Mediterranean-inspired dishes dazzle guests at Aquaterra!

Gazing out over the golf course and a trickling waterfall, diners at Pala Mesa Resort’s Aquaterra restaurant savor delicacies. Sequestered in a sunlight bathed dining room, the experience couldn’t be more serene. However, this lovely setting is not the only facet that makes this establishment a success.

The culinary offerings also dazzle guests. Executive Chef Sean Sullivan is not willing to bask in the success of the restaurant, but he and his staff are constantly improving upon the dishes they create. The creative energy that emerges from the kitchen is the epicenter of the culinary quakes that shake Aquaterra.

One such quake is the introduction of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea are expansive and extend to many countries, including Greece, Morocco, Spain, Italy and France. It is the exotic flavors of these five countries that will be the influences on the new cuisine. Prepare yourselves for a gusto-filled culinary journey! Aquaterra is not evolving into a Mediterranean restaurant; this is only an infusing of Mediterranean flavor to certain menu items.

The Greek term “Opa!” is a mysterious, untranslatable word that means something like celebrate, or love life, or dance until you fall down. I have also heard it used at Greek feasts, so it may mean, “Eat with gusto.”

So, Opa! Greek influence is found under “Chef’s Creations” on the dinner menu in a dish called: Lemon Garlic Chicken Kabobs. This unique taste will transport you to Athens and beyond. Yes, I could almost hear the bouzouki music, the flap of the windmill sails or the rattle of carts on cobblestone streets.

The chicken kabobs are marinated in lemon juice and a high quality olive oil for two hours with a timer set to ensure that the marinate does not exceed the two hour limit. Why? It adversely affects the taste if marinated too long.

The chicken is then grilled – to perfection – lending a slightly smoky flavor, which is pungent and marvelous. Squeeze grilled lemon on the chicken for a tart splash of flavor.

Accompanying the kabobs is couscous, created by Chef Sean. The dish is light with onion, bell peppers, fresh parsley and a hint of olive oil. The vegetables are chopped so finely that they blend softly – nothing is glaring.

Aquaterra boasts a flourishing herb garden, so if diners are fortunate they may be able to see one of the servers harvesting an herb or two for one of the dishes. That’s about as fresh as it can get.

If you really want a taste of Greece, the house-created tzadziki sauce rivals any I have sampled in Athens. With mint, cucumber, lemon juice and yogurt this light tzadziki sauce, created by Chef Sean, is creamy and skillfully blended. The mild flavor enhances the chicken as well as the couscous.

Aquaterra’s Salmon Cakes are served with a side of baby greens, roasted garlic aioli and an aged balsamic reduction sauce. Again Chef Sean’s creative flair comes into play as the roasted garlic aioli is made in-house. The cakes are heavy with salmon, quite moist and lightly browned. Balsamic sauce lends a smidgen of extra savory.

A dessert light enough to follow a meal is Dulce de Leche, which is served chilled and topped with a slender roll of white chocolate. The base is a chocolate cake with a scattering of walnuts. The creamy top is similar to chocolate pudding, but with a slight caramel flavor. Sink your fork into this marvelous dessert and you won’t come up for air until it’s completely consumed!

Available at both the bar and in the dining room is a colorful trio of martinis called “Elements of Pala Mesa.” The blue represents seafood; the pink equals the patio experience (with stars above and music that wafts through the air on certain nights); and the yellow symbolizes the golf course.

Be on the lookout for theme nights, such as Asian or Western, where special dishes are created to accompany and enhance the theme.

Aquaterra’s manager Brigid Bourgeois noted, “I really believe in Pala Mesa – the beauty and the people – it is a great place.”

So, relax, unwind and let the Aquaterra experience delight your senses. Enjoy the savory dishes while the water trickles melodically from the rocks briefly taking you on a mind journey to some Mediterranean paradise.

Pala Mesa Resort’s Aquaterra Restaurant is located at 2001 Old Highway 395, Fallbrook, Calif. Call (760) 731-6805 or visit http://www.palamesa.com/dine/aqua-terra for more information. (Dining Memberships available)