Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
122
Tips
Star Search: The Ivy League
If you're searching for incognito celebrities dining among us common folk, casu-
ally stroll past the elevated sidewalk patio at the
Ivy
(p. 121), 113 N. Robertson
Blvd. (btw. 3rd St. and Beverly Blvd.), West Hollywood, around 1pm. On a sunny
day the odds are good (though the goods may be odd). If that doesn't pan out,
walk over to the
Palm
(p. 124), 9001 Santa Monica Blvd. (btw. Doheny Dr. and
Robertson Blvd.), West Hollywood, and order a Coca-Cola at the bar followed by a
long, leisurely trip to the risqué bathroom.
La Cachette
FRENCH Widely considered one of the most influential French
chefs in America, J ean François M eteigner literally wr ote the topic on this cuisine—
Cuisine Naturelle
—a revolutionary approach to fine F rench cuisine that esche ws heavy
creams, butter, and complex recipes in favor of dishes that are simple, full of flavor, and
90% fr ee of cr eam and butter . Situated on the edge of a r esidential neighborhood in
Century City, the elegant, romantic, white-on-white dining room is a bit hard to find—
you have to access it fr om an alley off Little S anta Monica Boulevard—but it only adds
to the restaurant's charm. Meteigner's dairy-free crab and lobster bisque is intensely fla-
vorful but lacking the richness that only heavy cr eam can pr ovide (cream is an option,
however), and the escargot can be bland, but braised K urobuta black por k shank with
braised baby back ribs and Banyul vinegar sauce, served with a side of roasted apples and
Yukon mashed potatoes, will make up for it. Matching the right wine isn't a problem, as
the wine list has earned the
Wine Spectator
Award of Excellence. The warm fruit tart is a
fitting finale—light and flavorful.
10506 Santa Monica Blvd. (btw. Beverly Glen Blvd. and Overland Ave.), Century City.
&
310/470-4992.
www.lacachetterestaurant.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses dinner $26-$35, lunch $15-
$32. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs noon-2pm and 6-9:30pm; F ri noon-2pm and 5:30-10:30pm; Sat 5:30-
10:30pm; Sun 6-9pm. Valet parking $5.
6
Lawry's The Prime Rib
STEAK/SEAFOOD Most Americans kno w Lawr y's
only as a brand of seasoned salt (which was inv ented here). Going to this family-r un
institution is an old-world ev ent, where the main menu offerings ar e four cuts of prime
rib that vary in thickness from two fingers to an entir e hand. Every standing rib roast is
dry-aged for 2 to 3 weeks, sprinkled with Lawry's famous seasoning, and then roasted on
a bed of rock salt. A carver wheels the cooked beef tableside, then slices it pr operly, rare
to well-done. All dinners come with cr eamy whipped horseradish, Yorkshire pudding,
and the O riginal S pinning Bo wl S alad (dr enched in Lawr y's signatur e sherr y F rench
dressing). Lawry's moved across the street from its original location several years ago but
retained its thr owback-to-the-1930s clubroom atmosphere, complete with P ersian-car-
peted oak floors, high-backed chairs, and E uropean oil paintings.
100 N. La Cienega Blvd. (north of Wilshire Blvd.), Beverly Hills.
&
310/652-2827.
www.lawrysonline.com.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $20-$30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 5-10pm; Sat 4:30-
11pm; Sun 4-9:30pm. Valet parking $5.50.
Locanda Veneta
NORTHERN ITALIAN Locanda Veneta's citywide renown
belies its tiny siz e and unpr etentious setting. I ts location, acr oss fr om the unsightly
monolith that is Cedars-S inai Hospital, is a far cr y from Venice's Grand Canal, and the
