Forget Elosie at The Plaza, or Carrie Bradshaw at Le Plaza Athenee in Paris, France (even though it is also at the top of my list of great hotels and one about which I already wrote in this online journal).![2015-07-20-1437369418-6181591-Exterior.jpg]()
I always feel like a princess at my number one hotel in the world, The Beverly Hills Hotel, or Hotel California, nicknamed by The Eagles as the title of their record album of the same name. I call it The Pink Palace because it feels like a luxurious one.
My older brother used the same color scheme of the hotel, pink and green, for his legendary restaurant Mortons (spelled without the apostrophe after the s) that was on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles. In fact, Indochine,a well known, trendy restaurant in New York City, also used the now iconic palm leaf wallpaper from the hotel for the walls of their restaurant.
![2015-07-21-1437482609-6370025-RamosFizzCoffeeShopBHHotel.jpg]()
A Ramos Fizz in the Fountain Coffee Shop
I grew up just like many other friends of mine in Los Angeles, going to The Fountain Coffee Shop in the hotel. There isn't one person who has eaten there that would negate the fact that this wonderful place is by far the greatest coffee shop in the country.
My co-author William Stadiem and I included The Fountain Coffee Shop in our book "Everybody Eats There" (about the 100 most legendary restaurants in the world) along with the hotel's historic Polo Lounge, the classiest restaurant/bar anywhere in the world (sorry Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy, Hemingway Bar at The Ritz Hotel in Paris, France, and close to home, The Bemelman's Bar at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City! Not that I don't love all of these legendary places, it is just that I judge a restaurant and bar by the ambiance, the quality of the food and drinks and most important, the friendliness of the staff. The Polo Lounge has all of these qualities and some.
![2015-07-21-1437508277-9644769-Miguelinthecoffeeshop.jpg]()
Eurario, The Renaissance Man at the grill in the coffee shop
There is nothing better than having breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks in The Polo Lounge with it's comfortable green booths, and small but cozy 50's style round wood tables and chairs. You can almost feel the ghosts of Frank Sinatra and his rat pack while you sip a martini and eat the renowned McCarthy Salad (their version of a cobb salad).
![2015-07-21-1437482965-9806189-PoloLoungeDiningRoom.jpg]()
Pepe, the manager-maitre'd of The Polo Lounge has been working there for as long as I can remember. He never forgets a face and there are many to remember from famous to not so famous. All of the waiters, Jerome, Ronnie and the rest of the gang treat everyone like a star no matter who you are. They are warm, gracious and will take care of your every need.
![2015-07-21-1437482819-4709431-Jeromeabetterphoto.jpg]()
Jerome in the Polo Lounge
![2015-07-21-1437482775-5541581-Jimmythegreatestbartender.jpg]()
Jimmy one of the Polo Lounge's seasoned bartenders
Jimmy, one of The Polo Lounge's well seasoned bartenders who I haven't known quite as long as the rest of the staff, but long enough exits form behind the bar whenever I come in, just to welcome me with a hug. I know that I can be a pain i
I always feel like a princess at my number one hotel in the world, The Beverly Hills Hotel, or Hotel California, nicknamed by The Eagles as the title of their record album of the same name. I call it The Pink Palace because it feels like a luxurious one.
My older brother used the same color scheme of the hotel, pink and green, for his legendary restaurant Mortons (spelled without the apostrophe after the s) that was on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles. In fact, Indochine,a well known, trendy restaurant in New York City, also used the now iconic palm leaf wallpaper from the hotel for the walls of their restaurant.
I grew up just like many other friends of mine in Los Angeles, going to The Fountain Coffee Shop in the hotel. There isn't one person who has eaten there that would negate the fact that this wonderful place is by far the greatest coffee shop in the country.
My co-author William Stadiem and I included The Fountain Coffee Shop in our book "Everybody Eats There" (about the 100 most legendary restaurants in the world) along with the hotel's historic Polo Lounge, the classiest restaurant/bar anywhere in the world (sorry Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy, Hemingway Bar at The Ritz Hotel in Paris, France, and close to home, The Bemelman's Bar at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City! Not that I don't love all of these legendary places, it is just that I judge a restaurant and bar by the ambiance, the quality of the food and drinks and most important, the friendliness of the staff. The Polo Lounge has all of these qualities and some.
There is nothing better than having breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks in The Polo Lounge with it's comfortable green booths, and small but cozy 50's style round wood tables and chairs. You can almost feel the ghosts of Frank Sinatra and his rat pack while you sip a martini and eat the renowned McCarthy Salad (their version of a cobb salad).
Pepe, the manager-maitre'd of The Polo Lounge has been working there for as long as I can remember. He never forgets a face and there are many to remember from famous to not so famous. All of the waiters, Jerome, Ronnie and the rest of the gang treat everyone like a star no matter who you are. They are warm, gracious and will take care of your every need.
Jimmy, one of The Polo Lounge's well seasoned bartenders who I haven't known quite as long as the rest of the staff, but long enough exits form behind the bar whenever I come in, just to welcome me with a hug. I know that I can be a pain i