I must confess, the restaurant Marinus is not for those who might be faint-hearted with their wallet

Bernardus Lodge and Winery ~ Carmel Valley, California Nestled in the heart of sunny Carmel Valley with the Santa Lucia Mountains as a picturesque backdrop, Bernardus Lodge opened in August dallas nascar race tickets 1999 as a romantic retreat for couples seeking a relaxing getaway in one of California's finest wine growing regions. Founded by winemaker and bon-vivant Bernardus Pon, the resort resembles a classic European country inn featuring 57 suites, a luxurious spa, an award-winning signature dallas nascar race tickets restaurant and its own Bernardus Winery and Vineyard.
The Lodge is a natural extension of the Bernardus dallas nascar race tickets wine experience and Mr. Pon's dream of a resort that combines the simple elegance of fine country living with the high quality of service and luxury amenities found only in the choicest European hotels. ( Managing Director of Bernardus Lodge)
After a long rain and fog filled day of driving up the central California coast, we were excited to reach the Carmel Valley wine country and our home for the next three nights:  Bernardus Lodge and Winery.
Our arrival was perfectly timed as they had just cracked a bottle of Bernardus Marinus (a Bordeaux blend) and were serving their guests a delightful taste in front of the parlor s large limestone fireplace.  Just what the doctor ordered!
We walked by a bocce ball green surrounded by adobe village-style dallas nascar race tickets suites nestled into the terrace hillside, rambled past beautiful fountains on our way to tour the Forbes 4-Star Bernardus Spa, and traipsed past the resort s  large pool on the way to our 625 sq.ft. luxury croquet dallas nascar race tickets suite.
Further amenities included an antique English armoire with aviary wire doors for clothing; king beds with high wood headboards, feather beds; down comforters dallas nascar race tickets with matelasse? coverlets and Italian linens.
Under Chef Cal s guidance, this jewel in the Carmel Valley has won numerous prestigious awards ,  and is famous dallas nascar race tickets for Chef Stamenov dallas nascar race tickets s subtle yet elegant uses of local organic produce dallas nascar race tickets and seafood, and artisan farmed meats. His menus bring out the pure flavors of each fresh ingredient and seamlessly incorporates the herbs, vegetables and myriad varieties of indigenous tomatoes he grows in his own two-acre garden at Bernardus Lodge.
Under the glow of the restaurant s mammoth European fireplace,  we started our dinner off with a glass of Brut Premier Champagne Louis Roederer, Reims, France followed by a wonderful Amuse Bouche Butternut Squash Soup .
Next up was Monterey dallas nascar race tickets Bay Abalone Spot Prawn (maine lobster, diver scallop, bronze fennel, parsnip agnolotti, heirloom apple) accompanied by 2008 Ingrid s Vineyard Chardonnay Bernardus Winery, Carmel Valley .
This dish was a complete, lean back in your chair, tilt your head back, no-holds-barred mouth-gasm. When you enjoy this dish, people will summon their waiters and say, I ll have some of what he s having .  Unbelievably, absolutely, out of this world delish!
Not willing to be ignored, Pastry Chef Ben Spungin came to visit and announced that he was going to give us his best.  Here are the three samples he brought, with the last dessert featuring hand-painted chocolates.
I must confess, the restaurant Marinus is not for those who might be faint-hearted with their wallet.  But, if you are one who enjoys a fantastic gastronomical journey, then you won t see this as an expense but an experience worthy of your investment.