It’s hard to find authentic anything in most casino resorts, so Locale is truly an oasis for the palate. The salmon is from Skuna Bay, the buttermilk-fried chicken is from Mary’s Farm, the 14-ounce boneless ribeye is from Brandt Ranch.

The last thing you’d expect to find in the artificial air of this temple to the gods of fortune is a naturally lit, L.A.-style farm-to-table restaurant. Bulgarian caviar at the Grove Steakhouse. Caviar and champagne lead to lobster bisque and French onion soup, which give way to tender cuts of beef or the always-in-style surf ‘n’ turf, followed by an indulgent piece of chocolate cake for dessert. There is a hostess stand outside the soundproof door, behind which is a velvet-rope experience that stands defiantly at odds with the casualness of the nickel slots.įrom Frank Sinatra to Louis Armstrong, the standards give life to a throwback steak joint. The Grove is tucked neatly away in the center of the casino floor, almost imperceptible amid the flashing lights and video screens. (Courtesy Photo)Įvery gaming resort seems to be built around a steakhouse. So, let’s delve into the attractions that you should enjoy on your trip to Viejas Casino & Resort. I prefer and suggest this route, assuming you have the time (read: “patience”). After several twists and turns at various altitudes, it eventually hits the 8, a few miles from Viejas.

Or you can come down the 79, a winding road that begins as an offshoot of the 15 in Temecula and runs southeasterly through old stagecoach towns like Warner Springs and Julian. It’s possible to shoot down the 5 or the 15 all the way to the 8 and then head east until you’re nearly at the 79. There are essentially two ways to get here: the easy way and the hard way, which is to say, the busy route and the scenic route, respectively. Locals come to play casino games, enjoy great dining, partake in the nightclub scene, and relax in a poolside retreat to beat the summer heat. In the small high-desert town of Alpine in Viejas in the distant southeastern corner of San Diego County, you’ll find an oasis known as Viejas. Today, we’ll be discussing Viejas Casino & Resort.

As promised, here is my second installment in an ambitious attempt to highlight our local Native American gaming resorts.

Viejas Casino Resort