AS HOT TEMPS HANG AROUND, PECHANGA OFFERS COOL TREATS PERFECT DURING NAT’L ICE CREAM MONTH (JULY) & THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER
With temperatures in the 90s and above across Southern California for the past several weeks and for the foreseeable future, it seems fitting that July is National Ice Cream Month. The nation’s 40th president, Ronald Reagan, named this month National Ice Cream Month 32 years ago in 1984. National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 17. The higher mercury also has a direct impact on the increase in sales of gelato (the Italian cousin of ice cream) at Caffe Cocoa at Pechanga Resort & Casino. The walk-up restaurant’s managers say they sell the most scoops of creamy gelato during the months of July and August compared to other times of the year. On an average weekday during the summer months, customers lick up more than 100 scoops of gelato in cups and about 15 additional cones. On a weekend day, the numbers jump to nearly 175 scoops served in cups and nearly 25 additional cones. Customers can choose from 15 more-intense-than-ice-cream flavors of gelato at Caffe Cocoa and cone or cup top sellers include pistachio, strawberry, tiramisu, pineapple coconut, chocolate and vanilla bean. Of course, guests can always make their own gelato combos. Some of the most unusual flavor pairings staff say they have seen are lemon sorbet with chocolate and peach with espresso. Frozen treat lovers can have their frozen confection served in a cup or a homemade, chocolate-dipped or plain waffle cone.
New this year at Caffe Cocoa is the Deconstructed Ice Cream Sandwich – a giant, homemade chocolate chip cookie topped with guest’s choice of creamy gelato flavor and toppings. Caffe Cocoa is located within the Temptations Food Walk on the main level of Pechanga Resort & Casino.
Blends Coffee & Wine Bar offers more refreshing options to beat the summer heat. New for the summer months is the Blended Coconut Crème, a smoothie with island coconut, milk, ice and whipped cream. Blends also features six other fruit smoothies in two sizes, $4.50 for 16 ounces and $5.00 for 20 ounces. Blends will also whip up one’s choice of five frozen blender coffee drinks including caramel, white mocha, vanilla, Ibarra chocolate and mocha for $4.75 and $5.00.
For the adult take on refreshment, guests can head into Journey’s End at the Journey at Pechanga clubhouse for one of the best happy hours in the Temecula Valley – 3:00p.m. to dusk. Happy hour at Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar happens on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:30p.m. to 5:00p.m and includes Japanese-inspired appetizers starting at $4.00, plus handcrafted cocktails for $9.00 each.
