Pendry Newport Beach and The Elwood Club Announce Culinary Director Benjamin Martinek
Martinek to Bring Distinct Dining Experiences to the Resort and Members-Only Club
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. (September 14, 2023) – Pendry Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Benjamin Martinek as Culinary Director of Pendry Newport Beach and the flagship private members club, The Elwood Club. Pendry Newport Beach is home to four unique dining destinations for hotel guests and locals alike. The offerings will include an al fresco Pool Bar & Grill, featuring Baja-inspired fare, a modern steakhouse featuring fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients, and a signature, Bar Pendry, that can be found in all Pendry hotels from coast to coast. The Elwood Club, a private social club located within the resort, will feature three distinct culinary venues that will deliver exceptional dining experiences and thoughtfully curated beverage offerings complimented by lively programming in music, arts, travel, fashion, wellness and sport.
Martinek joins Pendry Newport Beach and The Elwood Club from within the Montage Hotels & Resorts family, having previously served as Chef de Cuisine for Montage Laguna Beach’s fine dining destination, Studio, before being elevated to Executive Sous Chef. He brings over 13 years of experience and will oversee creative culinary direction and programming across the resort’s food and beverage offerings and The Elwood Club’s restaurants.
“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to lead Pendry Newport Beach and The Elwood Club’s flagship location along with a team of talented chefs and mixologists to create a new, truly exceptional culinary experience unlike any other in the destination,” says Martinek. “The club’s quintessential Southern California setting is something I’m intimately familiar with, and being a part of the Pendry brand gives me the opportunity to create intentional, dynamic cuisine that prioritizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients from land and sea.”
Chef Ben Martinek will oversee the following culinary concepts at Pendry Newport Beach that include:
Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill: Tree Shack epitomizes the best of Southern California with its expansive al fresco setting, lush landscape and a menu of Baja-inspired snacks and poolside drinks for easygoing entertainment and gatherings.
The Pavilion: The Pavilion is a classic California-inspired breakfast destination where resort guests and locals can start their day with a menu of traditional favorites alongside Newport Beach signature dishes, Vittoria Coffee drinks and more.
SET Steak & Sushi: SET Steak & Sushi is where Newport Beach’s airy, coastal influence modernizes the classic steakhouse experience with the accompaniments of a fresh sushi menu, local sustainable seafood and a sophisticated menu of cocktails, fine wines and more.
Bar Pendry: A modern interpretation of a classic hotel bar, Bar Pendry is a stylish outpost that beckons with its moody interiors, handcrafted cocktail menu, cozy gathering spaces and afternoon to late night setting for relaxed, yet refined revelry.
The Elwood Club concepts include:
Viamara: The indoor/outdoor dining concept will serve as the signature lunch and dinner restaurant for The Elwood Club. Viamara will complement the character of Newport Beach with a modern Italian twist, while delivering a culinary experience featuring seasonal produce and locally sourced fish and meat with a commitment to sustainability. Standout dishes will include a collection of house-made pastas and pizzas, along with light, shareable items including charcuterie, fire-roasted seasonal vegetables and more. The beverage list at Viamara is heavily inspired by Italian wines, housed in the restaurant’s dedicated wine cellar, as well as a range of aperitifs, digestifs and refreshing craft cocktails.
The Pub: A gathering place where friends and family can catch the game, play a round on the golf simulator, or enjoy a casual bite, The Pub will offer a concise menu of pub fare along with a draft beer selection that focuses on European-style brews. Dark spirits will inspire the cocktail program, intended to evoke a warm, comforting menu that embraces the pub’s communal space.
The Cabaret: The Elwood Club’s intimate, boutique entertainment venue, where a rich design highlighting the glamour of a bygone age will evoke a sense of contemporary soul. Anchored by a center stage, The Cabaret will offer entertainment programming for members to enjoy, with a beverage forward menu highlighting rare and refined vintage spirits and timeless craft cocktails served in one-of-a-kind, cut crystal glassware or via tableside presentations. The Cabaret will also feature an extensive Champagne list spotlighting globally recognized labels.
For more information on Pendry Newport Beach or The Elwood Club please visit www.pendry.com/newport-beach/ and www.elwoodclub.com or follow @pendrynewportbeach and @elwoodclub.
About Pendry Newport Beach
Poised to redefine contemporary luxury in one of Southern California’s most revered beach communities, this stylish and sophisticated urban resort presents a new icon in Newport Beach with 295 guestrooms, including 114 suites, many with ocean, harbor, and bay views. Just steps from Fashion Island, one of Orange County’s premier shopping destinations, the hotel will feature interiors by acclaimed Studio Munge, architecture by WATG and landscape architecture by Burton Studio, SET the signature dining restaurant, Bar Pendry, a world-class Spa Pendry, Paintbox Kids Club, Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill with a pool sundeck, a 24/7 fitness center, and more than 58,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. The property will also be home to private membership club, The Elwood Club. This landmark hospitality asset, located within the heart of Fashion Island, was purchased in February 2022 by an affiliate of Eagle Four Partners, LLC, owners, and operators of a portfolio of private clubs, hotels and resorts in coastal Orange County. For more information, visit www.pendry.com/newport-beach or follow @pendrynewportbeach.
About The Elwood Club
The Elwood Club is a modern members club built on the traditions of luxury hospitality created by Pendry Hotels & Resorts. The Elwood Club celebrates exceptional experiences in music, art, travel, fashion, food, drink, wellness and sport through bespoke programming and events that spark connections, spur conversation, and create an experience that transcends traditional private members clubs. The Elwood Club offers private, members-only spaces and services, and members also receive access to unparalleled services and amenities available at Pendry Newport Beach. For more information on The Elwood Club, or to explore the benefits of membership, visit www.elwoodclub.com or follow @elwoodclub.
About Pendry Hotels & Resorts
Pendry Hotels & Resorts is a contemporary luxury hospitality brand from Montage International. Pendry combines inspired design with a celebration of culture and authentic service tailored to today’s cultured world traveler. Founders Alan J. Fuerstman and Michael Fuerstman’s well-seasoned experience in the hospitality industry serves as the foundation for the brand, injecting each property with a unique perspective on contemporary style, and an emphasis on the arts and local community in the city it calls home. The portfolio of hotels and resorts includes Pendry San Diego, Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, Pendry West Hollywood, Pendry Chicago, Pendry Manhattan West, Pendry Park City and Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf. Future destinations include Pendry Newport Beach, Pendry Natirar, Pendry Tampa, Pendry La Quinta, Pendry Barbados and Pendry Punta Mita. Pendry Hotels & Resorts is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information on Pendry Hotels & Resorts, follow @pendryhotels or visit www.pendry.com.
Pendry Hotels & Resorts Brand Contact:
Kacey Bruno, Vice President, Communications
Pendry Hotels & Resorts Media Contact:
Lauren Kita, J Public Relations, (619) 255-7069