25 Degrees

Located in the famed Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, this restaurant’s name refers to the temperature difference between a medium rare and well done burger. Feeling the after effects from our New Year’s Eve celebrations, my boyfriend and I were craving comfort food on New Year’s night. So we headed to this joint after hearing rave reviews from friends. 

Upon entering, we were welcomed by some friendly staff passing by and told to seat ourselves anywhere we like, diner style. The décor is so fun with dark red leather booths and black chandeliers overhead with a fun bar/counter area for enjoying cocktails or some grub. There is a really warm tone to the place while it is eclectic at the same time. We began with cocktails at the counter while we perused the menu. I enjoyed a lovely glass of red vino while my other half enjoyed a stiff, very, very dry martini. My only bone of contention would be their stemless glassware, as I do enjoy my wine in a stemmed glass. But that is a personal qualm I guess.

I needed something soul warming, so I ordered the Tuscan Tomato Soup. My boyfriend ordered a Burger, of course, seeing as this is the main focus of the restaurant and what they are known for. When in Rome as they say. The menu really is quite fun with a gourmet twist on burgers, fries, shakes, and floats. They even have a ‘Guinness Milkshake’. The main focus is the “Build your own Burger” selection – ground sirloin, turkey, or veggie, with an abundant selection of cheese, sauces, and toppings. They also have what’s called the ‘Half & Half’ so you can have a half order of fries with a half order of onion rings or sweet potato fries. Of course, we had to be difficult and ask if we could have a ‘Third & Third & Third’ because we wanted them all! Jennifer, our server, couldn’t have been nicer and said that they typically don’t do that but that she would ask the Chef. She returned with a smiling nod of approval on our request which pleased us to no end.

Everything was absolutely delicious and just what we needed. We left the place a couple of hours later and headed towards the Roosevelt’s lobby bar for after dinner cocktails. Now that’s the way to start the New Year!

For those of you who are not located in Los Angeles, there are sister restaurants in City North Center in Phoenix, Arizona and Downtown Huntington Beach, California. 

www.25degreesrestaurant.com

 - Jean

A Cake for All Occasions

My boss, Don, loves carrot cake. More specifically, he loves the carrot cake that I bake. Don’s wife and son have also come to love the carrot cake that I bake. I made a cake to share with the office for his birthday last August, and a few slices made it home with him. 

Decorated with a little help from the pastry kitchen at work

Next thing I knew, his wife was requesting my carrot cake for their Thanksgiving desert! Unfortunately, I was traveling and was not able to make it happen. This week, as a thank you to Don for his generous Christmas gift, I decided to bake an entire cake for him to enjoy at home. No sharing with the vultures that are the hungry employees in our department. Just Don, his family, and the Layered Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting… and probably a few NFL games.

 My less professional decorating skills

Layered Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

Cake

1 ⅓ c. Sugar

1 c. Canola Oil

3 large Eggs

1 ⅓ c. Flour

1 ⅓ tsp Baking Powder

1 ⅓ tsp Baking Soda

¾ tsp Salt

¾ tsp Cinnamon

½ tsp Nutmeg

2 c. Carrots, Peeled and Finely Grated (about 4 large carrots)

½ c. Walnuts, Chopped

Frosting

4 c. Confectioners Sugar

8 oz. Cream Cheese

¼ c. Unsalted Butter

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Extra Walnuts, Chopped, for topping

Method:

Cake

Lightly grease two 9” diameter cake pans. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper. Lightly grease paper as well. Preheat oven to 325°F. Blend sugar and oil in a large bowl with mixer until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. Add carrots and walnuts and stir until evenly distributed. Pour batter into cake pans, dividing equally. Bake about 45 minutes, or until cake is firm and begins to pull away just slightly from the sides of the pans. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks and cool completely.

Frosting

Using mixer, blend all ingredients until completely smooth.

Assembly

Place one layer of cake on platter. Using spatula spread ½ cup of frosting over the top, making sure frosting reaches all the way to the edges. Place second layer of cake on top. Adding generous amounts of frosting near the center of the cake, spread toward edges until top of cake is covered. Next, frost sides of cake, being very generous with the frosting so as not to get cake crumbs caught in the icing. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts as desired for decoration. Refrigerate when completed. Cake can be served cold or at room temperature.

Even for a novice baker, this cake is very simple to make, yet it tastes absolutely delicious. Just try it- you will be glad that you did! And…if you still need more motivation, just tell yourself it is a good way to get your daily dose of vegetables :)