LA Room Service has Arrived

Print |

By Carole Dixon
For dineLA.com

Once upon a time, reading the room service menu would put most Angeleno hotel guests to sleep. Nothing innovative or exciting and not a trace of the real food you might actually find in the restaurant. The children’s menu was the far more interesting option in many cases. With new hotels, revamps and award-winning chefs opening restaurants in LA at rapid speed over the past few years, the en-suite service bar has truly been raised. Now in-room dining can be just as rewarding as a night on the town.

The Bazaar by José Andrés

SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills on La Cienega is buzzing most times of the day and you might be too jet-lagged when you check in to partake in the carnival atmosphere of the Philippe Stark designed lounge or The Bazaar by José Andrés restaurant featuring incredible tapas by the acclaimed Spanish Chef. No problem, the room service menu features a charcuterie plate with José’s delectable cured jamon Iberico flown in from Spain and expertly sliced off the bone in house, served with crispy mini-bread ‘picos.’ The cheese selection is equally satisfying with Manchego or the watermelon and feta with micro greens. Fortunately, you can add an order of the addictive toasted rustic bread with tomato and extra virgin olive oil to your order. For dessert, traditional Spanish flan with cheese mouse, oranges and raspberries is the perfect ending. Penthouse guests have the extra added bonus of the downstairs roving culinary cart with cotton candy foie gras and caviar cones delivered to the room, or just hit the Saint’s and Sinner’s mini bar. You just might never leave the suite if the public spaces weren’t so entertaining.

Gordon Ramsay

At the London West Hollywood, not only can you enjoy the Michelin starred cooking from celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s menu running the gambit from pan fried filet of sea bream with lobster crushed potatoes to maki sushi rolls without leaving your suite, but also a traditional English tea from 3-5 p.m. with finger sandwiches and scones served with crème Chantilly.

Bond St.

New chef Brian Redzikowski kicks up the Thompson Beverly Hills Bond St. menu from his experience at Joel Robuchon in Vegas and Nobu Matsuhisa in Aspen. Order soba noodles, sea bass tempura and big eye tuna tarts – the entire menu is offered as long as the restaurant is open. Redzikowski explains, “What we are seeing is a lot of people stay in the rooms and have poker tournaments then order up sushi and sashimi platters. We also do interaction dishes like lobster baked inside a rustic tagine surrounded by dough, which cooks as it is being delivered and when you crack it open the rosemary perfumes the room.” In addition, they offer an origami box where you lift the lid and French bon-bons are inside.

RH restaurant

The retro album cover sitting on the desk in your room at the stylish new Andaz on Sunset is actually holding the ‘eat in’ market fresh menu from RH restaurant which lists all the ingredients for guests to make their own sandwich or salad. Take control of the caloric situation and decide on every detail from the type of oil to whether your chicken breast is seared or your soy-shoots are stir-fried.

Parq and Muse

At the Mediterranean style Montage Beverly Hills you can order from both signature restaurants Parq and more formal Muse by Executive chef John Cuevas who brings diners his ‘urbane American cuisine’ showcasing exotic seafood and artisanal prime meat - but you also might want to look into breakfast. Your first meal of the day can be savored en suite where a server will squeeze fresh orange juice right in front of your bleary eyes and deliver Brux malted Belgian waffles with homemade whipped cream siphon presented on the table.

Jer-Ne

If you need to check in with man’s best friend, look into the Ritz Carlton, Marina Del Rey. According to Jer-Ne Executive Chef Chad Minton who offers everything from new seasonal menus to pet friendly organic sushi, it’s all about constantly stimulating the guests with interesting and innovative techniques. "We wanted to create dishes intended to share and comfort foods with a sophisticated twist. Our mission is to instill a sense of well being to our guests, to create a home away from home. And what better way to illustrate that point than with macaroni and cheese? Of course ours features shaved truffles, brioche and fontina cheese but at the end of the day it's still something guests can very much relate to. As a logical extension to this philosophy we also added an in-room dog menu. Being a dog owner myself, it was a simple decision to offer holistic dog food and treats." says Minton.

Zinc

Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach brings its popular Zinc small plates lounge menu in room with parmesan, goat cheese fondue, mini-beef corn dogs, and petite sloppy-Johns made with short ribs braised in a honey-truffle sauce for 12 hours. The perfect chaser is a sub-zero martini served in a glass made of ice. Choose from an Arctic orange blossom, frozen orchid or a frostbitten chocolatini. After that melts, satisfy your late night sweet craving with the Ultimate Bucket from Cold Stone Creamery™.

Terrace

Sometimes just a traditional burger is best. Chef de Cuisine Loren Lawe has been receiving raves for the Terrace menu at The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena. Fortunately, this eatery also operates the room service menu. The signature Huntington Hamburger can be ordered as a special with a half bottle of 2005 Primus merlot.

Californias

The James Beard Award-winning Chef Urs Balmer has created a seasonal, California inspired menu for Californias and In the Mix vodka bar at the recently revamped 40 year-old Sheraton Universal Hotel. Try the Telly Savalas ‘Who Loves Ya Baby’ Greek burger, and the ‘Anniversary Burger’ which will feature a different weekly special for 40 weeks to honor the hotel’s milestone. Appetizers include prosciutto pizza, lobster pot stickers, selections of domestic and imported caviar and ‘LA’s most expensive popcorn’ − gourmet kernels covered with truffle butter, Fleur de Sel salt and served with a bottle of Cristal. Now, just order a movie and you’re in for the evening.

Twist

From Twist restaurant in the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa Executive Chef Antonio Moreno will send up his signature taco shimi crisps, Asian fried rice (which you can order with chicken, beef, shrimp or veggie) and the popular ‘smashed potatoes’ with garlic or wasabi. On the comfort food flip-side Spa Luce cuisine favorites are also available such as the quinoa salad or grilled shrimp martini with yellow gazpacho. In the morning, lemon soufflé pancakes, cinnamon roll French toast, petite NY strip steak, Oriental bento box or huevos rancheros ensures that all cravings are covered without ever leaving your room.

Andaz West Hollywood, 8401 Sunset Blvd, 323.656.1234
The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, 626.568.3900
London West Hollywood, 1020 N San Vicente Boulevard, 310.854.1111
Montage Beverly Hills, 225 North Canon Drive, 310.860.7800
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, 1755 N. Highland Avenue, 323.856.1200
Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, 4375 Admiralty Way, 310.823.1700
Shade Hotel, 1221 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, 310.546.4995
Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, 818.980.1212
Thompson Beverly Hills, 9360 Wilshire Blvd, 310.273.1409
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 310.247.0400