• About

yummcha

~ Sharing experiences, ideas & thoughts regarding foods and life in general

yummcha

Tag Archives: Grilled Watermelon

Belvedere – The Peninsula Hotel

16 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by yummcha in American Food, Food

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bread, Chocolate Parfait, Cioppino, Cucumber Gazpacho, Grilled Watermelon, Peninsula Hotel, Stuffed Eggplant

 

WP_20150614_014

Even as a very young child growing up in Hong Kong, I had heard of The Peninsula Hotel on the Kowloon side. I knew that it was an expensive and exclusive hotel back then even though I had never even seen nor stepped foot in the establishment.

I left Hong Kong when I was eleven, and it was not until my mid twenties when I went back to work there, that I had finally got a chance to visit the famed Peninsula Hotel and to be impressed by its grandeur and its elegance.

Fast forward to present day Los Angeles. I have been living here for about 20 years now, and even though I had passed by the Peninsula Hotel here in Beverly Hills a number of times on the way to Rodeo Drive, I did not ever think about having a meal there since I figured the price would be so out of my range of affordability.

Fortunately, while browsing through the Travelzoo website, we noticed there was a deal for the Belvedere Hotel at the Peninsula Hotel for $99 dinner for 2 for a four course meal. Though the price was not cheap,  we figured that it might be worthwhile to try since it is The Peninsula Hotel.

WP_20150614_005

The hotel lobby, while not grand, exuded class and refinement. There was an air of sophistication and poshness.

To be honest, I was rather skeptical about going in since I did not want to be disappointed by these “expensive, fancy” restaurant. To my total relief and delight, I was not one bit disappointed, in fact,  the food and atmosphere exceeded my expectations, all the dishes were top-notched, impeccably prepared, exquisitely and complex in taste.

WP_20150614_010

WP_20150614_009

Since I was a bit intimated by the not-so-friendly looking waiter when he asked if I wanted something to drink, I reluctantly ordered a cappuccino, and a hot water. The water came in a fancy teapot with a small bottle of honey and lemon slices, and the cup and saucer for two beverages were beautifully designed modern porcelain ware. Being that I had dabbled for a number of years in ceramics, I was much impressed and was admiring the pieces while sipping on perhaps the best and the largest cup of cappuccino I have had.

The menu consisted of a Cucumber Gazpacho, Roasted Stuffed Eggplant, a Silver Queen Corn Pappardelle for my entree, while my companion had the California Cioppino, and a Mint Chocolate Parfait and the Grilled Watermelon Salad for dessert.

WP_20150614_013

The bread basket came with five different varieties of bread,  all of them fresh, warm, served with a sun dried tomato butter and regular butter. The slightly sweet zucchini bread was the best. The four different types that I tried were all distinct and worthy on its own.

WP_20150614_014

IMG_3696

IMG_3699

IMG_3698

The Cucumber Gazpacho was rich, creamy, with excellent depth of flavor. The fillings inside the eggplant were slightly crunchy, while the eggplant was moist and delectable. While my pasta seemed like a simple dish, it was flawlessly prepared and the taste was light, yet satisfying, and the poached egg was perfect according to my companion to whom I had generously bestowed the treasure to. I only tried one mussel from the Cioppino, but was told that the seafood were all excellent.

IMG_3702

IMG_3700

My chocolate parfait, presented on a bed of ice, was truly impressive in flavor and texture. I love the fact that it was not that sweet, but elegantly rich, and with bits of crunchiness. The chunks of grilled watermelon was probably cut out from the very center of the fruit since they were the reddest, and sweetest tasting.

I must say that the food at the Belvedere exceeded some of the best, and better known restaurants that I had tried in the Los Angeles area, and I am so glad that it is indeed living up to the distinguished reputation of the Peninsula Hotel Group.

The Belvedere: 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90212    Phone: 310-551-2888

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • November 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • July 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013

Categories

  • American Food
  • art
  • Bakery
  • buffet
  • Chinese Bakery
  • Chinese dessert
  • Chinese food
  • Food
  • French Food
  • Italian Food
  • Japanese Food
  • Korean Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Markets
  • Peruvian Food
  • Spanish Food
  • Thai Food
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Vietnamese Food

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    <span>%d</span> bloggers like this: