Busy Beth's Blog: Bel Air Bar + Grill

When I arrived last month at the newly reopened Bel Air Bar + Grill for their pre-opening opening, the downstairs area was already hopping. I grabbed a cocktail at the bar and a piece of tender Grilled Shrimp Cocktail from a passing tray, then decided to escape the bustle to and check out the new Sunset Room, a spacious upstairs area available for private parties of up to ninety guests. I was pleased to discover that, not only was it less hectic up there, but there was a little buffet set up for us featuring their delectable Truffled Mac n' Cheese, yummy Classic Bel Air Chopped Vegetable Salad with parmesan cheese and honey balsamic, and Crispy Calamari + Shrimp (mushrooms, capers, squid, shrimp all very lightly fried to perfection and served with spicy tomato sauce and garlic lemon aioli). The fried capers make it extra special.

Bel Air Bar + Grill is only minutes away fromThe Getty Center and had been a dining staple and celebrity spot since its opening in 1998 (you may know it as the spot where Britney Spears signed her divorce papers back in 2010). After an eighteen month total makeover, It has reopened under the direction of Susan Disney Lord (yes, THAT Disney) and now includes a small take-away sandwich shop called The Shack. Everything has been completely overhauled. The chefs, however, have remained the same. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As I sat enjoying my food in the Sunset Room, more and more people made their way upstairs to the airy dining room... and so too came the servers passing out sample-sized plates of some more dishes from their menu. My absolute favorite thing was the fat, succulent Pan-Seared Jumbo Sea Scallop served on a bed of pearl barley veggie risotto with champagne shallot butter sauce. It was sweet, savory, and perfectly cooked.

Other delicious bites included Roasted Japanese Eggplant + Tomato Bruschetta (with fresh, creamy Buffalo mozzarella and balsamic glaze), Pan Roasted Branzino (delicate white fish with sautéed kale + leeks, sweet carrot faro, with lemon pepper dressing), and pieces of rare Grilled Niman Ranch Prime NY Steak over blue cheese risotto with grilled asparagus and black peppercorn demi-glace, and scrumptious Tuna Tartare with avocado, wasabi caviar, and pickled ginger on a wanton chip.

As the evening wound down, I finally had a chance to explore the downstairs. The main dining room is comfortable, homey, and artsy with a cozy fireplace and paintings from Cal Arts students all over the walls.

Did I mention that the outside of the restaurant is covered in giant, translucent bougainvillea art? It is.