In the heart of Southern California’s famed Wine Valley is the State’s largest casino. Centrally located in Temecula, California, the Pechanga Resort Casino boosts 1090 Hotel Rooms and Suites, a 200,000 square foot casino, over 250,000 square footage of event, meeting and convention space, along with 15 pools, spas, and twenty restaurants and bars. Originally constructed on the Pechanga Indian Reservation in 2002, this popular resort destination has recently undergone its second major renovation and addition, adding to its already spectacular amenities.
The recently completed $285 Million renovations and additions at the Pechanga Resort Casino brings to 20, the number of dinning choices for guests and visitors.
Lobby Bar & Grill
One of the new premier dining options at the Pechanga Resort Casino is the Lobby Bar & Grill. Named as the Executive Chef of the Lobby Bar and Grill is 10-year veteran Chef Jose Mendoza.
Chef Mendoza was a member of the culinary team at Pechanga Resort Casino until 2012, when he was beckoned by the neon lights of Las Vegas. After stints in Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, Chef Mendoza has been called upon to take the California Bistro to the next level with locally sourced ingredients from the Temecula Valley. Chef Mendoza offers a fusion menu that explores the tastes and relationships of America, Mexican and Asian cuisine in the ultra-modern setting of the newly renovated space that is now the Lobby Bar & Grill.
Tasked with serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Chef Mendoza presents dishes for each that highlight the fresh sustainable ingredients from local sources blended into tastes sensations that make even breakfast an exciting taste delight. A novel breakfast starter created by Chef Mendoza for the Lobby Bar & Grill is Overnight Steel Cut Oats, a take on natural oatmeal that is accented by Tangerines, Pistachios and toffee Honeycomb. Breakfast meals feature a Garden Skillet, Short Rib Hash and artisan handcrafted create your own omelet.
Lunch at the Lobby Bar & Grill begins with starters that all have Chef Mendoza’s signature taste pairings that make the ordinary become extraordinary. For instance, a lunch appetizer of Calamari is brought to life with the unusual additions of Pistachio Peperonata, Sauce Ajo Blanco and Lime by Chef Mendoza’s inspiration at the new Lobby Bar & Grill.
Dinner cocktails at the Lobby Bar & Grill is followed by a menu that couples freshly sourced vegetables, chicken, pork, beef, and fish with innovative entrees.
We loved our dinner with Annette Brown (Director of Public Relations at Visit Temecula Valley) at the Lobby Bar & Grill. Chef Jose Mendoza prepared an incredible selection of delicious dishes and we would like to say a big Thank You to him for all his efforts. And thank you to Eliacer for helping serving all those unforgettable plates. We are still dreaming of the hummus, the calamari, steak and frites, Korobuta pork chops.......
Mediterranean Hummus with Rainbow Carrots, Preserved Lemon, Harissa and Grilled Flat Bread
Roasted Baby Beet Salad with Spiced Sunflower seeds, Manchego Mousse, Watercress and Frilly Mustard Greens
Calamari with Pistachio Peperonata, Ajo Blanco Sauce and Lime
Caesar Salad with Baby Gem Lettuce Wedges, Black Garlic Caesar Dressing and Popcorn Frico
Pacific Grouper with a Citrus Walnut Crust, Butternut Squash, Quince, Broccoli Rabe
Seared Scallops with Brussels Sprout Parmesan Puree, Wild Mushrooms and Apple Cider Braised Baby Fennel
Steak & Frites - Prime Grilled Steak with Hand-Cut Pommes Frites
Korobuta Pork Chop with Smoked Polenta, Kale, Apples, Spanish Chorizo and Mustard Aioli
Walnut Cake with Ice Cream
Raspberry Macaron
Any meal at the Lobby Bar & Grill is an adventure in cuisine presented by the innovative preparations of the experienced Chef Jose Mendoza.
Spa Pechanga
Among the recently opened additions to the Pechanga Resort Casino is the 25,000 square foot sanctuary of luxury, Spa Pechanga. Designed to offer the ultimate rejuvenation experience, Spa Pechanga offers three signature suites overlooking the Pu’eska Mountain, a sacred site for the Luiseno Indians. Treatment rooms and relaxation areas feature breathtaking views of the pristine panoramic views through floor to ceiling windows.
Private outdoor spa and wellness patios under the healing California desert sun are the starting point for a menu of unmatched luxurious wellness pampering. This newly created expansive Spa and Wellness retreat features tantalizing eucalyptus steam rooms, dry saunas, whirlpools, fitness facility, group exercise classes and Signature Body Rituals utilizing native botanicals and the strength of the Great Oak known as Wi’aasal.
The world class Signature Body Ritual treatments offered exclusively Spa Pechanga include The Great Oak Purification, Acorn and Walnut Renewal, Chia Firming Therapy, Waves of Sound Massage and Aromatic Alchemy. Signature Suite experiences include a crushed grape body buff infused with essential oil, along with couples’ experiences. Body treatments, Massage Therapies, Personalized Skincare are capped off by high style Salon and Nail Services for both Men and Women. If you start your visit to the newly renovated Pechanga Resort Casino, you may never leave, so consider beginning your stay with a visit to the Cove.
The Cove is a 4.5-acre tropical oasis created for guests of all ages to enjoy. The Pechanga Resort Casino offers guests personalized retreats within their vacations, such as the 27 cabanas and 6-day beds that are available for guests of the Cove to rent daily. Everything you need is at your fingertips while you enjoy the crystal-clear pools at the Cove.
The three featured pools at The Cove include a zero-edge Main Pool with a swim-up bar, a Family Pool with 2 waterslides and a splash pad along with 5 spas. The Cove includes manicured landscaped areas for events including small wedding receptions. While at the pools of the Cove, guests can enjoy light cuisine and handcrafted cocktails served by The Coverside Grill, one of over twenty signature bar and restaurant choices throughout this expansive resort and casino.
The Pechanga Resort Casino has it all. Located in the Temecula Wine Valley of Southern California, this all-encompassing resort has the largest casino floor in California, over 1,000 rooms and suites, Spa Pechanga, The Cove, and 20 restaurants and bars including the newest Lobby Bar and Grill. You only dilemma when visiting this hidden jewel in Southern California will be where to begin, and whether to leave.
Story by Daniel Dachille and Laine Page/ Some photos courtesy Pechanga Resort Casino