Photo Credit: Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills, located West of Los Angeles, is a well-known home for movie and TV celebrities. The city has also played a major role in many TV shows and movies. For example, you may recall the popular 90’s TV show Beverly Hills 90210; comedian Eddie Murphy as a dislocated Detroit cop learning to cope with a very different culture in Beverly Hills Cop (1984), or even further back in time with the funny TV show Beverly Hillbillies (1962). If you are visiting Beverly Hills, I recommend visiting the Viviane Restaurant, located in the iconic Avalon Hotel just a few minutes from the world-famous shopping district around Rodeo Drive.
Credit: Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
Viviane offers a traditional dining room and bar setting but I recommend enjoying the Kelly Wearstler-designed pool-side alternative (overhead heating is provided for cooler evenings). The restaurant’s menu presents modern interpretations of classic European and American cuisine, paired with 1950’s inspired cocktails and boutique wines from around California and beyond. As an aperitif, I suggest trying one of the excellent cocktails, such as the Beverly Blush combining Plymouth Gin, Cocchi Torino, and Ramazotti Amaro. Another cocktail I sampled during my visit was their curiously-named, but delicious, Corpse Reviver No. 2, containing Fords Gin, Cointreau, Cocchi Americano, Absinthe and lemon juice.
Credit: Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
To start your meal, I suggest the Prosciutto Burrata, served with arugula, fuyu persimmon, pomegranate seeds, crushed hazelnuts and aged balsamic. Another favorite of mine is the Charcuterie and Cheese Board, which includes several artisan cheeses, cornichon, olive tapenade, house nuts and is served with toasted baguette slices. For my entrée, I enjoyed Steak Frites, a 10-ounce New York strip steak with bordelaise sauce, alongside crushed fingerling potatoes, and a side of charred Brussel sprouts. I paired the steak with a glass of 2014 Ground Effect Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez) – full-flavored dark fruits (black cherry and plum) with hints of pepper and vanilla. For fish lovers, I recommend the Pan-seared Salmon, served with farro risotto, squash, radicchio and apple herb salad. If you have room for dessert, my vote goes to the Hazelnut Brownie, which is accompanied by vanilla gelato.
Credit: Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
