JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa announces the opening of Rockwood Grill, a sophisticated all-day dining venue featuring an outdoor terrace with fire pits and a la carte seating (opening July 2012); and Blue Star Lounge, a new bar adjacent to Rockwood Grill offering indoor and outdoor seating. Popular among local residents and visitors alike, the restaurants at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa continue to offer some of the finest dining in the Coachella Valley.
Located in the former LakeView restaurant space, Rockwood Grill and Blue Star Lounge is one of several exciting updates in celebration of the resort’s 25th “silver” anniversary. These extensive improvements include 884 rejuvenated guestrooms and suites, the addition of new retail outlets including Sunnyland Chocolate Factory, Desert Shades and Wallet World; a new dining option Fisherman’s Landing, and upgrades to the resort’s acclaimed Palm Course, a Ted Robinson, Jr. designed golf course. Also, this fall, the resort will reopen the Valley Golf Course after an extensive renovation.
Rockwood Grill: Locally-Sourced and Farm Fresh
Rockwood Grill features an upscale-casual menu of diverse American classics made from scratch daily with locally-sourced ingredients, from Anaheim Peppers brought to Anaheim, CA in 1900 by Emilio Ortega, to artisan cheese Di Stefano Burrata, made by the Bruno Family in Baldwin Park, CA, and first created in the Apulia Region of Italy in the 1920’s. The dishes are expertly prepared and served in an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and sophistication. The construction to convert the former restaurant into Rockwood included a complete overhaul of the main dining room and a dramatic illuminated bar activating the double height atrium. The abundance of California’s farms and local purveyors, such as Suzie’s Farms, a USDA certified organic farm located on 70 acres 13 miles south of San Diego and growing over 100 different crops per year, serve as the springboard for the hearty, healthful menu items offered at the new restaurant, including:
• The Valley Sampler which features bacon wrapped dates, smoked eggplant dip, flat bread, la quercia salumi and point reyes toma cheese;
• Brandt Farms Ribeye or a Pork Chop straight from the grill;
• Signature hand stretched pizzas such as the Proscuitto option, made with Coachella Valley Dates and fresh mozzarella, or the Berkshire Pork Belly option, with shitake mushrooms, cilantro and fresh mozzarella;
• The refreshing Market Salad made with Suzie’s organic farm greens, shaved apple, fennel, radish, candied pecans and dressed with tangerine pomegranate vinaigrette;
• Cinnamon Beignets with a Coachella Valley Date Milkshake to top it all off.
Blue Star Lounge: Signature Sips and Farm-to-Glass Cocktails
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa welcomes Blue Star Lounge, a new, 80 seat indoor and outdoor terrace with fire pits and a la carte seating, creating a truly magical al fresco experience for guests. The dramatic back bar at Blue Star Lounge takes advantage of the double height atrium to create an illuminated beacon that attracts guests throughout the resort. A serpentine communal table anchors one end of the bar as guests and servers spill out onto the newly renovated garden terrace.
The lounge features a memorable selection of signature margaritas, local microbrews and hand crafted farm-to-glass cocktails, including:
• Rockwood Martini – Ketel One vodka, peach puree & peach champagne float;
• Blue Star Martini – Sky Citrus vodka, Blue Curacao, lime juice, simple syrup and club soda;
• Misdemeanor – Tres Agaves silver tequila, green chartreuse, agave syrup, lime juice, pineapple and a small slice of jalapeno;
• Desert Sunrise – 1800 Silver tequila, orange juice, pomegranate juice, grenadine tequila (anejo) float;
• Frozen Avocado Margarita – tequila, triple sec, fresh avocado, cilantro & fresh lime juice.
Diners can also experience a carefully chosen selection of more than 60 wines, featuring a variety of California specialties.
Rockwood Grill and Blue Star Lounge join a roster of more than seven quality restaurants and lounges for guests to choose from at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, including: Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, The Lobby Bar at Desert Springs, The Oasis Bar & Grill, The Spa Desert Springs Bistro, and vibrant Palm Desert Costas Nightclub, the desert’s exclusive nightclub open on Fridays and Saturdays. Also unveiled in June is Fisherman’s Landing Bar & Grill, brought by the crew of Fisherman’s Market & Grill, which was voted Best Seafood Restaurant each year for over a decade, to provide the highest quality seafood delivered fresh daily to guests.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa offers gondola rides to and from many of its restaurants, including Rockwood Grill and Blue Star Lounge, via a vast system of Venetian-like waterways which run throughout the property’s lushly landscaped grounds.
About JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, located in the heart of California’s Coachella Valley and framed by three majestic mountain ranges, is a sprawling oasis offering a remarkable contrast to the stark beauty of the desert. The AAA Four-Diamond property opened in February 1987 and is one of the largest resort and convention complexes in the southwestern United States. The resort’s recently refreshed 884 guest rooms and suites are located in wings surrounding swimming pools, lakes, verdant fairways, lush gardens and manicured lawns. Guest rooms are spacious and include separate tubs and showers, iHome audio systems and private balconies. Featured dining options include Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, The Lobby Bar, and Oasis Bar & Grille, with new additions, Fisherman’s Landing and The Rockwood Grill & Blue Star Lounge. The resort boasts an award-winning 32,000-square-foot-spa and recreation facilities that include two Ted Robinson championship golf courses, an 18-hole putting course, 20 tennis courts, basketball courts, lawn croquet and biking.www.desertspringsresort.com.
