THE TWIST IS A HIT AT THE RENAISSANCE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL

By Albert Hayashi

When one thinks of the intersection of Hollywood and Highland , they think of the famous Kodak Theatre, the Academy Awards and the adjacent beautiful sprawling multi-level shopping mall.  Just a few steps north, the new Renaissance Hollywood Hotel can be found with one of the most exciting eating establishments tucked away upstairs. With a beautiful view overlooking Highland Avenue, the spacious new Californian-Ecletic restaurant Twist prominently watches over the hybrid vehicles and SUV’s rushing to make the opening act at the “Bowl”.   The restaurant is spacious with vaulted ceilings and can accommodate up to 400 customers.  The dining tables surround a large island bar which is centered in the middle of the restaurant ready to serve drinks and appetizers to the thirsty businessmen, tourists and local residents.  

The culinary evening reminded me of an evening Philharmonic Symphony concert with the lighter music/dishes being introduced at the beginning and the richer deeper musical and food sounds occurring later in the evening. The opening act for the evening which help wet our palate were some of their new signature $12.00 martinis. Named after some of the movies which have graced the film landscape, I began the evening with “A Blue Crush” while my associate tried the “CaddyShack”.  While sipping these wonderful smooth cocktails, we eyed the other interesting signature blends (“A Star is Born” and the “Green Mile”) but the opening bell sounded as the Chef came to the table and introduced herself. 

Trained at the California Culinary Institute in San Francisco , Restaurant Chef Elie Chow food compositions were quite delightful.  The Golden Gazpacho with Avocado ranks as one of the most creative ways of delivering a “cerviche” type dish with a regional flair of using avocados.  The delicious chicken potstickers blends some of her mother’s own special recipes into her vast food repertoire. The Duck with fern greens and the green forbidden rice was the highlight of the evening.  You don’t often get to try the special rice the emperor of China hid away for his personal consumption.  The food symphony continued with the filet with lobster mash potatoes and pistachio crusted lamb.  These dishes must be tried by any discriminating hungry guest.  The evening nicely closed with the Chef’s cinnamon donuts with chocolate.  Overall, Twist was a pleasant surprise hidden away at the mezzanine level of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.  While your are looking for the stars for Marilyn Monroe and Humphry Bogart on the Hollywood  Walk of Fame, make sure you make a point to drop on by Twist.

Caddy Shack

 2 oz. Grey Goose Vanilla Vodka

½ oz. Franjelico

½ oz. Godiva Liqueur

Shake hard in a martini shaker

Serve in a chopped nut rimmed martini glass

Blue Crush

½ oz. Bacardi Lemon

1 oz Hypnotiz

½ oz. Blue Curacao

½ oz. Freash Lemon & Lime Juice

Shake Hard in a martini shaker

Serve in a Martini Glass with Orange Twist

Fact Sheet

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

1755 N. Highland Ave,

Hollywood , CA 90028

Phone: 323-856-1200