HAKKASAN BEVERLY HILLS

THERE'S A NEW RESTAURANT IN TOWN THAT IS PROBABLY TRYING TO TAKE MR. CHOW'S BUSINESS.

HAKKASAN IS A VERY HIGH END CONGLOMERATE OF RESTAURANTS SITUATED ALL OVER THE WORLD.

They are sexy, dark, and chic. Their interior design is slightly futuristic, and they play the right music at the right time. Cultivating a young bar scene is crucial, and they are paying a promoter to do that on certain nights. It's a very high-end "Vegas-type special restaurant," and the fun thing is that when you walk in you could be anywhere--Tokyo, Dubai, London or, of course, Vegas. If it catches on with the Hollywood or younger crowd it will work. The Beverly Hills regulars will still eat at La Scala or The Grill and be home by eight or nine.

The bar

Dining areas

I was honored to be taken there by Agnew Lew, a Pasadena patron of the arts who is a friend of Executive Chef Ho Chee Boon. Chef Boon is in charge of ALL the kitchens of Hakkasan, and was brought in for the opening. 

His food is very beautiful to look at, marvelously plated, and delicious. He is particularly adept at appetizers and desserts.

Take a look at the vegetarian steamed dumplings. Each one was a work of art.

Top Chef and owner of Black Market Antonia Lofaso and Sandy Pressman

Chef Boon stopping by

Dessert

Agnes, Ping, Nathalie Kunin, Sandy, and me

Dessert

More dessert

Hakkasan is located on Beverly Drive across from the park at the Montage.