Historic Biltmore Hotel Introduces Fine-Dining Steakhouse in their Legendary Rendezvous Court

May 13, 2009 - PRLog -- DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, CA  - This spring the famed Millennium Biltmore Hotel expands upon its longtime tradition of fine cuisine with the introduction of La Bistecca, an Italian steakhouse that will be featured in it’s historic Rendezvous Court four nights a week.  Conceived by the hotel’s two native Italian chefs, who share a distinct passion for the beauty of their home fare, La Bistecca will feature six exquisite cuts of fine steak with a variety of unique, authentic accompaniments inspired by the cuisine of southern Italy and Sicily, as well as traditional sauces.

An innovative menu from Executive Chef Franco De Dominicis and Executive Sous Chef Orazio Parisi is also comprised of antipasti dishes such as Minestrone with Wild Mushroom “Francobolli,” savory Kobe Meatballs with warm Sicilian Caponata and Sardinian Saba, and a handcrafted Creminelli Salami Tasting.  Fresh salads include organic Field Greens or Baby Beets with Crema alla Ricotta and Hazelnuts, and appetizer or full-size portion pastas such as Osso Buco Agnolotti with Truffles and Porcini Mushrooms and Tagliolini with Lobster Ragu “all’Amatriciana.” And true to the menu’s intrinsic Amalfi Coast influence, seafood choices such as Branzino agli Agrumi with Citrus, fresh Tomatoes and Salmoriglio Sauce or Tonno alla Norma graced with a Sicilian Green Olive Tapenade round out the entrée selections.  Choices are environmentally-friendly, with most featuring organic vegetables and steak selections made with natural Brandt beef farm-raised on a 100% vegetarian diet and free of added hormones and antibiotics.

La Bistecca opens Thursday, May 28, 2009 and will be open weekly Wednesdays - Saturdays from 6:00pm - 10:00pm.  Reservations can be made through Smeraldi’s Restaurant at (213) 612-1562.

About the Rendezvous Court
One of the most photographed and filmed spaces in the hotel, the stunning Rendezvous Court served as the bustling lobby of the Biltmore from 1923-1986, when a large-scale renovation moved the reception desk to it’s current Grand Avenue entrance.  Designed by artist Anthony Heinsbergen, the soaring Spanish Baroque-style room features imported Italian travertine stone walls, a 3-story Moorish plaster ceiling decorated with hand-painted carved wood beams, coat-of-arms detailing and 24-carat gold accents, Italian bronze and crystal chandeliers, and a Tennessee rose marble fountain.  

Adorning the architecture is a mixture of themes: cherubs and rams at the ends of each ceiling impost, shields with coats of arms of noble Spanish conquistador families and figures of mythological creatures called griffins (also seen at the bottom of the staircase railings), a massive astrological clock installed in 1923 that still keeps time today, and of course, the Biltmore angel appears throughout.

The Rendezvous Court has been seen in Daredevil, The Nutty Professor and Beverly Hills Cop and TV series such as Without a Trace and Heroes.

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About the Millennium Biltmore: The Millennium Biltmore was designed in the style of the Spanish-Italian Renaissance and opened in 1923 to national acclaim as the largest hotel west of Chicago; it was designated a Historical Cultural Landmark by the City of Los Angeles in 1969. The legendary 11-story structure was designed by famed New York architectural firm Schultze & Weaver, with cathedral-like ceilings hand-painted by Italian artist Giovanni Smeraldi of White House fame. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held their founding banquet in the Crystal Ballroom in 1927, where the original “Oscar” statuette was sketched on a Biltmore napkin. 8 Academy Awards banquets were held in the Biltmore Bowl during the 1930’s. Stunning architecture includes hand-oiled wood paneling, vivid frescoes and sparkling crystal chandeliers. Movies and TV shows shot at the hotel include Chinatown, Ghostbusters, Ocean’s 11, The Soloist, West Wing, 24, Nip/Tuck, Boston Legal and Heroes.