Figue Mediterranean Restaurant to Host Desert Smash Player's Party on March 5

CHICAGO, IL, March 05, 2013 (Press-News.org) The 9th Annual K-Swiss Desert Smash Charity Tennis Event will conclude with a flourish on Tuesday evening, March 5, 2013, as the Player's Party is hosted by the much-anticipated new restaurant, Figue Mediterranean, in La Quinta (47-474 Washington St.; 760-698-9040). The Player Party is the annual post-tournament charitable extravaganza attended by the event's roster of professional tennis players as well as a prestigious guest list of Hollywood celebrities and VIPs. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Figue. Tickets to the event are $125 per person; the public is welcome while tickets last. Tickets can be purchased online at http://desertsmash.festivalsetup.com/product_details.php?id=303

"This will be a wonderful event that benefits Variety - The Children's Charity of the Desert, while giving tennis lovers an opportunity to meet some of their favorite players and celebrities in a festive, social atmosphere," said Lee Morcus, Figue Mediterranean's owner. "We are thrilled that Figue is hosting the party. We have been anticipating the opening of the restaurant for weeks and it will be a thrill for party guests to be the first to enjoy the spectacular Mediterranean cuisine and the beautiful setting."

The evening will be a celebration of delicious food, great music and, of course, an epic day of tennis. Partygoers will be delighted with the global Mediterranean cuisine from Figue's culinary team, led by Executive Chef François de Melogue. The chef is a Relais & Châteaux chef who has earned accolades at such acclaimed restaurants as The Bakery and Pili.Pili in Chicago, the Old Drovers Inn property in New York, and Joel Robuchon's Gastronomie restaurant in Paris.

Also on hand will be celebrity chef Chris "CJ" Jacobsen, Executive Chef of the new Girasol in Studio City. CJ recently made a great showing on Bravo TV's Top Chef Seattle culinary competition series.

Chef de Melogue's colorful, sophisticated Mediterranean fare will be served at several food stations. Planned menu items include:

• Warm Olives - Thyme and Orange Marinated Olives
• Harissa Almonds - Spicy Moroccan Marcona Almonds
• Charcuterie Display: Prosciutto & Compressed Melon, Salumi, Breads, Fig Jam, Pickles
• Hamachi and Tuna Crudo, Charmoula Vinaigrette, Olive Oil Pearls
• Chilled Asparagus Puree 'Mimosa', 3,000 Year Old Olive Oil
• Tomato Olive Focaccia, Jamon Iberico, Shaved Manchego
• Parmesan Shortbread, Cherry Tomato Confit, Feta
• Porchetta with Creamy Polenta
• Wood Grilled Red Pepper, Goat Cheese & Arugula Panini
• Farfalle with Leeks, Conserved Figs and Speck
• Diver Sea Scallops - Plancha Scallops, Zucchini 'Spaghetti', Saffron Sauce
• Bourride - Provencal Stew, St. Pierre, Scallops, Mussels, Clams, Saffron Orange Brodo
• Barcelona Liegeois - Iced Espresso, Chocolate Sorbet, Marcona Almonds, Salted Caramel
• Pistachio Olive Oil and Fig Cake - 'Spice Road Caravan' Figs
• Citrus Yogurt Panna Cotta - Citrus Labne, Apricots, Turkish Fairy Floss
• M'Hanncha - Coiled Moroccan Baklava, Lavender Honey

The Party Rock Crew will keep the Party rockin' with their fun, engaging music

The evening celebration will peak with the high-energy music provided by the Party Rock Crew. Party Rock Crew is a part of LMFAO that gets the party started. It consists of Q, Nate, Charlie, Furr (Shufflebot), and DJ Dainjazone. They have traveled the world with LMFAO performing at concerts and in clubs. They are also a part of Redfoo's DJ Sets. When the Party Rock Crew is booked, they literally bring the party. They bring zebras, a huge zebra, party rock funnels, glow sticks, party rock foam fingers, confetti poppers and much more. Shufflebot Furr starts off the Party Rock Crew set and spins for 30 minutes with the Shufflebot head on, then DJ Dainjazone takes over while Q is on the mic, hyping everyone up for the rest of the set, followed by Charlie/Nate, whose dancing really gets the party going. They perform about 6 LMFAO songs with routines and choreography. The whole set lasts about 90 minutes. When the set is finished they continue to party with the fans. Check out the Youtube Channel for more info and see live footage: http://youtube.com/partyrockcrewshow.

To get more information about the Player's Party at Figue Mediterranean on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, please call 760-773-9800 or refer to the website http://www.desertsmash.com.

About Figue Mediterranean
Figue Mediterranean, located at 47-474 Washington Street in La Quinta, CA 92253 (telephone: 760-698-9040), is scheduled to open March 19, 2013. From the gracious reception welcoming guests, through the last lingering bit of a seductive dessert, "sharing" is the thread that unites the Figue experience. Enjoy Figue's progressive Mediterranean menu embodying the heart and soul of the region's cuisine - a unique melting pot of flavors and cooking preparations from the world's hub of many cultures. With strong influences from Provence, Morocco, Italy and Spain, Figue's food is fresh, authentic, bright, clean and simple.

Savor the seductive flavors of the Mediterranean with inspired, delicious culinary creations of Relais & Châteaux honored Executive Chef François de Melogue while enjoying beverages from their extensive list of wines and specialty cocktails with an Old World and New World concept. A fun, approachable list is designed by Sommelier Celeste Cotta CSW.

Figue is owned by Lee Morcus, of LMLQ Restaurant, LLC.

Figue Mediterranean seats dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Figue Bar opens at 4 p.m. and remains open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night for cocktails and light food. Figue will be open for Easter Brunch 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 31. Brunch will be available in the future on all major weekend holidays. Figue also is available for private events or celebrations, and on and off site catering. Complimentary valet. All major cards accepted. For more information or to make reservations, please call Figue at 760-698-9040 or visit their website at EatFigue.com. "Like" Figue on Facebook at facebook.com/EatFigue and follow them on Twitter: @EatFigue.

About Variety - The Children's Charity Variety
The Children's Charity is a multi-million dollar philanthropic organization that spans the globe, improving the lives of children through creative fundraising efforts, well-placed donations with exceptional children's charities, and through its own charitable programs. With the help of volunteers and sponsors, Variety - The Children's Charity continues its mission to provide lifesaving and life-enriching assistance to children in need on the local and international level. For more information, visit varietyofthedesert.org.

About K•SWISS
Founded more than forty years ago in Van Nuys, California, K-Swiss (NASDAQ: KSWS) introduced the first all-leather tennis shoe, the K-Swiss "Classic" in 1966. Since its inception, K-Swiss has rooted itself in California Sport with an aim to be the most inspiring and innovative sports brand in the market. Today the company offers performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel for several categories under its California Sports umbrella including Tennis Heritage, California Fit (Running, Triathlon and Fitness) and California Youth. K-Swiss also designs, develops and markets footwear under the Palladium brand. For more information about K-Swiss, visit http://www.kswiss.com, @KSwiss on Twitter, and Facebook/KSwiss.

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