Enjoy a Pampered Afternoon at Pechanga Resort & Casino
by Linda Stewart
Recently, I was privileged to join fellow food, wine, and travel writers at Pechanga Resort and Casino’s Lobby Bar & Grill for lunch. Located in the beautiful Temecula Valley, Pechanga has eleven restaurants (serving Asian, Italian, Mexican, or American cuisine), along with an International buffet and a food court. With all these choices, there is definitely something to appeal to everyone’s culinary pleasure.
The creative menu at the Lobby Bar & Grill features American cuisine with an International flair and the restaurant sources food locally. I began my meal with a luscious butternut squash soup crowned with sherry crema. 
The fried green tomatoes also looked tempting, so I will have to put that on my must-order list for my next visit. For my entrée, I ordered the blackened jumbo shrimp with Parmesan grits. The shrimp were flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the grits were creamy and cheesy. (Photo below)
Others in our group raved about their dishes: ahi tuna Niçoise, Tequila lime pasta, and waffles with chicken and egg. Dessert was a beautiful and tasty assortment of colorful macarons, each one cleverly decorated with an iced “P” for Pechanga. The restaurant has a couple of bonuses: Happy Hour is Monday through Thursday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and Live Entertainment is presented on Fridays and Saturdays.
After lunch we had a tour of Spa Pechanga, which focuses their lavish treatments on aspects of the whole body, including the mind and the spirit. The luxurious amenities are numerous and include whirlpool baths, eucalyptus steam rooms, dry sauna rooms, outdoor patio and pool, fitness center, and salon. Massages span the spectrum, using body polish, hydration therapy, and detoxifying products, including treatments with honey, and with stones of Himalayan salt or basalt. Couples can enjoy champagne and chocolate with their massages. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the relaxing areas showcase the lovely valley and commanding mountain views. The spa specializes in regenerative facial techniques with personalized skincare.
Our group was excited to participate in customizing aromatherapy body butter cream. For a fee of $18, you get an 8-oz. jar of Body Bliss Rich Shea Butter, and the helpful services of a congenial staff (thank you Ashley and Stefan) that walks you through selecting and combining fragrances that you stir into the cream to create your very own signature aromatic body cream. You can choose your favorite fragrances or check out the aroma recipes using Numerology’s Life Path Numbers, which are calculated from your birthdate. My birthday is in July and my number is 8. Birthyear 8 is defined as a powerhouse striving for balance, and the recipe has drops of cedar, orange, frankincense, and clove. It was a fun and unique experience for me.
The spa is open seven days a week from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. Go to the Spa Pechanga website to check out all the luxurious spa experiences they offer.