Beverly Hills

Here We Come…

Rodeo Drive. A street synonymous with Hollywood glitz, glamor and over the top spending. Having a day before and day after to spend in LA, after a fun cruise on Carnival’s Firenze ship down to Baja and back. We spent the day before walking up and down Rodeo Drive, taking in all the luxury for some kicks before winding up at one of LA’s most famous restaurants, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago for dinner. After debarking from the ship, we had a day to kill before checking into our hotel, Hyatt Airport, so we went to LA’s county museum for some incredible modern art and then walked across a beautiful plaza to take in a really cool new museum, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, five floors of movie clips, film history and Oscars.

Eric Denq

Beginning at Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where parts of Pretty Woman were filmed, the cobble stone street beckoned with all that luxury laid out in front of you. While we appreciated the craftmanship and attention to detail in all the clothes, handbags, watches, etc. neither the web gal who has a vast collection of stuff already waiting to be used, nor I had the slightest inclination to reach for our cards. While fun to look at, everything was just so ludicrously overpriced that you had to laugh at a street like this even exists and people are willing to pay for that address. Let the abundance flow. Which took us to Spago.

Thinker Kong

Got to meet the man himself as Wolfgang Puck was waiting for a family birthday celebration. Nice guy. Got some complimentary amuse bouche followed by a Roasted Italian Chestnut Soup that the web gal really liked. Sommelier Eric Denq recommended 2023 La Spinetta Bricco Qualia Moscato D’Asti that the web gal loved. We enjoyed his enthusiastic tour and knowledge of Spago’s wine cellar as well.

Guess nowadays the complimentary crusty bread and butter is a distant, pleasant memory. Bread box at Spago was a no go with me, all these fou fou styles of bread and at $26 bucks, I was less than impressed.

La Spinetta Bricco Qualia Moscato D’Asti

My Liberty Duck Breast was rare but had this glaze on it that made it taste like glazed ham. Duck was sent back as it didn’t taste like rare duck at all. Web gal enjoyed her pasta Briganti Pasta dish. The Broccoli and Potato Puree were nice sides. We had yummy Fresh Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert.

Amuse Bouche

While the food was hit and miss at Spago, the restaurant has terrific atmosphere and service. Web gal really loved the little table they provided for her handbag. All in all, a bit pricey, but still a fun experience if you’re in Beverly Hills. Cheers.