It's been a few months since our last foodie event, which happened to be a wonderful weekend of chocolate, food, wine and spirits at Pechanga Resort & Casino. We thought it would be nice to reminisce by sharing our photo highlights! Below is the Chocolate Decadence event. Make sure to check out the Wine Festival event as well!
Chocolate Decadence
This event featured more than 30 wine varietals that pair with chocolate and other sweet desserts. Included in admission was a souvenir wine glass, unlimited two ounce samples of wine and spirits, gourmet dessert samples from Pechanga’s acclaimed pastry chefs, live music and silent auction. This year's event was the 12th annual event and was held on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 7-10pm (general admission).
Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar was recently rated the #2 casino restaurant in the U.S. We're already fans of everything Pechanga so accepting an invitation to dine at this highly ranked establishment was a no brainer! While playing the latest slots, we felt a growing hunger within and soon headed to dinner, ready to relax after gameplay.
The restaurant is located to the right of the hotel check-in area and across the hall from Pechanga's casual coffee shop Blends. We've always passed by on the way to the slots, filled with curiosity, especially because it has this intriquing "jewel" strands along the outer walls.
After attending a cousin's wedding in Temecula, we decided to explore a little more of Old Town Temecula. We had noticed Blackbird Tavern when we ate across the street at the popular Cuban spot Havana Kitchen. It happened to be Father's Day (though we're not parents yet) and Blackbird Tavern was already half full (much busier than last time we peeked inside with 2-3 tables).
A huge advertising blackboard was to the right of the entrance. According to this, Blackbird Tavern had been open since 2013!
Dennis and I took a Friday off to explore the quaint Old Town Temecula. We've never been to this area before and it gave us a wild wild west yet touristy impression. Restaurants lined the main street while lively crowds refueled and conversed in the sitting areas. Despite gorging at Pechanga's Lobster & Seafood Buffet the prior evening, we wandered with a new roaring hunger. Havana Kitchen caught our eye with their Cuban dishes and seemed to be the perfect pick for our mood!
The restaurant was on a side street off the main road. The building itself was very unassuming and simple. A few two seater tables were scattered within the narrow patio area.
We were delighted to attend the Pechanga Wine Festival on Saturday March 10th, 2018. The 10th annual Wine Festival kicked off at noon for VIP admission and opened to the rest (including us) at 1pm. VIP tickets sold for $90, general admission for $65, and designated driver for $40, plus additional discounts for club card holders.
We reused our handy dandy wine plate from the night before, which freed up our hands for grabbing additional food samples and reach for the next wine pour. We leisurely wandered around the huge ballroom looking for the next sample.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to check out the Chocolate Decadence Event at Pechanga Resort and Casino. The festival offered chocolates and pastries as well as a sampling of wines, domestic sparkling wines, champagnes, spirits and dessert wines.
The event was held on Friday, March 9th from 7-10pm in the newly expanded section of Pechanga Resort. VIP tickets sold for $80, general admission for $60, and designated driver for $35, plus additional discounts for club card holders.
Casinos are well known for their extensive buffets. Pechanga Resort & Casino just stepped it up another notch with their Lobster & Seafood Extravaganza on Thursday nights. The main draw is the one-and-one-quarter pound whole Maine lobster done in an East Coast lobster bake style with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob. The limit is ONE at a time, but once you finish, you can grab yourself another!
Our recent trip to Pechanga Resort & Casino was quite a busy one! Between the delicious events of Chocolate Decadence and Pechanga Wine Festival, we also dropped by Kelsey's Bar & Grill, one of eleven restaurants inside the resort. Pechanga completely overhauled its sports bar restaurant and turned it into an upscale American pub. One of their additions was smoked barbecue and a large craft beer selection!
The restaurant isn't hard to find if you use the resort map and follow the overhead signs in the casino.
As we talked to the hostess, our eyes were immediately drawn toward this dessert display behind her. The food was looking amazing already!
Wine lover? Got that covered. Curious of where to eat at Pechanga Resort & Casino? Got that covered too.
Pechanga had their 8th Annual Wine Festival on February 27, 2016 and we were invited to attend (following Chocolate Decadence the night before). Not only were there multiple wineries for tasting, but many of Pechanga's restaurants were sampling their foods as well! Isn't that a convenient way to narrow down food options between all the casino fun?
We made our way into the Pechanga Grand Ballroom around 1pm for general admission (VIPs enter at noon). Near the entrance was a display table with the big raffle prize, which included plenty of wine and spirits from event vendors. The proceeds from the raffle and other fundraising items goes to help the charity Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.
We always do food before drinks though! Never drink on an empty stomach!
Journey's End, an upscale restaurant at Pechanga, served braised pork with port reduction and pureed carrots. This was so tender and we loved the fatty bits. Dennis thought the sauce was too strong but I enjoyed the porkiness of the glaze. Another sample was the shrimp cocktail with fresh huge shrimp plus a great white sauce!
Ever been to a chocolate festival? How much better would it be if wine were involved?
We were invited to Pechanga Resort and Casino to check out the Chocolate Decadence festival on Friday February 26, 2016. The event is held in the Pechanga Grand Ballroom. General admission tickets let us enter at 7pm and those with VIP could get in as early as 5:30! There was also designated driver tickets available though all guests are required to be 21+.
Within 10 minutes of the general admission time, there were already 40 people lined up, eager to enter! No worries though because there was more than enough chocolate to go round! I'd call this a Vegas buffet... dessert style!
Buy a wine & cheese plate for $5 to support the selected charity Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley! This holds everything very well as you can see above! We also saw people who brought their own wine and cheese plates, some of which were pretty fancy.
We stepped into the room and noticed several dessert stations around the room, each with their own centerpieces! This one is the chocolate candy station! The wines were lined up along the walls of the room but we of course headed straight toward the sweet decadence awaiting us!
This station had an ice sculpture and a crepe station!
