Beverly Hills Restaurants

Il Pastaio is a cozy, small Italian restaurant on the corner in the heart of downtown Beverly Hills, amongst all the other restaurants and shops. It's very well-priced considering the location. There's generally a wait, and the tables are packed very tightly inside (you could probably take a bite off your neighbor's plate without fully extending your arm), however, the food is worth the wait.
On a warmer evening (as there are many in southern California, year-round) you might prefer to sit outside on the heated patio. Come before 6:30/7 PM to beat the later dinner rush.
The two times I've been there, I have ordered ravioli. Once, I had the "mezzelune" - lobster ravioli with zucchini, which was great. The ravioli was fresh and cooked perfectly. The second time I went back, I ordered the vegetable ravioli, which was on the seasonal dinner menu. This was excellent and I highly recommend it. In my opinion, it was seasoned perfectly and had just the right amount of filling inside. This pasta was a little lighter than other dishes on the menu, so if you're feeling extra hungry, eat some more of their fabulous bread or order an appetizer.
Their desserts are great as well, as is their espresso.

The only con about this restaurant is that it can get a little noisy at busier hours of the evening due to the sheer amount of people they pack inside in such close quarters, but otherwise it's a very nice dining experience with good service and great food... just pretend you're in Europe in a packed cafe for two hours and you'll forget about how close together the tables are!

Favorite Dish: The vegetable ravioli was exceptional. I can imagine they make several vegetable raviolis depending on which veggies are in season. I'd definitely order it again.

1 more image

While my bike was being worked on in Sherman Oaks, we decided to head over to Beverly Hills for a bite of lunch. Well LJ wanted to to eat a a restaurant owned by Lisa Vanderpump-Todd & Ken Todd (of the Housewives of Beverly Hills fame). We get to the restaurant and guess who's sitting at a table having lunch....yup that's correct...Lisa Vanderpump-Todd & Ken Todd. Guess where we ended up getting a table...lol...yup that's right!!! A place that is visually beautiful as well as refreshing and friendly. Overall, a wonderful experience.

Favorite Dish: LJ decided to have a Salade NiCoise while I had the Roasted Chicken Flatbread Sandwich which came with fries. For dessert, we shared the English Sticky Toffee Pudding which came with real vanilla ice cream. Of course, you can enjoy a delicious meal like this without sipping fine cocktails, so we had a Blanca Chocolate Martini (Grey Goose Vodka, White Godiva Liquor and White Crème de Cacao) as well as Orange Bellini.

A great restaurant that is known well in the area as a "hot" spot. Typical LA and Beverly Hills types who drive beautiful cars to match their beautiful bodies. It's all about the glam! There's a river that runs throughout the whole place, underneath clear glass. There's little bridges too!

Favorite Dish: This Vietnamese restaurant has lots of your typical Vietnamese foods with a Californian twist. There's always Dungenness crab that's very tasty. The chilean sea bass in ginger citrus sauce is DELICIOUS!!! It just melts in your mouth! The appetizer rolls in rice paper are tremendous as well!

I heard of Fogo De Chao a long time ago but it wasnt until recently that I was able to go. First of all I love steak. I am a big meat eatter so i tend to really like churrascarias. This place is more on the high end of churrascarias thats for sure. The place is very classy, and very sofisticatedly decorated. The service is impecable, you dont really have just one waiter or waitress, they all take care of you. Their main objective is that you are happy, content and full! They also have an extensive wine list from all over the world.
First we went to the salad bar. it consisted of green salads, fruit salads, potato salads and veggies. then when you get to your table it all begins.. one after another they start bringing you top sirloin, garlic steak, sausages, chicken, ribs, picanha, ranch skirt steak and other types of steak until you can no longer look at any more steak again.
They also ask you if you would like the piece weel done, medium or whatever you like. They will also bring you mashed pototes (garlic) and fried plantains, and bread and all this is also all you can eat as well. When you are all done with this they will bring out a dessert menu. We got the creme brule which was excellent! and a glass of congac to wash it all down.

Favorite Dish: Everything was good, but we have to be a steak lover top really appreciate this place.

Lunch: Monday-Friday 11am-2pm
Dinner: Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm; Friday 5pm- 10:30pm; Saturday 4:30pm-10:30pm; Sunday 4pm- 9:30pm.

I've been here a couple of times for lunch, and just about every time, I've seen a celebrity or two.

So if you're coming to LA to see some stars, here's a place to try and it has good upscale Chinese food.

Favorite Dish: Just about everything.

On this walking only street you'll find some coffees I can recommend. We also saw a Porsche super store and other brand name shops. I was loughing my head off here and as see on this image I had a real bad burn on my body from the previous beach adventure at Dana Point! :-)

Favorite Dish: I do not recommend to dine or eat out at Beverly Hills. The prices are not designed for tourists!

The amount of restaurants to chose from is immense!!! so many great restaurants to go to, you won't go hungry, but bring lots of money, prepare yourself for a fabulous meal.... and duck the paparazzi on the way out :o)
Within some of my favorites I'd have to count:
Spago Beverly Hills, Barney Greengrass, Ginza Sushiko (no glitz, no glamour; just a modest sushi chef serving the most expensive morsels in town!!!!!), and Regent Beverly Wilshire.

If you are in Beverly Hills, definately check Crustacean out. The decor of this hotspot is amazing- as you walk in, there is a glass covered river that snakes by the bar through the restaurant. The menu is diverse with Vietnamese-European combinations, please be sure to try the amazing house dressing. Also, as with all Bev Hills spots, call ahead for reservations- and dress with style- this place isn't your corner McDonalds!

Favorite Dish: Loved the Surf and Turf Roll and the Shaken Beef was yummy.