What’s the best table at Circa 55?
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.
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On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
With its low candle lighting and cozy outdoor seating, Circa 55 is a great place for dates, especially in the summer. There’s self- and valet parking available at this retro-styled Beverly Hills restaurant, so don’t worry about circling for hours with your car. Cozy up with your honey in the alfresco dining area, where you’ll find tan couches and dark brown wicker seats with bright lime-green cushions. The lush greenery and palm trees keep the space airy and friendly, while the moveable heating lamps mean you won’t catch a chill. If you come to Circa 55 on Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, you might even catch a DJ spinning some hip-hop mixes poolside.
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On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
How old does my child have to be to dine at Circa 55?
Kids of any age are welcomed for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Circa 55, the main restaurant at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Beverly Hilton. In fact, the retro-styled eatery has a kids’ menu with options that will please even the pickiest eaters.
Circa 55’s breakfast for kids is available from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and includes choices like pancakes topped with a blueberry smile and an egg with toast shaped like ponies. Hungry little ones can also go for the continental or full buffet, or choose from lighter fare like cereal or fruit served with yogurt dip.
The all-day children’s menu at Circa 55 is available from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and includes classics like hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, pizza and mac and cheese. Kids with a sweet tooth can top off their meal with desserts like a DIY sundae or a giant chocolate chip cookie. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Circa 55 have any special or rare liquors?
The cocktail lists at Circa 55 and the adjacent Trader Vic’s Lounge lean heavily toward island-influenced cocktails, so you’ll see several special liquors here that originated in the Caribbean. There are dark, light and golden rums — including some Jamaican favorites and a knock-you-down 151 proof rum — as well as Brazilian cachaça and anise-flavored Herbsaint, which has its roots in New Orleans. The Beverly Hills restaurant also has some bourbons, scotches and brandy as well as interesting liqueurs like the citrusy Curaçao from the island of the same name off the coast of Venezuela. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does Circa 55 offer any low-calorie options?
We all know how hard it is to watch your waistline when you eat out, but Circa 55 has some delicious fruit options in the morning and hearty salads in the afternoon that won’t leave you wishing you’d ordered something more filling.
At breakfast at this Beverly Hills hotel, skip the Continental Breakfast buffet — it’s too tempting too load up on carbs like housemade pastries and bagels — and instead go for half a grapefruit and some cereal like Raisin Bran or Cheerios. There’s also oatmeal with raisins and a selection of organic yogurt flavors like vanilla, peach and raspberry. If you’re craving eggs, check the indicators on the omelet list at Circa 55 — they’ll show you which dishes are higher in fiber and lower in cholesterol, or higher in fat and calories. We suggest going for the two eggs your way with a side of grilled ham.
At lunch at this restaurant in the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Beverly Hilton, you’ll find an array of fresh seafood and salads to keep you satisfied while you hit Rodeo Drive or go star-hunting in the Hollywood hills. Try the Santa Barbara rock cod marinated in citrus with a Malibu pinot noir glaze and hand-picked spring veggies, or opt for some greenery like the farmer’s market beet salad made with marinated roasted red and yellow beets and hearts of palm and dressed with a coriander-cumin vinaigrette. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Does the chef visit the tables at Circa 55?
Chef Katsuo “Suki” Sugiura does visit the tables at Circa 55 to give guests a warm welcome. Sugiura has worked all over the world and has a diverse culinary background in classical French, South American, Caribbean, Japanese, Indochinese, Mediterranean and regional North American cuisine. The chef takes great care to personalize his menu at this Beverly Hills restaurant with touches like meats smoked in-house and herbs grown in his garden. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Are the table arrangements comfortable at Circa 55?
The table arrangements are very comfortable at Circa 55, where the retro-inspired dining room has 46 tables that seat up to 230 people. Even if you’re sitting in one of the banquettes, you’ll have plenty of room between tables. However, don’t be surprised if you still overhear your neighbor complaining about her plastic surgeon, as we did on our visit.
The Beverly Hills restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and has table settings that mesh with the 1950s vibe. You’ll find each wooden table is set with a woven dark green and brown placemat, topped with white cloth napkins and fine glassware from Libbey and Schott Zwiesel. At night, the dining room staff adds candles to the tables for extra ambience and contemporary pop plays softly over the speakers.
If you opt to sit outside at Circa 55, you can saddle up to the bar in one of the 12 bamboo-esque stools or get comfy in a butterscotch-colored leather booth. Outside in the alfresco lounge area, you’ll find chocolate-brown wicker furniture and tan couches, where you’ll certainly feel comfortable enough to enjoy an original mai tai — or two or three. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What music is played at Circa 55?
When you dine at Circa 55 you’ll hear contemporary pop music playing subtly over the speakers — a welcome addition to the Beverly Hills restaurant’s laid-back, California vibe. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Circa 55 has a 1950s-inspired dining room that seats up to 230, as well as outdoor seating by the pool. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, a DJ spins outside while guests dine alfresco. The night we dined at this restaurant in the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Beverly Hilton, the DJ was planning a catchy hip-hop mix. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry: There are plenty of palm trees to act as a buffer between you and the action by the pool. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What kind of glassware is used at Circa 55?
Circa 55 uses fine crystal glassware from top-notch makers such as Libbey and Schott Zwiesel. The table settings in the 1950s-inspired dining room are quite pretty, with woven dark green and brown placemats topped with white cloth napkins and a glass water goblet. At night, the dining room at this restaurant in the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Beverly Hilton is dimly lit with soft candlelight, and music is added for extra ambience. Sip a California wine or enjoy a fruity cocktail, like the hotel’s signature Chai’s Beverly Starburst made with fresh fruit juices, rum, orange liqueur and a hint of mint. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Do I need a reservation for Circa 55?
Most nights you won’t need a reservation to secure your spot at Circa 55, as the large 1950s-inspired dining room seats up to 230 people, with additional seating poolside.
However, it is recommended that you make a reservation when awards season comes to town, as the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Beverly Hilton plays host to a number of star-studded parties and events that attract tourists looking to spot Hollywood’s A-listers on the red carpet. We recommend making a reservation at Circa 55 during the summer months, too, when the outdoor seating near the pool fills up with party people looking to enjoy an alfresco dinner amid the palm trees and twinkling lights. -
On June 21Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the dress code at Circa 55?
Circa 55 has a casual, laid-back Cali vibe resulting in a lax dress code. Don’t worry about coming here dressed to the nines — that is unless, of course, you want to. During breakfast and lunch you’ll see everything from shorts to dresses as families, vacationers and Beverly Hills housewives stop for a bite in this restaurant in the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Beverly Hilton before lounging near the pool or hitting Rodeo Drive. At night, you may want to up the ante a bit with your outfit to enjoy your cocktails and a Polynesian-inspired dinner at Circa 55. Couples and groups often hit this Beverly Hills restaurant to enjoy the outdoor seating and tunes, so you’ll want to blend in with the more adult setting.
