Sunday, I stepped through the looking glass and had a dazzling brunch in classic Hollywood style.

It has been years since I graced the serene, secluded atmosphere of the Sunset Tower Hotel. Located in West Hollywood, it is an elegant getaway as well as a fabulous place for a drink, brunch, lunch or dinner.

The pool area offers a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles, stretching all the way to Santa Monica…on a clear day you CAN see forever and Sunday was destined for perfection.

The day had a “joy ride” in convertible written all over it. I had taken the dogs on an early morning stroll to the Santa Monica Pier and David had hit the open road with a biker buddy. We met up and decided to have some afternoon delight as in fresh air and food.

Top down, we hit Sunset Boulevard and wound our way through Bel Air, Bev Hills and cruised the authentic Sunset Strip. This was my route to work for years. In many ways, time had stood still.

We arrived at the hotel and made out way through the small, graceful lobby to the Terrace restaurant. We did not have a reservation, but it was 2 pm and there were a few tables open on the covered travertine lanai.

The Terrace restaurant is a casual dress poolside cafe with a unique indoor/outdoor setting and incredible, sweeping views of the city.

The Terrace restaurant fronts the small, intimate pool area. We chose to sit outside, but there is also a lovely indoor sitting area, as well as a bar. Warning, the chairs are designed for petite starlet derrieres so consider refraining from dessert.

I ordered a glass of dry French rose ($12) and a deliciously fresh, enormous chopped Cobb salad with a substantial portion of fresh lobster meat. The salad had perfectly ripened avocado, crispy bacon, hard-boiled egg, blue cheese and tomato ($34). The Cobb salad is also available with grilled chicken ($21) and steak ($26).

David had a scrumptious tuna Nicoise salad ($26) with a generous serving of Ahi tuna, fingerling potatoes, haricot vert, avocado, tomatoes, olive tapenade, and organic greens.

Additionally, the hamburger ($22), egg dishes of ever variety, grilled salmon kale salad ($26), lobster tacos ($24), pizza ($15-16) all looked delicious.

Our waiter did a drive by with a gift of Prosecco so by the end of brunch we had toasted the weather, view, ambiance, food and just being together on a gorgeous, sunny Sunday.

Another dining experience at the hotel is the Sunset Tower Bar which opens at 6pm and is known for discreet seating…that is why it is a celebrity favorite. Housed in Bugsy Siegel’s old apartment on the ground floor, the 80-seat room is presided over by maitre d’ Dimitri Dimitrov, widely hailed as the city’s best front man.

The hotels history is also worth mentioning. Designed in 1929 by architect Leland A. Bryant, the Sunset Tower was a trendsetter apartment building from the moment it opened and was home to Hollywood’s rich and famous. Its dramatic setting on the Sunset Strip and elegant Art Deco styling, together with its proximity to famous restaurants and nightclubs of the 1930’s & ’40’s, contributed to its landmark status.

Howard Hughes, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Errol Flynn, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and even gangster Bugsy Siegel resided there. It was rescued from near demolition by the actions of resident/actor, Warner Klemperer (Hogan’s Heroes, Col. Klink) and was converted to a luxury hotel in the 1980’s.

You definitely have to treat yourself to a getaway lunch or brunch at the Terrace restaurant. The fare is fabulous and the view free and intoxicating….linger and have drinks in the famed Tower bar for a throwback Hollywood experience to remember…it’s a wrap!

Sunset Tower Terrace Restaurant 8358 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California. Validated 3 hour parking $9. Street parking available. Reservations suggested. Breakfast: 6:30am-11:00am, lunch: 11:00am-3:00pm, afternoon menu: 3:00pm-6:00pm brunch: Saturday & Sunday: 6:30am-3:00pm. www.sunsettowerhotel.com.