AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament 2015

Can anyone believe we're already in the second week of January? How many people are still sticking with their New Year's Resolutions? I broke my No More Starbucks resolution already, as I pulled up at the drive through to order a Grande Blonde Roast and a breakfast sandwich! FAIL! While the beginning of the year is typically the most opportune time for some people to begin new habits - there are 11 other months in the year to try something new! And as January comes and goes, we always have February to look forward to. For us here in the Carmel / Pebble Beach Area, February is synonymous with the AT&T Pro-Am Golf Tournament, an event featuring professional PGA stars, a field of amateurs, and even a group of celebrity players, some of whom make appearances every year!

The event is played at three courses in Pebble Beach - the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course, and is typically attended by about 150,000 spectators! Past winners of the event include legendary golfers like Jack Nicklaus (three-time winner), Tom Watson (two-time winner), Mark O'Meara (five-time winner), Payne Stewart, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III (two-time winner), Phil Mickelson (four-time winner),and Dustin Johnson (two-time winner). An event featuring some of the world's best players on some of the world's most extraordinary golf courses? I couldn't come up with a reason NOT to attend!

Last year's Winner, Jimmy Walker

For those who aren't quite as enthused by golf, you can always find entertainment in the form of the celebrity rounds. This year, some of the celebrity players in attendance include sports stars like SF Giants' Pitcher Matt Cain and Catcher Buster Posey, Actors Josh Duhamel, Ray Romano and a beloved favorite of the event - Bill Murray. To see a list of all the players, visit the AT&T Pro-Am Website.  

Actor Josh Duhamel at Last Year's Event

What makes this year's AT&T event extra special is that it happens to fall on the 3-day Presidents Day Weekend, the Saturday of which is Valentine's Day! For most of you, it means you can stick around for the Final Round on Sunday and not have to worry about getting yourself home in time for work the next day! Why not make Valentine's Day special for the golf lover in your life, and plan a trip to the area for a relaxing weekend here with us at Tradewinds? A shuttle is available to pick you up and bring you back, and we are offering special packages for those who want to come a little earlier for the practice rounds during the week.

The Golf, Romance and 3-Day Weekend Package includes a relaxing 4 night stay in a luxurious King or Queen/Queen Room, a box of gourmet chocolates, a split 90-minute massage and (2) week-long shuttle passes for the tournament (tournament tickets not included). Rates for this package start at $1600.

We are also offering a package so you can Watch the AT&T Pro-Am without the Crowds. This package includes a one night stay in a luxurious King or Queen/Queen Room (Sunday through Wednesday), and two 1-day tickets to the tournament practice rounds, held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Rates for this package begin at $319.

If you are interested in coming for this event, we highly encourage you to call us as soon as possible (831) 624-2776.

Until Next Time...

The Staff at Tradewinds

Mondays on Mission Street: L'Escargot

It's hard to believe we are in the final few days of 2014! We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, whether you were celebrating Hanukkah, or Christmas or any other special occasion. We've been exceptionally busy there at Tradewinds, as Carmel has been bustling with visitors for the holidays. As mentioned in our Holiday Dining post, we strongly encourage you to make reservations for New Years Eve and New Years Day if you are planning on eating out. Today, we are happy to present one of our Mission Street neighbors, L'Escargot, as this week's "Mondays on Mission Street" featured business.

L'Escargot

Mission Street at 4th Avenue

(831) 620.1942

Hours:
Open Daily for Dinner at 5:30 PM

A picturesque, quintessential Carmel Cottage nestled in a small courtyard on Mission and 4th is where L'Escargot calls home. A traditional French country-style bistro, L'Escargot consistently serves some of the best food in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.

The restaurant offers an a la carte menu with traditional appetizer, salad and entree selections, as well as their "Bistro Menu," a fixed price menu offering a 3-Course Meal for $36/person. As a connoisseur of French cuisine, I love to try the same dishes at different restaurants to get a feel for the restaurant's style and creativity. I'm always "trying a bit of everything," which is why I end up with three appetizers, an entree and a dessert every time I go out to eat!

The appetizers are outstanding, from the French Onion Soup, to the classic Escargot (which lives up to the restaurant's namesake), to the Veal Sweetbreads, cooked with mushrooms in a Madeira cream sauce.

Entrees are equally as delicious - not exactly the healthiest cuisine, but definitely tasty. Seafood options include a local Petrale Sole with a lemon caper beurre blanc and Monterey Sand Dabs with house made tartar sauce. For fans of poultry, the restaurant offers a Pan Roasted Duck Breast, Roasted Chicken with mashed potatoes, and Chicken in a black truffle cream sauce. Rack of Lamb, Medallions of Veal and Rabbit Fricassee round out the protein options.  They also offer their house made version of Cassoulet, a traditional French bean stew with sausage and poultry.

The Bistro Menu features salad and other light appetizer options, a selection of entrees as well as your choice of dessert.

Round out your meal with a bottle of wine (we hear they sometimes offer half-priced wine on wednesdays) and have a relaxing meal, with great service and a charming ambiance.

As always, if you are planning a trip to the Carmel area, give us a call here at Tradewinds, we would be happy to help you organize a memorable stay in town.

Until Next Time...

The Staff at Tradewinds

Mondays on Mission Street: Diggidy Dog, A Dog and Cat Boutique

Of course for this week's "Mondays on Mission Street," I debated choosing another one of the wonderful restaurants within walking distance of us. While food will always be my first and everlasting true love, this week I'd like to focus on something else near and dear to my heart - my precious pooch, Charley. Luckily for us, Carmel is home to an abundance of shops, restaurants and hotels that are not only pet-friendly, but also cater specifically to a canine clientele. In honor of Carmel's penchant for pampered pets, I present to you my personal favorite, Diggidy Dog, a Dog and Cat Boutique located on the SW Corner of Mission Street and Ocean Avenue. Diggidy Dog carries a vast array of different products and specialty items for our furry friends and is just a short walk down the street from us here at Tradewinds!

Diggidy Dog

Mission St. & Ocean Ave.

831.625.1585

 

Hours:

10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily

 

I personally consider Diggidy Dog to be the Neiman Marcus of pet stores. Say goodbye to those huge chain stores, with the 90's fluorescent lighting, and hello to your new favorite place to spoil your pet! With so many items in their inventory, its difficult not to find what you're looking for, plus a few extras. They offer a large variety of gourmet treats beyond the standard biscuits, a giant assortment of leashes, clothing, collars and other wearable accessories for the fashion conscious, and a plethora of plush, luxury bedding. Additionally, they carry Earthbath grooming products, which Charley and I like to use after a long, sea salt water and sand-filled day at the beach.

 

We give Diggidy Dog two paws up for its convenient location and extensive collection of pet products. Don't forget to check them out next time you're here in Carmel!