locals go to The Good Life for lunch, a not-exclusively veggie-health food spot. Visitors and locals alike can’t leave without visiting the Stove, a country restaurant with grits, macaroni and cheese, smothered chicken and gravy, greens and omelets. I loved it!
Lake Arrowhead Resort:
www.LAResort.com
909-336-1511
Belgian Waffle Works
909-337-5222
Snowcreek Resort
www.snowcreekresort.com
1-800-544-6007
Skadi’s 760-934-3902
The Good Life 760-934-1734
The Stove 760-934-2821
