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Twist Restaurant (CLOSED)
Loews 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 “ceviche” 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

1755 N. Highland Ave, Hollywood , CA 90028 
323-856-1200
By Michael Hepworth

​
What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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