Flying With Faber: New (and Some Old) Discoveries
By Stuart J. FaberThe more I travel, the more travel I crave. The more I fly, the more flying I crave. If this is an addiction, I plead guilty. Rehab is not an option. I recall a trip from the East Coast back to my home base in Burbank, California. I flew my Centurion from Greensboro, North Carolina against some persistent headwinds and touched down at home about a half day after I started. In retrospect, I could have exercised better judgment. Exhausted, I stepped out of my airplane and headed for the couch in the FBOs office. I thought I’d take a nap before driving home. I should have tied down way back at Tucumcari, New Mexico. As I headed toward the office, a friend approached me with his recently acquired Stearman.“Want to go for a ride,” he asked? A few feet from the FBO, I executed a 180 and climbed into his plane. Only another pilot would understand my decision.Today, many years later, still an inveterate traveler, I exercise better judgment and hopefully, possess greater wisdom. I won’t get into my airplane unless I’m fully rested and free of recent consumption of geezer-like aches and pains. I avoid countries and neighborhoods where I might end up as a hostage or a crime victim. I’m careful that the food I consume does not contain organisms not listed on the menu.When it comes to hotels and restaurants, I enjoy luxury as much as the next guy. But I don’t necessarily equate luxury with elegance. I’ve dined at some elegant restaurants where the food and service were atrocious. And I’ve chowed down in some seedy joints where the food and service were off the charts. For this article, I want to share some wonderful discoveries ranging from joints to fancy-shmancy. In the course of my food journalism career, I write a column entitled In Search of the Ultimate Steak and Who Sez You Can’t Get a Great Meal in a Hotel? I am a strong proponent of hotel restaurants where they deliver extraordinary cuisine at a fair price. And of course, I love a great steak.Let me divert with a recommendation for a few new products I discovered. I was anxious to try out my new Pelican ProGear Elite EL22 Carry-on bag. At 45”, it fits perfectly in my baggage compartment. And when I reluctantly board a commercial flight, it meets all current airline rules. It’s lightweight, yet constructed of double wall polypropylene, which can withstand extreme loads up to 1,500 lbs. Plus, it’s submergible for 30 minutes at a depth of about three feet. I’ll take their word for the submergence claim, but I do feel safe carrying my tablet in this hard surfaced bag. Within the bag is a toiletry kit and zippered shoe rack. It has a combination lock, ball bearing wheels, and an effortlessly retractable handle. I just love this carry-on. It’s about $400, but I am sure it will outlast me.
I just purchased a new Samsung Galaxy 6 phone. I looked at several cases and decided that the Pelican Voyager would be as durable and reliable as my Pelican carry-on. The design, constructed of strong impact absorbing materials and with a scratch resistant coated screen protector, snapped on so snugly, it hardly seemed to add to the size and weight of the phone. It comes with a holster, but I carry my phone in my chest pocket, so minimal size is important. Plus, Pelican has a lifetime guarantee – you break it, they replace it. For around $50, I feel happy and secure with this case.Jocko’s Steakhouse, 125 N. Thompson, Nipomo, CA 93444
One of my favorite restaurants in the U.S., and certainly a headliner on my In Search of the Ultimate Steak list is Jocko’s in Nipomo, California. The appearance is dingy, but don’t let that fool you – the owners created that effect on purpose. I don’t even think there is a sign on the building. However, one of the smartest restaurant families in the business has operated this joint since the 1950s. Unless you want to mosey around the bar for a few hours, you had better make a reservation.Occasionally, we experience a meal where the flavors linger on the taste buds for hours thereafter. As the flavors diminish, the thoughts linger on – perhaps for days, even weeks. Jocko’s is such a place. Locally raised beef is grilled over locally grown red oak. Steaks are among the juiciest, most tender, and flavorful we have ever encountered. I recommend the Spencer steak, a high-class name for a boneless rib eye.Dishes of hearty salsa, homemade bread, Santa Maria beans, and salads are distributed atop the table. For those who don’t eat beef, the fried chicken is remarkable. Service is friendly and efficient, much more than one might expect.Just before my recent trip, AWC was predicting freezing levels at 5,000 feet, so we drove three and a half hours each way through the rain to satisfy our insatiable hankering for a Jocko steak. What more of a testimonial, especially from a pilot, do you need? I would consider moving to Nipomo just so that I could pop into Jocko’s on a weekly basis.
Twist By Pierre Gagnaire, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 3752 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89158, 702/590-8888, mandarinoriental/lasvegas.comIf you insist on exquisite, upscale cuisine, reserve a table at Twist by Pierre Gagnaire at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas. Recipient of more awards than I can count, Pierre presides over his first and only restaurant in the United States. The dining room, ultra modern with striking lighting, is soft, inviting, and comfy. A dramatic glass staircase leads to a suspended wine loft.Pierre, whose parents were formidable restaurateurs in Apinac, France, began his career in Lyon. Many claim that city as France’s leading culinary center. He moved back to his family’s restaurant, Le Clos Fleury where he earned his first Michelin star. He opened his first restaurant in Saint Etienne in 1981 and earned two stars. From there, he moved to Paris and garnered three stars. He opened another restaurant in Hong Kong before his U.S. debut.The dishes are decidedly French but with a modern twist. As I SEARCHED FOR THE ULTIMATE STEAK, I marveled at the California Wagu Filet and the Nebraska Prime Rib Eye. Next time, I plan to sample the Pennsylvania Veal Chop.Incidentally, Twist has just announced the appointment of Frédéric Don as Chef de Cuisine. Chef Don brings his experience of fine dining to Las Vegas from another Pierre Gagnaire restaurant, The Gallery at Sketch in London, where he served as Head Chef since 2013. Hop in your plane, fly to Las Vegas, and don’t miss this place. I have no doubt that Chef Don will add an exquisite new dimension to this restaurant.Kona Grill, 3 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380, 281/466-4061, konagrill.com
Just 30 miles northwest of downtown Houston and 20 minutes from George Bush Airport is the spiffy community of The Woodlands. It sprouted up as major industries developed along the U.S. 45 corridor. If you happen to be in the area on business or pleasure, I recommend Woodlands’ version of Kona Grill. These franchises are located throughout the country, but this branch is especially appealing. If you have a group who can’t make up their mind between Asian, Italian, Southwest, or just good old American cuisine, the debate will dissipate with the first glance of the menu.Start off with some authentic chicken or vegetable pot stickers with Asian slaw. Or, chicken satay with hoisin and Thai peanut sauce. I love the chili lime salad with roasted corn, red onions, and sautéed mushrooms with a lime dressing.For entrees, the Hawaiian rib eye is marinated in teriyaki sauce and served with mashed potatoes and seasonable veggies. Did I mention Louisiana Creole cuisine? The jambalaya with crawfish, chicken, and andouille sausage is excellent. They also serve an array of sandwiches. Don’t miss the Snickers pie.Vernon’s, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082, 904/285-7777
I’ve been a fan of this resort for many years. Spread over 65 acres, this place has it all––great beaches, fitness facilities, world-class golf, and outstanding cuisine. The 511 newly furnished rooms, including 21 suites are fantastic. Many have private balconies, kitchenettes, and spectacular views. Great for all types of functions from weddings, high powered biz meetings, or pilot club gatherings.Starters include a pork belly taco, lobster strudel, and would you believe, lump crab mac and cheese––not my granddaughter’s mac and cheese.Steaks are impressive. You may select either a seared filet mignon or a bone-in rib eye. Seafood lovers will rejoice over the Chilean sea bass with roasted potatoes or the Florida black grouper with seasonal mushrooms and roasted beets.The seafood pasta comes brimming with shrimp, calamari, mussels, scallops, and clams all in a white wine butter broth. Save room for the peanut butter pie.Viento Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310/228-1234, www.centuryplazahyatt.com
Located in bustling Century City, 10 miles from downtown and a mile and a half from Beverly Hills, this hotel with its elliptical design, has become not only a local landmark but one of the premiere gathering centers for social, business, and political events on the Westside – even a hangout for several former presidents.Recently opened, Viento features what they describe as Pan-Latino cuisine. A gleaming new design, a dedicated and highly experienced staff of servers and chefs, Viento delivers innovative entrees with robust flavors. The lamb chops Birria were plump, succulent, and cooked to perfection. Archiote salmon was presented with a jubilant and colorful guava vinaigrette glaze, plus tender lentils, chorizo, and kale. Another great entree is the chicken mole with a rice cake, roasted baby corn, chayote, and fried garbanzo. Dishes are innovative yet sensible and earthy. For dessert, we exulted over the cinnamon apple chayote pie and the Mexican eggnog with coconut chocolate bark and smashed strawberries.Strathearn Restuarant, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterader, Perthshire PH 3 INF, Scotland, UK, +33 800 389 3737, www.gleneagleshotel.com
When folks ask me to list my favorite places in the world, Scotland, especially Perthshire, invariably ranks near the top. The region is abundant with untouched forests, pristine rivers, lakes and tranquil meadows. Gleneagles is a legendary resort with every type of recreation from world-class golf to meeting their resident hunting dogs with whom you can try your hand at gun dog training. Even blasé folks will find an exciting activity – spa, tennis, dog training, horseback riding, wildlife photography, fishing, or off-road driving. You can even try your hand at falconry.An example both of a great hotel restaurant and an award winner in my In Search of the Ultimate Steak endeavor, Strathearn excels in both categories. Newly appointed executive chef, Ram Jalasutram, will elevate the restaurant to even greater heights. Ram studied hotel management in Mumbai and was trained by such notables as Alain Ducasse and Gordon Ramsey.A beef trolley meanders throughout the dining room from which you can take your choice of tempting cuts of locally raised, dry aged beef. The roast sirloin is incredible. The Chateaubriand for two is unbeatable.Scotland is a small country by dimension but a giant producer of some of the world’s best food products. For starters, try the local oysters served with red wine shallot vinegar. World-renowned Scottish salmon is freshly caught, then smoked on the premises. Creel caught Scottish prawns, Scottish lobster, the list goes on.Try the Scottish spring lamb loin with beets and kibbled onions or the duck with morel mushrooms. Young chicken, halibut, or salmon are grilled and elegantly served in a comfortable atmosphere.I have many other places in my portfolio of great experiences. I hope to share them in future columns.
