Bella sniffed in on another online deal so we’re off to the Temecula Creek Inn for a golf and food outing.  My former apartment community shuttled me and other residents for a Temecula wine tasting tour in 2009.  Bella has never been here so the area will be a brand new experience for her.

Stone House on “Stone House 9” Golf Course

Near the end of our round on day one we arrive at the actual stone house on this course.  It is utilized for weddings and special events.

Oaks Course

We start our golfing trip on the Oaks Course.  Most greens are in pretty good shape whereas others aren’t smooth and need better maintenance.

Oaks Course

The course name couldn’t be more appropriate and unfortunately my ball is finding the tree line early and often.  I would classify this course as moderately hilly.

Oaks Course

The resort features three 9-hole courses which include:  Oaks, Creek and Stone House 9.

Stone House 9 Course

One must embrace the concept of blind tee shots and dog legs on both Creek and Stone House 9 courses.  A PGA pro friend of mine would surely not be a fan of either of these courses.

Stone House 9 Course

The course is fairly green but photographs a bit greener than it is in real life.  Stone House 9 is definitely the more interesting play of all three courses and without question is the most challenging course on property.

Stone House 9 Course

This brutal hole has a fairway and rough which creates a valley in the center.  The green is located on a steep downgrade so avoiding overshooting the green isn’t easy.  Additionally, “Sherwood Forest” surrounds nearly the entire green.

Stone House 9 Course

There is no shortage of trees on this course either.

Stone House 9 Course

A fair number of holes look fairly similar to one another regardless of what par is for the particular hole.  Winds seem commonplace here, especially on the Stone House 9 Course.

Stone House 9 Course

We conclude our first day of golf on Stone House 9.

Temecula Creek Inn:  Guest Room

The room is cozy with some Mission Craftsman style touches and a rustic flair.

Temecula Creek Inn:  Bathroom

The blood orange scented toiletries equate to one amazing sniff.

Guest Room:  View of Oaks Course off our Patio

We’ll be able to watch golfers tee off just off our patio tomorrow morning as we drink java.

Pala Casino:  “Choices” Buffet

The Choices buffet seriously rivals some of the better Las Vegas buffets.  This plate includes:  prime rib; green beans; Asian veggies; garlic roll; crab salad and BBQ pork ribs.  The prime rib is excellent with possibly the best Au jus I’ve ever had.

Pala Casino:  Choices Dining Room

The place is plenty fancy in regards to decor and cuisine presented.

Choices Buffet:  Oyster, Lobster Tail, Lobster Bisque, Snow Crab

Our meal includes a perfectly-prepared one-pound lobster tail.  It is so tender, sweet and delicious.  The lobster bisque isn’t good but all else on this plate hits the mark.

Choices Buffet:  Lobster Ravioli in Lobster Sauce

The cook makes it fresh at a station while you wait.  There are three sauces to choose from.  It is tasty but my guess is you’ll find something else to fill your belly with other than these heavy carbs.

Choices:  Mini cannolo; berry panna cotta; pistachio ball; canele

The cannolo is okay but the cheese is largely forgettable.  The panna cotta is firm in texture and pronounced vanilla is pleasantly inhaled and ingested by me.  The pistachio ganache ball is pure nut meets chocolate perfection.  We are glad to see the canele (hard-to-find) but it lacks char and is served cold.  Positively it has the custard taste emblematic of this pastry.

Choices Buffet:  Flan

It is good, not great.  The caramel sauce isn’t a winner and the texture is more on the delicate side than the firmer, eggy variety we enjoy.  Their house coffee smells great and tastes even better.

Choices Buffet:  Mocha Panna Cotta

This is the “winner, winner chicken dinner” dessert for us.  Fantastic coffee flavor with coffee syrup resting on top.

Choices Buffet:  Coffee Ice Cream with Walnuts

Great color, splendid premium coffee flavor, not too sweet and I top it off with walnuts from the toppings bar.

Creek Course:  18th Hole

After dinner I work off five calories walking the property.

Temecula Creek Inn:  Our Accommodations

There is a warm, cozy, mountainous lodge feel throughout this property.

Temecula Creek Inn:  Clubhouse

Excellent service is provided in the restaurant, pro shop and snack bar alike.

Cork: Fire Kitchen:  “Babe” the Blue Pig?

Outside of the restaurant rests this blue pig.

Guest Room:  Mission Lamp

I’m a big fan of Art Deco and Mission Craftsman design so this decor hits home with me.

Cork: Fire Kitchen:  Dining Room

Nice views of the Creek Course are featured.

Cork:  Fire Kitchen:  Ahi Poke Bowl

This is nearly too spicy for my weak spice palate (due to dietary restrictions) but it tastes quite good.  Spotlighted ingredients include:  mango/papaya salsa; avocado; spicy peanuts; bok choy; napa cabbage slaw; crispy glass noodles.

Cork: Fire Kitchen:  Bella’s Shrimp Salad

The “Taiwanese Seafood Assassin” attacks this dish immediately.

Cork: Fire Kitchen:  Cuban Sandwich

It needs more of the tasty aioli but excluding that it is magnificent.  The waitress says that the chef is still surprised when he eats this sandwich.  It’s always nice as an artist when you amaze yourself with your creations.  Ingredients include: slow-braised pork shoulder; shaved ham; lemon aioli; swiss cheese; jicama carrot slaw.

Creek Course:  Day Two

“Yea!  More trees…”

“Here puppy, here puppy”…

A beautiful coyote comes out of the wooded area to visit us on the Creek course.  It brings back memories of my childhood dog Spike that was half Doberman Pinscher and half Husky.

Creek Course:  Cool and Overcast Weather

I didn’t prepare for weather this cool but I am enjoying it.

Creek Course:  Lots of fog on the Surrounding Mountains

Excluding the boulders, I jokingly tell Bella that it feels like we’re golfing in Taiwan.

Downtown Temecula

Whether old or new construction, the look and feel downtown is that of an Old West mining town.

Downtown Temecula

Old…

Downtown Temecula:  The Palomar Inn Hotel

This 10-room historical hotel was built in the 1920’s.

Downtown Temecula:  Railroad Ties Walkway

This could be rough sledding after a few too many drinks.

Downtown Temecula:  Local psychic

Hotel Temecula

This 10-room hotel was built in 1891.

Downtown Temecula:  “Emigrant Office”

Seriously historic…

Downtown Temecula:  Gate Mural

Love the signage…only an “ass” would park there.  😉

The Public House:  Rum Porter by Second Chance Beer Co.

This taster is immediately followed with me ordering a pint of it.  The rum is present on the beak and the palate.  The brew has a touch of sweet, chocolate, oak and rum in the mouth.  This is one smooth and tasty dark beer.  Tonight Second Chance is including a free logo pint beer glass from the brewery.

The Public House:  Unsweetened Peach Ginger Tea

It is very light on flavor but good with noticeable peach and ginger elements present and accounted for.

The Public House:  Grilled Lemon Artichoke with Lemony Mayo

I could use more char and a bigger portion, but it is good regardless.

The Public House:  Portion of Cozy Dining Room

It’s an actual old Craftsman bungalow house with dining on the front patio, inside and the back patio.

The Public House:  Chicken Sandie

I’ve been eating a lot of chicken so I veto this item which our friend Johnny selects.

The Public House:  Wagyu Kobe Burger

This grass-fed beef burger was un-be-liev-a-ble!  The chef cooked it medium-rare resulting in a soft and flavorful burger with no chewiness.  The caramelized onions and cheese results in my devouring it.

The Public House:  Halibut Special

Bella opts for the halibut special which rates very well in her book.

The Public House:  Orange Citrus Beignets

This is our one and only option on their dessert menu.  I maximize every fraction of an ounce of the sweet citrus cream on Public House’s rendition of these cakey French-style donuts.

The Public House:  Chocolate Creme Brulee

I take a small spoon of it.  It is smooth, creamy, not too sweet and has a nice top crust.

THE END!!!