RH has been pleasing the palates of some of the most notorious food critics worldwide since its opening in January. Frenchman and Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault grew up in a family full of culinary artists and began working in the kitchen at the age of five. Before making the move to California, Archambault worked as executive chef at Michelin-starred Le Pirate. Since his move, he’s skillfully perfected the art of balancing his Southwestern French cooking skills with California’s finest, local ingredients. “Our food is a la minute fresh and flavorful as well as not fussy,” Archambault says. “During my culinary career, I have developed a love for simple French dining pleasures—from charcuterie and cheese plates to home-grown vegetables prepared without over-cooking or over-seasoning in order to retain their nutrition and vivid flavors.”
RH’s menu features countless impressive items such as a 36-month aged Pata Negra ham, and a seared wild salmon with a sauvignon blanc cream sauce accompanied with fresh vegetables like local peas, fava beans, green beans, and baby heirloom potatoes. And the desserts are just as impressive; the red and black berries in monbazillac jelly will delight even the most mature taste buds. But, believe it or not, one of the most talked about dishes is the Triple Fried French Fries. Blanched in water, cooked in duck confit, and then dipped in a final blend of duck and vegetable oil, the fries have become the latest obsession for RH’s diners. The wine list is another spectacular offering, featuring 70 varieties of French and California wines made from naturally farmed grapes.
As impressive and of impeccable quality as the food is, the design of the restaurant is also worthy of tremendous praise. The kitchen is totally open, including the walk-in coolers, allowing guests to sit back and observe the chefs in action. “It gives my staff and I the opportunity to constantly interact with our guests,” Archambault says. “By being totally open and exposed, we have the chance to get immediate feedback by watching our guests eat our food and talk about it and share it with others at their table.”
Since the January opening, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, leaving RH’s guests feeling privileged and honored to have dined in one of the area’s most primo restaurants. But with the ranks of talent behind a project like RH, as well as its unusually haute design, it’s hard to imagine anything other than perfection coming from RH and Andaz West Hollywood. Whether it’s catering to rebel rockers, elite businessmen and women, or influential government figures, this property will remain at the very top of its game, setting an unprecedented example for the rest to follow.
Hotel Andaz
8401 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323.785.6090
www.andaz.com
