Bel Air Bar + Grill recently reopened after 18 months of renovation. It’s fabulous.
Bel Air Bar + Grill, is located at 662 N. Sepulveda Blvd., in Bel-Air, just on the other side of the 405.
To get there, drive on Sunset heading east, but before crossing the 405, turn left, or North, on Church Lane (where Luxe Hotel and the Angeleno Hotel are).
Go beneath the 405 and then turn left on Sepulveda, and Bel Air Bar + Grill is right there on the right – with a perfect view of the Getty.
Owner Susan Disney Lord describes why she kept the spot: “Our restaurant has a brilliant location – right between Brentwood and Westwood. It serves as a meeting place for the Valley; perfect for business lunches, date nights, and private events.â€
A “bougainvillea box†(visible from the 405, creat
ed by artist Amanda Weil), serves as the restaurant’s two-story glass entrance.
The building, which is now attached to a new suite of offices, was designed by Santa Monica-based Killefer Flammang Architects. Interior design was by Ralph Gentile Architects.
The re-envisioned restaurant boasts a new bar, beamed ceilings, rotating artwork, and cozy fireplaces. The restaurant’s private dining space, The Sunset Room, seats up to 90 guests in the upstairs 1,100 square feet.
While the structural changes are many, Lord assures Bel Air Bar + Grill’s menu has maintained the same great taste as before. With several new and updated dishes, the restaurant’s menu offers something for everyone.
Excellent appetizers include Tuna Tartare, Roasted Beet Salad, Steamed New Zealand Gree
n-lipped Mussels, and a big favorite of many—Truffled Mac n’ Cheese.
Entrées include Bouillabaisse, Pan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops, Grilled Niman Ranch Prime Filet Mignon, and Roasted Mary’s Natural Airline Chicken Breast.
One patron praised, “The pork ribs are fantastic, they really do fall off the bone.†All meats are hormone-free.
And finally – the best for last. A crowd favorite is the warm and gooey chocolate chunk cookie à la mode. Other desserts include a warm strawberry rhubarb crisp à la mode, lemon tart with graham cracker crust and the chef’s twist on an old favorite—a red velvet ding dong!
Ceiling speakers throughout the restaurant distribute the sound more evenly. Wherever you are seated, you can hear the soft music, but it’s not overwhelming. As one diner noted, “We can actually hear each other.â€
Another inviting feature is the melange of paintings by Cal Arts students that adorn the walls of the restaurant. The old fireplace is still there.
Bel Air Bar + Grill’s recent renovation promises a new dining experience for its customers, old and new. The Bel Air Bar + Grill is no longer just a restaurant. It truly is a landmark. And it’s right next door to Brentwood.
For reservations, call (310) 440-5544.
