The Bel-Air

The Bel-Air Restaurant Review:

A two-story glass entryway, decorated entirely in a striking mural of bougainvillea, welcomes guests to The Bel-Air --- the restaurant owned by Susan Disney Lord, niece of Walt. What was once a relatively bland tavern with a boring décor has been transformed into a modern space with dark furnishings alongside cozy nuances such as fireplaces and brick walls. The menu remains that of an American tavern with appetizers like truffled mac ‘n’ cheese, fried calamari and a jumbo shrimp cocktail. Steamed New Zealand mussels are well executed, served in a spicy serrano-pesto broth, ideal for dipping. For entrées, a moist pan-roasted branzino (Mediterranean sea bass) is cooked properly, served atop a slightly sweet and crunchy carrot farro, while roast chicken is rich with butter on a sauté of potatoes, pearl onions and corn. The red velvet ding dong is the creation of the house pastry chef, though it is only suited for diners with an intense sweet tooth. A concise wine list is mostly filled with popular Californian labels, through there are a few international choices.