I’m at The Roof Restaurant on Wilshire, inside the Hotel Wilshire, with a spectacular view of Los Angeles!
Last night I had the most wonderful dinner at the Foundry Restaurant at Melrose and tonight a fantastic dinner at The Roof both owned by Executive Chef Eric Greenspan.
Chef Eric explained, “We pride ourselves on our sauces. Here on The Roof at Wilshire it is just a different extension of the Foundry on Melrose but a different style.”
I have never seen these combinations before, not the usual ingredients the customers usually taste.
Chef Eric feels, “I have always known, whatever you can do with an apple you can do with a pear. I don’t like to think I have created new combinations rather reworded old combinations in a new way. It takes the spirit of adventure and a little of the spirit of good luck.
My wife Jamie is not a very good co0ok at all. That’s why she married me. Jamie has only one recipe- the Jamie Salad. The Wilshire Salad is my version of her salad with the combination of greens, avocado, fruit, candied nuts, goat cheese, tomatoes and figs. The reason I put the goat cheese into the salad, I have the sweetness of the figs and the candied nuts. The sour from the goat cheese, and the acidity is something that I think balances it very well.
We walk a thin line when mixing sweet and savory elements in all that we do. The chef has to be very careful to make sure that we balance everything.
We let the market place tell us what to put in the salad. Right now figs are at the height of the season and after that we would probably go to persimmons.
The coconut crusted shrimp is a great pool-side dish here. One of the unique things about this restaurant is it is a pool that happens to have a restaurant around it. We try to understand the thought process of the guests. Nothing says pool-side dining more than a coconut crusted shrimp. It is so rich in flavor with tamarind sauce, the sweetness of the coconut and the ango puree binds together the slaw. It is a well balanced flavorful dish.
We are introducing a salad of bananas, chicken and butter lettuce.”
I tried the Wilshire grilled cheese sandwich with roasted peppers on sour dough bread and was surprised to find it was not the usual sandwich.
Chef Eric added, “Yes, we have the sweetest dates and the freshest peppers.
I am also very proud of our burger. I love the crispy cheese on top, the roasted flavor of the cheese that sticks to the top of the burger everybody loves so much.
There are three appetizers in one serving providing a chance to try tasty bites of three different dishes. the idea is for the Roof to be a casual dining experience. People can stack their appetizers, take their time, relax and share the plates. We want them to feel they are on vacation and we can take care of them.
If you want a one big portion of meat or fish then we can do that for you as well. If you want something lighter we have it.”
They turn down the lights at night with the flickering candle light on the tables.
The Roof Restaurant on Wilshire serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service from 7 am to midnight. For information, call (323)-852-6002. The Roof Restaurant on Wilshire is inside the Hotel Wilshire, on 6317 Wilshire Blvd., in Los Angeles, California. www.TheRoofOnWilshire.com www.hotelwilshire.com
