LLV 103-19-12.KidsSkiFree-SBayAccnt(Oct’12)3:Layout 1 9/18/12 11:52 AM Pag Kids Stay & Ski Free. Aston Lakeland Village Beach & Mountain Resort Located on Lake Tahoe’s south shore, this family-friendly resort features free shuttle service to Heavenly Mountain plus an on-site ski shop. Choose from studios to 5-bedroom townhomes. from$229/night 1-Bedroom Townhome w/Loft Part of the Aston Condominium Resort Collection Package Includes: • 2 adult + 2 free child (age 5-12) lift tickets per day to Sierra-At-Tahoe • Free continental breakfast Rate valid for travel Sun - Thurs nights. Rates are based on the lowest rate available during the validity period and are subject to change. Fri & Sat nights are additional. Rates do not include tax. Some restrictions and blackout periods apply. 866.774.2924 AstonHotels.com Enjoy an hour-long ride and then savor award-winning wines in our tasting room. Group and private horseback lessons available. Garrod Farms December 2014/January 2015 93 a refreshing juice made more intriguing with sweet violet powder. Moving into the meat courses, Song is partial to more luxurious poultry like poussin and squab. So deeply flavorful is his treatment of the latter that it can stand up to powerful accompanying ingredients and a big red wine. An alternative choice on a recent menu was Wagyu beef tartare escorted by a bit too much truffle oil, pear essence and a shimmering quail egg. Instead of ubiquitous beef for the main meat course, Song prefers game such as venison and wild boar, which he masterfully prepares so that the lean meat delivers tenderness and flavor. He also does a superlative job with another low-fat protein, buffalo, which he might embellish with an intense red wine reduction. The home stretch starts with a warmup dessert such as a lovely strawberry gratin paired with strawberry sorbet. The final dessert is often a choice between a dense, intense chocolate mousse cake or a slightly less-sweet crême brulée. While these are good, something a bit less pedestrian would be preferable for a meal of this cost and caliber. Song isn’t some tattooed newcomer fresh from a stint on Top Chef and it shows in the old-world style of dining at Ambience. During his several decades of cheffing in this country, he’s worked at many restaurants and owned at least six, located in cities around the Bay Area and in other California locales. In fact, his previous place—also called Ambience and located near Sacramento—was considered one of the best in the area but was a casualty of the economic downturn. South Bay gourmands are hoping he has a long run here. AMBIENCE, 132 State St., Los Altos; 650/ 917-9030; ambiencefinedininglosaltos.com HOURS: Monday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Reservations required 48 hours in advance. PRICES: Nine-plus course tasting menu, $145. Accompanying wines: $95. n 22647 Garrod Rd., Saratoga • 408-867-9527 • www.garrodfarms.com
South Bay Accent - Dec 2014/Jan 2015
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