HIGHLAND, CALIF. (November 1, 2021) – The Pines Modern Steakhouse, an award-winning fine dining venue, at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel (formerly San Manuel Casino) recently reopened in a stunning new space with an updated menu featuring specialty items and high-end offerings of meat, seafood, wine, spirits and more.
To celebrate the relaunch of The Pines, guests can indulge in premium and unique offerings, including a $5,000 cocktail made with Patron Lalique Extra Añejo and 1985 Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut served in keepsake Versace crystal glassware, a $5,000 Wagyu burger and Screaming Eagle Cabernet pairing, a $5,000 Japanese Wagyu trio paired with a bottle of 2011 Petrus, and a $10,000 ultra rare single barrel scotch flight paired with a set of luxe chocolates from House of Dorchester.
Since its debut in 2008, The Pines Modern Steakhouse has earned numerous accolades and awards, including the coveted Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2021. As Yaamava’ Resort & Casino expands, grows, and evolves—so does The Pines. The new elevated aesthetic, where luxury and glamour meet modern innovation and design, also pays homage to the culture of the Serrano people. A swooping, bent wood ceiling portraying an oversized basket weave pattern is reminiscent of a critical part of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ culture. Hearty materials like walnut, tumbled stone tile and burnished metals are a nod to the rougher, untamed side of nature representing the rugged San Bernardino mountains, the Tribe’s ancestral land. The Pines now boasts a 182-capacity dining room as well as a lounge, full-service bar seating and intimate 20-person private dining room.
“The Pines Modern Steakhouse is a product of our love for the art of the ultimate epicurean experience with a focus on creating a remarkable experience for our guests,” said David Kopasz, Chief Operating Officer, Hospitality at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel. “In my two decades in the food and beverage industry, I’ve never been more excited or proud of a restaurant debut.”
The Pines reopening signals another milestone as Yaamava’ Resort & Casino continues its ongoing expansion. Fans of the former Pines will find some of their award-winning favorites in the company of even more rare and high-end collections of meat, seafood, wine, and spirits. The Pines offers top-tier Midwestern prime cuts of beef, the cult favorite Santa Carota Ribeye, three different cuts of A5+ Japanese Wagyu—with the Soya Black Wagyu Beef from Hokkaido, Japan, only available in a handful of restaurants in the U.S.— as well as delectable seafood offerings, caviar service and a dessert menu that will evoke nostalgic childhood memories with flavors presented in an upscale and sophisticated manner. For the full menu, click here.
“When crafting the menu, our guests were top of mind. If it wasn’t the highest quality, it didn’t make the cut. We sourced only the best of the best to create this world-class menu,” said Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Executive Chef Matt Smith.
To celebrate the new experience at The Pines Modern Steakhouse, the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino food and beverage team developed and unveiled several special offerings to mark this occasion.
The Secret Margarita - Corazon de Añejo | $5,000
This ultra-exclusive cocktail made for two features Patron Lalique Extra Añejo (an exclusive collaboration between Patron and Lalique, the masters of French crystal) and 1985 Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut (a sparkling, complex and traditional style of Champagne produced by Champagne Salon in the Champagne region of France). The drink is served in Versace Medusa Lumiere Haze Champagne Flutes, which guests keep after enjoying.
Wagyu Burger and 100-point Cabernet |$5,000
A Wagyu burger between a house-made seeded brioche bun, with seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, white truffle oil, truffle aioli, truffle gouda and black garlic-porcini butter caramelized onion. Served with hand-cut duck-fat-fried Kennebec fries and Béarnaise sauce. Paired with 2011 Screaming Eagle, a California red wine done in an old-world style – an extremely rare 100-point wine.
Japanese Wagyu Trio and 100-point wine Pairing |$5,000
A combination of the three Signature A5+ Japanese Wagyu Steaks, offered at The Pines in 4oz form: Olive Fed Wagyu Ribeye, Miyazaki Strip, Soya Black Beef Tenderloin presented on lava rock stone with your choice of two sauces and English Maldon Sea Salt. Paired with Petrus 2011, a French, merlot-driven wine from Pomerol.
The Golden Age - 50 Year Single Malt Scotch Flight + Luxe Chocolate Assortment | $10,000
A tasting flight (1 oz each) of four of the rarest and sought-after single malt scotches, all aged 50 years or more. Each spirit is complimented by a decadent House of Dorchester chocolate with varying degrees of Cacao.
- The Balvenie 50 Year
- The Macallan 52 Year
- Gordon & MacPhail - The Linkwood, Vintage 1954, 56 Year
- Singleton ‘54
About Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel
San Manuel Casino is now Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel. Phase 1 of the expansion features expanded casino space, bars, retail and a brand-new casual restaurant, Serrano Vista Cafe. The luxury resort will debut in December 2021 with the addition of a 17-floor hotel tower featuring 432 guest rooms and suites, an elevated pool deck experience, a lavish full-service spa and salon, expanded dining options, and convenient 24-hour in-room dining. Millions of visitors each year will soon be able to enjoy a premier “stay and play” experience with more than 6,500 slots, five high-limit gaming rooms, incredible entertainment, a full array of dining options, and a generous player’s reward program.
The San Manuel Entertainment Authority (“SMEA”) wholly owns and operates Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. Located just 60 minutes from downtown Los Angeles in the city of Highland, Calif., the casino resort offers sweeping views of the San Bernardino Mountains. In 2021, San Manuel Casino and San Manuel Tribal Government Operations were certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the global authority on workplace culture.
