Ever wonder how a restaurant achieves a five star rating?  Our dinner last evening at Renaissance, located at the Manor Hotel in Hollywood, showed once again why this restaurant consistently earns this five star award
The ambiance is outstanding with diners offered a view of the perfectly cared for gardens of the hotel.  The staff is well trained and professional in their work.
Most important is the skill of the chef, in this instance Phil Christodoulou who shows amazing talents in using a huge variety of vegetables and herbs in preparing  appetizers and entrees.
The same care given the cuisine is displayed in the wine list under the watchful eye of Maitre d' and Sommelier Gerard Marini.  The Renaissance has one of the best stocked wine cellars in the west end of the city.
The menu here is large, two poster sized pages long.
We opened with the Sashimi Yellow Fin Tuna with shaved Fennel, marinated in tomato water with soy, wasabi and micro greens.  Next to arrive Confit Duck Risotto, confit duck with reggiano parmigiano portobello mushrooms and risotto.
Entree was pan fried Chilean sea bass on a bed of sauteed spinach with portobello mushrooms with white wine butter sauce.
The menu includes a full range of steaks all prepared and served with specially prepared sauces or vegetables.  We have never seen a menu with as many side vegetables and sauces as that displayed by Chef Phil. Twenty different items by count.
Desserts are memorable at this restaurant thanks to the skill of Pastry Chef Christian Boinard.
Renaissance is located at  5930 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles.  As restaurant for the Manor Hotel it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.  For more information call 323 960-3100.