Elements Restaurant & Bar

Quiet hotel bar. Good if you need some peace and quiet on a weekday night.
Just a note: Sam Adams, not listed on the menu, was charged as imported beer. We spoke to the mgr about it, and he did not remove the extra cost from the bill. No big deal, and we didn’t want to make a fuss… but that’s not the most honest business practice.
Coming from hospitality/​service background, the mgr should’ve acknowledged it and also made the correction on both the bill and the menu.

I was in town visiting my family and was staying at the double tree hotel. I decided to eat at the element restaurant located inside the hotel. The food was fantastic and Alejandro was very helpfuI, friendly and knowledgeable with their menu. Thank for the awesome service Alejandro. Will be back again. I recommend this hotel to anyone staying in Monrovia.

Staying at the Double Tree makes it even better when there is a restaurant and bar right downstairs. Awesome bartender. Good drinks.

Stayed at the hotel and ordered room. service from this hotel restaurant. best room service food ever !! There was a claim jumper, red lobster and olive garden walking distance but all Unilocal reviews for the Elements Restaurant were better than all of the other places and had many more stars … Thank you ! Everyone was right !!

I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately they let me down big time! After attending an early evening event at the Doubletree tonight, my husband and I joined another couple at Elements, the hotel restaurant. After we were seated, we were given Happy Hour menus, when we specifically said we were there for dinner. We asked for and were given dinner menus, and when I asked if there were any specials, the server brought back the happy hour menu. Really? The specials were from your happy hour appetizer list? Whatever.
We proceeded to order dinners. My husband and I each ordered a caprese salad to start, and our friend ordered a side salad. After about 20 minutes, we finally asked when we might expect our salads? They were finally served shortly thereafter, along with our other friend’s entrée salad, but our friend didn’t care for the dressing she was given and asked for some ranch instead. I must admit, the presentation and taste of the caprese salad itself was good, and ended up being the best thing about our meal. Ten minutes later the three other dinners were delivered, but alas, no ranch dressing.
My husband ordered the mahi mahi, our friend ordered the Scampi, and I ordered the Stir Fry. As soon as I took my first taste, I realized the food was lukewarm, at best, and actually pretty cold. I asked the server to zap it in the microwave to warm it up. After waiting 10 minutes, I still had no dinner, while my companions were all finishing theirs. My order finally arrived, and once again, it was cold. I gave up at that point!!! I called the manager over and complained that my dinner had arrived cold twice and that I was highly disappointed with the restaurant as a whole. I refused a third attempt at getting a hot meal and told him I would expect not to be charged for my dinner. He agreed and comped dessert for the table to try and make up for the blunders. Unfortunately, I was just not impressed.
To top it off, Fridays are Karoake night in the bar, so we couldn’t even hear ourselves talk during dinner. All in all, a very bad experience and i doubt I’d ever go back!

I have only eaten here at the breakfast buffet as part of my stays at The Doubletree. But I have been happy with the food and the friendly service every time.
If you are a Doubletree guest then the breakfast is often included. They may also give you a free drink coupon which is good for a Bloody Mary but not for a Mimosa. Also, the Elements Bar has table service for the patio tables if you want to sit outside or smoke.
On the breakfast menu is the usual — scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes…
but they also offer an egg station where you can get omelettes, poached eggs, or eggs any style. And the buffet is beginning to cater to Asians as well, so there is miso soup and rice, and I expect that one day soon they will add some fish.
I have seen lunches and dinners on other people’s plates, and it looks like decent hotel fare. Plus I believe that Elements supplies the hotel room service.
Don’t go out of your way to eat here, but if you are at the hotel, I think you will be pleased.

Don’t get the salad here. Probably my fault for ordering it. Ordinary.
Should not assume that all Doubletree restaurants are created equal.

I had breakfast at Elements Restaurant and Bar located inside the Doubletree Hotel in Monrovia, CA on 5÷3÷2014. It was my first time there. I had their breakfast buffet for $ 14.99. The price included coffee and juice plus they had an omelette stand to make it whatever way you wanted it. The food was good as was the service by Martha who kept me well supplied with coffee and juice. I also took photos.

I was very happy with nice service, great food and ambiance.
Today I met colleague to discuss something here. This restaurant is the first floor of the Double Tree Hotel. The ambience is great because even though Double Tree Hotel is located on the busiest Huntington Dr., this restaurant is very quiet and serene facing outdoor pool. Decoration is so simple and modern with some mirrors and TVs on the wall.
We ordered one element salad which had spinach, apple, chicken, dried crenberry and some green. Chicken panini with sweet potato. Every ingredient was very fresh and delicious. I loved the service that made my lunch more delicious. Jorge was very excellent.
Actually the lunch menu was not many choices but the nice service and fresh food made my lunch delight and our conversations smooth.

George the barkeep is great. Solid location for the not-​so LA experience. Commute stinks but we’ll worth it to step away from the city. Hotel is nice. I will stay here again no question.

It’s a great place to have after work drinks with coworkers or friends. Great selection of beers and wines. It’s generally quiet, professional, and relaxing.
I’m pretty picky but when I grab drinks, I don’t want a bar scene or get mistaken for a «please pick me b/​c I’m single girl». I just want to grab a beer or wine and chat with the friends I’m there with.
The décor is modern/​contemporary and works great for a quick in and out. If you’re looking for a real bar scene… then try Pasadena.

A beautiful restaurant and lounge area, the cabanas by the pool are gorgeous! I’d love to stay at the Double Tree Hotel here just for that.
The restaurant however, not so great. The server was nice enough, but management was really working her, and made her the only person serving the bar, the pool and apparently, room service. Poor girl. She was obviously too busy to be attentive. I did see her chatting up other people at the bar, but I think that’s a good thing for a server to do– makes the patrons feel comfortable.
I didn’t order food here, mostly because I wasn’t given a menu or asked if I’d like to order. That was highly annoying. I was hungry and wanted to flag her down but then, after a time, I decided not to bother. I was working on my laptop at the time so I guess they just figured I should be ignored.
I went to Trader Joes and bought the same bottle of wine they served me by the glass for 3 dollars less. I mean, really? Maybe I’ll try the food next time, but I was pretty disappointed by the service. Beautiful place however! 3-​stars for that!

I’m from the Pasadena area and went here for happy hour. Love Love Love. George, the bartender, was so nice and incredibly knowledgeable about the going ons of LA. They have super yummy drinks, my two favorite ones were created by George himself! I wish I could remember the names of them, but one was made with fresh strawberries, so refreshing for a hot summers day. The bar overlooks the pool area and if you want to go outside they will pour your drink in a plastic cup so you can go out and enjoy the sun. And their happy hour appetizers are super yummy too. I had the seared ahi tuna and mini shrimp tacos. This is definitely going to be my new summer happy hour place.

The word is that this place was going to be a wine bar but never became that. It is however a cool little hotel bar with a very cool outdoor pool area. They’ve accomplished the trendy vibe with cool cabanas and nice lighting… and if you listen hard you’ll hear some mellow house music playing in the background. This is probably the nicest hotel east of Rosemead Blvd. Elements restaurant is more of a hotel dining spot. I’ve eaten their food at the bar and it’s pretty tasty. I especially like the shirmp hard tacos. The drinks are very well poured and George the bartender is a genuinely nice guy. They have a great happy hour and it’s always nice to chat with travelers.

Wine bar? Because you serve wine you’re a wine bar? The place was empty at the start of happy hour and the service was friendly but still somewhat of a «lights are on, but nobody’s home» situation.
I was promised happy hour appetizers would be out soon. 4:30 they arrive and I make my way over to the chaffing dish. They had 1 quesedilla cut up in tiny pieces. That’s what you have?
I ordered a $ 10 grilled cheese and fries. It was Wonder Bread, and a slice of Kraft single melted in an Easy Bake Oven. Gross.
The only saving grace and worthiness of 2 stars is the outside seating. The patio was relaxing and comfortable with its water feature and poolside seating. They really don’t have servers out there so you need to get up and go inside to get anything. What happened to good old fashion poolside service? I guess not at the Doubletree.

So after a round at CJs, we decide to try this Elements Wine bar that is staring at us from inside the Doubletree Hotel.
I don’t really recognize it as a wine bar. It’s stocked with various spirits behind the counter like any other bar. My friend seems to have already ordered and their wine looks nice. «I’ll have what SHE is having!» And it WAS a nice merlot. She says buttery, I say chocolaty, we both say smooooth. I wanted to say the name was Gossinger, but oddly, the prior reviewer says that was the name of her nut ale! So now I doubt my memory.
The menu boasts a variety of appetizers and limited dinner choices. For being inside a Doubletree in the middle of Monrovia, the prices seem high, and we opt for appetizers.
We decide the sampler platter will be nice for a variety. At the last minute I throw in the Pork Belly Sliders. Good thing. Because portions are small.
The sampler platter which came with Chicken Tenders, Onion Rings, and Shoestring Fries. There were three chicken strips, 5 onion rings, and a small pile of fries in a cone shaped cup. I found the chicken strips dry, but the breading was good as it had a tang of chili in it. Onions rings were average, and the fries soggy. Not worth the $ 16 or $ 22. I can’t remember! Either, not worth it, or REALLY not worth it.
Next up, Pork Belly Sliders. Much better. I thought they were $ 16, but prior reviewer states $ 12. It came with three which worked out perfect since there were three of us. Really, really good. Very Cuban-​esque. The pork was a tender, tasty, succulent morsel. And the roll was like a little bolillo roll. I wished I could have all three to myself. But I wasn’t keen on the price when I was sitting in a Doubletree in the middle of Restaurant Row Monrovia. In Pasadena I could justify this price, but not here.
The tiny swimming pool outside the bar was cute. There were archs of water squirting over the pool. Quaint. But if I am in Restaurant Row in Monrovia for a cocktail, I think I will stick to the places where I get twice the amount of food for the amount of money.
They do have a happy hour. I believe she said 4 – 7. off well drinks and some discounted beers.

So there I am hanging out with my fiancé and his cigar smoking friends in what I still can’t believe is a Doubletree Hotel and I’m handed a beer that just happens to be one of the best nut brown ales I’ve ever had in my entire life. I’m sorry Newcastle, there’s a new kid in town.
Sadly, I can’t remember what it’s called. It’s Gossinger or Gustenger or something. I think the bartender, though wonderful he was, didn’t pronounce it right so I would be forced to come back to Elements, the bar that introduced me to this liquid gold on tap. I’ll get the name next time, I promise. The beers run around $ 4.50 I believe. I also had a vodka club soda, which was standard, and came out to around $ 7.00.
Onto the food. The menu leaves a lot to be desired. Almost every dish is meant to impress you with at least one rarely used ingredient. It’s hard to believe that a restaurant inside the Doubletree would actually have foie gras, but there it was on the menu. Celeriac soup, is that a favorite of Doubletree patrons? I heard that the braised short ribs were supposed to be the best on the menu, however, I think the waitress only said that because it was the expensive thing on the menu for $ 24. Not too bad a price for a restaurant that also offers Kobe beef burgers. It seems that the Elements chef, however, really wanted to focus in on appetizers because the starter options basically made up half the menu.
I noticed that the restaurant was basically empty save for one table of old Asian ladies, a group outside (aside from my group) and two guys on laptops at the bar. They were both drinking wine, even then I didn’t realize Elements was aiming to be a Wine bar. I mean, with that Nut Brown Ale they should just call themselves a Beer bar.
It might be because the restaurant, aside from the bar area, is actually not that well decorated that I didn’t realize it was trying to be a Wine bar. The furnishings move towards the cheap side, like the old spirit of the Holiday Inn was peeking back in. The bartender informed me that the Hilton was attempting to make this Doubletree unlike any other Doubletree. It was to be a destination. I informed the bartender that this destination happened to be Monrovia. I don’t think he got my gist.
I ended up ordering the pork belly sliders ($ 12) because, well, I’m a glutton. When they came out there were 3 small sliders on the plate that included this deliciously caramelized pork belly in the center. Brilliant really. Fatty meaty pork belly in a small roll lightened up with some arugula. Now I wonder what that hoisin glazed foie gras with caramelized onions tastes like.
Elements, you get a 3, not because I didn’t like your food, or that I didn’t adore your beer on tap, but because you don’t live up to your name (Elements Restaurant and Wine Bar) and because your furnishings leave much to be desired. I have a deal for you though, if you change your name to something like Elements Appetizers and Delicious Beer, kicked your airs just down a notch so everything didn’t feel so inappropriately hoity toity, and remember you’re in a Doubletree, I’ll bump you up to a 4.
That being said, I’m coming back for the foie gras because you can apparently do some miraculous things with some fatty foods.

1 Star
Well, I know I shouldn’t have expected much from a restaurant inside of a Doubletree Hotel but this was a newly renovated location so I had a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, «glimmer» is probably going to be the only nice sounding adjective I can use to describe this restaurant in this review.
So my dinner companion and I peruse the menu quickly and see that there isn’t too much to choose from. They have some appetizers, a few salads, a few pastas, two seafood dishes, a couple of chicken and steak dishes. Now on to the offenses.
First offense — When my date and I arrived, the place was pretty empty. On two of the plasmas screens mounted on the backboard of the bar area, a «Family Guy» episode was playing. Now, I’m like 98% of Americans who enjoy that show but for it to be playing on full blast in a restaurant is just plain sad. To have it played in a placed proclaimed to be a «Wine Bar» is a total travesty.
Second offense — When we ordered the crab cakes, we discovered half way through that the ice hadn’t fully melted. No, not ice from the ice water but ice from the crab cakes!!! Yes, Elements Restaurant and Wine Bar heats up frozen crab cakes, throws them on a plate with some sauce, and voila, bon appeyack!
After we politely indicated to the waiter that we thought the cook needed to microwave the crab cakes a little more because of the icey center, he apologized and brought back two more microwaved crab cakes! I’m not sure what more my stomach could have asked for.
Third offense — The entrees were not good at all. My date had a salmon dish and I had a chicken pasta dish. Both were unforgettable… Unforgettable in the sense that they were so bland and average my hippocampus made a pact with my prefrontal cortex to make sure I never forgot the blandness I put my pallates through.
Fourth offense — (Cali has a three strike rule so this is now veering towards a death sentence) I knew the prices of the dishes at this place were going to be inflated due to it’s association with the hotel but $ 20 for a salmon plate, $ 16 for a pasta plate, and $ 12 for frozen crab cakes at this caliber or lack thereof was unacceptable.
Overall, don’t waste your time here even if you’re staying at the hotel. Restaurant Row is just a walk away and even at half the prices listed, this place is not worth eating at. The service was average and the waiter ended up not charging us for the frozen crab cakes but those were the only positive things I associate with this place.