HotelChatter

We've already mentioned the star-sighting benefits of enjoying an afternoon at The Polo Lounge restaurant, which is still absolutely true. On our last visit, we nearly collided with the Osbourne family as they were heading through the hotel lobby—first Jack and Ozzy, then Sharon around the corner. But more than the celeb run-in factor, dining at The Polo Lounge is one of those consummate LA experiences that you won't soon forget. The service is attentive, but not intrusive, and on a beautiful LA day, we prefer sitting at one of the comfortable wrought iron tables outdoors, surrounded by the cooling shade of trees.

The food lives up to the chic decor, with a no-frills menu that's elegant and obviously well crafted. The salads are excellent, the pastas solid, and the Arnold Palmers some of the best we've tasted, especially at the height of summertime. But it's the famous Polo Lounge burger that remains the standout: the kind of tender, jus-dripping sirloin (or kobe-style, if you prefer) that's perfectly done, with a just-crisp-enough bun and simple selection of add-ons, like grilled onions and applewood bacon. The conflict, then, becomes whether to gawk at the people around you or the dish in front of you.

As a final note, you don't need an oversized pair of Chanel glasses to make this your afternoon hang, but let's be honest, it might help. When in Rome, after all...

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· A Celeb for Everyone at the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel [Hotel Chatter]
· The Beverly Hills Hotel [Hotel Chatter]
· The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel [Official Site]

[Photo Alan Light<]