Montage is one of the best

Barbara Diamond

Montage Resort and Spa has been named one of the 100 top new hotels

in the May edition of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Conde Nast editors stayed at more than 350 properties around the

world to compile the “Hot List,” according to Montage General Manager

James Bermingham.

“Montage was one of only 18 U.S. properties which made the cut and

we are honored to be included on the list and to be recognized by

this prestigious publication,” Bermingham said.

Conde Nast editors cited the stunning setting, the distinctive

Craftsman architecture and the Studio restaurant.

“Like a page out of Steinbeck, the Montage is the California coast

the way it was meant to be -- ruggedly handsome and casually

elegant,” wrote the editors. “A meandering cliff-top walk” -- that

would be the city-owned Treasure Island Park -- “leads to a

half-dozen white-sand strands”---we call ‘em coves -- “and a pristine

marine park where purple urchins, bright-red starfish and olive green

anemones thrive in tidal pools.”

Montage opened in February 2003. The owners have subsequently

bought the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course and residential acreage

known as Driftwood Estates, which has entitlements for development,

with the understanding that the vast majority of the property would

be donated to the city as open space.

Most recently, the resort has launched “Montage Essentials,” an

online boutique. The four-color catalog brochure can be found at

www.montageshops.com or by calling 1-877-715-6544 with a request to

mail.

“The online boutique is filled with Montage signature designer

accents, furnishings and imported products inspired by the California

Arts and Crafts design movement,” said Ann Salcedo, resort retail

director.

Folks can choose from three categories: Home, Sleep Bath and Spa.

The home selections include reproduction art on canvas, chenille

throws and pillows from the Chris Madden collection and coffee table

books on early California art.

Bedroom furniture and 400-count linens, goose-down pillows and

custom crafted mattresses come under the Sleep heading.

Towels, imported soaps, body care projects, Kashwere robes and

throws and spa products are offered in the Bed and Spa category.

All of the items at available at the Spa Montage and The Shops at

Montage Resort and Spa.

P.S. City Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson reported that Vanity Fair

Magazine did a piece on Thalia Street Surf Shop in its May edition.

ALFRESCO

Gina’s will be the third restaurant to try to make a go of the

Food Court at the Festival of Arts since charitable organizations

were ousted several years ago to gussie up the service.

Alex and Andrew Costa own Gina’s two Laguna Beach locations and

five others outside the city. They have created a special alfresco

menu to complement Tivoli Terrace, the festival’s signature

restaurant.

“We live in Laguna Beach, we work in Laguna Beach and our children

go to school in Laguna Beach,” said Andrew Costa. “We are part of the

community and want to support it as much as possible. That’s why we

plan to involve several Laguna Beach businesses as suppliers for the

Festival Food Court.”

The alfresco menu will be served from 10 a.m. to closing during

the festival season, July 5 to Aug. 28. It will be a combination of

the Costa Family recipes and new creations meant to tempt adults and

children.

“Our commitment to my mom’s vision is still strong,” said Costa,

in tribute to Gina’s founder. “Her goal was to feed the neighborhood

and, with delicious menus, create family moments.”

WELLS SPRING

Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management has appointed Craig W.

Wells as a director and wealth advisor in its Orange County office.

Wells and his wife, Sandy, live in Laguna Beach.

His primary responsibilities in his new position are the

development of new business and relationship management, focused on

high-net-worth families, business owners and senior corporate

executives.

Wells has more than 25 years of corporate and banking experience.

He was formerly with JP Morgan Private Bank, serving as team leader

and senior relationship manager in Los Angeles and Newport Beach for

almost 14 years. Before that he was with Citigroup and has held

positions in private and corporate banking with the Bank of

California and First National Bank of Chicago.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Iowa State

University and a master’s degree in business administration from the

University of Michigan. He has a professional designation in personal

financial planning from UCLA.

Wells is a member of the Orange County Museum of Art Board of

Directors and the Pacific Sailing Club. His activities include the

Art of Dining, the Ocean Institute Education Center Capital Campaign,

Boy Scouts of America, Planned Giving Roundtable of Southern

California and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Business and Professional

Committee.

* DOING BUSINESS is a periodic feature of the Laguna Beach

Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Mail to Barbara Diamond,

P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; fax to (949) 494-8979;

hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; or call (949) 494-4321.