Hilton Bella Harbor Announces Mistra Executive Chef After National Search

Hilton Bella Harbor Announces Mistra Executive Chef
Belo Mansion's Steven Weir appointed top chef post of resort's signature restaurant

(ROCKWALL, Texas) - Hilton Bella Harbor, the much-anticipated lakeside resort-style hotel set to open on Lake Ray Hubbard in early 2008, has concluded its nationwide search for executive chef of Mistra in its own backyard with Rockwall resident and Belo Mansion's former executive chef Steven Weir.

Weir, a California Culinary Academy graduate, brings award-winning menus to Mistra. Over 10 years, the chef was responsible for his restaurants' AAA four-diamond and Mobil's four-star rating standards at Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas, Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells, Calif. and Hyatt Regency Resort Maui in Hawaii.

"Mistra is the culmination of everything I have accomplished in a kitchen," said Weir, speaking of his experience in resort hotels from Hawaii to California to Texas. "Since I was a boy sitting on my mom's kitchen counter, I have wanted to cook anything I could get my hands on. Now, I am given the opportunity to create a completely eclectic menu. I couldn't be happier."

Mistra, the upscale dining eatery of Rockwall's Hilton Bella Harbor, will represent "Eclectic cuisine without boundaries" and will serve Texas venison with honey-braised mushrooms, duck confit lasagna rose with saffron pasta and lobster stew with a macadamia nut sambal as some of its signature dishes.

Weir brings a unique focus to signature dishes to Mistra, where the guests' most requested dishes typically develop a palette for menu creativity and enrichment. The guests at Mistra will have the opportunity, through in-house suggestions and online requests, to suggest tappas to entrees to desserts.

"Steve brings a vibrant, thoughtful approach to food," said General Manager of Hilton Bella Harbor Andy Papoutsis. "Through Steve's inventive dishes, Mistra will truly become one of North Texas' top fine dining hotspots."

Opening early 2008, Mistra will include full wine dinners, a couple chef's tables and other exclusive features to complement the waterside resort-style property.

For more information about Mistra or Hilton Bella Harbor, visit www.dallasrockwall.hilton.com or call (214) 771-3700.
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About Hilton Bella Harbor
Hilton Bella Harbor is a luxurious and lakeside 231-room, 25,000-square foot resort-style hotel located 22 miles east of downtown Dallas. Resting on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas, Hilton Bella Harbor features exclusive and elite amenities including: captivating waterfront views in most of suites, conference center with 16 meeting rooms including a 1,200-person capacity ballroom, Wi-Fi accessibility throughout the hotel, golf privileges at Buffalo Creek Golf Course, 5,000 square-foot full service spa, fine eateries featuring the work of acclaimed chefs including its signature eclectic-fare Mistra, sculpted fountains, boardwalks and other water features surrounding the Whittle Development masterplanned 31-acre retail project, "The Harbor.

About Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels has been and continues to be a pioneering innovator in the full-service hospitality segment, operating under the belief that "Travel is more than just A to B... Travel Should Take You Places�." With a name that is synonymous with excellence in hospitality and respected throughout the world, Hilton celebrates the accomplishment, enlightenment, renewal and celebration that travel enables. This commitment to personal guest achievement influences all decisions about products, programs and amenities, and is underscored by the belief that travel can and should be transf