Summer Sailing

Summer gives opportunity to so many fun activities. There are several events that you can do on the water in San Diego. Have you ever been to the Sights & Sips Cocktail Cruise by Hornblower Cruises? You can take a 2 hour cruise filled with music, hors d'oeuvres and cocktail specials. This takes place from 6pm-8pm on Friday’s and Saturday’s. There are also several other Dining Cruise occasions, take a look!
(photo courtesy from Hornblower)


Or have you gone sailing on the Stars & Stripes USA-11 fleet? You can sit back and enjoy the scenery, or you have the opportunity to act as a crew member from helping raise the sails, the tack and jibe, to steering the boat. These are just two of the unique festivities to enjoy in San Diego on the water. (photo is a sail with some of our Keating crew)

Before you sail away, join us in celebrating the addition of Il Moro di Venezia to the Stars & Stripes USA-11 fleet at the MerK Bistro Italiano! This Friday, May 21. Stop up in the Mezzanine from 6pm to 9pm.

We will be featuring specialty cocktails:
THE CITRUS WAVE MARTINI
THE DARK & STORMY

$5 wines, Craft Beers and Well Cocktails
Discounted Happy Hour Food Menu
$10 event valet parking

This week's blog post comes from Nina Heck.

Pet Friendly San Diego

It’s summer time! And it’s the perfect time of year to relax on the patio and enjoy a tasty beverage or treat with your best little friend. What are some of your favorite spots in San Diego to entertain your pooch?

The amount of pet friendly places in San Diego is impressive. There are several dog beaches, parks, pet friendly restaurants, and hotels that you can visit. A good way to check out other festivities involving pets is to go online or just by word of mouth. Check out events like Dog Days of Summer at the Padres Petco Park, the Walk for Animals by ASPCA, or even Pet Day on the Bay hosted by Hornblower Cruises. Mixed with the perfect temperatures, this city gives plenty of opportunity to keep you and your little friend happy and active. There are even a few websites to make being a pet owner more enjoyable with tips on traveling, care, and ideas for pets! Check out the website San Diego Pet.

Did you know that The Keating Hotel is pet friendly? We even have our own package dedicated to them.

Sit, Stay, Sleep

What's a getaway without your best friend? The Keating understands the importance of your four-legged companion and welcomes them!

• We Love Dogs!
Keating pet bed & dishes, Complimentary walking services, The Honest Kitchen organic pet food, Pet friendly turn down treats, Keating Keepsake, and Tail-Wagging Fun!


*Smudge needs some friends to play with. This weekend at the Keating Hotel pets stay free when you mention Smudge to your Personal Concierge at the time of booking (619.814.5700).





This week's blog post comes from Nina Heck

Pamper Your Mother!

Mother’s Day Sunday May 9, 2010

Ahh, Mother’s Day. Always the second Sunday in May and such the perfect opportunity to pamper one of the biggest supporters in your upbringing. In the United States, Mother's Day remains one of the biggest days for sales of flowers, greeting cards, spa treatments, and dining out. And why not? I have yet to experience motherhood myself, but I will always mark this day as a special time to show my appreciation for my mom.
(photo courtesy of www.thedailygreen.com)


What are some good Mother’s Day gifts this year? Here are my top 5 picks:


1. Hallmark Mother’s Day card with a heartfelt personal message on the inside. Always a classic.

(photo courtesy of www.hallmark.com)






2. Spa certificate for a Swedish Massage or Facial.

(photo courtesy of www.gifts.com)





3. Jewelry by April Star Davis collection.

(photo courtesy of www.aprilstardavis.com)




4. Edible Arrangements: Bloom’s of Love Mother’s Day feature.

(photo courtesy of www.ediblearrangements.com)




5. Sunday brunch or dinner to her favorite place (or try a new spot!) with all the family…

(photo is of actual entrées featured from The MerK's menu)



If you are looking for somewhere to go for Mother’s Day, stop in The MerK! We will be featuring a Mother’s Day $47 Prix Fixe Menu. The 3 course menu features several choices of favorite menu selections including Calamari & Zucchini Fritti, Pesto crusted Salmon, and Espresso Chocolate Mousse for dessert.
For families of 3 or more, mom gets a free entrée.
There is also unlimited Champagne for couples!

Ciao!

This week's Mother's Day blog post comes from Nina Heck.

Mama's Day 2010 by Mama's Kitchen

Mama’s Day Event 2010: An Extraordinary Culinary Evening

Mama’s Day 2010 by Mama’s Kitchen is tonight! Friday May 7, 2010 at The Hyatt Regency La Jolla Aventine.


Feast on fabulous food, including The MerK’s specialty dish Linguine Romano. We are one among many of San Diego’s top restaurants and chefs participating for this 19th annual tasting benefiting Mama’s Kitchen. Come listen to music and mingle with an eclectic mix of people! There are also four drawing prizes which includes The Keating’s very own:

An Evening Out: The Keating Way

Entertain eight of your coolest friends in the chic Keating Hotel’s VIP room at MerK Bistro Italiano with a multi-course Wine Tasting with Food Pairings, followed by complimentary entrance into SWAY Boutique Nightclub.

Have you heard of Mama’s Kitchen before? They are a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers food to men, women and children who are affected by AIDS or cancer.


Here is the link for information for the event and where to get tickets.
http://mamasday2010.eventbrite.com/

Check out our video of The MerK’s Executive Chef, Brian Rutherford making tableside Linguine Romano with pecorino romano.

Cinco de Mayo

Salud!

Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow! A celebration of the victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Not to be confused with Mexico’s Independence Day which is on September 16. Cinco de Mayo is also recognized as a holiday of celebrating Mexican heritage and pride. And it is enthusiastically celebrated in San Diego by all cultures, not just people of Hispanic and Mexican descent. And I say it’s the best reason after work to dance to some salsa music, eat Mexican food, and try a tasty Margarita or even a Mexican beer.

The picture is an example of traditional dress while dancing to The Jarabe Tapatío, known in English as the Mexican Hat Dance. The dance was choreographed by Felipa Lopez in the early twentieth century to celebrate a government-sponsored fiesta that commemorated the successful end of the Mexican Revolution. Since then, it has become the dance that symbols national pride and honor of the Mexican people.
(Photo courtesy of www.mexicovacationtravels.com)


Here is a video of and authentic El Jarabe Tapatio to get you in the mood for tomorrow! The MerK is also featuring a specialty Margarita in honor of Cinco de Mayo.

Hasta Mañana!





This weeks blog post comes from Nina Heck.