Beverly Hills Travel Guide

The menu's "mammoth" – and "so are the crowds" – at this "family-pleasing" chain where the "endless" American options arrive in equally "colossal" portions (ironically, "they give you so much there's no room" for their "heavenly" namesake desserts); despite "ordinary" settings, "spotty" staffing and "lots of commotion", these "well-oiled machines" are so "busy" that they're best accessed "off-hours."

"Beyond mouthwatering" say satisfied suppers of the "divine crab and garlic noodles" at this Beverly Hills "can't-miss" where the fine Vietnamese and Asian fusion cuisine is served in "gorgeous" digs (most memorable for the "koi fish swimming undefoot") with "excellent" service to boot; just "bring your piggy bank", since the tabs are suited to "special occasions."

The name translates as 'the baker', so naturally there's the "smell of fresh bread" in the air at this "higher end" Italian chain where the "consistently tasty" offerings arrive in "elegantly casual" environs; "super weekly specials" and a "solid wine selection" add to its "reliable" reputation and help explain the somewhat "upscale" price point.

Like the name says, it's all about the "first-class prime rib" at this Beverly Hills "legend" and flagship of the "high-quality" steakhouse chain where "beautiful slabs" are "carved tableside" by an "attentive" crew; harking back to a "bygone era", it's often "crowded with tourists" hungry for a taste of "old LA", so its "quaint style" now feels a bit too "commercial" to some.

"The bone-in filet is like butta" rave fans of these "showy", "top-notch steak- and chophouses" where "huge" is the watchword, from the cocktails to the bill to the "power scene" – a "who's who of LA" at the Beverly Hills original; "professional" service and live piano "complete the dining experience", though critics contend the bar can be a "middle-aged meat market."

"Raw fish guru" Nobu Matsuhisa "hasn't lost a step" at his first "home" in Beverly Hills, "turning out unbelievably fresh sushi" and "imaginative" Japanese dishes with Peruvian twists that "entice you to return" "even if you have to wait until your next paycheck" to afford it; the "helpful" staff "makes you feel welcome and at ease", and though some say the decor is "in need of a serious face-lift", most agree it still "sets the standard" for LA cuisine.

Meat lovers find "paradise" at these "classy" "carnivoriums" (part of the national Morton's chain) where "hearty portions" of "perfectly prepared" prime steaks are delivered by "courteous" waiters who do a "terrific" raw meat "show and tell" before the meal; decked out in "dark woods", the "elegant" atmosphere attracts a "power-lunch" crowd that isn't fazed by the large tabs – if you don't have an "expense account", just "bring your first-born."

Expect "major hustle-bustle" at this "noisy" Chinese chain where the "sanitized", "mass-produced" menus "aren't really authentic" yet do "appeal to most palates" (when in doubt, the "lettuce wraps rule"); no one minds the "spotty" service and "ersatz" Sino decor since they "have the formula down" – starting with "nothing-fancy" prices and an overall "fun" vibe.

"Nothing beats a steak sizzling in butter" at this "special-occasion", New Orleans–based chain where the "melt-in-your-mouth" chops are "cooked to perfection" and presented on "hot plates"; opinions of the clubby, "old-fashioned" decor range from "beautiful" to "bland", but service is "attentive" and the "off-the-charts" pricing manageable "so long as your boss doesn't care how much you spend."

"A permanent fixture in the LA culinary firmament", this Wolfgang Puck "flagship", voted the city's Most Popular restaurant, has "still got it in spades" thanks to chef Lee Hefter's Californian fare that's "artistically appointed and cooked to perfection", Sherry Yard's "extraordinary" desserts and a staff that "makes a nobody feel like a star"; add in prime Beverly Hills "people-watching" in the "fanciful" room and on the "beautiful" patio, and patrons would pony up the "crown jewels" for the "fabulous" feast.

"Older movie stars" "feel like big wheels" even if their "careers are off-roading" thanks to the "exceptional service" at this "always-classy" steakhouse in Beverly Hills; the "boisterous" bar upstairs is "nirvana for middle-aged divorcées", who sip "smoking martinis" and "top-notch wines" to the tinkle of a live pianist ("always willing to play your favorite songs") – just make sure to "hit the ATM" hard before going.