From power lunch to lounging after dark, Hakkasan Beverly Hills is L.A.’s new hot plate. On September 19, the towering signature stainless steel doors will swing open at Hakkasan’s sophisticated new Beverly Hills address. An invite-only soft opening this week gives influential foodies and tastemakers a peek into the things to come through sampling renowned chef Ho Chee Boon’s elevated take on Cantonese cuisine, as well as tasting a stellar menu of wines and cocktails, in what will undoubtedly become 90210’s sexiest new dining destination.
While the menu features many signature dishes, such as delicate roasted silver cod with champagne and Chinese honey, craveable crispy duck salad and Hakkasan’s legendary dim sum, light and healthy options such as soups and rice dishes have been added to please the area’s calorie-conscious crowd.
In addition to the high-end dining experience, we especially love the idea of Beverly Hills getting a late-night boost — the restaurant’s Ling Ling Lounge won’t close until 1 a.m. on Mondays through Saturdays. From music sets curated by the in-house music supervisor and signature craft cocktails (such as the coconut, lychee and passion fruit infused Hakka) at the bar to delicious, small plates dished after dark, the opening of Hakkasan gives a whole new reason to head into the heart of Los Angeles’ most prestigious neighborhood.
But the swanky establishment isn’t strictly for night owls. There’s anticipation that the elegant eatery will become a hotspot for power lunches as well. “We definitely think it will be,” says Nick McCabe, COO of Hakkasan Limited. “Hakkasan Beverly Hills is in a prime area, amidst a number of top agencies, management firms and other businesses. And we will offer an array of lunch options, from a fast and yet luxurious dim sum lunch to a longer, multicourse lunch to dazzle clients and colleagues.”
Designed by Paris-based firm Gilles & Boissier (the team behind Hakkasan Restaurant Las Vegas and 2014’s Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech), intricate architectural details in rich oak and pristine white marble lend the 10,000-square-foot space an air of exotic mystery. In fact, the coolest thing about the labyrinthine, 132-seat main dining room is the “Cage,” a series of gorgeously carved, latticed screens that comprise the defining design element of Hakkasan restaurants worldwide — from London to Dubai to Las Vegas. A testament to the haute Chinoiserie one could imagine at a modern Shanghai eatery, the feature provides an elegant buffer between diners and the comings and goings of the impeccably trained servers while creating an all-important sense of intimacy and privacy — as the room can be segmented off into smaller dining venues.
The air of exclusivity doesn’t end there though. At the end of the luminous bar and a glass-encased wine cellar is the gateway up a short flight of stairs to The Lotus private dining room, which seats up to 18 guests. There is even a discrete valet entrance, in addition to entering from the main street, for VIP guests who want to slip in and out quietly.
Photos Courtesy of Hakkasan Limited
