The RL Difference

 Low Server/bartender to Guest Ratio: RL strives for a ratio of one bartender and one sever per ~25 guests. This assures that bar lines are short and that dirty plates and glassware are promptly picked up.

Exquisitely Uniformed Staff: RL waiters wear a distinctive uniform of a black morning coat or black jacket with black vest (waistcoat), black pants, and black bow tie. White gloves are worn when serving at the table.

Premium Beeswax Candles: Although candles have mostly gone by the wayside, RL uses hand-rolled, 100% beeswax, smokeless, dripless, 12” honeycomb tapers in silver candelabra throughout the main floor including in the entry foyer chandelier. About 50 taper candles are used at every evening event.

Dimmable Electric Lights: Virtually all of the electric lights in the building are dimmable to create a variety of ambiances to accommodate different events.

Sterling Silver Cutlery: The RL cutlery for seated events of up to 100 guests is Gorham Strasbourg sterling silver. Each piece is hand-polished for an exceptional shine. For events with buffets or food stations, stainless steel cutlery is used but all serving pieces are Strasbourg sterling silver with silver plated plate rests.

Silver Plated Chargers and Serving Pieces: For seated lunches and dinners, RL uses metal, silver-plated chargers which are placed on the table(s) before guests are seated and remain on the table until the main course is cleared. All serving pieces are silver plated.

Premium Riedel Glassware: With the exception of pilsner glasses for beer, RL uses Riedel glassware made in Weiden, Germany. The RL staff inspects each piece with candlelight to assure the absence of spots and smudges. The red wine glass is the exceptional Riedel Veritas New World Pinot Noir with a slightly flared lip.

Craft Cocktail Bar: Most of the RL bartenders are mixologists serving craft cocktails from the lower level Lounge Bar. The majority of drinks are served in Riedel glasses but, for a little fun, certain cocktails are served in mini porcelain bath tubs with single use mini rubber ducks and single use glass straws.

Large Format Champagne Bottles: The Roosevelt Library specializes in large format wine bottles up to the 15 liter (20 bottle) Nebuchadnezzar size. A special pouring machine from Lucerne, Switzerland allows single glasses to be poured from these magnificently large bottles.

Adorable Alpacas: RL is notable in hosting roaming alpacas which have become a sensation as they are greeted by guests on either the main floor or lower level. The alpacas, always a pair, go through an extensive grooming regime and love to have their photo taken.

Premium Napkins (serviettes): For seated events, RL uses custom, made in Italy, white, 26”x26” square, 100% cotton, non-linting napkins with mitered hems. For events with buffets or food stations, the napkins are also 100% cotton. When paper cocktail napkins are used, only the highly quality “Linum” napkins are offered.

Personalized Menus: For no additional cost, bar menus, buffet signs, and individual dinner menus are personalized with the name of the event, monogram, or a logo. Personalized “Linum” cocktail napkins and embroidered cotton dinner napkins are also available.

Premium Restroom Amenities: RL restrooms feature Italian, cotton hand towels, a wide selection of premium fragrances, and other amenities such as fine hand lotion, mouthwash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toothpicks, and Bandaids. Large events have restroom attendants who constantly check the restrooms.

Security & Complimentary Parking: The exterior grounds and parking lot are staffed with off-duty SAPD officers headed by Sargent Officer Herrera. All events may make use of the 50 spot parking lot at no additional charge.

Quality Ingredients: The RL chef, Shih-Hua (Steven) Fuh, uses only quality ingredients. For example, chicken is air-chilled rather than water-chilled, “Parmesan” is Parmigiano Reggiano, demi-glace is made in-house with 50 pounds of veal bone at a time, sorbets and ice creams are ordered for each event, and seafood is never purchased frozen.

Custom Web Page with RSVP: For a flat fee, RL will design a web page for your event with your photos, logo, and information to inform your guests and, should you choose, to collect RSVPs including entree selections and dietary restrictions for seated dinners.

In-house Audio-Visual: RL has Bose tower speakers, a variety of microphones, two displays (one 85” on the lower level and one 55” on the main level), and one projector on the lower level.

Working Fireplace: The original 1929 fireplace is in working order and separately ventilated to prevent backflow. The fireplace is used in the cooler months to create a cozy and soothing ambiance.