Espelette Beverly Hills Does High-End European Inside Waldorf Astoria | Eater LA

"Taking over the former Jean-Georges space at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Espelette is a new European-focused fine-dining hotel restaurant helmed by culinary director and chef Steve Benjamin (previously at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas) that opens May 12. The menu emphasizes intentional simplicity and seasonal produce, with coastal Mediterranean dishes such as tuna carpaccio and eggplant Parmesan, pastas, wood-grilled proteins, and showier items like caviar scrambled eggs with Bordier butter, chives, espelette peppers, and crème fraîche. The restaurant’s namesake, the Espelette pepper from southwest France, is used as a flavor enhancer rather than an overpowering spice, and the kitchen sources local California vegetables and fruit from Harry’s Berries (featured in a strawberry tart) alongside specialty imports like Tête de Moine cheese; drinks focus on craft cocktails inspired by the European coast and an extensive wine list from Spain and France. Espelette will be open daily for breakfast (7 a.m.–11 a.m.) and for dinner Tuesday–Saturday (5:30 p.m.–10 p.m.)." - Virali Dave