Figue Mediterranean Restaurant To Host Desert Smash Player's Party On March 5

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 Francois de Melogue. The chef is a Relais & Chateaux 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 Ligeois - 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