Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Beach Reporter review of Escape Lounge
Stepping Out
Restaurant Review: Marriott Hotel Escape Lounge
by Greg Jacobs
(Updated: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 5:49 PM PDT)
Any of you out there catch the finale of American Idol? I know, you’re reluctant to admit to it, but according to the Nielsen ratings, a lot of you did. Anyway, they offered up a lot of star power that night, right? I mean, Lady Gaga, Tim McGraw, Beyonce… But who was the only entertainer honored that night with a complete medley of hits? Tom Jones, that’s who. Yes, your mother’s Tom Jones, (or grandmother’s, as the case may be). Does that mean America is ripe for the return of “cool”? If not America, what about the South Bay?
The Escape Lounge at the Marriott Hotel in Manhattan Beach thinks so. And they’re jumping at that opportunity. With Tuesday night jazz from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday night “dinner with the chef,” and a five-night-a-week happy hour from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., they’re making a play for that portion of the South Bay crowd that’s not out trolling the Hermosa Beach Pier for action.
And “cool” is a pretty good description of the place. It’s a great setting — a large, spacious grand lobby all done up in oranges and faux bamboo, with an expansive view of the manicured greens of its very own nine-hole golf course. (Come on, beat that for cool, they’ve got their own dang golf course.)
They’ve got four large-screen TVs (with more on the way, they tell me) and every sports package yet invented. But don’t mistake this for a beer-drinking sports bar. They carry a boutique wine menu, and every night at six, they host a complimentary “sniff, swirl and sip” toast of the night’s featured grape which then goes on sale for $4 a glass.
Marriott Hotel Manhattan Beach, Escape Lounge
All the prices are surprisingly affordable here. On the Happy Hour menu, beer, wine and well drinks are a mere three bucks. Or as an alternative they offer a $5 Beach Diva Martini, a vodka, coconut rum and pineapple mixture perfect if you need a sweet way to end your day’s work. The happy hour appetizers are priced at $5 for items such as sliders, dips and an excellent honey buffalo wings dish, made all the better because it’s not drenched in a sauce that ends up dribbling its way down your shirt sleeve.
On the regular menu, they offer a shrimp ceviche appetizer with homemade tortilla chips ($12). Ceviche is a dish that you typically only find in a specialty restaurant, and I know these chefs spent a lot of time working on this recipe. What they arrived at was a very accessible dish, not too spicy, not too tomato-heavy, but rich in flavor.
They also serve dinner entrees such as salmon, steak and ribs (priced from $20 to $24), which I did not try, opting instead to sample their popular specialty hamburgers. They offer six different burger concoctions for $10 as lunch specials, including side and drink. I tasted the Black and White, served with caramelized onions and heavy on the bleu cheese, but I was taken by the turkey burger, a bold zesty sandwich spiced with guacamole and pepper jack cheese. I know it’s turkey, but no need to whisper when ordering this burger in front of your guy friends. It’s large and sloppy, and nobody will be calling you a wimp when this thing gets slid in front of you.
The crowd on the night I visited was a mix of hotel guests and Rosecrans-corridor business types. Patrons were dressed casually, wearing anything from bass-fishing T-shirts to button-down collars. The place was a little male heavy, but this led my girlfriend to see the opportunities for her next girls’ happy hour outing (presumably for the benefit of her single friends…?), so ratios are bound to change.
The energetic management at this Marriott seems intent on reaching out to the local population with specials like hosted wine and dinner events, girls’ getaway weekends and other opportunities to take advantage of the resort-like setting. Both bar and kitchen are open until midnight, which is a great advantage, and if it’s a weekday, they’ll even valet your car for free.
So if you’re looking for a place to get your “cool” on, this could be your lounge. I’m not going to promise you Tom Jones, but the female singer in the jazz band — she wasn’t bad at all.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Come try our amazing new hamburgers~
In our View Restaurant we now offer 6 kinds of hamburgers - yes 6! They are all amazing and the more amazing deal is that you can get a hamburger, side and a drink for only $10 at lunch time. Here is a description of our burgers:
1. The Marriott Burger -the classic on a butter toasted sesame bun, fresh ground angus beef, cheddar cheese and crisp bacon.
2. Black and Bleu Burger - topped with balsamic reduced onions and bleu cheese crumbles. Served on a toasted onion bun (my personal favorite, yum!)
3. California Turkey Burger - topped with guacamole, pepper jack, lettuce and tomatoes. Served on a toasted whole wheat bun.
4. Ultimate Veggie Burger - jack cheese, mayonnaise, mustard and pickles on a whole wheat bun.
5. Texas Mex Chipolte Burger - topped with avocado, pepper jack cheese and a spicy chipolte lime mayonnaise. Served on a brioche bun.
6. BBQ Cheeseburger - topped with bacon, crispy fried onions and BBQ sauce. Served on Texas Toast (it's a toss up as to which is my favorite.)
The sides are: French fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, fresh fruit, house made chips or tomato and cucumber salad!
Come in and give them all a try! You won't be disappointed!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
CSI Miami in Manhattan Beach
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Where Magazine is a great place to look for things to do -
Where Magazine -The Where Magazine has updated information and great suggestions to make your trip even better.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A fun place to be upclose with our ocean friends
The Manhattan Beach Pier Roundhouse - the this is a place where your kids can touch the animals and be face to face with eels and sharks. It is free, but they do ask for donations. It is well worth a donation.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Legoland California Resort
Legoland California Resort -this park is about 90 minutes away from Manhattan Beach. It is great fun for younger kids and their Moms and Dads. If you kids like Legos, they will love this park.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain has massive monster roller coasters and awesome adventure rides. Their rides are rated as mild, moderate and max! On the max it states "you better warm up your vocal chords because you are going to scream."
Six Flags Magic Mountain is approximately an hour and a half from our hotel.
Long Beach and Santa Monica - some fun ideas!
There is also the Third Street Promenade where you can just walk, eat, shop and once in a while there will be dancing in the streets. How fun is that?
In Long Beach at The Pike at Rainbow Harbor there are rides, food and fun.
While in Long Beach, don't forget to visit the legendary Queen Mary. She is still around and docked in Long Beach.
Museums of Los Angeles ~
Here is a list of some of the great museums in Los Angeles:
The Getty- (note: there are two Getty Museums)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Massage Services on hotel premises
Corporate Massage - massage is one of the oldest and simplest forms of therapy. Call Brian at 210-242-1848 or book a massage when you arrive at our hotel.
Fun museums for little and big kids -
Page museum - LaBrea Tar Pits - one of the world's most famous fossil locations. You can watch fossils being cleaned and repaired.
The Skirball - your child can actually enjoy a walk on the wild side - 2 by 2 - the Noah's Ark exhibit is a great hands on exhibit. Let them go crazy and take your camera.
The Natural History Museum -is a great place to spend a rainy day, or a sunny one for that matter. Tip- admission is free the first Tuesday of each month.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Just 26 miles across the sea - Santa Catalina is waiting for me (and you too)
Catalina Island is a great way to spend the day! Take the Catalina Express and enjoy the fresh air and sometimes you will see dolphins and whales near your boat. There are only about 500 cars on this small, quaint island. Just lay on the beach or you can rent scooters and bikes there.
Check out our neighbor to the South - Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach is the city to the South of us - well worth checking out, especially the marina and pier area. Everything from restaurants, to ocean and harbor activities to deep sport fishing. Something for everyone! Other great links to check out are: http://redondoharbor.com/ and http://redondopier.com/ and http://www.redondochamber.org/. You will have a great time no matter what you do there.
Local Restaurant Information - try Open Table
Open Table will help give you information on local restaurants and let you make reservations online. Check it out! Okay, now I am hungry.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Still "looking for Nemo?"
In San Pedro there is the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and in Long Beach there is the Aquarium of the Pacific
VIP Tours of California
Our bellstaff would love to tell you about the fabulous and fun tours through VIP Tours of California. This is always a great way to get your bearings if it is your first visit to Los Angeles. Check them out and then book at the hotel when you arrive.
Manhattan Beach Golf Course
We have a beautiful 9 hole executive course "in our backyard!" Check it out - http://manhattanbeachgolf.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Manhattan Beach has some wonderful restaurants, etc. -
Are you looking for a certain food or store in Manhattan Beach? If you don't find it on this list, ask one of our very knowledgeable front office staff members. Here is the link to Manhattan Beach Restaurants.
Want to see more movie studios?
If you are a real movie buff, these are two don't miss tours. Check out their websites and who knows, you may be in the next blockbuster. Don't forget who told you to go!
Warner Bros. Studios or
Sony Pictures Studios
Go Metro
Don't want to drive in Los Angeles? We have a metro stop just one block from the hotel. It is the Douglas stop on the Green Line. You can go to Universal Studios, Hollywood and Vine or to Long Beach. California is notorious for driving everywhere, but if you have used a metro in other cities it is the same here in Los Angeles. Check out the metro system on this link.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Major attractions - only 35 minutes away
Universal Studios Hollywood and City Walk - so much fun in one place. You could spend all day and all evening between Universal Studios and the City Walk. Food and fun for all ages.
Knott's Berry Farm - "Knott" your ordinary vacation! Knott's Berry Farm has been around for many, many years and it never disappoints our guests.
LA Zoo - take your "little monkeys" to see the bigger monkeys and yes, there are other animals too! Great way to spend the day at the LA Zoo.
Disneyland- How can you miss the "happiest place on earth?" Make sure to plan on staying all day and into the evening for fireworks. Take your time and just wander through - enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)