I’ve watched the TV show and driven through the area before, but yesterday was my first time in Bel Air! The hotel had a 2 year, $100 million renovation, and is quite breathtaking.
Had a lunch date at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant…
…with the Fabulous Felita and Marvelous Madame Sylvia Wu – celebrated restauranteur, author, and philanthropist.
Her restaurants were famous for dishes like the Chinese Chicken Salad (yes, the one on every menu in the world today) and Hollywood clientele. Everyone from Cary Grant to Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg dined there…even actual royalty like Princess Grace…
…plus my (recent) relative!
She closed her doors in 1998 but is still a Los Angeles legend – one of her fans came up for her autograph!
We were at the hotel for hours, listening to incredible stories, and of course, eating phenomenal food.
Madame Wu ordered the Tortilla Soup – I love that she asked for a smaller/lighter spoon and they gave her three options. What service!
Felita and I shared the rest of the food. “We’re going to gorge,” she told the waitress. #foodsoulmate
Started off with delicious bread, one mini baguette, and one focaccia with goat cheese and sun dried tomato. I didn’t intend on eating all of it. But I did. With butter.
We each had a piece of Maryland Blue Crab Cake with Basil Pesto Aioli and Tomato Relish
The special pasta – hand-cut Tagliatelle with fresh seasonal veggies
Salmon Salad with Avocado, Egg, and Hot Sweet Mustard Vinaigrette
Beef Burger with Aged Vermont Cheddar, Shallot-Jalapeno Marmalade and Garlic Aioli
a.k.a. THE BEST BURGER I’VE EVER EATEN. Ever.
Went back for fries and pickles. Twice. I was so full I felt like I could’ve rolled home…
…and then the dessert trolley came rolling up.
We got one of each tart…
…Lemon with Blackberries…
…served with housemade 50 Bean Vanilla Ice Cream:
Raspberry Sorbet came with the Chocolate Carmel -
Blissed.
Blessed.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
The Hotel Bel Air is my absolute favorite in LA — just the location alone! In the middle of green trees and hills, perfect getaway from ‘the city’, from loud, endless traffic and people. The hotel itself of course is hotels at its best. —
I agree; it was magical!
What a fun time and such gorgeous food pictures! I also like the one of you taking a picture of your food
Yes – photo credit for that one (plus the very first pic) goes to Felita!
Oh my. Your pictures are INCREDIBLE!
You are making me VERY hungry at 8:00 a.m. for Hotel Bel-Air food! Drools….
So glad that you had such a good time there. Perfect day with nice friends over great food:)
You have the ability to make us feel like if we were there!! Fantastic photos!!
You are not the princess of bel air, you’re the QUEEN!
Incredible also Ms. Wu, what a presence!! Thanks for sharing this unique experience!! And congratulations to the chef… Easy to understand his fame!!
beautiful hotel! and the food looked amazing.
what great company too!
Beautiful pictures! Such a special lunch date. : )
looks like a great time! what a fun meal!
You shared a meal with Madame Wu!!! I am awestruck! You shared a meal with Madame Wu!!! Wow! Wow! Wow!
I am in awe of the whole experience..the photos of the beautiful food, people, hotel
you would ADORE her, Gail!
Whoa. Whoawhoawhoa. Amazing.
This is amazing! You make me miss LA so much.
I love that show
And this cafe looks utterly fantsatic – the food is exquisite
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
check out that amazing meal! the homemade pasta looks so good, i love thick cut noodles like that!