The Blvd @ The Beverly Wilshire - Beverly Hills, CA
Posted by Ben | Under Great Burgers Saturday Aug 23, 2008
No trip to the Los Angeles area would be complete without a bite to eat at The Blvd.
Located within the world famous Beverly Wilshire, The Blvd is a place to see and be seen, this sophisticated all-day dining spot features lofty ceilings and large windows overlooking the fashionable intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. This hotel has been the backdrop for many movies including the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts hit, Pretty Woman.
Remembering that I love a burger at five star places, The Blvd’s offering is chopped prime sirloin with foie gras mousse and sautéed wild mushrooms atop a freshly baked bun, and served with fries. I do not remember the fries, but I can tell you the burger is luscious. This burger is gourmet and has an extremely smooth consistency.
Over the years, I have dined there many times (all business luncheons) and always see famous and infamous alike. Al Pacino was seated at the table next to mine, Ben Stein in the bar area, and attorney Roy Black hosting a party of 12. Again, you will see celebrities each and every time; however, this is NOT the place to ask for an autograph or gawk. But, if you are quick, you can snap a picture with your cell phone camera!
If you go, mid-week lunch is a great time. Mid afternoon during weekends will allow for a lively experience. Valet parking is easiest.
Dearest Ben,
You were BORN to create this fabulous website!!! My family LOVES it! The delicious recipes are divine, (I will save several to pass along to my grandchildren), your fun and entertaining stories are the best, every single great restaurant you recommend is now a “Must visit”, we will never have shop again with all the yummy and creative gift ideas, and I want to host a party with every single inspiring cook you have featured! We have died and gone to heaven! We predict this is going to be one of the most popular sites ever!
You have sent us to so many wonderful restaurants over the years. But we especially enjoyed the fun experience at the Beverly Wilshire at Rodeo Drive! Shanna and I flew out to visit Summer when she was a model in Los Angeles. We took your advise and had lunch at the BW. Jim Caviezel sat next to us. The “Passion of the Christ” had just been released and he was the rage. I wanted to go over and tell him how much the film had meant to our family… but Summer would have been humiliated! So we allowed him his privacy as I made a mental note of every detail of all the gorgeous flower arrangements!
Two of my favorite restaurants are near our nation’s capital and you might want to consider adding them to your list. The Inn at Little Washington is one of the top ten restaurants in the world. They have always been committed to excellence. Patrick O’Connell has been called “A rare chef with a sense of near perfect taste, like a musician with perfect pitch”. They have lush antiques along with food to die for. Even though it is an hour’s drive outside Washington and they always have a waiting list for their 30 tables, you are never disappointed!!! Craig Claiborne of The New York Times called it “the most magnificent inn I’ve ever seen, in this country or Europe, where I had the most fantastic meal of my life”.
Also, for the architecture and history, send your readers and fans to the Willard Hotel two blocks from the White House! It is truly the Jewel of Pennsylvania Avenue. It is an experience to simply stand in the Crystal Room and overwhelming to imagine how many of our national leaders have dined there. I always wonder how many behind-the-scenes decisions have taken place in that gorgeous setting with marble, deep rich moldings, chandeliers, etc., etc.
Ben, thank you for the gift of your friendship, sharing your wonderful travels, your superb taste, appreciation for good food, and now this delightful adventure online.
Love,
Burma Davis Posey
Miss Georgia 1968
Looks good, Ben. I have a great recipe for boiling water if you’re interested.
Love all the recipes but since I have given up baking I will just have to drool a little. I guess a better idea would be to pass the recipes on to my friends that bake. Maybe I will have some ideas to share when I get back from my trip to California this week.