We were over the moon with an exceptional dinner at L’Restaurant, the sexy, understated and glamorous dining room at the 5-star L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The careful forethought of the brilliant and charming F&B wiz Ana Kelly and her chefs was extraordinary: we were greeted by handsome monogrammed Frette napkins.

We swooned when Petrossian Royal Oestra caviar with creme fraiche made an appearance, then a beet tartare in a mustard sauce, young lettuces with toasted walnuts, grilled baby squash with Spanish Romano beans and a comforting carrot coconut soup with sesame, lime and basil.

Then a parade of main courses fit for a prince and princess: roasted chicken with chanterelles, Brandt NY steak in a fermented black pepper marrow sauce, rack of lamb with preserved lemon.

The desserts were inventive, charming and light–carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and gooseberries, warm stone fruit crumble with coconut milk ice cream and salted caramel ice cream sandwiches with chocolate cake. The pastry chefs deserve medals; stars in their own right.

Wow, these signature dishes and local-first ingredients made for an elevated dinner gourmet experience to remember. Chef Sarah Stearns is an artist at the top of her game with originality and exquisite food.

The wines–a vibrant and balanced Champagne from Gaston Cliquot, Sauvignon Blanc, a juicy, structured 1er cru Nuit-Saint Georges Premier Cru Burgundy from Domaine Henri Gouges (check out the beautiful Riedel “duck” crystal decanter) and finally a pure and rich Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes were superbly paired. This restaurant’s cellar is deep and well-priced. Service was quiet, refined and obliging. Eating at L’Restaurant is a grand treat, the finest quality cooking we can imagine and we highly recommend it. 

L’Restaurant at L’Ermitage,9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210,  (310) 278-3344. https://www.lermitagebeverlyhills.com/