The dining room at the Hotel Bel-Air is, without doubt, one of the most romantic restaurants on the planet, and one of the most beautiful.

You approach the restaurant by walking across an arching stone bridge, over a stream filled with elegant white swans, past sky-blue ponds, along a pink brick path lined with sycamore trees, bougainvillea, and flowering gardens. The regal dining room features a roaring fireplace (even in summer), soft pastel colors, and framed art. But during the day, most prefer to dine on the lovely patio terrace (where the tiles underfoot are heated in the evening for your comfort on cool nights). It's no that wonder this 5-star hotel has been a favorite of the rich & famous for decades.

It is also Zagat's highest-rated hotel restaurant.

The world's elite have dined here: members of the England's royal family, the Kennedys, the Rockefellers, and countless movie stars, from Cary Grant to Tom Cruise... Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned here. Nancy Reagan dines here several times a week. (But not everyone takes the place that seriously - Oprah Winfrey held a slumber party here to celebrate her 40th birthday.)

As you might expect, the beauty (and the French/California cuisine) doesn't come cheap. Prices are high. Naturally, you'll want to dress nicely for the occasion. Lunch is served daily from 11:20 AM to 2:30 PM, and dinner is served daily from 6 PM - 10 PM. Sunday brunch is served from 11:30 AM - 2 PM. They offer valet parking.

For more information about the Hotel Bel-Air itself, see the separate article.

Getting there: from Rodeo Drive, go north to Sunset Boulevard, and turn left (west). Follow Sunset (about two miles) to Stone Canyon Road. Turn right (north) on Stone Canyon Road, and follow it through a posh residential neighborhood (about one mile) to the hotel. The hotel will be on your left (west) side.

[You can view the restaurant's menu online at:
http://www.kerrymenu.com/Bel-Air-Hotel.shtml.]

Looking for something in particular? Search the Seeing-Stars website!