FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kat Calbes/Melissa Barto
Blaze
(310) 395-5050
kcalbes@blazepr.com
mbarto@blazepr.com
ICONIC HOLLYWOOD HOTEL, SHERATON UNIVERSAL, RE-LAUNCHES
CALIFORNIAS RESTAURANT AND IN THE MIX LOUNGE
Elegant Dining, Signature Cocktails, and Glimpses of Celebrities Epitomize Hollywood’s
Two Newest Entertainment Industry Havens
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (Mar. 6, 2009) − One of Hollywood’s most iconic stars proves it’s not
“over the hill” as it celebrates its 40th anniversary with a fresh new look. Sheraton Universal,
Hotel of the Stars™, recently completed renovation of Californias Restaurant, elevating it to a
casual-chic spot for California-inspired cuisine, and In the Mix, an art deco-inspired vodka bar.
The new look and menus are complemented by the hotel’s long-standing reputation as a
celebrity haven and warm, friendly service by seasoned staff.
“Californias and In the Mix are regularly frequented by Hollywood A-listers from the
likes of Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,” says
Peter Walterspiel, General Manager. ”No matter who the guest is dining with us, we pride
ourselves on stellar service, delicious food and creative cocktails.”
Since many do not have the deep pockets of a celebrity, In the Mix offers one of the
most economy-minded Happy Hour deals in Los Angeles: 50 percent off ALL food and
beverages. Happy Hour is available Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Plus, In the Mix
offers special discounted nights to nearby workers. Currently, “HIP Nights” are for Universal
Studios Hollywood employees and “Shampoo Nights” are for local salon employees.
Designed by Marina del Rey, Calif.-based hospitality design shop Intra-Spec, this
Hollywood Regency-styled lobby lounge allows guests to enjoy more than 58 vodkas while
-more-
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relaxing in semi-private cabanas draped in sheer fabric, Old-Hollywood-inspired chaise lounges
and along the retro, elliptical bar that glows in the center of the lobby.
A major focus of the menu is infused and macerated vodkas, which are natural, fresh
spirits with no artificial perfumes or dyes. Signature hand-crafted vodka cocktails include
California Dreamin’ and the Dean Martini. Inspired by James Dean, this martini uses Roberto
Cavalli vodka, an olive and comes with a lucky cigarette and book of matches.
For beer and wine drinkers, the bar serves 53 varieties of domestic and imported wines
and eight hand-crafted California draft beers. Additionally, the menu has selections of 100
percent agave tequilas, single malt scotches, bourbons, cognacs and dessert wines.
No vodka bar fit for Hollywood executives would be complete without tasty appetizers,
selections of caviar and “L.A.’s most expensive popcorn”. “The Ultimate Popcorn” menu
selection is gourmet popcorn enhanced by truffle oil and served with a bottle of Dom Perignon
for a price of $350. The bar is open daily from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
James Beard award-winning Executive Chef Urs Balmer designed the new menus at
Californias with an emphasis on using locally-grown, fresh produce. The menus accompany the
restaurant’s sophisticated new look. The space features semi-private dining rooms, cozy
booths and stylish banquettes overlooking the pool. The color palette creates a sun drenched
quality by day and warm glow in the evenings with crisp neutral tones, gleaming, retro-style
leather chairs and bright accents of lime green and banana yellow.
For breakfast, guests can indulge in any of three options: the traditional California
Breakfast menu, the Healthy Start light breakfast menu or the Buffet. Prices range from $6 to
$21.
For lunch, in a city known for its burgers, Californias recently debuted the Ultimate Star
Burger menu. The unique menu allows guests to create an individual burger by selecting the
meat, bread and toppings of their choice. Six types of burgers are offered including Black
Angus Beef, American Kobe Beef, Colorado lamb, free-range turkey, veggie and surf and turf.
Guests then choose from four types of buns and toppings from the dairy, garden, farm, ocean
and pantry including fried egg and curried cucumber yogurt. Beyond burgers, the lunch menu
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features scrumptious appetizers, entrées, entrée salads and sandwiches ranging from $8 to
$30.
At dinner, the restaurant transforms to elegant dining with plated service settings and
white tablecloths. Chef Balmer’s signature dishes – which range from $22 to $38 – include
Dijon Crusted Australian Rack of Lamb and Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass. Those with a sweet
tooth will be satisfied with delectable desserts including Warm Chocolate Molton Cake and
Traditional Tiramisu served with caramelized bananas.
Californias is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on
weekends.
About Sheraton Universal
The Sheraton Universal is owned and managed by Destination Hotels &Resorts, a leader in the
management and repositioning of upscale and luxury hotels and resorts. Its $25 million renovation
artfully blends Sheraton's four-star service with the history of an iconic Hollywood hotel. The Sheraton
Universal is located at 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For more
information, please visit www.sheratonuniversal.com or call 1-800-325-3535.
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