Double Your Valentine Pleasure at Pechanga’s Chocolate Decadence and The Pechanga Wine Festival

by Linda Stewart

Mark you calendars for February 10^th and 11^th to attend Pechanga Resort & Casino’s Chocolate Decadence and The Pechanga Wine Festival.  Enjoy creative, gourmet food and wine selections from all over the world.  Both events benefit Habitat for Humanity’s “Brush with Kindness,” the Inland Valley program that furnishes home repairs to senior citizens.

Delight your senses and satisfy your chocolate cravings at Chocolate Decadence on Friday, February 10^th from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  A preview of the event showcased delicious and clever dessert presentations:  three flavored chocolate mousse push-ups, delectable brownie cake pops, imaginative lipstick clones of white chocolate ganache tinted with strawberry or raspberry for flavor and color, red velvet cake topped with passion mango and chocolate mousse, milk chocolate cheesecake with pineapple compote, and a variety of French meringue confection macarons – Nutella, coffee, pistachio, lemon, chocolate ganache, and strawberry.  Perfect pairings of over 30 wines, including sparkling wines, will thoroughly enhance your chocolate tasting experience.  Live music will entertain, and a silent auction will raise money for Habitat for Humanity.  Your souvenir wine glass will serve as a reminder of this ambrosial affair.

The 9^th Annual Pechanga Wine Festival will follow the next day on Saturday, February 11^th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Taste wine from worldwide selections in your souvenir wine glass.  Wine regions represented:  California, including Temecula, Napa, and Sonoma; Spain, France, and Italy; Chile and Argentina; Australia and New Zealand.  Enjoy live music along with delectable comestibles from Pechanga restaurants’ renowned, award-winning chefs.  Here is a preview of some of the food samples to whet your appetite:  Cajun seared lamb chops from Great Oak Steakhouse; Peking duck with Hoisin sauce from Bamboo and Blazing Noodles; Braised pork shoulder with Port wine reduction from Journey’s End; mini Ahi poke bowl from Umi; Tri-tip Bruschetta with Blue cheese fondue from Kelsey’s; Truffle macaroni and cheese from Paisano’s; lamb and chicken Gyros with an especially tasty Tzatziki sauce from Banquets and Catering; exquisite pastries and desserts from Blends, Jerk chicken with mango salsa from Temptations Food Court, and braised oxtail in a red potato cup from Buffet.  The wine festival will also have live music and a silent auction.

The cost of admission for Chocolate Decadence is $55 for general admission, $75 for a VIP ticket (5:30 early admission), and $30 for designated driver.  The cost of admission for Pechanga Wine Festival is $65 for general admission, $85 for a VIP ticket (noon early admission), and $40 for designated driver.  For the ultimate two-day experience you can purchase combination tickets for only $100 for general admission and $140 for VIP admission.  Tickets are available for purchase at Pechanga Resort & Casino or their website:  https://www.pechanga.com/wine-festival-and-choclate-decadence