HAPPY 89 YEARS: What will you be doing on your 89th birthday? Or what did you do, if it has already passed? We have big plans for ours: We want a spa day and cake and fireworks and everything. La Valencia, the landmark hotel plunk in the middle of La Jolla, is marking its 89th year with a sort of spa day of its own. Meaning? It's undergoing a renovation, a full-scale renovation at that, which is always necessary in the hotel business after one or two or nine decades pass. But of course you don't want to close up shop during that time. You have fans who love your place, and you have a community who visits regularly for special occasions, so you have to find new ways to spoil guests. And La V is doing just that this spring with a series of culinary happenings and an Easter brunch to boot.
HOLIDAY BUFFET: The Easter brunch -- that's Sunday, March 31 -- will include staples like prime rib, wild Pacific salmon, and the hotel's own paella. Cost is $85 for adults, $38 for kids, and oh! The bunny'll make a cameo, too. As will baskets for young guests.
CHEF CELEBRATION DINNER: San Diego's top toques'll head for La Valencia on Tuesday, April 9 to whip up a special dinner. Not just any special dinner, but a dinner to raise money for culinary scholarships. Price is $65.
Other haps are afoot -- evening happy hours and the monthly Sky Room Dinner Series -- so check out the La V site for everything happening during the big refurb. Oh, but no worries on the grand dame's signature hue once the work has wrapped: La V is now and forever pink.
