THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT: RENOVATED AND READY TO PARTY

 

THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT HOTEL 

RENOVATED AND READY TO PARTY

THE DAKOTA & 25 DEGREES

 

By

Rona Edwards

 Since 1927, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has been the playground of such luminaries as Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Marilyn Monroe, and is the birthplace of the Academy Awards. The hotel represented the epitome of the excitement, glamour and elegance of Tinsletown from its inception. In recent years, the Cinegrill and Feinstein’s were renowned for their top notch cabaret acts but have since gone dark, leaving this Hollywood icon almost ghostlike until last year when insightful investors, Thompson Hotels and Jason Pomeranc, saw an opportunity to revive this regal landmark of yesteryear.   

Enlisting husband and wife restaurateurs Tim and Liza Goodell (who systematically conquered Orange County and San Diego with their wildly successful Red Pearl Restaurant) to conceive two exceptional restaurants under one roof, along with a 30 million dollar renovation spearheaded by designer Dodd Mitchell, the Roosevelt is once again the life of the party, luring the hottest celebrities of today.

 “We were interested in creating a concept that paid homage to the glamour of Old Hollywood but emphasized modernity with ingredients and presentation.” says Tim.  To that end, he has crafted a menu along with Chef Michael MacDonald that highlights quality ingredients and seasonal flavors. MacDonald is a native Californian who spent time cutting his teeth working at 3030 Ocean with famed Floridian chef Dean Max. The Dakota is a sophisticated, hip and privately seductive steakhouse that integrates the historic architecture of the famed hotel with tables dressed in blood leather tablecloths and suede banquettes. You can easily imagine F. Scott Fitzgerald or Ernest Hemmingway, perennial fixtures at the Cinegrill, lingering over a scotch or Martini at the bar.  

It’s not just the subdued style that takes center stage at The Dakota; it’s the food. Appetizers, such as the Crab Cakes with julienne apples and sprouts, and a tartar sauce that hints of ginger, or the Heirloom Tomatoes with Burrata cheese (a softer mozzarella style) and Kurobuta pork bacon, are a perfect way to begin your dining experience. The seafood on ice might include lobster, crab and colossal shrimp or oysters in tarragon champagne mignonette. Each a thing of beauty.

Entrees consist of American Kobe Rib Eye, Sonoma Rack of Lamb, Alaskan Halibut, Chateaubriand, Bone In Veal as well Diver Scallops and Filet Mignons. The cooking is pure and simple, bringing out the taste of the food itself and complementing any glass of wine from The Dakota’s vast cellar. You can choose among eleven sauces including chimichurri, béarnaise, hollandaise, Dakota steak and ginger soy to accompany your entrée as well as an array of side dishes – potatoes served 5 different ways along with eight distinctive vegetables. We particularly loved the Potatoes Gratin and the French fries with Truffles and Parmesan.  The Creamed Spinach and Cauliflower Gratin were also hits.

Giuseppe Raucci (pronounced “raoochey”), our young waiter, who hails from Boston, satisfied our every need with a winning smile and an aptitude to please, not to mention his movie star good looks. Outstanding service adds to an elegant night out.

 

We were stuffed by this time, but Chef MacDonald insisted we had to try the creations  of pastry chef, Renee Ward, so four elegant dishes arrived to finish off our meal. Banana crème with Walnuts, Honeyed Apricot Almond Cake, Strawberry Shortcake and the one we kvelled over – the Chocolate Fondant with Bing Cherries and Pistachio Ice Cream. These provocative and exotic desserts were just the right accents to this already pure and tasty feast.

 

25 Degrees, on the other hand, embraces a playful “Bordello meets Burger Bar” atmosphere. The name refers to the temperature difference between a medium rare and well-done burger. The walls, adorned in black and chrome mirrored tile, surrounded by rich textured burgundy flocked wallpaper, illustrate this is not your daddy’s fast food hamburger. This is a hamburger and comprehensive wine bar. You begin by choosing from ground sirloin, turkey or a hot dog and proceed to build your entree from there. Choose from an extensive selection of domestic and imported cheeses including Crescenza, Bellwether Farm, Midnight Moon, Cypress Grove, Emmi and Gruyere, to name a few. The menu describes Artisanal cheeses like you would a fine wine:

 midnight moon / goat / gouda style / semi hard / lightly sweet / nutty

benedictine / sheep / goat / cow / creamy / mushroom taste / long finish / Wisconsin   

Next, add from a selection of toppings and sauces like Horseradish Cream, Gallego, Garlic Parmesan and Dill; extras include everything from Bacon, Avocado and Sauerkraut to Fried Egg, Chili and Caramelized Onions.  

I chose the Midnight Moon adding caramelized onions and roasted tomatoes. The seasoned French fries and onion rings are a meal in themselves and we loved the Garlic Parmesan sauce. However, what makes 25 Degrees a “must-try” is the wine cellar. A small jug equals one-and-half glasses while a medium jug is two-thirds of a bottle and a large jug is a bottle-and-a-third. Wines are also sold in half bottles only – so you have an opportunity to taste a variety. Best of all, the half bottles are half price on Sundays! Because wine pairings are so popular these days and any thing goes – we decided to pair a Calera 04 Viognier with our burger and the result was delectable. This is classic American fare with a California twist.

 

The Hollywood Roosevelt, steeped in history, has long been a centerpiece to the revitalization of Hollywood itself. For lovers trying to re-capture the passion of ghosts’ past, try staying in the newly renovated Gable/Lombard Penthouse; the 3,800 square foot sleek, sexy space was used as a secret rendezvous by the famous lovers, encompassing three floors of platinum, black and white colors, a four-person Jacuzzi, wet bar, floor to ceiling arched windows and a thousand square foot private roof deck with sweeping views of Hollywood Boulevard, downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.

Above the pool area is the Marilyn Monroe room – a two-bedroom suite. The Tropicana Bar serves breakfast and lunch, and even hosts a pool party Tuesday nights. We can only thank Jason Pomeranc and the Thompson Hotels, along with Dodd Mitchell’s innovative restoration, for bringing back vitality to a sleeping giant in the heart of our much beloved Hollywood.

However, when it comes to asking, “Where’s the beef?”, the answer is at 25 Degrees and The Dakota – where beef reigns supreme and the service is impeccable! Two excellent restaurants in one celebrated location – as the saying goes, everything old is new again?

25 DEGREES (www.25degreesrestaurant.com); 7000 Hollywood Blvd, inside the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Valet parking is available.  Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday, 11:30 – 1am; Sunday 11:30am – 9pm.  (323) 785-7244. All major credit cards.BEST BETS: Build a burger starting at$9.00, add cheese for $1.50 and subsequent toppings additional $1.00 and sauces $.50 extra. Wines offered from $9.00 for small jug to very expensive selections. 

THE DAKOTA  (www.dakota-restaurant.com); 7000 Hollywood Blvd, inside the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Valet parking is available.  Hours of operation: Hours:  6 – 10:30 pm Weekdays; 6 – 11 pm weekends unless it’s busy, they’ll stay open later. They also offer Brunch on Sunday – call for hours. . (323) 769-888.All credit cards acceptedBEST BETS: Start with the Kurobuta Pork “Bacon” with Heirloom Tomatoes ($16.00) and Seafood Cocktails ($10-$30.00) or Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes ($16.00).  The Sonoma Lamb Rack ($38.00) is exceptional as are all the side dishes ($7.00) and Fish (starting at $32.00 for Alaskan Halibut). Sauces an added plus at $2.00. Leave room for dessert ($10.00). 

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