HotelChatter

For adventurous palates, Public offers blackboard specials, like trotter—yes, as in pig's feet—and black truffle sausage. If you just want some nibbles, there's a cured meat and cheese bar with oysters and shared plates along with traditional cocktails, a moderately priced wine list, and beers by draft or bottle. Public Kitchen & Bar will look to offer a lunch and brunch menu in spring.

If you want to hang there for the Oscars, the red carpet and awards show will be on view on a few flat-screens. You can sit on one of the plush banquettes near the restored mural or the caricatures of frequent Hollywood Roosevelt guests and gawk at the celebs. Apps and drinks offered in the late afternoon and reservations are still available for dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.—but they are going quickly, so RSVP pronto.

[Photo: Public Kitchen and Bar]