DOMESTIC

The popular restaurants of two Benchmark Hospitality properties in Texas—Las Ramblas at Hotel Contessa in San Antonio and BANK at Hotel ICON in Houston— hosted the respective city’s top toques in Tim and Nina Zagat’s recent four-city tour to launch the first Zagat Texas dining guide. Survey-winning chefs and restaurateurs accepted awards in categories such as “most popular” and “top food,” mingled over light fare and refreshments from Las Ramblas and BANK, and learned about statistics relating to Texas dining habits and preferences...

The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Longboat Key, Florida, announced the highly anticipated 17th Annual Stone Crab, Seafood, and Wine Festival will be held October 26–29, 2006. The three-day event celebrates the opening of Florida’s stone crab season with renowned guest chefs preparing stone crab and other native seafood alongside a group of acclaimed vintners presenting wines from around the world. Other highlights during the three-day festival include “Tasting on the Beach,” and the Chef’s Collaboration Gala. The Gala represents the culmination of the festival and features a seven-course meal, complete with a specially chosen wine for each course. Complete festival package rates start at $1,895 (for two adults) and include three days of culinary events and three evening celebrations showcasing the Florida stone crab through displays and dishes by the visiting chefs and skilled team from the awardwinning Colony Restaurants. Guests enjoy spacious accommodations in the Colony’s one- and twobedroom villa suites, complimentary access to the resort’s health spa and comprehensive fitness center, and use of the 800-foot private beach...

In honor of the Field Museum’s Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of Pharaohs exhibit, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers created a 400-pound chocolate statue of King Tut. The 120-hour culinary labor of love, created by Executive Pastry Chef Omar Martinez, was made of dark chocolate covertures with 55 percent cocoa content and boasts 12 ounces of 14 carat edible gold dust...

The July/August issue of Global Finance, a publication read in over 158 countries, announced the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino as the best hotel in Puerto Rico for business travelers. The award is based on a Executive survey sent to 15,000 of the publication’s readers around the world, asking about their travel preferences and experiences, along with their nominations for the awards. San Juan Marriott came in as number one in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico...

In June, Palace Resorts introduced their “Meetings Game” website, www.palacemeetingsgame.com, where meeting planners can learn about Palace Resorts and its state-of-the-art meeting facilities, spas, and golf courses while playing a series of online games. In addition, meeting planners who register on the site have the opportunity to win a host of prizes. The first featured game, which was launched in June, is the “Golf-Cart Rally,” in which meeting planners must move their attendees to their designated locations within a specified amount of time. The remaining four games will feature a different theme and are loosely based on the topography, amenities, and features at various Palace properties. San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.Throughout each game, the player is introduced to the three new meeting resorts, educated on the available meeting offerings at individual properties, and exposed to the Palace Resorts’ brand. Every qualified meeting and incentive planner who registers on the site and successfully plays all five games will receive a free two-night stay for two at any Palace Resort property and is entered in a drawing for the grand prize of an all expense paid, seven-night Palace vacation for two. In addition, five winners will be selected after each game for special Palace Resort prizes, like a free round of golf or a complimentary spa treatment. All prizes, as well as the grand prize, will be announced in October...

The Distinguished Restaurants of North America’s (DiRoNA) 2006 Awards & Educational Conference, a three-day celebration of fine food, vintage wines, networking and culinary excellence, will be held October 22–24 at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, Atlanta. The conference will consist of unique educational seminars focusing on key issues affecting restaurant owners, operators, and chefs; a luxury dine-around at exclusive Atlanta DiRoNA restaurants; “DiRoNA’s Flavors of Atlanta” cocktail reception and conversation with restaurant industry icons; the presentation of the 2007 DiRoNA Awards and more. Tickets will be available for purchase on DiRoNA’s website, www.dirona.com. The site also includes a full listing of DiRoNA restaurants and the latest updates on the event...

Manhattan’s Radisson Lexington Hotel, located on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 48th Street, is in the final stages of a major renovation. To complement the hotel’s makeover, famed entrepreneur Ralph Mercado opened his latest culinary endeavor, Alma Grill, in the lobby. The kitchen of this Midtown East eatery is under the helm of Executive Chef Rodney Mitchell, formerly of Calle Ocho and Latin Quarter. With a cuisine of stylish continental with Latin and Asian influences, Mitchell’s creative flair for fare has given Alma Grill an eclectic menu ranging from Island Pancakes to Whipped Ricotta Ravioli...

At Santa Fe’s La Fonda Hotel, Tenor Roberto Gómez and guitarist/requinto player Omar Villanueva of Dueto Imperial bring their classical and popular music favorites—Latin American, Mexican, Spanish and classical music—to La Fiesta Lounge on Thursdays and Sundays from 4 P.M. until 6 P.M. Gómez and Villanueva are recognized in Mexico as classical and popular music performers. Gómez has sung with several symphony orchestras in Mexico, as well as with pianists and guitarists. Villanueva has won awards at several music competitions, including first place in the 2005 University of New Mexico Concerto Competition...

Doug Frost, a respected author, lecturer, and judge of major wine competitions, was tapped to help mastermind the comprehensive wine program at Addison at the Grand Del Mar, San Diego. Frost—one of only three people in the world to hold the coveted titles of both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine—is working as a consultant for Addison, putting the finishing touches on an inventive wine program that will serve as a tool for understanding and comparing some of the world’s great wines, explaining terroir, grapes and styles in a clear and disarming fashion. The Addison wine list will complement Chef William Bradley’s bold yet uncomplicated cuisine, and will offer Addison guests superior wines in a world-class tasting environment. Says Frost, “Addison will offer a ‘fresh sheet’ of wines that highlight Chef Bradley’s artisanal approach to cooking—and also offer value.” Working with GM Steven Schwob and Addison’s head sommelier, Jesse P. Rodriguez, Frost is focused on compiling an eclectic collection housed in a 2,500-bottle custom-wine room designed by Napa Valley-based Paul Wyatt. Clad in Jerusalem limestone and trimmed in carved Italian stone, the cellar features a dramatic triple arch with glass windows opening the area up to the dining room, allowing guests to view the extensive line-up of fine wines. The author of two highly regarded books, On Wine and Uncorking Wine, Frost also lectures on wine and has written about wine and spirits for numerous publications...

Courvoisier cognac served as the exclusive sponsor and host of the official BET (Black Entertainment Television) Russell Simmons (center), record executive and producer, takes time to chat with Courvoisier representatives at the Official BET Awards After Party at Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel. (L–R) Cynthia Andrada, assistant PR manager; Allen Spence, brand manager; Simmons; Nina Shay, Courvoisier Ambassadrice; and Grace Moran, coordinator.

Awards After Party at the House of Courvoisier held at the Black Carpet Lounge inside the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. On June 27, celebrities, athletes, and BET award recipients walked the black carpet before entering the House of Courvoisier event where they mingled with Courvoisier Brand Manager Allen Spence and representatives from Future Brands. A Courvoisier gift presentation was made to BET Chairman and CEO Debra Lee. Courvoisier’s official Ambassadrice, Nina Shay, greeted guests and treated them to the official cocktails of the after party, the Courvoisitini and Courvoisier Ginger. DJ Biz Markie served as the evening’s “Master of Music,” entertaining attendees including business mogul Russell Simmons, actress Vivica Fox, comedian Chris Rock, and former Courvoisier “Arbiter of Good Taste,” Fonzworth Bentley.

INTERNATIONAL

The Avila Hotel, a privately owned, four-star boutique resort on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, announces the addition of 68 luxury rooms, located in a new complex to be named the Octagon Wing, as well as a substantial beachside pool and state of the art spa facility. The expansion will feature oversized rooms decorated in sophisticated neutrals with splashes of Caribbean colors. Room amenities will include flatscreen TVs, high-speed internet connectivity, and bathrooms with natural stone and wood textures and Elemis bath products. The exterior design of the Octagon Wing will be contemporary, yet great care has been exercised to incorporate elements of typical Curaçao architectural style. The property has several F&B venues including the romantic Belle Terrace; the Blues Bar, which is Curaçao’s jazz spot; Avila Cafe, a charming patio restaurant; and the Schooner Bar, which resembles a wooden boat partially buried in the sand. The new wing began construction in April 2005 and its completion and grand opening is scheduled for December 2006...

A team of international architects, designers, and artists have transformed the historic building at the Levante Parliament, Vienna, Austria, into a space that is both a gallery and a hotel. Black and white photographs by Curt Themessl as well as glass art by Ioan Nemtoi create a dynamic dialogue between restrained design and sinuous art. Many acres throughout the hotel are dedicated to the works of the internationally acclaimed glass artist. Nemtoi was also a key collaborator on the design of NEMTOI Restaurant-Bar. Here dishes showcasing new flavors and original spice combinations range from Indian Tandoori chicken to the classic Wiener Schnitzel. Visual highlights include Nemtoi's glass bar and four spectacular glass “fire” sculptures, which separate the two spaces.