A Taste of Perfection

Once notorious for its celebrity guests and their wild and crazy stays—Jim Morrison once hung from a window by his fingertips here—Andaz West Hollywood is now making a different kind of name for itself as one of Hollywood’s newest, most exclusive, and most unique hotels.

To say that the building is considered a landmark and a piece of important history in the world of rock ‘n’ roll’s finest would be an understatement. What once began in 1963 as Gene Autry’s Hotel Continental, Sunset Strip’s first high-rise hotel, has, throughout the years, taken on many different faces. In the 70s, it adopted the name Continental Hyatt House, but it was more well-known to its ruckus-causing rock star clientele as its appropriate alias, “Riot House.”  During the Riot House days, no event was too shocking, none too extreme. In one particular crazy (and likely drug- and alcohol-infused stays), Keith Richards threw a TV from his room on the 10th floor. The hotel was so well known for catering to rock ‘n’ roll royalty that music-inspired films Almost Famous and This is Spinal Tap were filmed there to incorporate the most authentic feel of the exciting locale in the films. In 1997, the hotel changed faces again, assuming the name Hyatt West Hollywood, but musical geniuses like David Bowie continued to hold parties and press events behind Hyatt’s fabulously private closed doors.

Today, the hotel’s rock star past has been somewhat put to sleep and replaced with a more modern yet elegant feel. The 14-story, 238-room hotel has now assumed the name Andaz West Hollywood, and has been completely overhauled by the architecture and interior design firm of Jason Goldstein. The design concept is based around simplicity, creating an open feel with the extensive use of glass, bringing the outdoors inside. What once were the infamous balconies where outrageous parties and mayhem raged are now light-infused glass sunrooms for guests to bask in the warm California rays. The hotel also boasts a 3,600-square-foot rooftop sundeck with a heated pool, the highest rooftop pool in all of Los Angeles, flanked by private cabanas and daybeds. A 3,000-square-foot rooftop ballroom, offering awe-inspiring views of the glorious City of Angels, is also situated on top of Andaz. But perhaps the most impressive feature of this new luxurious property is its new 100-seat restaurant and bar, RH. Famed for its talented culinary team and the delectable dishes they create—as well as the kitchen’s design, another truly impressive feature—RH has caused quite a stir in the elite dining world.

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