Upon our triumphant in-person return to Los Angeles in December 2021 to celebrate our annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the FXExpress Publications, Inc. team also revisited one of our favorite city hot spots: Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for dinner at the on-site Riviera 31 bar lounge.
The list of accolades for Riviera 31 is long, including being a favorite of celebrities and other L.A. elite: Best Hotel Bar in West Hollywood by WEHOville; among the 10 hottest spots in Los Angeles to go out, by USA TODAY; and more. Visitors find themselves surrounded by sensual Baroque décor, cozy ruby red and blue velvet sofas, a gold Rococo ceiling and a hint of Roaring Twenties Hollywood glamour amid the luxurious French flair of the Sofitel. We started our evening with refreshing cocktails and delicious tray- passed items including Wagyu sliders with aged white Cheddar and caramelized onion spread, lump crab cakes, arancini with truffle and Grana Padano, and a chicken salad tartlet lush with dried cranberries and green apple.
For our three-course dinner, we moved to a private dining room off the Esterel breakfast restaurant’s main space. Our sumptuous dinner menu reflected the true love letter to Los Angeles and its diversity of people, cultures, tastes and influences that Chef David Macias puts into every one of his curated dishes. The menu and food offerings at the property reflect his own life and culinary path, which took him from Los Angeles’ South Bay to multiple luxury hotels in the city.
We enjoyed experiencing his ode to the tastes of Los Angeles in our handcrafted menu which began with a starter of roasted autumn squash caprese featuring burrata cheese, roasted pepitas, basil and golden balsamic. I opted for the roasted cauliflower entrée boasting fromage blanc, toasted pine nuts and Bloomsdale spinach, while my colleagues selected from other options including a braised lamb shank with roasted poblano pepper grits, aged Cheddar, sweet onion and a citrus gremolata; or crisp black cod accompanied by caramelized turnip, candied bacon, roasted fennel and sauce verte. For a sweet finish to an excellent night, we enjoyed a spiced, poached pear finished with dulce de leche, French toast and chocolate crumble.
Consider Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, Riviera 31 or any of the hotel’s other venues, for any of your event needs.
Riviera 31 also hosts an exceptional live entertainment program. Following our meal, we found our reserved table for Jazz Night, offered every Monday night and dubbed “the place to be and to be seen, where the unexpected can happen.” Cello maestro Ryan Cross and his band bring the best of jazz and blues. Surprise performances from special guests frequently materialize; in the past, Stevie Wonder, Craig Robinson and Dan Reynolds (frontman of Imagine Dragons) joined in to sing and enjoy the best jazz night in Los Angeles. On Wednesdays, it’s time to dance! Angelo Pagan and his band deliver Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms to Salsa Night, hosted by Gabriela Lopez. Attendees may find themselves dancing or singing next to the likes of Marc Anthony or celebrity dancers like Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Visit Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills and Riviera 31 this spring for seasonal specialties including carnitas bao, pork saltimbocca, fried oysters, white mushroom pizza and bread pudding, alongside cocktails like the Elder Fitzgerald composed of Maker’s Mark, St. Germain, passionfruit syrup and lemon juice; and the Peach Julip, featuring Bulleit Whiskey, Liquid Alchemist Peach Syrup, muddled mint and sugar.
Bon appétit!
RIVIERA 31
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
tel 310 278 5444
sofitel-los-angeles.com
Read This Next
Party at Belgrade’s Best Bars and Clubs
April/May 2022
Jun 22, 2022
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedFebruary 2026
Feb 14, 2026Explora Journeys Debuts “EXPLORA III” Vessel This Summer
Setting sail this summer, Explora Journeys’ newest vessel, EXPLORA III, will sail the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Northern Europe across a wide range of voyages, offering travelers the feeling of a private yacht experience on a larger ship. The new ship will boast 463 oceanfront suites, five heated pools, six restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, and a 1.25:1 guests-per-host ratio. Suite types range from ocean terraces to penthouses to cove residences, some with whirlpools.
Sponsored Content
SAIL UNIQUE: A New Chapter in Luxury Ocean Travel
Imagine a place where European elegance meets the rhythm of the sea, where time slows and every detail is designed to inspire connection, discovery and a deeper sense of ease. This is Explora Journeys, the European luxury lifestyle ocean brand redefining how the world is explored by sea.
Daily
Feb 13, 2026Colorado’s Table Mountain Inn Debuts Monthly Spirits Club
New this winter season, Table Mountain Inn, in the historic town of Golden, Colorado, invites visitors to attend its monthly Spirits Club. This ticketed tasting series takes place on the last Thursday of each month in the inn’s Kokopelli indoor/outdoor area, where hotel guests and locals mingle while enjoying craft spirits in a relaxed setting.
February 2026
Feb 13, 2026The Maldives Rings in the Year of the Ocean Nation
Life is full of challenges, but kicking back when you’re in the Maldives shouldn’t be one of them. The archipelagic nation of emerald lagoons and white coral sand scattered across the northern Indian Ocean naturally lends itself to visions of world-class relaxation. And now, a Maldivian national campaign branding 2026 as the “Year of the Ocean Nation” gives rise to more wellness-themed pursuits than ever.
Sponsored Content
How To Enhance Your Mental and Emotional Wellness on the Road
Prioritizing Mental and Emotional Wellness While Traveling for Business Business travel opens doors to professional growth and new experiences — but a demanding schedule, time away from home and work pressures can affect mental wellness. According to a 2024 Gallup study, with more than half of the global workforce reporting disengagement, supporting wellness on the road is more important than ever. Below are practical ways to stay balanced and energized during business trips.
Daily
Feb 13, 2026The Peninsula Motoring Series Debuts in Europe
This September, The Peninsula Hotels will once again guide an intimate group of motoring enthusiasts through the Scottish Highlands for six days of winding mountain passes and historic estates with its newest iteration of The Peninsula Motoring Series, Scotland.
Spotlight: Nashville’s Neuhoff District
Daily
Feb 12, 2026February 2026
Feb 11, 2026Waterfront Convention Centers Tout the Benefits of Their Blue Spaces
Whether seaside, riverside or lakeside, the benefits of hosting a conference at a waterfront convention center run the gamut from access to outdoor networking venues to boosting attendee satisfaction with “blue spaces,” or aquatic locations, known to support mental health and well-being.
Sponsored Content
From Bethpage to Adare: Following the Ryder Cup to Ireland
In September 2025, the eyes of the golf world will turn to New York, where Bethpage Black hosts the Ryder Cup. The drama, rivalry and passion of this iconic event will once again capture global attention. But, for golf fans, the story doesn’t end there. In 2027, the Ryder Cup will cross the Atlantic, arriving at one of Europe’s most celebrated courses: Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland.
United States
Feb 11, 20265 Shows to See in New York City Right Now
Once the seasonal crowd thins, theater in New York City sharpens as the stages take on a more deliberate pulse, gearing up for spring. If you’re in the city over the next couple of months, these five productions deserve your attention. Some are limited runs and some hinge on rotating casts, but together they span everything from immersive performance to emotionally unflinching drama to tightly constructed musical storytelling.
ShareThis