Terranea Resort Chef’s Table Dinner

Imagine that you’re invited to an intimate dinner party in a private villa seated upon the cliffs of Palos Verdes overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, followed by a three course dinner personally prepared by the chef. Each course is paired with a wine personally selected by a featured vintner. After dinner you retreat to your own ocean view room for the night and you go to bed thinking about the food you ate and the non-profit organization that you just helped.

Every other month, Terranea Resort hosts a special Chef’s Table Dinner at one of their private villas. A couple weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending this unique experience.

The evening began just as described, with a reception of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The villa was bright and spacious, with a stunning view of the ocean and golf course. Servers passed around small bites like Lumpia of Kobe beef, Japanese Confit of Chicken Yakitori, and Truffled Tator Tots with foie gras. The featured vintner that evening was Justin Winery from Paso Robles.

Our dinner was served at a beautiful long table just outside the villa overlooking the ocean. Executive Chef Bernard Ibarra introduced us to the first course of Smoked Spring Lamb Tartlet accompanied with a chilled snap peas soup. The freshly harvested apple mint and lavender of the dish are sourced from Terranea’s own garden.

The second course of Swordfish Paillard and Veal Sweetbreads, with roasted baby artichokes and lemon caper brown butter, was paired nicely with a glass of Justin Justification, a red wine that I look forward to trying again. For dessert, Executive Pastry Chef Pierino Jermonti created a Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta with candied pineapple and sea salt–roasted pistachios paired with a dessert wine - Justin Obtuse.

Dinner ended with guests retreating to their own rooms at the resort. The Chef’s Table Dinner is an amazing experience. A portion of the proceeds from that night benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You should definitely make plans to attend the next dinner in June.