What are five things I should know about Livello?
Elegance outweighs flash at Livello — the restaurant is tucked inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and feels like a subdued escape for L.A. insiders. Before you make your reservation, check out these five things to know about Livello:
1. The locals love it. While you might think Livello caters mostly to tourists because of its location inside L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, locals often hit up the luxury hotel for the sophisticated scene and stellar service.
2. The name says it all. Livello means “level” in Italian and is meant to reflect the balance between chef Benjamin Dayag's Italian and Asian cuisine. The menu features updated classics from each culture, including tuna sashimi, soy mirkin pork belly, spaghetti carbonara and chicken picatta.
3. The dining room is intimate. The restaurant’s space is large enough to accommodate a couple of groups at a time and small enough to cater to those who’d like a quiet dinner for two. The vaulted domed ceiling and a two-story wall of glass only add to the elegant atmosphere.
4. The patio is charming. Livello’s outdoor space is a lush little patio that feels far removed from the bustle of Beverly Hills. The outdoor garden ambience is kicked up a notch with a bubbling fountain and flaming fireplace.
5. The desserts are cross-cultural. Pastry chef Angela Ng employs traditional Japanese techniques to create innovated Italian- and Asian-influenced treats. For instance, the mandarin-orange sudachi soufflé is a light and airy dessert served with housemade vanilla ice cream.
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On April 18Jordan Lawson answered the question:
What music is played at Livello?
If you find yourself dining at Livello on a Wednesday evening, make sure you grab a drink at Livello Lounge and Bar and enjoy the Live at Livello Lounge music from 7 to 9 p.m. Sip a cocktail from the lounge’s mixologist and relax as you listen to the live music. Upcoming artists set to take the stage include the Michael Papillo Band serving up modern jazz April 24, May 8 and May 22; a mix of soul, house and blues from Ethan Edwards (a former Island Def Jam artist) and his group featuring David Samson, Eor Mahon and Mark Gozman on May 1. Brittney Bouchard will offer her pop rock stylings on May 15, while Vinyl Playlist delivers an R&B and pop rock sound May 29. -
On February 7Benjamin Dayag answered the question:
Who is the pastry chef at Livello?
Angela Ng is the pastry chef at Livello. She has great flavor balances and does not believe in making her dishes too sweet or heavy. For example, her seasonal soufflés are made with all egg white, which makes them very fluffy. All of our ice creams and sorbets are made in-house. When you order cookies from us, we cook them fresh every time. -
On February 7Benjamin Dayag answered the question:
What’s the best table at Livello?
The best table at Livello is next to the fireplace. You can take a look at the manuscripts that have been donated to us by different writers, and at the same time feel the warmth while having a romantic dinner with your significant other. -
On February 7Benjamin Dayag answered the question:
Does the menu at Livello have seasonal dishes?
Yes, our Livello menu changes every season. The seasons are what really tell me what to cook at that period of time. For example, for the olive-oil-poached fish, one week I may be using wild striped bass, and then a few weeks down the road I will use white sea bass. Another menu item, Brussels sprouts, is a winter item, so that dish may be on the menu only for a few months. -
On February 7Benjamin Dayag answered the question:
What is the chef at Livello’s food philosophy?
My food philosophy is to use the freshest and, if possible, local products. By doing this, I use vegetables that are indigenous to the area; this also helps the environment. The food is what directs what I will be cooking at Livello at any period of time. We use local farmers, all within 200 miles. Many of our proteins are wild, sustainable or free-range — for example, wild-caught fish, free-range chicken and hormone-free beef and lamb. -
On October 2Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the chef at Livello’s food philosophy?
When the Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills decided on a new chef to head up its re-concepted restaurant Livello, the luxury hotel chose someone willing to push the limits of traditional hotel dining. Chef Joseph Elevado (who also oversees the entire culinary program at L’Ermitage) introduced an Italian-meets-Asian fine dining menu. But don’t call it “fusion” food — chef Elevado prefers to explain his cuisine as a melding of classic techniques and Japanese aesthetics. Chef Elevado dubs his method “free-form” and pays gastronomic homage to both Italian and Asian cultures by entwining together these very separate cooking approaches to create a menu that has both traditional Italian (spaghetti carbonara) and Asian (tuna sashimi with sweet chili) eats. It’s a balance between two cultures, which is reflected in the name of the restaurant itself — “livello” means “level” or “even” in Italian. -
On October 2Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the five best things to order at Livello?
Livello serves a unique blend of upscale Italian and Asian food and there are several delicious items on the innovative menu. Here are the five best things to order at Livello, the signature restaurant tucked inside the Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.
1. The tuna. The two-piece tuna nigiri sushi is served with a dollop of sweet chili sauce placed on a crispy rice cracker — it’s a light but flavorful starter.
2. The handmade pastas. Both the Asian and Italian dishes feature handmade pastas, including ramen noodles, oxtail ravioli and the utterly divine Bolognese of beef short ribs served over pappardelle.
3. The Asian-style beef. From the Asian-inspired entrées, choose the seared imperial waygu flat iron steak. This dish is paired with ponzu crispy and sweet broccoli that will make even the vegetable-shy swoon.
4. The spaghetti. It may not sound exotic, but Livello’s spaghetti carbonara is seriously savory and served with both fresh edamame and smoky bacon.
5. The soufflé. When it’s time for dessert, head straight for the mandarin-orange sudachi soufflé — it’s an incredibly light and airy treat served with housemade vanilla ice cream. -
On October 1Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the interior design of Livello?
Livello, located inside the Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, understands the age-old significance of making a good first impression and does so by wooing patrons (and architecture lovers) with its dramatic interior space. The vaulted dome ceiling is set off by the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the perimeter of the curved dining room and overlook the private garden patio. The dining room may be intimate, but the extra height gives the restaurant a grand, airy feel. The classic-contemporary, flower-filled space has light wood walls and dramatic hanging light fixtures that complement cushioned wood chairs and low-set tables. A large Manzanita tree from northern California is the centerpiece of the dining room at Livello — the tree’s nonstop evolution and growth is a big inspiration for a variety of chef Joseph Elevado’s dishes. -
On October 1Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is the price range for a meal at Livello?
In a departure from many upscale Beverly Hills restaurants, Livello (located inside the Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills) features a menu that won’t elicit serious sticker shock. While the restaurant helmed by chef Joseph Elevado (who trained at Nobu in New York) stresses artful presentation and a unique approach to flavor combinations, the price point is refreshingly reasonable. Smaller, sharable plates range from $7 to $20, while larger dishes range from $15 to $40. And the irresistible dessert options? They are priced from $8 to $15 and include choices such as the ricotta cheesecake served with savory apple compote and balsamic ice cream, and the chocolate cake with marshmallow, salted caramel and pistachio ice cream. -
On October 1Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Is Livello a good place for group dining?
With its location inside the Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and its sophisticated clubby vibe, Livello can be an excellent option for group dining. While many guests enjoy dinner in parties of two to four, the staff will graciously rearrange the intimately sized tables to fit your group. (Forbes Travel Guide editors suggest you call ahead so Livello can accommodate your requests.) Groups can also reserve the elegant private room located adjacent to the restaurant. The room is separated from the main dining area by large French glass doors and features a long, roomy dining table (the space can fit up to 20 people, depending on table configurations). With a private-club-like atmosphere and a discreet, accommodating staff, the hotel and the restaurant are known for catering to A-listers, -
On October 1Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are five things I should know about Livello?
Elegance outweighs flash at Livello — the restaurant is tucked inside the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and feels like a subdued escape for L.A. insiders. Before you make your reservation, check out these five things to know about Livello:
1. The locals love it. While you might think Livello caters mostly to tourists because of its location inside L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, locals often hit up the luxury hotel for the sophisticated scene and stellar service.
2. The name says it all. Livello means “level” in Italian and is meant to reflect the balance between chef Joseph Elevado’s Italian and Asian cuisine. The menu features updated classics from each culture, including tuna sashimi, soy mirkin pork belly, spaghetti carbonara and chicken picatta.
3. The dining room is intimate. The restaurant’s space is large enough to accommodate a couple of groups at a time and small enough to cater to those who’d like a quiet dinner for two. The vaulted domed ceiling and a two-story wall of glass only add to the elegant atmosphere.
4. The patio is charming. Livello’s outdoor space is a lush little patio that feels far removed from the bustle of Beverly Hills. The outdoor garden ambience is kicked up a notch with a bubbling fountain and flaming fireplace.
5. The desserts are cross-cultural. Pastry chef Angela Ng employs traditional Japanese techniques to create innovated Italian- and Asian-influenced treats. For instance, the mandarin-orange sudachi soufflé is a light and airy dessert served with housemade vanilla ice cream. -
On September 27Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the desserts like at Livello?
When dining at Livello, you’ll likely want to try more than one of the decadent desserts on the menu. Chef Joseph Elevado’s unique blend of Italian and Asian cusines is incorporated into the dessert menu by pastry chef Angela Ng. Like many Italian desserts, her dishes are rich, but they are plated in the pristine, meticulous way of fine Asian cusine. If you’d like to try multiple dishes, our Forbes Travel Guide editor suggests sharing the chocolate cake paired with marshmallow, salted caramel and pistachio ice cream before giving the ricotta cheesecake a taste, too. The latter is paired with a sweet and savory apple compote and a rich balsamic housemade ice cream.
