La Dolce Vita (9785 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210; 310.278.1845), is the Rat Pack’s favorite Italian restaurant and it has had a redesign. With exposed brick, mirrored walls, photos of Gable and Cooper, a brass bar covered in herbs for your drinks, a white crown-molded ceiling, you can grab a spot in the red leather Sinatra booths.
In this dimly lit spot, order up cocktails like the LDV Old Fashioneds (now with muddled blackberries and blood-orange bitters); The Spanish Ambassador (Casadorez Reposado, Frangelico, Lemon Juice, Angostura Bitters, Cinnamon); and Gino’s on Lex (Johnny Walker Black, Luxardo Apricot, Orange Bitters, Lemon Juice). As for food, get the new fontina burger on ciabatta, classics like Chicken Scaloppini, Tagliatelle Bolognese and house-made linguini with littlenecks. Overall, the Northern Italian fare, created by Executive Chef David Schanhals, is made from scratch. Full menu here.
Officially reopens tomorrow.
