The Bailliage celebrated Valentine’s Day with a luscious feast at the award-winning Westgate Hotel in its awe-inspiring Fontainebleau Room. The Westgate, a distinguished member of Leading Hotels of the World, in all its European grandeur, stands between tall towers, flourishing businesses, and posh condominiums overlooking San Diego Bay.

The story goes that when President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited San Diego back in the late 1960’s, he asked if the hotel in which he was staying was the best San Diego had to offer. Actually, it was the only hotel in the downtown except for a few scruffy establishments in this predominately Navy town. It was then that C. Arnold Smith, a local businessman, decided to build the best hotel in the United States. When he was done, and the Westgate opened its doors in 1970, it cashed in as the most expensive hotel in the nation.

Entering into the Grand Lobby feels like you're stepping into royal opulence, as the boutique hotel was designed to be a re-creation of an anteroom in the Palace of Versailles. This beautiful space is noted for its priceless ‘objects d’art’ from Louie XV and Regency period with Baccarat crystal chandeliers, Flemish and French tapestries and Persian carpets.

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Duck liver mousse
Sauternes gelée, arugula
barbajuan, leek, Parmesan, ricotta
Gravlax, crème fraîche, cucumber compress
Passion Fruit Mojitos and Champagne

Langoustine, Oscietra caviar
white and green asparagus, bisque gastrique
Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Marlborough, New Zealand

Local stripe bass
celery root, Burgundy black truffle, beurre rouge
Domaine de Bernier Chardonnay 2018
IGP Val de Loire, France

Veal tenderloin
Napa cabbage, sarladaise potatoes, Port wine reduction
Darioush Duel Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2009
Napa Valley, California

Artisan cheese selection
Goat’s milk Brie, Smoky Blue Rogue
Alpha Tolman Alpine
Bridlewood ‘Blend 175’ 2012
Central Coast, California

Sheep’s milk ricotta and strawberry cannelloni
pistachio Genoese, raspberry sorbet
Quady Winery ‘Deviation’ 2016 - California

The evening was planned, created and executed by Bailli Dominick Addario, Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel, and Maître Hotelier Richard Cox, General Manager of the hotel. A jazz trio, along with visiting vocalist Chargée de Presse Marie Addario, serenaded us with songs of romance and love.

Marie Addario
Chargée de Presse

Photographer: Vincent Andrunas