Newly Renovated Santa Cruz Dream Inn to Open Aquarius Restaurant

Landmark Hotel's New Beachfront Bistro a Haven For
Sustainable Seafood and California Central Coast Wines

SAN FRANCISCO (June 16, 2009) - Joie de Vivre, the force behind many of California's most acclaimed boutique hotels, is pleased to announce the June opening of Aquarius restaurant in the newly renovated Santa Cruz Dream Inn. A modern, sophisticated take on the American bistro, Aquarius will spotlight sustainable seafood and local organic produce, signature cocktails and an extensive selection of wines reflecting the several Central Coast terroirs of the Santa Cruz Mountains and of Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. Like the landmark hotel, Aquarius has been designed to take full advantage of its choice beachfront location, bringing the outdoors in and providing a welcoming retreat for guests to enjoy the timeless tranquility and majestic beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

"Sustainably harvested seafood, organic produce and beautiful wines are important elements of California culture," said Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre. "We've taken these homegrown offerings and have created a warm and inviting destination restaurant and bar for locals, visitors to Santa Cruz and Dream Inn guests in one of the most postcard-perfect locations on the West Coast."

Designed by San Francisco-based DPS Interiors, the 2,900 square-foot Aquarius features grand wrap-around windows that lend a breezy, open-air feel to the restaurant, offering panoramic views of the Monterey Bay, coastline, municipal wharf and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, as well as big-sky vistas of the sun and clouds by day and the moon and stars in the evening. A canopy of handmade surfboards and teardrop-shaped latticework lamps hang languidly from above, while smooth, pebbled flooring in the lounge area transitions to gray slate in the restaurant. Sheer, mustard yellow curtains, natural teak tables with rattan chairs and blond plank-wood banquettes accent the restaurant's relaxed atmosphere in a refined yet casual style.

Chef Philippe Breneman's menu for Aquarius will be a showcase of fresh, sustainable seafood and seasonal, organic produce from California's Central Coast region. Main-course dinner items include California white bass with udon noodles, lychee glaze and miso-truffle broth; seared Pacific cod with white corn succotash, smoked bacon and mâche lettuce; and, for land lovers, Meyer natural hanger steak with summer bean ragu and fine herb butter. Weekend lunch specialties feature sustainably caught fish and chips with local Seabright Brewery beer batter; Maine lobster rolls; and yellowfin tuna niçoise. Guests can also order dishes from the Aquarius bar menu for poolside dining, including Dungeness crab wontons with stone fruit relish and Meyer natural "sliders" with onion confit, smoked bacon and Point Reyes blue cheese.

"The Central Coast is agriculturally rich, and we want to support our region's producers and share their bounty at Aquarius," emphasized Joel Mootz, food and beverage director for Dream Inn and Aquarius. Mootz, a third-generation member of the local restaurant family that opened Aldo's Harbor Restaurant in the 1970s, previously served as a managing partner for Aldo's, Aldo's Bakery, and Sestri Restaurant and Bar, which he and his brother opened in Santa Cruz to great acclaim in 2004.

Chef Breneman has enjoyed notable recognition during his still young career as a chef, earning accolades for his innovative seasonal menus, unstinting commitment to the highest standards of quality, and innate talent for creating memorable experiences for guests.

Most recently, Breneman served as interim executive chef at the Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur, where he oversaw the design of menus and the opening of the Ventana Bistro as well as in-room dining and banquets. He joined the resort following a successful tenure as executive chef at Paragon Restaurant in San Jose, where he was touted as one of the "Top Chefs of Silicon Valley" by Gentry Magazine as well as "Top 5 Chefs under 35" by Wave magazine. Prior to that, Breneman led the opening team at Ling Chow in Carmel as executive chef.

Aquarius is located in the Santa Cruz Dream Inn at 175 West Cliff Drive. The restaurant and bar will be open to hotel guests and the public on weekdays for breakfast, cocktails and dinner, and on weekends for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner. The restaurant can be reached by calling (831) 460-5012.

The newly renovated Santa Cruz Dream Inn - the only beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz - was recently transformed into an upscale oceanfront hotel with four-star luxury service, eclectic touches and a natural, laid-back atmosphere. Each of the 165 deluxe guestrooms and suites features expansive views of the Monterey Bay from private balconies or patios, allowing guests to watch the surfers and let the sounds of the sea lions and the ocean waves lull them to sleep. The hotel can be reached by calling (831) 426-4330 or toll-free at (866) 774-7735. For more information, please visit www.jdvhotels.com.

About Joie de Vivre
San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre is a collection of creative lifestyle businesses. Founded in 1987 by Chip Conley, Joie de Vivre manages nearly 40 boutique hotels, more than 20 restaurants and four spas, and is recognized for creating some of the most innovative hospitality services and products and designing one-of-a-kind properties. Joie de Vivre also manages residential projects with hotel-style services and amenities. As California's largest boutique hotel collection, Joie de Vivre Hotels is becoming the hotel brand synonymous with the California travel experience, offering a wide range of unique urban, suburban and waterfront boutique hotels that cater to leisure and business travelers in all market segments. Joie de Vivre hotels are located in San Francisco, Marin County, Silicon Valley, San Francisco East Bay, Big Sur, Sonoma County, Santa Cruz, Sacramento and Los Angeles. In 2009, Joie de Vivre continues its California expansion with hotels opening in Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Venice Beach, Santa Clara and Laguna Beach.

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Media contacts:
Colleen Gallagher (Colleen@GlodowNead.com),
Karolina Kielbowicz (Karolina@GlodowNead.com) or Melissa Howell (Melissa@GlodowNead.com) at Glodow Nead Communications, (415) 394-6500; or Lori Lincoln at Joie de Vivre, llincoln@jdvhotels.com or (415) 773-1067.