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The Belvedere isn't set inside a garden, but its interior design certainly makes it feel like one. As you walk into this Beverly Hills institution, set inside the Peninsula hotel, you'll be greeted by a large colorful floral arrangement, filled with purples, greens and yellows from the large sunflowers. The chic room is brimming with blooms — on the tabletops, in the paintings and on the carpeting. The cream walls, a canvas for the room, have white-framed, floral mural-like paintings. It's bright and cheery, yet inviting and comfortable, with a touch of English countryside to boot. During the day, the dining room feels more garden party, and by night, with the lights turned down, it becomes sophisticated and romantic. Floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors open up to the covered back patio, blocked off with white lattice and lots of hanging plants and flowers, where you can enjoy your meal with a breath of fresh air. Pale peach, sea green and cream tones sweep through the interiors of both rooms, creating a warm, elegant space — perfect for a client luncheon or a visit with friends.

Set inside the Peninsula Beverly Hills, the Belvedere is somewhat of an institution as restaurants in this neck of the woods go. Many a silver-screen contract has been signed across these tables, as fast talkers from the nearby CAA and ICM agencies have held court here, but it's also been the setting for numerous proposals, ladies luncheons and black-tie affairs since the hotel opened in August 1991. If you plan to dine off chef James Overbaugh's modern American menu at the Belvedere, there are a few things you should know before you get there:

1. The Four-Star Belvedere caters to a mix of people but be warned, this isn't the trend-setting young Hollywood crowd; an older, more sophisticated group of diners eat here. It's  quintessential Beverly Hills spot, with a refined and chic atmosphere, so if you're looking for a delicious dinner in a luxurious atmosphere, this is your place.

2. The waitstaff at the Belvedere knows its stuff: If you're having a hard time ordering, your server will make the decision easier with an overview of your choices. With detail and precision, plates will arrive and disappear as if on cue; you'll feel relaxed and taken care of, without a stuffy overbearing air, making your meal and experience completely enjoyable.

3. If wine is your thing, The Belvedere is a great place to be: Wine manager David Jones has been at the Belvedere for many years and is incredibly knowledgeable about the list and wine in general. This restaurant's armada of vinos is quite lengthy and more than likely, you'll need Jones' help to select the best wine to go with your meal. He'll stop over before you order to assist and is more than willing to talk shop about the menu.

4. Although it's a sophisticated restaurant, the Belvedere offers a charming garden setting and, if you've booked a family vacay, the patio works perfectly with kids. There's a children's menu, so if your kid's palate isn't quite so refined yet, there are a variety of favorites — macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with turkey meatballs or mini pizzas — to order. However, your gourmand-in-training also can choose more adult-like meals, such as stuffed chicken with creamy orzo and peas or grilled salmon with rice pilaf and lemon-butter sauce.

5. If you're looking to throw a larger party at The Belvedere, the lovely private dining room is the perfect place to play host. For an intimate space, the private dining room features gold and cream décor and one long table that seats up to 20 people.

Elegant-chic décor reigns at the Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills, so it’s no surprise the table settings at Scarpetta (located inside the Mediterranean-inspired hotel) follow suit. The stage is set by the hanging illuminated bulbs encased in a thick glass globe — the rustic light fixtures cast a soft glow onto the dark wood tables, which match the restaurant's unfinished hardwood floors. The table settings are simple and leave the focus on the food: expect creamy-hued placemats set with silver cutlery, fine crystal glassware, a small white bread plate with a butter knife, a crisp white napkin folded into a square and — in the evening — a small white candle. When the well-executed Italian cuisin arrives, your focus will be entirely on your plate.

At Scarpetta, where chef Scott Conant uses seasonal ingredients to enhance his traditional flavors in the Italian cuisine, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just five of the best items, but here are signature dishes you won’t want to pass up:

1. Raw yellowtail. You’ll be served four pieces of fresh fish, perfectly seasoned with olio de zenzero and pickled red onion.

2. Spaghetti with tomato and basil. The simple mixture of handmade pasta and sauce is anything but mundane; in fact, it will have you scooping up the last drip of sauce with any hunk of bread you can find.

3. Heirloom tomatoes. Tomato, tomato — no matter how you say it, they all shine at Scarpetta. This salad especially features the refreshing taste of heirloom tomatoes with pickled eggplant, straciatella and baby greens as the backdrop.

4. Creamy polenta. Conant is known for this creamy and perfectly textured dish, which includes a rich fricassee of truffled mushrooms.

5. Braised short ribs. Tender, juicy and flavorful, this hunk of short ribs is served alongside vegetables and a pile of farro risotto — if you can find the room in your stomach.

The food presentation at Scarpetta resembles the cuisine itself: simple and elegant, without being overly extravagant. Among the dark, unfinished wood interior design and intimate lighting created by sheltered illuminated globes, the table setup is conservative, with a bare table, cream-colored placemat, white napkin folded in a square, sparkling cutlery, a bread plate with a butter knife, and glassware from the renowned European brand Schott Zwiesel. When it’s time to eat, your authentic meal will be strategically presented on a clean plate. The braised short ribs of beef, for example, are symmetrically situated on top of a heaping pile of farro risotto. When you order a plate of sauce-dripping spaghetti, the presentation is still neat — defying all spaghetti laws; the spaghetti with tomato and basil is brought to you molded into a perfect ball. Even considering all the presentation effort, your only thought upon your fare’s arrival will be to dig in.

The sleek interior design from Studio Gaia at Scarpetta complements the authentic Italian cuisine, offering a simple Mediterranean-like atmosphere. The restaurant located in Montage Beverly Hills — a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel — boasts unfinished dark wood floors and tables in its dining area, but the rustic décor is perfectly offset by the illuminated sheltered globes that light every table and spacious booths. Adjacent to the Beverly Canon Gardens, the bar area welcomes you into the space and leads you into the main dining room and al fresco courtyard, which flow into one another. The bar area seats 44 people, while the main dining room seats 80 people and an additional 45 can dine in the outdoor courtyard. During your meal, you’ll spy small details that truly add to the Old World Italian effect, such as double-height windows framed by dramatic curtains, as well as large archways. The open eating area and intimate lighting lures in the scenesters that roam Beverly Hills — the savory cuisine will keep them coming back.

Set inside the Peninsula Beverly Hills, the Belvedere is somewhat of an institution as restaurants in this neck of the woods go. Many a silver-screen contract has been signed across these tables, as fast talkers from the nearby CAA and ICM agencies have held court here, but it's also been the setting for numerous proposals, ladies luncheons and black-tie affairs since the hotel opened in August 1991. If you plan to dine off chef James Overbaugh's modern American menu at the Belvedere, there are a few things you should know before you get there:

1. The Four-Star Belvedere caters to a mix of people but be warned, this isn't the trend-setting young Hollywood crowd; an older, more sophisticated group of diners eat here. It's  quintessential Beverly Hills spot, with a refined and chic atmosphere, so if you're looking for a delicious dinner in a luxurious atmosphere, this is your place.

2. The waitstaff at the Belvedere knows its stuff: If you're having a hard time ordering, your server will make the decision easier with an overview of your choices. With detail and precision, plates will arrive and disappear as if on cue; you'll feel relaxed and taken care of, without a stuffy overbearing air, making your meal and experience completely enjoyable.

3. If wine is your thing, The Belvedere is a great place to be: Wine manager David Jones has been at the Belvedere for many years and is incredibly knowledgeable about the list and wine in general. This restaurant's armada of vinos is quite lengthy and more than likely, you'll need Jones' help to select the best wine to go with your meal. He'll stop over before you order to assist and is more than willing to talk shop about the menu.

4. Although it's a sophisticated restaurant, the Belvedere offers a charming garden setting and, if you've booked a family vacay, the patio works perfectly with kids. There's a children's menu, so if your kid's palate isn't quite so refined yet, there are a variety of favorites — macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with turkey meatballs or mini pizzas — to order. However, your gourmand-in-training also can choose more adult-like meals, such as stuffed chicken with creamy orzo and peas or grilled salmon with rice pilaf and lemon-butter sauce.

5. If you're looking to throw a larger party at The Belvedere, the lovely private dining room is the perfect place to play host. For an intimate space, the private dining room features gold and cream décor and one long table that seats up to 20 people.

The Belvedere isn't set inside a garden, but its interior design certainly makes it feel like one. As you walk into this Beverly Hills institution, set inside the Peninsula hotel, you'll be greeted by a large colorful floral arrangement, filled with purples, greens and yellows from the large sunflowers. The chic room is brimming with blooms — on the tabletops, in the paintings and on the carpeting. The cream walls, a canvas for the room, have white-framed, floral mural-like paintings. It's bright and cheery, yet inviting and comfortable, with a touch of English countryside to boot. During the day, the dining room feels more garden party, and by night, with the lights turned down, it becomes sophisticated and romantic. Floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors open up to the covered back patio, blocked off with white lattice and lots of hanging plants and flowers, where you can enjoy your meal with a breath of fresh air. Pale peach, sea green and cream tones sweep through the interiors of both rooms, creating a warm, elegant space — perfect for a client luncheon or a visit with friends.

The table settings at Circa 55 change a little depending on whether you’re enjoying French toast in the retro dining room in the morning or noshing on Polynesian fare at night.

In the morning, each wooden table is set with woven dark green and brown place mats topped with a white cloth napkin folded into a neat rectangle. To the right is a white teacup, saucer and stirring spoon and behind it a glass water goblet. The silverware is placed on both sides of the napkin. Matching silver salt and pepper shakers are in the middle of the table alongside a potted plant in a square vase.

At night as the sun sets in the west, the dining room is dimly lit and candles are added for ambience, while subtle music plays through dinner. Additional flatware is also added for dinner service and the fine glassware is made by Libbey and Schott Zwiesel.

Circa 55 has 46 tables that can seat up to 230 people, in addition to two private dining rooms that can accommodate small groups up to 24. The 1950s-inspired dining room has a retro flair that’s quite inviting whether you’re dining with your significant other or a group of friends.

The Beverly Hills restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up fine California fare during the day and Polynesian-inspired plates at night. We love the nods to the ‘50s in the dining room, like a wall-mounted starburst — it’s been The Beverly Hilton’s official icon since the hotel opened in 1955 — and retro shades like brown, cream and avocado green. The space is filled with a mix of wooden tables, large semicircular booths and banquettes, and there’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Beverly Hills’ only outdoor heated pool — the famed Aqua Star Pool.

Circa 55’s interior design includes a retro dining room that’s more chic than cheesy. You’ll find nods to the ’50s such as a wall-mounted starburst — The Beverly Hilton’s official icon since Conrad Hilton opened the hotel in 1955, hence the restaurant’s name. You’ll also spot curvy metal wall dividers and muted shades of brown and cream mingling with avocado green.
One white wall sports tactile ripples that offer a different element amid the earthy color scheme found in the rest of the restaurant.

The interior décor can be accredited to Engstrom Design Group, the same firm who dolled-up Las Vegas restaurants such as Bradley Ogden and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. The group gave the space at Crica 55 a mix of dark wooden tables, large semicircular booths and banquettes so there’s plenty of seating, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor pool lend the restaurant a relaxed, Cali-cool vibe.

When you enter Circa 55, you’ll find places to sit while you wait for a table to the right, in an area separate from the dining room. Take a seat on the curved avocado-colored couch behind a wooden doughnut-shaped table or on one of the two cream, padded chairs.

For an alternative spot to sit, head just outside the main entrance of the restaurant. There sits two white midcentury-modern chairs and an avocado-green oval table. But instead of sitting down, you may want to peer inside the L-shaped glass case of goods, which carries celeb paraphernalia like Fleetwood Mac’s Grammy, Judy Garland’s own camel sculpture from A Star Is Born, Frank Sinatra’s signed Anthology LP and a rare original Beatles poster signed by all four of the mop-topped singers. It just would be right if they didn’t have this sort of Hollywood stuff to show off.

Whether you want a filling breakfast buffet, a tasty salad served poolside or a spicy Thai dish for dinner, Circa 55 at The Beverly Hilton has you covered. Before you book your table at this Beverly Hills restaurant, here are the top five things you should know about Circa 55:

1. Circa 55 serves contemporary California cuisine in a laid-back and casual environment. You’ll feel right at home inside with the retro-chic décor or sipping a cocktail by the pool. The dress code is easy and relaxed, so leave the three-piece suit in your suitcase and break out your jeans or shorts. We’d suggest getting more dressed up for dinner, but nothing formal is necessary.
2. Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast at Circa 55, where the first meal of the day is served from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Beverly Hills restaurant puts out quite the spread every morning: there’s a buffet of cold continental options, such as yogurt and cheeses in one room, and a buffet of hot dishes, such as made-to-order omelets and French toast with skewered apricots in an adjacent room. Order the American breakfast and you’ll be able to eat your way through both buffets.
3. Request a table outdoors, especially at night. When it gets dark, the restaurant lights up the palm trees, and mobile fireplaces dot the alfresco dining area to ward off any chill. In the summer, you might be able to spy the twice-weekly movies that screen on a 60-foot wall above the nearby pool.
4. If you want a soundtrack to dinner, there’s another reason to sit outside: A DJ spins in the dining area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. When we visited, the DJ pumped out some hip-hop mixes for the diners sitting in chocolate-brown wicker seats amid the palm trees and other greenery.
5. For a nightcap, you can head to Circa 55 or the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge — the longest-standing location of the tiki bar chain — as the restaurants share a bar and have the same cocktail list. We highly suggest you order up a famous mai tai — Trader Vic himself invented the fruity, rum-filled cocktail in 1944 — and sip it alfresco while lounging on the tan sofas with avocado-green and brown pillows situated around the pool.

Scarpetta is all about Italian traditions — and that includes romance. The interior design at the restaurant, which is tucked in the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills, features tables and floor boasting dark unfinished wood. Yet the rustic décor becomes an intimate setting with the dim lighting provided by sheltered illuminated globes floating gently across the ceiling and twinkling tea lights on the tables. The dining room and the al fresco seating create an inviting open space. And the ambience is only enhanced by the authentic Italian cuisine and sophisticated wine selections. The music, however, is more contemporary — so you won’t hear too many Italian classics, but more contemporary hits. The best spot for romance, though, would have to be at the outside seating, which looks out onto the Beverly Canon Gardens. Large tiki torches light up the area, making it a subdued spot to unwind with some hushed conversation. It’s the perfect spot to get a little more privacy than inside the large restaurant. By the end of the night, don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing, “That’s Amore.”

You’ll already be scoring points with your date when you pull up to Scarpetta, which is located within the Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills. Inspired by Old Hollywood, the hotel itself oozed with glamour. When you walk through to enter Scarpetta, you’ll be impressed with the large dining room and charming al fresco seating. The tables and floor feature dark unfinished wood and yet the rustic décor becomes a sensual setting with dim lighting provided by sheltered illuminated globes floating gently across the ceiling. It’s a large dining room, but even if you’re seated in the middle of the room, you’ll be able to engage in quiet conversation with your special someone without disruption. It’s al lively spot, with a diverse clientele — from families with children, to larger groups, dinner dates and some of Hollywood’s hip young crowd. It’s a great spot to bring a first date and still feel comfortable — the vibe is casual and relaxed vibe and the menu is reasonably priced. The best spot to dine with your date, though, is definitely out on the al fresco patio, which looks out onto the neighboring Beverly Canon Gardens, offering a quiet spot for hushed conversation. Tiki torches add light to the area, making it even more romantic. And the ambience is only heightened by the mouth-watering authentic Italian cuisine and sophisticated vino selections. Be sure to call ahead to set up a reservation so you are sure to have a spot for dinner, especially if you want to try to snag one of the coveted outdoor tables.

While the menu tends to remain the same, seasonality dominates when it comes to ingredients at Scarpetta, which is tucked inside Montage Beverly Hills, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel. Chef Scott Conant has acquired rave reviews from the three other iterations of Scarpetta, and his Beverly Hills edition is no different. The Italian restaurant utilizes the freshest produce year round to create his flavorful cuisine. You’ll appreciate the familiar menu options: Conant’s straightforward tactic, getting to the heart of authentic Italian food, will leave you grabbing a hunk of bread to scoop up the last of the tomato sauce. In fact, his signature dish is spaghetti, tomato and basil. Simplicity rules here, in both the ingredients as well as the décor and design of the Four-Star restaurant.

All but one bottle found on the wine list at Scarpetta can be served by the glass. The authentic Italian restaurant, tucked in the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, Montage Beverly Hills, enhances its cuisine with a menu flaunting the finest Italian wine. Bottles hail from regions such as Sicily, Tuscany and Veneto, and options include an Esperto pinot grigio 2009 from Veneto, a Gulfi carjcanti 2006 from Sicily, a Fontanafredda barolo 2005 from Piedmont and a Solaria brunello di montalcino 2000 from Tuscany. You’ll also notice a list of sparklers to choose from by the glass, such as a Fantinel rosecco from Veneto or champagne Krug, Grande Cuvee from Reims. If you’re having trouble pairing the wine with your handmade pasta and sauce, simply ask the wait staff for the sommelier, who will be happy to help.

In one word, Scarpetta’s $11 desserts can best be described as creative. Providing your taste buds with one last zip before leaving the authentic Italian restaurant, these sweet treats are fashioned elegantly on white, rectangle china, and some are served in brandy glasses. You’ll spy mouth-watering standouts on the menu, such as the classic chocolate cake served with burnt orange-caramel gelato and espresso sauce, or coconut panna cotta completed with guava soup and caramelized pineapple. Even a dessert as straightforward as the vanilla caramel budino with gianduja chocolate sable cookies combines the perfect amount of salty and sweet, proving that every choice is sure to satisfy even the most discerning sugar buffs.

When you’re parched at Scarpetta, quench your thirst with either bottled, still or sparkling water. You can expect great service — with wait staff refreshing your water before it’s even empty — at the high-end Italian restaurant. The Beverly Hills hot spot from acclaimed chef Scott Conant also offers other beverages, including soda, coffee, and, of course, Italy’s well-known drink, the cappuccino. For something a little stronger, try one of the fine Italian wines, which come from regions such as Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The food presentation at Scarpetta resembles the cuisine itself: simple and elegant, without being overly extravagant. Among the dark, unfinished wood interior design and intimate lighting created by sheltered illuminated globes, the table setup is conservative, with a bare table, cream-colored placemat, white napkin folded in a square, sparkling cutlery, a bread plate with a butter knife, and glassware from the renowned European brand Schott Zwiesel. When it’s time to eat, your authentic meal will be strategically presented on a clean plate. The braised short ribs of beef, for example, are symmetrically situated on top of a heaping pile of farro risotto. When you order a plate of sauce-dripping spaghetti, the presentation is still neat — defying all spaghetti laws; the spaghetti with tomato and basil is brought to you molded into a perfect ball. Even considering all the presentation effort, your only thought upon your fare’s arrival will be to dig in.

You’ll dine comfortably and privately at Scarpetta, which is tucked in the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, Montage Beverly Hills. The bar, which seats 44 diners, is slightly separated from the other two seating areas — the main dining room and the outdoor area, which overlooks the Beverly Canon Gardens’ courtyard. Inside the main dining room, 80 people can dine comfortably and outside, 45 people can enjoy the gardens. Amid the sleek and minimalistic décor, which includes dark unfinished wood, you’ll embrace a conservative yet elegant table setting, whether you’re sitting at a booth or table, with a cream-colored placemat, white napkin, sparkling cutlery and glassware. You’ll be able to mingle with friends while digging into the authentic Italian cuisine; the tables are spread just far enough to make your conversation intimate. But keep in mind, that the high ceilings tend to let sound carry, so although you’re placed far enough away from the next table, you still will hear other conversations. It’s a lively place, so there will be plenty of chatter and laughter filling the room. The sheltered lighting that hangs from the ceiling will also assist in keeping your attention on your table. The observant wait staff has enough room to juggle multiple plates and refresh your water, so you won’t have to deal with the hassle of passers-by. No matter if you’re with friends or a special someone, the table arrangements make the experience both personal and memorable.

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian who just happens to be a pasta connoisseur, you’re in luck: Scarpetta offers its authentic Italian cuisine sans meat. Ask the wait staff when you arrive for the vegetarian/vegan menu and you’ll spot standouts among chef Scott Conant’s signature dishes — creamy polenta served with a fricassee of truffled mushrooms, and spaghetti with tomato and basil. If you’re in the mood for a lighter option, we recommend the winter vegetable salad that includes black trumpet mushroom ragu and hazelnut. Vegans will also dine happy with options such as the caramelized fennel with concentrated tomatoes and oil cured olives; farfalle with roasted garlic, mushrooms and parmigiana; puree of ceci bean soup with baby cabbage; and local herbed green salad featuring roasted onion vinaigrette and shaved fennel. With seasonal ingredients, any mouth-watering option you choose will be fresh and tasty at the Four-Star restaurant.

At Scarpetta, where chef Scott Conant uses seasonal ingredients to enhance his traditional flavors in the Italian cuisine, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just five of the best items, but here are signature dishes you won’t want to pass up:

1. Raw yellowtail. You’ll be served four pieces of fresh fish, perfectly seasoned with olio de zenzero and pickled red onion.

2. Spaghetti with tomato and basil. The simple mixture of handmade pasta and sauce is anything but mundane; in fact, it will have you scooping up the last drip of sauce with any hunk of bread you can find.

3. Heirloom tomatoes. Tomato, tomato — no matter how you say it, they all shine at Scarpetta. This salad especially features the refreshing taste of heirloom tomatoes with pickled eggplant, straciatella and baby greens as the backdrop.

4. Creamy polenta. Conant is known for this creamy and perfectly textured dish, which includes a rich fricassee of truffled mushrooms.

5. Braised short ribs. Tender, juicy and flavorful, this hunk of short ribs is served alongside vegetables and a pile of farro risotto — if you can find the room in your stomach.

Scarpetta’s location in Montage Beverly Hills, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, means you’re bound to receive top service. The polite and attentive wait staff has plenty of room to juggle multiple plates and fill your water with the spacious table arrangements throughout the dining room. But rest easy: You won’t find the observant wait staff hovering over your plate. Servers will be attentive but give you room to enjoy your company. The cuisine boasts seasonal flavors with a heavy Italian influence, and most of the Four-Star restaurant’s wines are Italian as well. Considering your range of options, you can simply ask the wait staff for explanations of dishes, as they always come equipped with answers. Though, you may be satisfied with any savory choice.

Between Scarpetta’s handmade pasta and sauces and its sublime location in Five-Star hotel Montage Beverly Hills, we hate to even utter the words “cancellation policy.” But if you must postpone a meal at the Four-Star restaurant, it is as simple as calling Scarpetta directly. And we recommend calling at least 24 hours in advance. If you want to skip the hassle of contacting staff during busy dinner service and you’ve made a reservation at OpenTable.com, you can opt to log online and cancel your table through the website. A credit card isn’t required to snag a spot at the Italian restaurant, so you won’t be charged a cancellation fee.

Star chef Scott Conant is at the helm of Scarpetta, a buzzy restaurant located in the heart of Beverly Hills' Golden Triangle district. Here are five things to know about the Four-Star eatery:

1. The cuisine is Italian. Conant uses the fresh, seasonal ingredients year-round to create authentic Italian dishes with rich flavors, such as his signature spaghetti dish made with tomato and basil.

2. The location is key. Scarpetta is tucked inside the Mediterranean-inspired Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills hotel, located at 225 N. Cannon Dr. Its double-height windows overlook the Beverly Canon Gardens.

3. The service is superb. The observant wait staff allows you the time and the space (no hovering around tables here) to enjoy your meal.   

4. The wine list is mostly Italian. Bottles from Tuscany, Sicily and Veneto make up the bulk of the list and enhance the authentic Italian cuisine served here. And just as the dishes change seasonally, so do the wine selections.

5. The restaurant isn't the first Scarpetta. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — Conant's first Scarpetta in New York was such an instance success, the star chef was able to expand his concept of modern Italian food across North America. The Beverly Hills location is his fourth iteration.

You can easily snag a reservation at Scarpetta by calling Montage Beverly Hills, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel where the Italian restaurant is located, directly. Dinner is served Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m., while lunch is offered daily from noon to 3 p.m. You can also stop in for brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you don’t want the hassle of trying to call during busy dinner service, you easily go online at OpenTable.com to make a reservation. Reservations are advised at Scarpetta — after all, you don’t want to miss your chance to indulge in the soulful Italian dishes whipped up by chef Scott Conant at the Four-Star restaurant.

The sleek interior design from Studio Gaia at Scarpetta complements the authentic Italian cuisine, offering a simple Mediterranean-like atmosphere. The restaurant located in Montage Beverly Hills — a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel — boasts unfinished dark wood floors and tables in its dining area, but the rustic décor is perfectly offset by the illuminated sheltered globes that light every table and spacious booths. Adjacent to the Beverly Canon Gardens, the bar area welcomes you into the space and leads you into the main dining room and al fresco courtyard, which flow into one another. The bar area seats 44 people, while the main dining room seats 80 people and an additional 45 can dine in the outdoor courtyard. During your meal, you’ll spy small details that truly add to the Old World Italian effect, such as double-height windows framed by dramatic curtains, as well as large archways. The open eating area and intimate lighting lures in the scenesters that roam Beverly Hills — the savory cuisine will keep them coming back.

Elegant-chic décor reigns at the Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills, so it’s no surprise the table settings at Scarpetta (located inside the Mediterranean-inspired hotel) follow suit. The stage is set by the hanging illuminated bulbs encased in a thick glass globe — the rustic light fixtures cast a soft glow onto the dark wood tables, which match the restaurant's unfinished hardwood floors. The table settings are simple and leave the focus on the food: expect creamy-hued placemats set with silver cutlery, fine crystal glassware, a small white bread plate with a butter knife, a crisp white napkin folded into a square and — in the evening — a small white candle. When the well-executed Italian cuisin arrives, your focus will be entirely on your plate.

Scarpetta, located within the Five-Star, Mediterranean-inspired Montage Beverly Hills, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10:30 p.m., while lunch is offered daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also stop in for breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 11 a.m. and brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And while not required, reservations are advised — Chef Scott Conant's restaurant has garnered rave reviews for his seasonal Italian cuisine and the Four-Star restaurant is buzzing from morning until late at night. 

New York’s beloved chef, Scott Conant, opened his California restaurant, Scarpetta inside Montage Beverly Hills, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel. From the San Diego Freeway/I-405, you can take Santa Monica Boulevard northeast and make a slight right onto Wilshire Boulevard, where you’ll find North Cannon Drive on your left. If you’re coming from the east, you can jump on I-10 West, or the Santa Monica Freeway, and take exit 7A for Venice Boulevard toward La Cienega Boulevard. From there, you can navigate your way to Wilshire Boulevard, where you’ll find North Cannon Drive on your right. Luckily, getting there is the hardest part: Parking comes easy, with two public parking garages available on each side of the Italian restaurant, which offers the first two hours complimentary, metered parking lining the street and valet service available.

Once you've navigated your way through Los Angeles-area traffic and arrived at Scarpetta, you can breath a sigh of relief as plenty of parking is available near the restaurant located inside the Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills. On each side of the hotel, you’ll find a public parking garage that offers the first two hours of parking free of charge. Even if the lots are full, you’ll have the option of using metered parking that lines North Cannon Drive. Better yet, use the valet service at the hotel for a seamless and stress-free arrival and departure.

You’ll find chef Scott Conant’s Scarpetta tucked inside Montage Beverly Hills, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, at 225 N. Cannon Dr., south of Santa Monica Boulevard. You won’t have to worry about parking here, with plenty of options nearby. Public parking garages are available on either side of Scarpetta, and the first two hours of parking are free. If the lots ares full, you’ll also find meter parking on the street, as well as valet service at the restaurant. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10:30 p.m., while lunch is offered daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also stop in for breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 11 a.m. and brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., though, we recommend calling in advance to snag your spot.

Dining at Scarpetta is an event, with its sublime cuisine — from renowned and beloved New York City chef Scott Conant — and location, tucked in the elegant Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, Montage Beverly Hills. Considering all that, you’ll want to dress to impress when you eat at this high-end Four-Star Italian restaurant. While there is no specific dress code, we recommend following Beverly Hills’ lavish style and sporting your finest casual-chic attire. You’ll want to look your best amid the romantic ambience at Scarpetta, created by dark unfinished wood tables and floors and the dim lighting hovering gently over the tables.

To make a reservation at Patina, simply call the Four-Star Los Angeles restaurant directly. Seating is available on Patina’s elegant outdoor patio or in the main dining room, where clean lines and earth tones create a refined yet comfortable ambience. For a night to remember, guests can request the Chef’s Table, a secluded spot with a large glass window that faces the kitchen. It’s the prime table to view all of the action, and executive chef Tony Esnault will prepare an exclusive five- to seven-course tasting menu customized specially for you and your guests. Patina’s contemporary French cuisine focuses on locally sourced produce at the peak of season and is paired with an award-winning wine list.

Patina does not have a cancellation policy; but out of courtesy, please let the Four-Star Los Angeles restaurant know if you cannot make your reservation. However, cancelling will mean losing out on sampling executive chef Tony Esnault’s exquisite French preparations of dishes created with the locally sourced produce at the peak of season. At Patina, you can indulge in duck foie gras with black mission figs, decadent butter poached Maine lobster and artistic displays of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Plucking organically grown herbs and edible flowers straight from the restaurant’s Blue Ribbon Garden, Esnault incorporates the freshest rosemary, fennel, lemon balm and Okinawa spinach into his dishes.

Patina calls for an upscale, business casual dress code. Located in downtown Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, many of Patina’s clientele are dining pre- or post-show and are dressed for the theatre. Follow suit with a more dressed up look, and you’ll fit right in. The clean lines and earth tones in the main dining area give the Four-Star Los Angeles restaurant a refined yet comfortable ambience. You also have the option of dining al fresco on the gorgeous outdoor patio. At this contemporary French restaurant you’ll find gourmet cheeses, caviar service and an award-winning wine list, not to mention an ever-evolving tasting menu that highlights produce at the peak of season.

Patina is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Located in downtown Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, this Four-Star restaurant is the perfect place for fine dining before or after a concert. On nights when the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs, Patina offer post-theater dining with the last seating occurring 30 minutes after the performance ends. A stylish late-night cocktail bar and an award-winning wine list complement Patina’s contemporary French cuisine. Executive chef Tony Esnault is continuously changing the menu with the seasons to use only the freshest products. He also incorporates organically grown herbs and edible flowers straight from the restaurant’s Blue Ribbon Garden into his masterful dishes.

Patina is located in downtown Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Four-Star restaurant offers contemporary French cuisine that focuses on seasonal ingredients conceptualized by master chef Joachim Splichal. Farm-fresh tasting menus, gourmet cheeses, caviar service and an award-winning wine list are just the beginning here. At Patina you can indulge in duck foie gras with black mission figs, decadent butter poached Maine lobster and artistic displays of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Executive chef Tony Esnault plucks organically grown herbs and edible flowers � like rosemary, fennel, lemon balm and Okinawa spinach � straight from the restaurant’s Blue Ribbon Garden and incorporates them into his dishes. The clean lines and earth tones in the main dining area give Patina a refined yet comfortable ambience, and guests also have the option of dining al fresco on the gorgeous outdoor patio. For dinner with a view, we recommend requesting the Chef’s Table. This secluded spot features a large glass window that faces the kitchen � it’s a prime spot to view all of the action.

To make a reservation at Mélisse, call the restaurant directly. The Four-Star California restaurant is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays, and it can accommodate groups and private events as well. The clean lines and contemporary feel of Mélisse, combined with soft accents and a wood-burning fireplace, create a cozy and romantic ambience � perfect for a celebration. But Mélisse should not be just an once-in-a-lifetime experience. You may have tried the restaurant’s signature lobster Bolognese with fresh cappelini, black truffles and basil, but there is always a new dish to explore. Chef and owner Josiah Citrin frequents the weekly farmers’ market in Santa Monica to personally hand-select produce that is reflected in the ever-changing seasonal menu.

Mélisse does not have a cancellation policy; but out of courtesy, please let the Four-Star California restaurant know if you cannot make your reservation. However, cancelling will mean losing out on the opportunity to try chef and owner Josiah Citrin’s signature lobster Bolognese with fresh cappelini, black truffles and basil or a sample from Mélisse’s exquisite caviar menu. Wine lovers will not be disappointed here � Mélisse comes complete with an extremely knowledgeable sommelier and a cellar that’s stocked with more than 1,000 selections. For repeat diners, the seasonal menu will always have something new to offer. Citrin is a daily presence in Mélisse’s kitchen, and his seasonal menu is inspired by the freshest available ingredients. He frequents the weekly farmers’ market in Santa Monica to personally hand-select the produce.

Mélisse is open for dinner Tuesdays through Thursdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 5:45 to 10 p.m. The Four-Star Santa California restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but it is available for private events, offering space for intimate gatherings and business entertaining. Each week, chef and owner Josiah Citrin visits the Santa Monica farmers’ market to hand-select ingredients for Mélisse’s ever-changing seasonal menu. His signature dishes like lobster Bolognese with fresh cappelini, black truffles and basil are paired with an exquisite caviar selection and an award-winning wine list. Wine lovers will not be disappointed here � Mélisse’s cellar is stocked with more than 1,000 selections.

Mélisse calls for an upscale, business casual dress code � jackets suggested. The Four-Star California restaurant serves up beautifully plated contemporary French cuisine in a chic ambiance with soft accents, a wood-burning fireplace and intimate private rooms. Chef and owner Josiah Citrin is the mastermind behind Mélisse’s remarkable dishes like lobster Bolognese with fresh cappelini, black truffles and basil and prime rib eye with braised beef cheeks. Citrin is a daily presence in Mélisse’s kitchen, and his seasonal menu is inspired by the freshest available ingredients. Citrin frequents the weekly farmers’ market in Santa Monica to personally hand-select produce that is reflected in the ever-changing menu. The restaurant boasts an exquisite caviar selection and an award-winning wine list with more than 1,000 selections.

This chic restaurant serving up contemporary French cuisine is located in Santa Monica, California, at 1104 Wilshire Blvd. The clean lines and contemporary feel of the Four-Star restaurant, combined with soft accents, a wood-burning fireplace and intimate private rooms, create a cozy and romantic ambience. Chef and owner Josiah Citrin is the mastermind behind Mélisse’s remarkable dishes like lobster Bolognese with fresh cappelini, black truffles and basil and prime rib eye with braised beef cheeks. Citrin is a daily presence in Mélisse’s kitchen, and his seasonal menu is inspired by the freshest available ingredients. Citrin frequents the weekly farmers’ market in Santa Monica to personally hand-select produce that is reflected in the ever-changing menu.

There’s no age limit for children to dine at Circa 55 and the Beverly Hills restaurant has a great children’s menu that will satisfy even the pickiest of palates.

For breakfast, your little one can pick from French toast, pancakes, waffles or the Humpty Dumpty special: one egg prepared your way with toast and bacon or sausage. If Junior isn’t too hungry in the morning, there’s also some lighter fare, like milk and cereal — including homemade granola, Fruit Loops, Honey Nut Cheerios and Rice Krispies — a yogurt parfait and seasonal fresh fruit.

For lunch or dinner there’s smaller plates like chicken noodle soup, a hot dog with all the fixings, a junior burger, a grilled cheese sandwich and an organic PB&J sandwich. For hungrier kids, there are big plates like chicken tenders, spaghetti, mac and cheese made with Wisconsin cheddar and pizza.

We especially love the kids’ desserts: There’s ice cream, fruit salad, a big chocolate chip cookie or The Beverly Hilton sundae. Choose an ice cream and top it with three items like chocolate sauce, cookie chunks and whipped cream.

Circa 55 servers pour ice water throughout the meal, which you can enjoy in the retro 1950s dining room or poolside among the palm trees. Varied bottled and sparkling waters are also available for purchase at the Beverly Hills restaurant.

In addition to water, there’s fresh juices — orange, grapefruit, cranberry, tomato, apple and V-8 — as well as milk, coffee, tea and seasonal fruit smoothies. Depending on the time of year, you can sip a thick strawberry, mango, peach or blackberry smoothie that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for a day of shopping on Rodeo Drive or ready for a massage at the adjacent Aqua Star Spa.

Circa 55 shares a bar with the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge at The Beverly Hilton, so you’ll find a ton of fruity non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails here.

We love Trader Vic’s fun mocktail menu, which you can order from at Circa 55 whether you dine in the retro 1950s dining room or poolside under the palm trees (though we highly recommend the latter). For starters, there’s the no mai tai — the non-alcoholic version of Trader’s Vic’s signature beverage, which it claims to have invented in 1944 — made with pineapple and orange juice mixed with almond syrup. We also recommend the Soft Bahia, a creamy pineapple-coconut concoction, and the Coral Reef, made with strawberries, mango and coconut cream. The Queen Charlotte Fruit Punch is a fun mix of fruit juices, grenadine and passion fruit while the Peach Tree No mixes oranges, peaches and a hint of coconut.

Of course, there’s a full selection of juices you can order during breakfast, including orange, grapefruit, cranberry, tomato and apple as well as seasonal fruit smoothies, such as strawberry, mango, peach or blackberry. There’s also soft drinks, milk, hot chocolate and bottled, sparkling or ice water.

For your caffeine dose, there’s fresh-brewed and fresh-ground specialty coffee from Silverback Coffee of Rwanda (decaf is available too), a full selection of gourmet teas from Harney & Sons and fun green teas from The Green Teaist, including genmaicha and hojicha, which are both popular in Japan.

Circa 55 shares a specialty cocktail list with the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge, so you know it’s all about the tropical, fruity drinks here. It’s almost obligatory to go for the rum-filled mai tai — which Trader Vic’s claims to have invented in 1944. It’s a sweet concoction garnished with a chunk of pineapple and cherry skewered on a toothpick.

Another signature cocktail is the Chai’s Beverly Starburst, created in honor of Trader Vic’s founder Vic Bergeron and the bar’s loyal guests. The lime-green concoction is mixed with fresh juices, rum, orange liqueur and mint.

There’s also some traditional cocktails, like a mojito, caipirinha and several varieties of punch. Most of the beverages are made with rum, including a selection of warm toddies, like the strong and spicy hot buttered rum or the Black Stripe made with Jamaican rum, honey, crushed cherries and spices.

If alcohol isn’t your thing, there’s also a fun list of mocktails that anyone will enjoy, including a no taimai tai and the Coral Reef, made with strawberries, mango and coconut cream.

Circa 55 and the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge share a bar so you’ll find the same wines offered by the glass at each, including two sparking, five whites and seven reds.

There’s a champagne from Reims that costs $21 a glass and a Prosecco for $13 a glass. For the whites, you’ll find a sauvignon blanc from California, an Albariño from Spain, a pinot grigio from Italy, a riesling from Washington’s Columbia Valley and a chardonnay from California’s Central Coast. The whites range from $11 to $16 a glass — a very reasonable price for Beverly Hills.

Among the reds, there’s two pinot noir selections from California, a Shiraz from Austrailia, a Malbec from Argentina, a zinfandel from Sonoma, a merlot from Napa Valley and a cabernet sauvignon from California. At $11 to $22 a glass, the reds are very affordable, too, so feel free to experiment. If you just can’t choose, ask your server and he or she can recommend a wine pairing with your meal.

You can definitely get your daily dose of caffeine at Circa 55, where there’s tons of specialty coffees and teas served. We love the fresh-brewed and fresh-ground coffee (decaf is available) from Silverback Coffee of Rwanda, which grows its coffee beans exclusively on small farms across Rwanda and donates a portion of its profits to organizations that build schools in the African nation or support genocide victims’ families.

For tea, you have a full selection of gourmet picks from Harney & Sons — which sells green, black, oolong, white, floral, herbal and jasmine teas — as well as green teas like genmaicha and hojicha from The Green Teaist, a specialty green tea company that has a shop and tea salon inside The Beverly Hilton.

If you’re not in the mood for sorbet or cheesecake, opt for the selection of mignardises on the dessert menu at Circa 55. The Beverly Hills restaurant has a retro 1950s American flair, but the mignardises are decidedly French. For $18 you’ll get a chocolate pot de crème, which is a dark chocolate chilled custard, a decadent opera cake made with layers of almond biscuit, coffee butter cream and chocolate ganache, a miniature strawberry fruit tart and an assortment of macarons.

We think this little medley of desserts goes perfectly with a rich coffee from Silverback Coffee of Rwanda or a genmaicha from The Green Teaist, a specialty green tea shop and salon located inside The Beverly Hilton.

Circa 55 incorporates fresh fruits and veggies into its changing menu with several delicious and healthy seasonal dishes. You’ll find a selection of seasonal fruit smoothies for breakfast — it could be strawberry, mango, peach or blackberry, depending on the time of year — as well as seasonal, fresh-cut fruit plates.

For lunch there’s a seasonal soup of the day and salads with ingredients from the farmer’s market, such as a grilled caprese salad with vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil from Santa Barbara and local mozzarella or a fresh beet salad made with hearts of palm, coriander-cumin vinaigrette and roasted red and yellow beets.You’ll also find a grilled vegetable plate under the “hearty salads” for lunch that dresses local, seasonal vegetables with extra virgin olive oil and a risotto cake.

For dinner you can order grilled calamari, caught fresh in California’s Monterey Bay and topped with citrus and ginger salad and basil or the natural beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus from Colorado-based Meyer Ranch.

Circa 55 shares a bar with the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge, so you get all the benefits of the tiki-themed restaurant plus the option to sit inside Circa 55’s retro dining room or outside under the illuminated palm trees by the pool.

The bar area has 12 dark bamboo stools and five butterscotch-colored leather circular booths, plus six cocktail tables, so you can definitely get comfy and settle in for a nice long stay. The alfresco lounge area next to the pool features chocolate-brown wicker furniture, tan couches and heat lamps. A DJ spins outside on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, so you can kick back and relax to some hip-hop tunes amid the palm trees and twinkling lights.

The tiki bar specializes in fruity tropical concoctions, such as Trader Vic’s famous mai tais — the chain claims to have invented the rum-fueled beverage — or the signature lime-green Chai’s Beverly Starburst made with fresh juices, rum, orange liqueur and mint. There’s also a decent-size wine list with reds, whites and bubblies served by the stem and the bottle. The list concentrates mostly on California selections, such as a Syrah from Paso Robles or a bottle from the Viader winery in Napa Valley, though it does feature a number of international wines as well, including an albariño from Spain and a cabernet sauvignon from Australia’s Barossa Valley.

If you get hungry, order an appetizer to eat at the bar — try crispy calamari with wasabi mayonnaise, BBQ pork spareribs (our personal favorite) or steamed lobster dumplings with a roasted sesame and seven-spice chili sauce.

Break your “no carbs” rule and make an exception for Circa 55’s tasty bread service. Offered at the beginning of your meal, we found that the breadis great for a bite while you wait for your meal, but it won’t leave you stuffed and uncomfortable. The service includes a selection of focaccia, rye bread, house-made ciabatta, olive bread and parmesan crisps — a tasty combination and charming assortment that’s a great precursor of what’s to come.

However, be sure not to fill up entirely on bread, because you’ll want to save enough room for your main meal. We especially loved some of the midday fare, such as the grilled Havarti cheese sandwich on housemadeciabatta bread with tomato soup and the grilled garlic shrimp salad mixed with sweet peas, pea tendrils, tomatoes, ginger scallion noodles and crispy shallots.

There’s a dessert menu for adults and for kids at Circa 55, where we highly recommend you save room for one of the confectionary delights from executive pastry chef Thomas Henzi, who’s made desserts for the celebs at the Golden Globes.

The menu is subject to change, but when we dined in the retro 1950s-themed dining room, there was a luscious strawberry martini trifle made with mascarpone mousse, almond sponge cake, layers of strawberry gelée and a hint of basil essence that was out of this world. Other mouth-watering favorites include the complex chocolate tart served with dulce de leche ice cream and caramelized macadamia nuts, and topped with thick crème anglaise and caramel sauce.

If you’re in the mood for something more traditional, there’s a New York-style cheesecake topped with exotic preserves and a trio of homemade sorbets — with various flavors including strawberry, guava and passion fruit when we perused the menu — topped with assorted fresh berries. If you’re looking to try a few different desserts, we’d recommend the selection of mignardises, which during our visit included a dark chocolate chilled custard, a cake made with layers of almond biscuit, coffee butter cream and chocolate ganache, a mini strawberry tart and an assortment of French macarons.

Kids are in no way forgotten -they’ll have their pick from a giant homemade chocolate cookie or The Beverly Hilton sundae that lets youngsters combine vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream with three toppings, such as strawberry sauce, M&M’s and whipped cream. This way, everyone can leave with their sweet tooth satisfied.

You’d have to make several trips to Circa 55 to experience all of our favorite things to order, since the Beverly Hills restaurant features show-stoppers at every meal. Before you hit this fun, 1950s-inspired eatery, make sure you read our top five picks to satisfy your stomach:

1. Start your day off right with the American breakfast buffet: it’s an elaborate spread The Beverly Hilton is known for. You can meander from the cold continental buffet in one room, where you’ll find items such as yogurt, house-baked pastries and fruit to another room serving up hot dishes such as made-to-order omelets, bacon, applewood-smoked bacon and French toast with apricot skewers. Keep in mind, the buffet is only available until 10:30 a.m., though breakfast is served from 6:30 to 11 a.m.
2. If you love a big meal after a weekend filled with swimming and shopping on Rodeo Drive, we highly suggest you hit up Circa 55’s Sunday brunch. You’ll find a huge rotating spread that includes a dessert table filled with pies, cakes and more, and you’re lucky, you just might see an ice sculpture on display while you dine. Brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3. At night, Circa 55 and the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge serve fun, Polynesian-inspired fare that’s got quite the kick. We love the Thai red curry with prawns, eggplant, zucchini and carrots swimming in a sweet coconut-milk broth mixed with red curry paste, Thai chilies and Kaffir lime leaves. We sopped up every last bit of that sauce with a side of rice.
4. The steamed lobster dumplings in a seven-spice chili sauce are everything you’d want them to be: hot and spicy little mouthfuls that go great with a cocktail. The dish is listed as a starter on the menu, but we’re willing to bet you’ll want to make it your main course.
5. Circa 55 and Trader Vic’s Lounge share a cocktail menu, so you’ll find the same fun, fruity drinks at both establishments. You can’t dine at Circa 55 without trying the signature mai tai — Trader Vic’s lays claim to the invention of the sweet rum-filled beverage from 1944.

The table settings at Circa 55 change a little depending on whether you’re enjoying French toast in the retro dining room in the morning or noshing on Polynesian fare at night.

In the morning, each wooden table is set with woven dark green and brown place mats topped with a white cloth napkin folded into a neat rectangle. To the right is a white teacup, saucer and stirring spoon and behind it a glass water goblet. The silverware is placed on both sides of the napkin. Matching silver salt and pepper shakers are in the middle of the table alongside a potted plant in a square vase.

At night as the sun sets in the west, the dining room is dimly lit and candles are added for ambience, while subtle music plays through dinner. Additional flatware is also added for dinner service and the fine glassware is made by Libbey and Schott Zwiesel.

The menu at Circa 55 is fresh California fare during the day and fun, Polynesian-themed cuisine at night. The Beverly Hills restaurant, located next to The Beverly Hilton’s pool, is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch and is a great option for fueling up before a long day of shopping on Rodeo Drive or celeb-watching in the Hollywood hills.

For breakfast, go big and hearty with the American breakfast, which gives you full access to the restaurant’s hot and cold buffets. Load up your plate with house-made pastries, yogurt and seasonal fruit, then mosey over to an adjacent room for scrambled eggs, French toast with skewered apricots and sausage. You can also sip a seasonal fruit smoothie — with flavors like strawberry, mango, peach and blackberry — or go for a traditional dish like eggs Benedict, a three-egg omelet or buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries.

For lunch, we highly suggest you sit poolside to enjoy the Beverly Hills sun and breeze and order up a soup, sandwich or salad from Circa 55. There’s a delicious California cobb salad made with bacon and chicken and a grilled Havarti cheese sandwich on house-made ciabatta with tomato soup that’s out of this world.

At dinner, request a table outdoors so you can sit under the illuminated palm trees and be warmed by the mobile fireplaces that dot the alfresco dining area. The adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge and Circa 55 have similar menus after 5 p.m., when you can order some spicy island food and sip a fruity cocktail. Order the steamed lobster dumplings in a seven-spice chili sauce and you won’t be disappointed, or opt for the Thai red curry with prawns swimming in a sweet coconut-milk broth mixed with Thai chilies and Kaffir lime leaves. Circa 55 and Trader Vic’s Lounge also share a bar and cocktail menu, so you can order up the original mai tai here — Trader Vic’s lays claim to inventing the rum-filled drink — or a mocktail like the Soft Bahia made with creamy pineapple and coconut.

Kids will enjoy their time at Circa 55 with a fun children’s menu just for them. Choose from eggs, French toast, pancakes or waffles in the morning and in the afternoon or evening there’s hot dogs, grilled cheese, PB&J, chicken tenders, spaghetti, pizza or a mac and cheese made with Wisconsin cheddar.

And don’t forget to save room for dessert! We love the strawberry martini trifle made with mascarpone mousse, almond sponge cake and a hint of basil and the homemade trio of strawberry, guava and passion fruit sorbets.

The noise level at Circa 55 depends on the time of the day: the Beverly Hills restaurant is pretty quiet at night, but it can be louder during the day or at night on the weekends when a DJ spins outside near the pool.

Circa 55 is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, serving up fine California cuisine during the day and fun, Polynesian-inspired fare at night. During the day, the restaurant’s noise level can be fairly active because it’s by the Aqua Star Pool — Beverly Hills’ only outdoor heated pool and the famous site of some celebrity A-listers, like Angelina Jolie, who jumped in after she won a Golden Globe years ago. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, you’ll hear a DJ spinning tunes in the alfresco dining area, so don’t expect to enjoy a romantic dinner for two. If you’re in the mood, however, for a livelier atmosphere to start your night this is a great place to grab a signature mai tai (or two) and listen to the beats before you make any moves on the town.

The executive chef at Circa 55 is Katsuo “Suki” Sugiura, who has trained almost everywhere, from north to south and east to west and is known for his ability to infuse flavors and cooking techniques from around the globe using his diverse culinary training background.

Sugiura, who was educated in Tokyo and raised in Europe, has experience in Japanese, Indochinese, Caribbean, South American, classical French, Mediterranean, Scandinavian and regional North American culinary traditions, so his signature dishes are an exquisite blend of spices, textures and ingredients from his globe-trotting background. He takes great care and dedicated time to understand ingredients, and has spent 15 years studying the cultural origins of food. Sugiura’s skills have jetted him around the world, including kitchens in São Paolo, Berlin, Paris, London, Oahu and New York.

You’re in for a real treat when you experience Sugiura’s very personal cuisine — he’s known for stocking his kitchen with nine different types of rice, smoking his own meats, infusing his own vinegars and growing his own herb garden to use while cooking.

Whether you want a filling breakfast buffet, a tasty salad served poolside or a spicy Thai dish for dinner, Circa 55 at The Beverly Hilton has you covered. Before you book your table at this Beverly Hills restaurant, here are the top five things you should know about Circa 55:

1. Circa 55 serves contemporary California cuisine in a laid-back and casual environment. You’ll feel right at home inside with the retro-chic décor or sipping a cocktail by the pool. The dress code is easy and relaxed, so leave the three-piece suit in your suitcase and break out your jeans or shorts. We’d suggest getting more dressed up for dinner, but nothing formal is necessary.
2. Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast at Circa 55, where the first meal of the day is served from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Beverly Hills restaurant puts out quite the spread every morning: there’s a buffet of cold continental options, such as yogurt and cheeses in one room, and a buffet of hot dishes, such as made-to-order omelets and French toast with skewered apricots in an adjacent room. Order the American breakfast and you’ll be able to eat your way through both buffets.
3. Request a table outdoors, especially at night. When it gets dark, the restaurant lights up the palm trees, and mobile fireplaces dot the alfresco dining area to ward off any chill. In the summer, you might be able to spy the twice-weekly movies that screen on a 60-foot wall above the nearby pool.
4. If you want a soundtrack to dinner, there’s another reason to sit outside: A DJ spins in the dining area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. When we visited, the DJ pumped out some hip-hop mixes for the diners sitting in chocolate-brown wicker seats amid the palm trees and other greenery.
5. For a nightcap, you can head to Circa 55 or the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge — the longest-standing location of the tiki bar chain — as the restaurants share a bar and have the same cocktail list. We highly suggest you order up a famous mai tai — Trader Vic himself invented the fruity, rum-filled cocktail in 1944 — and sip it alfresco while lounging on the tan sofas with avocado-green and brown pillows situated around the pool.

Circa 55’s interior design includes a retro dining room that’s more chic than cheesy. You’ll find nods to the ’50s such as a wall-mounted starburst — The Beverly Hilton’s official icon since Conrad Hilton opened the hotel in 1955, hence the restaurant’s name. You’ll also spot curvy metal wall dividers and muted shades of brown and cream mingling with avocado green.
One white wall sports tactile ripples that offer a different element amid the earthy color scheme found in the rest of the restaurant.

The interior décor can be accredited to Engstrom Design Group, the same firm who dolled-up Las Vegas restaurants such as Bradley Ogden and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. The group gave the space at Crica 55 a mix of dark wooden tables, large semicircular booths and banquettes so there’s plenty of seating, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor pool lend the restaurant a relaxed, Cali-cool vibe.

When you enter Circa 55, you’ll find places to sit while you wait for a table to the right, in an area separate from the dining room. Take a seat on the curved avocado-colored couch behind a wooden doughnut-shaped table or on one of the two cream, padded chairs.

For an alternative spot to sit, head just outside the main entrance of the restaurant. There sits two white midcentury-modern chairs and an avocado-green oval table. But instead of sitting down, you may want to peer inside the L-shaped glass case of goods, which carries celeb paraphernalia like Fleetwood Mac’s Grammy, Judy Garland’s own camel sculpture from A Star Is Born, Frank Sinatra’s signed Anthology LP and a rare original Beatles poster signed by all four of the mop-topped singers. It just would be right if they didn’t have this sort of Hollywood stuff to show off.

The best tables at Circa 55 are outdoors near the pool amid the palm trees. When it gets dark, the restaurant illuminates the trees and lights up the moveable fireplaces. It’s the perfect spot to nosh on appetizers,such as the steamed lobster dumplings in a seven-spice chili sauce or crispy prawns coated with coconut.

If you sit outside during the summer months you might be able to spy one of the twice-weekly movies played on the 60-foot wall above the pool. We loved watching classic throwbacks such as Footloose and Pretty in Pink beneath the glow of twinkling light. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights the area changes its tune to a more modern-day setting as a DJ spins in the alfresco dining area. When we visited, the DJ pumped out some hip-hop mixes for the diners lounging in chocolate-brown wicker seats with bright lime-green cushions and teal pillows.

Circa 55 has 46 tables that can seat up to 230 people, in addition to two private dining rooms that can accommodate small groups up to 24. The 1950s-inspired dining room has a retro flair that’s quite inviting whether you’re dining with your significant other or a group of friends.

The Beverly Hills restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up fine California fare during the day and Polynesian-inspired plates at night. We love the nods to the ‘50s in the dining room, like a wall-mounted starburst — it’s been The Beverly Hilton’s official icon since the hotel opened in 1955 — and retro shades like brown, cream and avocado green. The space is filled with a mix of wooden tables, large semicircular booths and banquettes, and there’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Beverly Hills’ only outdoor heated pool — the famed Aqua Star Pool.

Getting a reservation at Circa 55 can be done in a snap: just call the restaurant directly or book online through OpenTable. Located poolside at The Beverly Hilton, Circa 55 is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving up fine California-inspired fare during the day and Polynesian-island themed entrées at night. Of course, if you’re staying at the hotel, you can always walk to the restaurant and make a reservation in person, too.

Some weekends, you’ll be able to walk in and snag a table without a reservation, but when awards season rolls around and tourists floodthe Golden Globes-hosting Beverly Hilton to catch a glimpse of stars walking the red carpet, you’re going to want to make sure you secure a spot. Summer is also a popular time at the hotel, so you should reserve a table just to be safe.

When we dined there on a weekend evening, we were able to walk in and snag a table without a reservation. However, when awards season rolls around, and tourists flood the Golden Globes-hosting Beverly Hilton to get a glimpse of stars walking the red carpet, you probably want to make a reservation. Summer is also a popular time at the hotel, so you should reserve a table then as well.

-No cancellation fees for non-contracted parties.

The parking situation isn’t hairy at Circa 55, where there is both self and valet parking. Self-parking can be validated for up to four hours if you dine at Circa 55 or the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge. After four hours, you’ll pay $8 for the first hour and $6 for each additional hour. One thing to remember is that there’s a $36 daily maximum, so you can make a day out of dining at Circa 55 if you come for breakfast and stay parked here while you shop on Rodeo Drive, or soak in the Aqua Star Pool.

If you choose to valet you car, it costs $10 for the first hour and then $8 for each additional hour, with the same $36 daily max.

Circa 55 is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as Sunday brunch. Located at The Beverly Hilton next to the famed Aqua Star Pool — the only heated outdoor pool in Beverly Hills — you’ll have a great view while you nosh on your breakfast, served from 6:30 to 11 a.m. We love the American breakfast, which gives you full range of the hot and cold buffets and options like bagels, an international cheese board, yogurt, seasonal fruit, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, French toast and applewood-smoked bacon. Do take note, the buffet is only available until 10:30 a.m and Sunday brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Circa 55 is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when you can order tasty soups, salads and sandwiches such as a grilled Havarti cheese sandwich with classic tomato soup and a farmer’s market beet salad made with marinated, roasted yellow and red beets, hearts of palm and coriander-cumin vinaigrette.

Dinner at Circa 55 is served from 5 to 10 p.m. with a Polynesian island flavor (it’s similar to the dinner menu you’ll find next door at Trader Vic’s Lounge). We love the steamed lobster dumplings in a seven-spice chili sauce and the Thai red curry made with coconut milk and your choice of chicken, prawns or steak. Of course, you have to order the original mai tai while you’re here — Trader Vic lays claim to the 1944 invention of the potent, rum-filled drink.

Circa 55 is located at The Beverly Hilton, a Four-Star hotel in the stylish neighborhood of Beverly Hills. The actual address is 9876 Wilshire Blvd. at Santa Monica Boulevard — just head inside toward the famed Aqua Star Pool, Beverly Hills’ only heated outdoor pool, and you’ll see Circa 55.

With its 1950s retro décor and fun, fruity cocktails, Circa 55 is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner poolside after a long day of shopping on Rodeo Drive. We highly recommend the original mai tai — invented in 1944 by Trader Vic himself, whose name graces the adjacent lounge and bar — and the steamed lobster dumplings in a seven-spice chili sauce. It’s on the menu as a starter, but we gobbled it up and would definitely order it as an entrée.

If a meat-free menu is what you're looking for, the chefs at the Belvedere are happy to accommodate; at this Four-Star restaurant, the menu includes several vegetarian options and the staff can easily prepare something to meet your needs. Vegetarian dishes may include a variety of salads, chilled cucumber soup, a hibiscus-glazed tofu napoleon and several pasta dishes. Although the chefs can create a meatless meal on a whim, call ahead to allow them time to prepare and you'll receive the best options possible. Your dining preferences will also be saved to a profile with the restaurant and hotel, so both will be prepared to accommodate you easily on your next visit.

We usually follow the “don’t fill up on bread rule,” but the Belvedere’s delicious breadbasket makes it hard to resist. When you sit down at the country-club-like table inside the Peninsula Beverly Hills, your attentive server will bring by a basket, and with one whiff of the fresh bread, we guarantee you’ll be hooked as well. The basket is filled with a variety of tasty slices: olive bread, pumpernickel/zucchini bread, mini French baguettes and crispy Asiago cheese crackers. You also get small ramekins of plain butter and one of a flavored butter — we loved the tomato-basil butter. Try all of the bread — even if it’s just a bite of each; they’re delicious, especially with the creamy, flavored butter spread on top. During our last visit, we couldn’t resist the pumpernickel/ zucchini bread — light, moist and flavorful, it was good enough to be dessert.

The Club Bar is a den-like, cozy spot with a prime location right next to the Belvedere (both are tucked inside the stunning Peninsula Beverly Hills), making it the perfect place to relax while you wait for a dinner table or sip on a nightcap after your meal. Inside you'll find dark, wood-paneled walls and a warm glow from a crackling fireplace. The classically designed space features a long mahogany bar with high bucket-seat bar stools; the floors are covered with Oriental rugs, the furnishings are dark with hues of red and brown, and splashes of leopard print on the pillows are placed throughout the room. The bar features a full list of wine, spirits and creative cocktails — we especially love the Pen 20, the hotel's celebratory 20th anniversary rum punch drink with fresh blackberries and ginger. Chef James Overbaugh tempts you to stay for more than just a tipple with a menu of inventive bar snacks, including a foie gras-duck burger and a truffled twist on the cheesesteak. This dimly lit bar is a quiet spot for a rendezvous for two or a good place to meet a group and grab cocktails later in the evening.

An institution in the Los Angeles dining scene, the Four-Star Belvedere at the Peninsula Beverly Hills has long served as a deal-sealing destination serving a menu of exceptional modern American food. Chef James Overbaugh combines a penchant for ethnic spices and ingredients with a passion for farm-fresh produce, taking cues for his creative, refined menu from his various kitchen experiences. You'll find everything from New Orleans-inspired oysters Overbaugh to California dishes such as smoked salmon with scallion pancakes and caviar. Dedicated to preserving the style of the hotel and restaurant, chef Overbaugh re-created an entree from its original 1991 menu to celebrate the Peninsula's 20th anniversary; enjoy the truffle-marinated Chateaubriand of veal today as you might have 20 years ago. Or, if you'd like to leave your meal completely in the chef's hands, a daily six-course tasting menu ($95) provides a sampling of vegetables, meats, fish and a dessert; an additional wine pairing ($60) only heightens the epicurean experience. The sweet side of the Belvedere is taken care of by pastry chef Romain Lenoir, a French-born-and-trained chef who creates classic French desserts with a modern twist.

Although the décor of the Belvedere — plush floral carpeting, sweeping French doors and cream and gold accents — recalls the English countryside, executive chef James Overbaugh's food philosophy is all American. He creatively combines a focus on farm-fresh produce with interesting ingredients found throughout the world to produce an experience that is an invigorating taste of modern American cuisine. This Massachusettsian-turned-Californian has developed relationships with farmers and artisans all over the state, and his menu spotlights sustainable seafood, artisan meats and the year-round seasonality of the Golden State. You'll find everything from a New Orleans-inspired oysters Overbaugh to a true California dish such as yellowfin tuna tataki on his menu, and unique spices, flavor combinations and ingredients all make appearances. When Overbaugh took over as executive chef of the Peninsula Beverly Hills in mid-2008 — he now oversees a staff of 38 and is in charge of all of the hotel's food production, including menus for the Roof Garden, Club Bar and Living Room as well as catering events — he made two guarantees: that he honor the style of the prestigious hotel and that he modernize the menu with a new approach and twist.

You could say that Romain Lenoir, the executive pastry chef at the Belvedere, is a newbie in the sweets arena. It was only in early 2011 that he was named executive pastry chef at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, and given the job of revamping the Los Angeles hotel's desserts — including the Four-Star Belvedere's menu, as well as offerings for the Roof Garden, Club Bar and Living Room, and in-room treats. But to call Lenoir a neophyte is a mistake: He has been crafting pastries since the age of five, when he began helping his mother and grandmother in their kitchen in Dijon, France. After working in kitchens in Paris, London and Chicago, Lenoir made his way to Los Angeles. Coincidentally, on the day dedicated to sweets, Valentine's Day, he took over the Peninsula Beverly Hill's sweets kitchen. His menu focuses on farmers' market produce with a modern twist on classic French desserts. After your meal at the Belvedere, you may be tempted by a yuzu parfait, paired with caraway ice cream and sake-marinated blueberries, or his almond-cream-filled pastry with poached apricots.

The elegant Belvedere is meant for relaxing dinners and romantic moments, and this Four-Star locale, tucked inside the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel, offers just the quiet and mellow atmosphere needed for such affairs. Classical music sets the tone, played softly in the background, preparing you for an exquisite meal from chef James Overbaugh of modern, farm-fresh American cuisine. Even on busy nights — the restaurant is widely known as being a the prime destination for nearby CAA and ICM agents looking to get down to business — the spacious room provides a low noise level, perfect for any conversation over dinner. If your dining plans include a rowdier crew, the Belvedere’s private dining room and its long, spacious 20-seat table can offer more intimate seating.

With so many great choices on the Belvedere's Four-Star menu, it's hard to choose just one, so we suggest making repeat visits. Chef James Overbaugh prepares thoughtful and modern twists on American classics at this restaurant, tucked inside the Peninsula Beverly Hills, and locals and tourists alike flock to its country-club-ish dining room for a taste of his handiwork. If we have to choose a few favorite dishes to recommend, here are the five best things we think you should try:

1. The Peninsula Beverly Hills celebrated its 20th anniversary in August of 2011, and what better way to say happy birthday than to roll out classic dishes from its 1991 opening year? You can celebrate, too, with an entree we love: the truffle-marinated Chateaubriand of veal, with a twice-baked potato and wild mushroom sauce. This decadent choice is one of its most popular dishes.

2. Steak lovers will key in on the Belvedere's many meat options. Our favorite is easily the prime angus beef filet mignon, a tender and delicious cut served with Yukon potato gratin, cipollini onions and green beans.

3. If you prefer fish, we suggest the seared Alaskan halibut filet, which comes with smoked yellow tomato vinaigrette, watercress pesto, panzanella and lavender foam. The fish is cooked perfectly and the sauce is refreshingly light.

4. But before you think entree, order a starter, preferably the delightful yellowfin tuna tataki. Served with charred mango, grilled avocado, yuzu tapioca and pickled hearts of palm, this appetizer offers a little something sweet and refreshing to start your meal off right.

5. For a heartier first course, the truffle macaroni and cheese appetizer is one of the most delicious versions we've had. Elbow macaroni is smothered in Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and sprinkled with black truffles, making it a rich and creamy treat. It's perfect for sharing, but you'll probably want to eat the whole thing yourself.

If you’re hoping to see a pair of chef’s whites during your meal at the Belvedere, you’re in luck: Chef James Overbaugh regularly visits the dining room to greet his guests. Over time, regulars and Beverly Hills locals have befriended this esteemed restaurateur; many of the residents living nearby the Peninsula Beverly Hills return again and again to the hotel for its top-notch brunch and Four-Star menu of modern American cuisine. But even if you’re dining at the hotel’s restaurant for the first time, you’ll be treated as family. Many of the friendly staff members have worked at the Belvedere for many years, so they understand the menu and wine list down to a tee and can help you make the best choices. With impeccable service — precise and attentive yet never overbearing — this dining experience offers the chic glamour of a more sophisticated lifestyle rather than the trendy off-hands mentality so many of L.A’s restaurants embrace today.

Many of the Belvedere's friendly staff members have spent years working at this Beverly Hills institution, and it shows in the superb service. Sitting in the gold-accented dining room, eating chef James Overbaugh's modern American cuisine, you'll feel the perfect amount of service — attentive yet not overbearing. Dishes seamlessly disappear as you finish a course, and water glasses are never empty. The wine manager will stop by your table to offer a glass of vino or cocktail and explain the menu — feel free to quiz him on the restaurant's extensive wine collection. Your meal will likely start with a lovely amuse bouche and end with delightful mignardises, extending your experience and making you feel completely welcome. You won't be rushed in and out of this Four-Star restaurant; instead, you'll be welcome to sit as long as you like. This noteworthy service makes a place like the Belvedere one you want to return to again and again.