Cabanas are typically reserved for the outdoors at resorts, but at Santa Monica’s iconic Hotel Casa del Mar, the restaurant Catch brings the luxurious lounge areas inside, creating the ideal space for intimate cocktail parties, romantic date nights and happy hour relaxation. And to further add to the elegance, for a limited time, Catch’s Terrazza Lounge is offering delicious and authentic Italian cuisine alongside its spectacular views of the ocean.
Until Feb. 3, the Hotel Casa del Mar is hosting a pop-up dinner with executive chef Stefano Mazzone of Italy’s Grand Hotel Quisisana. Charlie Lopez-Quintana, general manager of Casa del Mar, developed the concept with Mazzone and GianLuca Salvia, director of sales and marketing for Grand Hotel Quisisana, in the hopes of bringing Amalfi coastal cuisine to Southern California.
Sitting at an ocean-view table with Salvia, I dove into the first course, a poached lobster with a smooth buttery aioli, as well as diced tomatoes and dots of capers. As I learned, Mazzone almost always features tomatoes and capers in his dishes.
The next course, with wide slices of eggplant arranged in a flower shape, was visually beautiful. Mazzone had prepared the eggplant the day before, cooking slowly enough to achieve that perfect tender texture. Sweet tomato sauce and Parmigiano-Reggiano peeking through the middle of the design added flavorful dimension.
I also sampled the tuna salad covered in thin slices of veal, a traditional Amalfi Coast dish, and the ethereal risotto caprese, which featured ingredients in the same colors as the Italian flag.
The linguine alle vongole showcased long al dente pasta with small clams coated in olive oil, garlic and parsley. The clam juice offered a delicious taste of the sea that sparked one’s senses.
The seafood continued with a grilled sea bass sprinkled with basil, tomato consommé, olives and capers. Crackling fish skin complemented the moist piece of fish underneath, and added to the exquisite flavors of the dish.
For dessert, we had a traditional torta caprese, an Italian flourless chocolate and almond cake named for the island of Capri. The cake, dusted with powdered sugar, and decorated with gelato, mousse, chocolate pearls and candied nuts, was delightfully rich.
Reservations for the Quisisana Pop-up Taste of the Amalfi Coast are available until Feb. 3. When Mazzone leaves, executive chef Gemma Gray at Catch will offer her coastal menu, as well as a special Valentine’s Day menu. Starters include a choice of oysters and caviar, toro crudo with yuzu drizzle, wild mushroom soup with cheese crouton, or ibérico ham with crushed tomatoes and Manchego dip. There are five different entrées selections that include grass-fed beef filet with black truffle potatoes, grilled Maine lobster or pan-seared Chilean sea bass. Finish with a selection of three decadent desserts. The Quisisana pop-up dinner hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. $$-$$$. Catch is open from 5 to 10 p.m. To reserve an indoor cabana before or after dinner, contact the front desk. 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, (310)581-5533.
This article was featured in the Feb. 1, 2018 issue of the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News.
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