Four Seasons Los Angeles Goes Modern with New Restaurant, Culina

March 3, 2010 at 2:51 PM | by juliana | Comments (3)

It's Oscars week in Los Angeles and the hotels in town are in a very festive mood. Which is probably why the Four Seasons Los Angeles took advantage of the party season to throw a dual-night opening party for their brand new restaurant, Culina.

Culina replaces the hotel's old Gardens restaurant at the ground level of the hotel, off to the right of the entrance. Aside from an interior overhaul, the new additions to the restaurant, space-wise, include a 2,000-sq.ft. outdoor patio with a long firepit; a VIP lounge; and a large wine room that is visible to patrons through decorated glass etched with Italian words and phrases.

Our favorite of the new spaces is the outdoor patio and despite jutting up against the corner of the intersection at Doheny and Burton Way, we hardly noticed any noise from the street traffic. Then again, that could have been because Culina was so crowded itself.

This was the second private opening night for the restaurant and it was filled with special friends of the hotel, including a handful of production members from the "Dr. Phil" show (who apparently put up some of their guests here) along with older society and Hollywood-esque folks. We also had word that Larry Flynt was in the house but alas, we did not see him ourselves.

As far as cuisine, we sampled selections from Culina's modern Italian menu, created by Chef Victor Casanova and which features antipasti, formaggi, salumi, pizzas and but of course, pasta. However, mixing it up a bit is crudo bar with selections such as ahi tuna, cappesante and yellowtail. And from what we saw of the desserts (cannolis, tiramisu and delicious bomboloni filled with honey ricotta and tinged with citrus marmalade), you should definitely plan on staying for some dolci.

The prices seem rather reasonable, especially for a hotel restaurant, ranging from $12 for burrata, to $14 for a basic pasta dish and $25 for the pesce spada (California swordfish.)

Overall, Culina is a much-needed, modern, breath of fresh air for the Four Seasons. This hotel will always do well with A-list celebrities and swells of Beverly Hills but it's nice to see them keeping up with the Jones up on Sunset.

The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner starting today and reservations can be made online via the Culina website at Opentable.

Comments (3)

Return to » Four Seasons Los Angeles Goes Modern with New Restaurant, Culina

I think my favorite parts were the fire pit out on the front patio, and the Czech glass chandelier.

The veal fiorentino was pretty good too!

Oh, and Larry Flynt was TOTALLY there! I saw him wheel past the table.

I once visited this restaurant,that really great experience, best Halloween costume ideas for all.

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