Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-AirCharm and eleganceEven though I have heard complaints about the restaurant and bar re-do from friends, this septegenarian loved the ambience on the terrace for lunch and found the new decor elegant and chic.
But best of all, the service was outstanding!!! Everyone was more warm and charming than I could have expected.
However, I found the lunch menu to be very pedestrian and uninspired. The Nancy Reagan (pander much?) salad was so finely chopped, it was one-note and boring. (oh, now I get it.).
Bravo Rockwell design, but step it up midday, Wolfgang!
I'll be baahck.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWOW!What a treat! Great food! Unbelievable level of service and attention to detail.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBrunch BeautyThis is a beautiful setting and with the sun out there is no more tranquil place to dine. The food was excellent. Must try the non-alcoholic cocktails-Mmmmm!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe absolutely loved the atmosphereWe absolutely loved the atmosphere -just beautiful -we didn't want to leave! The service was great -very attentive, friendly, yet professional. The food was very good. I would definitely go back again.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBel Air gemAs part of the Bel Air Hotel, the ambience and setting are magical and serene. Light, airy with a green house feel during the day. Plenty of nice booths, and big tables for 6 or 7 tucked away in private niches. Great for families and small groups. The food was very good but not great, especially not at the prices offered. On the lunch menu, the tortilla soup wasn't a $17 bowl of soup. I've had much better at Red O for $10. The lobster Cobb salad was good, but not great, at $34. The mushroom and cheese omelet was good but not to die for. A glass of the "house" Chardonnay, $24!!! The wait staff were young and inexperienced, not polished and refined. This was not a Spago level experience, although the prices led us to anticipate otherwise.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was delicious, and serviceFood was delicious, and service and reception was gracious and efficient. Beautiful setting.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMIf you didn't know this wasIf you didn't know this was operated by Wolfgang Puck, you would think you had made a great discovery. Definitely for mature couples or well mannered families, being on the sedate side almost too much. But the look and feel is marvelous, the food as good as one would hope for, plus a great wine list.
The remodeled bar was full, probably half guests of the hotel, and half their visitors. I expected things to be much less active, but this clearly is a winning scene.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional Experience!What a wonderful place for lunch. I met two friends for a leisurely lunch. We have settled on this as our go to venue for an elegant repast. The setting is nonpareil and the service is outstanding. As for the food, it is elegant in its simplicity, presentation and taste profiles. We particularly enjoyed our dessert of strawberry and rhubarb cobbler with ice cream was a great end to the meal. Perfect for lunch, brunch or dinner!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food, but my schnitzelWonderful food, but my schnitzel could have had a bit more
of the traditional accompaniments.
My son thought his steak Tatare was beautifully presented but had no character.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were celebrating a birthdayWe were celebrating a birthday and I cannot imagine a more perfect setting for a celebration. The quality of the food, the level of the service and the overall ambience of this restaurant combined to make this a truly memorable night.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMRomantic patio diningOne of our favorite special occasion spots in LA...pricey but worth it every time. Wish the portions weren't so huge...it seems they have to figure out how to justify the prices so they do it by making the portions gigantic. That's my only complaint...everything else is perfection.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best overall diningOne of the best overall dining experiences I have ever had, combining a warm welcome, excellent food, a beautiful setting, friendly and professional service, and a gorgeous setting and ambience.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMMagicalDelicious food in a beautiful setting. As wonderful as Spago but with the magical setting of the Hotel Bel Air. Expensive but--unlike so many--worth every penny. Don't be put off by the open air setting in the winter--the heat lamps work well?2/25/2013 12:00:00 AMModerately loud elevator/disco/elecModerately loud elevator/disco/electronic music piped in is totally unnecessary. It's as if the staff plays it for themselves since the dining room was practically empty. Too bad. I much prefer the restaurant, china, decor before the renovation. It was unique. This can be any hotel dining room now. Nice experience but having knowledge of what it replaced makes me wish for the old version.1/20/2013 12:00:00 AMReception and service wasReception and service was friendly and efficient. Food was creative and delicious.12/27/2012 12:00:00 AMWow! I had high expectationsWow! I had high expectations for this venue and the dinner managed to exceed them. From the glorious grounds and indoor rooms to the incredibly friendly and competent service to awesome food. My eyes are still rolling in the sockets with memories of each dish I consumed, from the cocktail to the dessert. Just fabulous!!!12/11/2012 12:00:00 AM