Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Los Angeles, Calif. Having never been to Los Angeles before, I tried to fit in as much LA as possible.

My mom and a family friend accompanied me. While there are many iconic sights to see in LA, there are just as many restaurants, and I was responsible for figuring out our lunch and dinner plans.

While all of the meals we had were quite delectable, our Friday evening dinner at Culina was probably the best. Culina, a modern Italian restaurant in the Four Seasons, offers a wide range of fine-dining options in Beverly Hills. The stylish, upscale hotel restaurant is known for its modern Italian meals, an extensive wine list and a fire-lit patio.

Our reservation was for 7:15 p.m., and after coming from a taping of James Corden that ran later than expected, we made it just in time. When pulling up to the Four Seasons Hotel, we noticed the separate entrance for the restaurant enclosed by an outdoor patio.

As we entered, the bar was on our right, across from a very long wine wall, and while being escorted to the table, I was captivated by the beautiful, quaint décor and chandeliers. We were seated at an indoor table but had views of the unique fire-lit outdoor patio.

Our server came over and welcomed us, going over the specials and taking our drink order: Beth and I ordered French martinis while the sommelier came over to assist my mom. Instead of bringing over a glass of wine — which my mom requested — the sommelier brought over a bottle and began pouring, under the impression we requested a bottle.

For an appetizer my mom and I split the Burrata e Pesche with fresh peach, frisee salad and garda olive oil, which was delicious. For dinner my mom and I ordered the quadrucci al Pomodoro e melanzane, ricotta-stuffed egg pasta, San Marzano, eggplant, lodigrana, basil and garda oil — which was delicious — and Beth ordered the ravioli al brasato e fave, braised short ribs-stuffed pasta, fava bean, red onion, natural jus and Raspadura cheese. We were told the pastas were more the size of an appetizer dish than a traditional meal; but because we wanted to save room for dessert, we felt it would be enough. The pastas were wonderful, light and perfectly cooked.

For dessert I ordered the butterscotch Budino with whipped crème frâiche, sea salt caramel and coconut cookies, while my mom ordered the tiramisu. The only part of the Budino I actually enjoyed was the coconut cookie, which they should have provided more of to dip in the caramel — otherwise, it had a soupy texture and was not creamy like a custard or pudding.

Overall, I thought the food, besides the dessert, was wonderful, but I do wish the customer service was a bit better.

— Jenna Payesko, advertising and editorial coordinator