(this post was published in 2014)In 1929 the first ever Academy Awards were held at The Hollywood Roosevelt in the Blossom Ballroom. I had the pleasure of viewing the Academy Awards this year from the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at Public Kitchen & Bar (which happened to be right next to the Blossom Ballroom)
OLD HOLLYWOOD FACTS
Now, the food at Public Kitchen & Bar was amazing, but I must start with the facts:Did you know that during the first Oscars the guests ate chicken and fish? This wasn’t some “Nobu”-esque restaurant back in the day! They also had sides of celery sticks and French fries. Could you imagine Gloria Swanson and Howard Hughes sitting there and eating their fries at an award show in the 20s? It’s remarkable and truly a sight I would pay a ton of money to see! Oh, and let’s not forget dessert: Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream. Simplicity is beautiful and so were the first Oscars that were unbelievably 87 years ago!! By the way, the first show only lasted about fifteen minutes and the winners were announced three months prior over the radio. Now that’s amazing![caption id="attachment_343" align="alignnone" width="576"]
The Oscars' first cocktail menu....Yes, you read that right: 40 Cents for an Old Fashioned!!![/caption]A LOT has change in 87 years: The first modern credit card was introduced, World War II, the World Wide Web was discovered, the microwave was invented, Miley Cyrus was born, and I was dining on the most delicious caviar at the Roosevelt. Now that is a step up from French fries and celery sticks!
TIMELESS GLAMOUR
The Hollywood Roosevelt is timeless. The architecture and the interior design all stay true to its 1927 grand opening. It was wonderful to see such a historic timepiece in the rustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The Public Kitchen & Bar is where the Oscars viewing party was held (right next to the CNN party which was right next to the E! News Party). As you can imagine, this was an amazing night and I felt very lucky to be a part of it!As the night began I was greeted by the kindest of staff and was served the most delicious burrata cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes and toasty bread. After I devoured the burrata, the citrus mignonette oysters were served **insert mouth watering emoji here**. With champagne flowing around the dining room I knew it was going to be a great time with great people. The next meal was a chilled vichyssoise/crab meat/caviar/chives. WOW. This was the perfect way to savor my palette before the endives salad. The salad was sheer perfection with it's beets, oranges, persimmon, walnuts, and midnight moon goat cheese. When I thought my happiness meter finally reached the top, my filet mignon was served! The entrée was a delicious filet and came out right in time to bask in Lady Gaga’s tribute to Julie Andrews. Now, let’s not forget the cherry on top (the dessert)! The crunchy praline sabayon with cassis coulis and pink champagne sorbet was the most delectable dessert I have ever seen and eaten. Let's just say it was so good that I missed a few Oscar speeches because all of my senses were directed towards my plate!This wonderful dining experience was brought specially by Chef Vincent Cachot.[caption id="attachment_342" align="alignnone" width="542"]
An Oscar next to my chilled vichyssoise/crab meat/caviar/chives by Chef Vincent Cachot
Popcorn by: Garrett Popcorn[/caption]Even though the food has drastically changed for the better The Hollywood Roosevelt still shines with Old Hollywood glamour. While at the Oscars viewing party I felt like I was a part of Old Hollywood. There is just something about The Hollywood Roosevelt that oozes class and high society. It was the perfect place to be to watch the speeches and performances by today’s most respect movie stars.[caption id="attachment_341" align="alignnone" width="497"]
Public Kitchen & Bar Oscars Viewing Party at The Hollywood Roosevelt[/caption]The Oscars is one show I take extremely seriously. I have been watching each award show for as long as I can remember and I can honestly say that I was not bored out of my mind this year. This year’s Oscars were full of great jokes about John Travolta, beautiful couture gowns, after-parties for days, and the most tearful speeches and performances. Watching the Oscars at The Hollywood Roosevelt made my Oscars experience a night to remember forever.
