Hotel Bel-Air Restaurant

Your first impression begins with the gardens.

Every pathway has something different and pretty to catch your eye.

The pond is where you will find the three swans, Hercules, Athenee and Chloe.

In the midst of a busy city, it is an extraordinary treat to find an exquisite open plan dining room with lots of windows, that is also open to an extremely beautiful outdoor patio dining area.

The charming lady Tracy from Spago Beverly Hills is here to oversee, and she and Wolfgang Puck were very much in evidence, checking on everything to make sure it is perfect.

Daniel (one of the managers) is very nice, and makes sure that we get the table we would like.

The waiter Raj and Mandy at breakfast; John, Livius, Mindy and Marcus at lunch; as well as Bobbi the bartender (who also is proficient at underwater photography) who made me a great thick, spicy Bloody Mary; are equally excellent, courteous, friendly, efficient and solicitous.

Every little request is attended to immediately, they check to make sure everything is to your liking, and water or beverages are promptly refilled without you having to ask.

Breakfast began with a choice of truly fresh-squeezed juice. I chose orange:)

Glazed red grapefruit is yummy.

Bacon-cheddar biscuit is hot from the oven, perfectly browned on the outside and soft on the inside, and very good. (not pictured)

House cured smoked salmon with toasted sesame bagel, capers and herbed cream cheese

Fresh Blueberry pancakes are fluffy and delicious

“Huevos Rancheros” with black beans, ranchero salsa, avocado, cojita cheese and corn tostadas is perfectly cooked and delicious!

If you choose to stay at this wonderful hotel, you may also have a chance to eat lunch here.

The outside patio is as lovely as the inside dining room is.

The food is excellent at all three meals.

An assortment of bread – i would have liked it warm flom the oven to really bring out the flavors, with room temperature butter that is easy to spread.

Tortilla soup with crema fresca, avocado and guajillo chilies

Heirlooom apple salad with roasted baby beets, shropshire cheddar, upland cress, pomegranate and candied walnuts is excellent.

Spaghetti arrabiata – outstanding! Perfectly cooked and devour-every-last-strand good.

Organic jidori chicken with chanterelle mushrooms, brussels sprouts, celery root & chestnut purees, medjool dates and thyme is perfectly cooked, moist and very flavorful.

Pan roasted Filet of beef ‘au poivre’ with armagnac-red wine reduction is perfectly cooked and seasoned.

Ha’s farm honey crisp apple sorbet for dessert

We also had some of the best freshly-baked and warm-from-the-oven sugar cookies known to man:)

When I told him how much I liked it, the next night Daniel made sure that I had Truvia sweetener for my steaming hot Scarborough Farms spearmint leaf tea.

If you like to dine outside on a warm summer night, I strongly recommend booths 51, 52 or 53.

My pictures do not do justice to this incredibly romantic space.
On cooler nights, the thoughtfully provided heat lamps will keep you warm.

There is also a very pretty private dining room inside, behind the dramatic two-sided fireplace. It seats 14 people, and is a desirable spot for any celebration.

Atmosphere – A
Noise Level – delightfully quiet so you can hear the people at your table talking
Presentation – A
Quality of Ingredients – A
Quality of Taste (my personal preferences) – A
Value – A

Hotel Bel-Air
701 Stone Canyon Road
Los Angeles, CA. 90077
(310) 472-1211
http://www.hotelbelair.com