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Our Side of Town
THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT: RENOVATED AND READY TO PARTY 25 Degrees
Chef Michael McDonald stands amid the historic lobby at the Hollywood Roosevelt
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 almostghostlike 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.
25 Degrees, 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-athird. 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 held been a centerpiece to the revitalization of Hollywood itself. For lovers trying to recapture 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 whitecolors, 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 Burger and Wine Bar at 25 Degrees from our table The Hollywood Roosevelt entrance is one of the few things that hasn't been renovated. Photo by Judith Garrison
—Motion picture/ television producer Rona Edwards also writes music reviews for the Folk Acoustic Music Exchange (FAME) on the net, feature articles for Produced By Magazine and co-wrote “I Liked It, Didn’t Love It. (Screenplay Development From The Inside Out)” for Lone Eagle Publishing, available at bookstores everywhere or at www.esentertainment.net. Check out her blog: www. oursideoftown/wordpress.com for more recommendations Photo by Rona Ed
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