With almost 365 days of impeccable weather, outside to dine is a year-round occurrence in Los Angeles, and even more so during a pandemic. And now that summer has officially arrived, nothing beats a lively patio, especially in the power lunch centers of Beverly Hills and Century City, which are home to most of the talent agencies and entertainment law firms.
According to industry regulars, the terraces in Century City and Beverly Hills are busy these days. “As Beyoncé explains in her new single ‘Break My Soul,’ we are ‘back outside,'” said Patrik-Ian Polk, co-executive producer of Starz’s P-valley. “As convenient as Zoom meetings are, nothing beats the personal LA business lunch circuit. It’s a vital part of the entertainment industry’s social scene that has been sorely missed.” UTA partner Darnell Strom says: THR that he feels it’s harder to get a “last second” reservation in the area now. “People really want to spend more time dining at restaurants,” he adds. “I think people are trying to make up for lost time.”
Statistics from booking app OpenTable confirm this. From January to May, reservations at participating Beverly Hills restaurants with an average check of $50 per person were up 30 percent from 2021 and 13 percent from 2019. There has been a mood shift in recent months, according to writer and documentary filmmaker. Irena Medavoy, compared to 2021, when a wave of high-profile crimes hit the area. “Beverly Hills got a big hit with the smash-and-grabs and when that person was shot at Il Pastaio,” says Medavoy, referring to an attack on a jewelry store on the restaurant’s patio in March 2021. “I think everyone there’s a break, but everyone’s back now.” But film campaign consultant Terry Press, a regular at The Palm on Canon Drive, says she feels that power lunches haven’t fully returned to pre-pandemic levels: “You know what took over business lunch? All delivery services,” she says. .
Still, the area’s restaurant landscape will get busier this year when a new Jon & Vinny’s (on North Bedford) and Daniel Boulud’s first LA getaway (at the Mandarin Oriental Residences on Wilshire Boulevard) both open. In the meantime, these five outdoor eateries (all open since the start of the pandemic) can help you strike a deal while enjoying atmospheric surroundings.
Lumiere at Fairmont Century Plaza
Lumière’s outdoor dining area, serving steak frites, onion soup and seafood towers.
Courtesy of Fairmont Century Plaza
The iconic Fairmont Century Plaza, with its top spot across from CAA, reopened late last year after a five-year $2.5 billion renovation. Rich in history as a mecca for celebrities such as The Beatles and Sonny & Cher and as President Ronald Reagan’s favorite hotel, this 400-room luxury hotel and residences hosted the Critics Choice Awards in March and is home to the French restaurant Lumiere. Decorated with antiques, the place has a bistro-style menu that features dishes such as knockout chicken liver mousse with olive oil jam. The patio feels like a piece of Provence with an herb garden, fountain and lush lavender plants. 2025 Avenue of the Stars, LA
Neran
Nerano’s outdoor dining area, overlooking Century City and its high-rise buildings. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez recently visited the restaurant for date night.
Courtesy of subject
Overlooking Century City’s neighboring high-rises, Nerano’s chic patio—opened in 2020 on a one-time parking lot—offers an oasis in the middle of the city. The cuisine, inspired by the Amalfi Coast, includes spaghetti with pumpkin blossoms and the same thin-crust Tuscan-style pizzas served at sister restaurant Toscana in Brentwood. “It’s fantastic food with a great outdoor space, chef, maitre d’ and staff,” said CAA agent Ted Miller. 9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
Nua at The Crescent Hotel
Nua .’s bar
Thanks to Noy Aflalo
Located in The Crescent Hotel (near the Live Nation and UTA offices), 1-year-old Nua feels like a Tel Aviv-style cafe that landed in Beverly Hills. Regulars, including Columbia Records president Ron Perry, come for Chef Yoav Schverd’s modern Mediterranean cuisine, including charred eggplant with tomato salsa and date syrup, and shakshuka with slow-cooked tomatoes and poached eggs on a perfectly chewy Jerusalem bagel. The small, intimate patio, hidden from the street, attracts diners seeking a serene lunchtime escape. “Nua is a cosy, tucked away place with great food,” says Gersh partner Roy Ashton, “and the staff make you feel like you’re at a friend’s home.” 403 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills
The terrace at The Maybourne Beverly Hills
Wild salmon pavé with radish and aioli at The Terrace.
Thanks to Patricia Hosein
Flanked by lemon trees, potted plants and white umbrellas next to the Beverly Canon Gardens, The Terrace’s sun-drenched scene exudes Mediterranean elegance. Located in the Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel – sister property to Claridge’s in London – the restaurant offers items such as decadent homemade corn agnolotti with black truffle and steak tartare with lemon crème frache. The hotel also recently enchanted guests with a quintessential British afternoon tea thanks to Claridge’s world famous afternoon ritual. While the crumpet-laden experience was a pop-up, the splendor will become a fixture after the ongoing lobby renovation is completed. Until then, tea is offered in The Terrace every weekend from 2 to 5 pm. “The food is great,” said Medavoy, who recently had lunch there with husband Mike with producer-director George Stevens Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth. Strom added: “The Terrace Restaurant at the Maybourne Hotel is my favorite place for a business lunch. The outside terrace is spacious, the food is delicious and if you close your eyes for a moment, you will feel like you are dining outside in Europe.” 225 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
Lumière’s vegan grilled aubergine, with cashew cream, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, sumac and crispy garlic.
Jakob Layman/Courtesy of Restaurant
Tommy’s Beverly Hills
Tommy Salvatore has been the well-connected manager at Craig’s for many years and is the man behind Tommy’s. Located opposite The Terrace in the former site of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, the restaurant serves chef Vartan Abgaryan’s Italian fare, including antipasti platters, spicy meatballs, and cacio e pepe pasta alongside options like a burger and bowl of mixed wild rice. Lunch and happy hour take place on The Café’s vine-clad patio on the ground floor, while the main restaurant upstairs serves dinner. Polk says: “Tommy’s is the perfect place for a power lunch. The atmosphere is cozy and the food is to die for. And Tommy himself walks around greeting tables, the nicest man and an LA legend.” 235 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
This story first appeared in the July 15 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.