Those are the kind of days when nothing beats a relaxing afternoon lounging on a patio with a cool, refreshing drink in hand.  At our hotel near San Diego, you hardly need to bother with a menu to figure out what that drink should be.  Quenching your thirst is best left trusted to a couple of classic cocktails which exhibit the region’s Mexican heritage: a margarita or a glass of Sangria.  And there is no better place than our hotel in La Jolla to experience either of these great drinks than the Mustangs and Burros Bar & Grill at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa.

On the brick and wood patio, you’ll find yourself enjoying warm sunny skies and a light ocean breeze as you sit back, relax and enjoy one of our signature Mango Margaritas or a glass of the house-made Sangria wine.  If you prefer beer over cocktails, grab a frosty brew from one of San Diego’s award-winning, local microbreweries or a traditional Mexican beer with the quintessential perched lime wedge.  As the sun begins to set and the blue overhead begins to hold tinges of pink and orange, grab a seat by the fire pit to ensure the crisp, evening, coastal air doesn’t keep you from enjoying another libation.  On Friday and Saturday evenings, if you stick around a little while longer, you’ll be able to enjoy the dulcet tones of acoustic guitar as the sounds and songs waft across the patio into the night.

Sound too good to be true?  Perhaps to those stuck in the snowdrifts and frozen-by-the-frigid-temps of the Midwest and East Coast.  But as we here on the West Coast know, these happy days are right around the corner as February fades and March moves in.  Spring Break will soon be upon us, and warm weather and cool drinks will hopefully relegate rain coats, knit scarves and Ugg (ugh!) Boots to the closet where they belong.  So break out your boardshorts and slide on your sandals to go bask at the beach, and when you’re ready for that afternoon drink on the patio, we’ll see you at Mustangs and Burros.

Jonathan Hults | Front Desk | Estancia La Jolla

More than 25 years ago, Chef PJ Macaluso and business partner Bill Wolf wanted to open up a restaurant in La Jolla that would cater to the best food and service that could match that of New York City. Their creation was Manhattan of La Jolla. Since its opening, Manhattan has been named one of the best restaurants in San Diego, the City’s Best Romantic Restaurant and entrees voted “Best of the Best” from the American Academy of Restaurant and Hospitality Sciences.

Manhattan of La Jolla can be best described as an Italian Steakhouse. It currently holds the #2 position of 162 restaurants in La Jolla, on TripAdvisor. It’s menu offers world-renown pasta, seafood, veal, chicken and steak platters. Zagat states that their 32 oz. Double Veal Chop is truly the “Best in the World.” But don’t forget the desserts – my favorite is the self-titled Manhattan: apple rings dipped in a sweet batter and deep-fried, topped with homemade French vanilla ice cream and a brandy sauce.

Not looking for a big meal but just to unwind? Happy Hour at Manhattan doesn’t only offer great drink specials but reduced priced appetizers. They truly set the stage so you can relax with coworkers and friends. Happy Hour in their Lounge is every Sunday thru Thursday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Manhattan of La Jolla also provides live Jazz music to be found in their Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm to 11pm.

So if you’re in the mood for fine Italian dining in the La Jolla area, the only place to go is Manhattan in La Jolla. Prepare yourself to be treated to world-class appetizers, entrees and service.

Marc Stein | Front Office Supervisor | Estancia La Jolla

Starting off the Valentines weekend on Friday, February 12^th, we will have a four course menu available in Adobe El Restaurante. Some of the menu items include; Candied Parsnip Soup, Seared Duck Breast served with a wild rice risotto cake, a kobe Beef Ribeye Cap served with a root vegetable tart and black truffle glace, and a Molten Chocolate Lava Cake served with a malt ball gelato and mixed berries. The first three courses will be paired with our Estancia Private Label Wines. This same great menu will be served on Valentines Day and you can check it out online here.

Also on tap for this weekend, we are opening up our heated pool for food & beverage service. The weather should be beautiful .. sunny, blue skies in the 70s. So, find your way to one of our private cabanas as I know the pool will be the place to be!

Thru the end of February, come out and join us at Mustangs and Burros, where each day we have daily specials ranging from Dos Equis, Corona or Pacifico for $3 on Mondays, to an artisan cheese board and two glasses of Estanica Private Label wine for $12 on Fridays -- both are served from 3pm-6pm! Whether you sit outside or inside by our grand fireplaces, our rustic rancho style bar and lounge will exceed your expectations every time!

If you are looking to have a lunch created with innovative flavors from fresh seafood to delightful desserts, look no further than Adobe El Restaurante for breakfast and/or lunch. Don’t miss out on our weekend breakfast buffet or stop by for lunch and try our chef’s daily sandwich and soup creation.

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our three great restaurant and bar options soon!

Danny Fancher | Food & Beverage Manager | Estancia La Jolla

With this said, I have never been prouder than I am now to be a part of the travel industry. Lowe Hospitality Group (LHG) has established a coordinated company-wide matching fund that will directly benefit team members who are immediately impacted. Congratulations to Destination Hotels and Resorts for organizing this!

I am also happy to report that many of our travel industry organizations have risen to the cause as well. Some of those include most of the major hotel chains, airlines, travel web sites, business travel associations and cruise lines! We are a family helping families!

I also have a personal interest that extends beyond the travel industry. I have a brother who is a Claretian missionary priest. One of the Provinces churches, St. Antoine Marie Claret, was in Port Au Prince. The church was only 10 years old but was completely destroyed and many members perished. My brother reports that despite the extreme suffering and heartache, faith has not been lost. The congregation can feel the support of the world and they are extremely grateful.

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of Haiti’s challenges, but I am personally relieved to know that my company has stepped up to the challenge. I also understand the power of pictures and have so shared “my” personal story through them.

Yours in service,

Peggy Lloyd | Concierge | Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa