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Barona Spices It Up With New Mexican Restaurant, Sleek New Space for Signature Steakhouse
El Rancho Grande and Barona Steakhouse Now Open
| Source: Barona Resort & Casino
SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - January 27, 2010) - Barona
Resort & Casino is now dishing up authentic Mexican fare such as
tamales, ceviche and carnitas at the new El Rancho
Grande Mexican restaurant, formerly occupied by its signature
steakhouse. Just a stone's throw from its old spot, the Barona
Steakhouse has moved into larger and more deluxe quarters next to the
recently unveiled Italian Cucina and Seafood Plaza
restaurants.
"Within the past few months we've opened three new restaurants to give our
guests more exciting dining options," said Rick Salinas, general manager of
Barona Resort & Casino. "Our culinary team has created distinctly different
menus while maintaining Barona's commitment to fresh ingredients and
locally grown produce."
The interior of the El Rancho Grande restaurant was designed by Denean
Scott of Design Solutions-id3, Inc. and features beautiful wrought iron
chandeliers, murals depicting a traditional Mexican village, as well as
hand-painted ceramic plates and pottery. The dining room can accommodate up
to 70 guests and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to
10 p.m. and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
The vast menu includes "Desayunos" or breakfast choices such as Huevos a La
Mexicana, Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles ranging in price from $7.50 to
$9.95. In addition, the menu features "Entradas" or appetizers including
the Barona Empanada, Chile con Queso and Stuffed Jalapenos in addition to
"Sopas y Ensaladas" or soups and salads such as the traditional soup
Albondigas and Yucatan Grilled Shrimp Chopped Salad and Marinated Carne
Asada Salad -- all for less than $12.
Specialty dishes or "Especialidades Mexicanas" including the Chile Relleno,
Mexican Style Short Ribs of Beef, Pork Mole, Grilled Jumbo Prawns are all
available from $7.95 to $15.95. In addition, classic combination plates of
Tamales, Enchiladas, Tacos are offered from $7.95. Delicious treats such as
Churros, Caramel Flan, Pastel de Tres Leches and Fried Ice Cream are $5.95.
To complement the spicy Mexican cuisine, El Rancho Grande serves festive
specialty margaritas, as well as an extensive "cervezas" or beer list. "And
for those who like to sip tequila straight up, the restaurant offers more
than a dozen tequilas," said Salinas.
The steakhouse's new 2,700-square-foot location, open Tuesday through
Saturday for dinner beginning at 5 p.m., boasts an upscale 105-seat main
dining area as well as an elegant private dining room that can accommodate
more intimate gatherings of up to 16.
Besides nearly doubling in size, the new version of the Barona Oaks
Steakhouse features a massive wood-burning grill, which according to Chef
de Cuisine Duncan Firth "greatly enhances meats' natural flavors."
And while the upscale steakhouse has expanded and changed locations, its
expansive menu of premium steaks, choice chops and fresh seafood has
remained the same. Keeping old favorites was a priority, and guests can
still enjoy such signature dishes as the Hickory Smoked Beef Ribeye, Dry
Aged Porterhouse, California Lamb Rack, Veal Oscar, Alaskan Halibut with
Tempura Asparagus and Honey Glazed Mary's Free Range Chicken.
"Our commitment to hand-cut steaks, top-quality meats and fresh seafood has
not wavered," said Chef Duncan, who selects seasonal vegetables from
Barona's onsite Organic Chefs' Garden.
Chef Duncan also noted that the steakhouse also dry ages many of its meats
in-house to produce "more moist and tender steaks."
The steakhouse has added several excellent San Diego County wines to the
extensive wine list, which earned the prestigious 2005-2009 "Award of
Distinction" from Wine Enthusiast.
Tucker Sadler Architects, Inc. of San Diego, in partnership with Denean
Scott, created the new look for the eight year-old steakhouse into a more
modern and sophisticated eatery for its brand new location.
Eye-catching circular booths, ornate ceiling fixtures, an elegant grand
piano -- whose keys come alive five days a week -- and commissioned artwork
of Barona Creek Golf Club by Marshall Hall in the private dining room,
further add to the chic allure of the refined establishment.
Using rich wood, soft velvet drapery, lush upholstery and rock walls with a
double-sided fireplace, "We've created a warm and welcoming ambiance that
invites guests to relax and linger," says Tucker Sadler Design Principal
Gregory Mueller.
Recently, Barona Resort & Casino was honored with a 2009 Gold Medallion
Award for Best Casino Dining by the California Restaurant Association (CRA), San Diego Chapter.
Additional accolades include the CRA Gold Medallion Awards for "Best Casino
Restaurant" and "Best Casino Buffet"; "Best Restaurants", "Best Buffet" and
"Best Brunch" from Southern
California Gaming Guide; "Best Traditional Cuisine" from Santé magazine; and "Best Gourmet
Restaurant", "Best Buffet" and "Best Steakhouse" by Strictly Slots magazine.
About Barona Resort & Casino
For two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, Barona Resort & Casino has won
the J.D. Power and Associates Award for the "Highest in Satisfaction in the
Southern California Indian Casino Gaming Experience" in the J.D. Power and
Associates Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study.
Barona Resort & Casino blends the best of San Diego's leading resorts with
the gaming excitement of Las Vegas. Barona is San Diego's leading
destination resort featuring 400 guest rooms and suites all with beautiful
views of the Barona Valley, a variety of award-winning dining options, the
AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center and the 18-hole championship
Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in California by
Golfweek magazine.
Barona Resort & Casino received the highest numerical score in the
proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Indian Gaming Casino
Studies SM-Southern California Region. The 2009 study, which only surveys
casinos with a minimum of 1,000 slot machines, is based on 4,452 responses
from gaming players who visited an Indian casino in Southern California
between December 2008 and May 2009. Proprietary study results are based on
experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in May 2009. Your
experiences may vary. Visit www.jdpower.com.
For Barona Resort & Casino reservations and information, visit
www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).
You can also join Barona Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace
at: www.barona.com/facebook, www.barona.com/twitter and
www.barona.com/myspace.