Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Insider Info: On-the-Water Experiences

Many visitors and new residents love Marina del Rey for its waterside tranquility and most of all…its On-the-Water experiences. But how does one get in touch with the right people and places? We’ll help guide you with these tidbits below.


Connect with fellow enthusiasts; learn the ropes about what is current. Marina del Rey offers a welcoming community for boaters of all kinds and experience levels. There are many different boating clubs and associations that cater to the novice sailor/boater to help promote and encourage the development of sailing. Single Mariners of Marina del Rey is a non-profit club that only asks for donations to participate, while Marina Sunday Sailors offers your first two visits free and then if you want to join, it’s a small cost. Both clubs bring together adults who share a love of sailing and provide sailing activities in a friendly environment.

More MDR boat clubs


At the Marina's many yacht clubs, local and visiting boat owners can find access and a full array of services. The clubs also serve as a social hub for the boating community, and often offer facilities perfect for staging a memorable waterside event.


Yacht owners who plan on visiting our lovely harbor for a few days can rent guest docks through Pacific Mariners Yacht Club at a nominal fee per night based upon availability. For those who plan on docking in Marina del Rey for an extended length of time, yacht clubs such as Marina Venice Yacht Club (MVYC) might be of interest. On Sundays from 4:00-7:00pm they have an Open House for guests to check out the club. MVYC is a non-profit organization of people who just like the Pirates of the Caribbean, like to hit the Island for a great time, in the Corinthian Spirit.

More MDR yacht clubs


For an On-the-Water experience that's everything you envision – a range of sail and power yachts are available for private, skippered charter or bare boat rental. Marina Boat Rentals is your best source for daily rentals of these types of boats and kayaks. They even have two Duffy Electric Boats available equipped with a stereo and dining table – great for families and friends as it seats up to 12 people. If you’re looking to be more of an observer on the water, Blue Pacific Boating offers sailing to Malibu and Redondo beach, up close viewing of racing sailboats in Santa Monica Bay, and whale watching at sea level expedition style.


Insider Wrap Up: You don’t need to be affiliated with UCLA to participate in lessons and rentals through UCLA Marina Aquatic Center. It’s available to everyone for a modest affiliate membership fee. They offer lessons for kayaking, rowing, sailing, surfing and windsurfing.


Monday, August 10, 2009

AUGUST: CHEF'S RECIPE

In the spirit of the summer, Chef Jason of Cafe del Rey in Marina del Rey is pleased to share with you the secrets to his famous heirloom tomato salad with yellow watermelon and micro basil recipe!

Chef says, "One of my previous chefs and I came up with the combination of tomato and watermelon while on a guest chef event in Hawaii several years ago. We actually did it as a canapé with king crablegs. It was a wonderfully refreshing and beautiful marriage of flavors, perfect for a summer day in Hawaii. The dish evolved into a salad after we realized that the crab didn't really add anything to the dish... sometimes less is more. As heirloom tomatoes and yellow watermelon share the same growing season, this dish is always one I look forward to enjoying in the summer, and I hope you will too! We love to get our watermelon from the farmer's market, and our heirloom tomatoes from scarborough farms, which is a local small family owned farm."

Try it at home, and let us know how it turns out!

Heirloom Tomato and Yellow Watermelon Salad
Ingredients:
Serves 1
1 ea. Heirloom tomato (baseball size)
4 oz. Yellow seedless watermelon
1 tsp. Micro basil
2 oz. Aged sherry vinegar
1 oz. Extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. Toasted coriander
2 tsp. Minced tarragon
2 tsp. Honey
2 tsp. Whole grain mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Slice the watermelon and tomato into 2 inch slices. Combine all other ingredients except the micro basil in a mixing bowl, and whisk until incorporated. Add tomato and watermelon, and toss until evenly dressed. Assemble salad by stacking the watermelon and tomato, alternating them. Garnish with micro basil. Enjoy!

More information visit: http://www.cafedelreymarina.com/executive_chef.htm