View From The Top
By Cary Schultz | Photography by Giada Paoloni
Elevating the Los Angeles culinary scene quite literally, Dante Beverly Hills has opened its doors on the ninth floor at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. A first-of-its-kind expansion beyond its New York City roots, the bar and restaurant is taking rooftop dining in LA to new dimensions, fusing New York sophistication with the unique charm of Southern California. Dante, a beloved institution originally founded in New York's Greenwich Village in 1915, has been showered with accolades like #1 and #2 in the World's 50 Best Bars, Time Out New York's Bar of the Year, and Best American Restaurant Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. The Maybourne itself has undergone a monumental transformation in recent years. The flagship of the USA hotel group includes London’s legendary locations like Claridge’s, The Connaught Hotel, and The Berkeley.
LA artist Abel Macias Mural Graces The Dining Area Ceiling
With the space design led by creative director Nathalie Hudson, Dante Beverly Hills strikes a harmonious balance between European elegance and the laid-back aura of Southern California. “There’s a magical, whimsical part to the Californian color palette, almost a patina, that evolves throughout the day,” says Hudson. You are surrounded by these luscious, or golden-hued, pastels whilst on the rooftop. We wanted to pull those colors into the space and layered them with texture throughout.”
The Dante Martini (Martini Hour Menu)
Though rooftop dining experiences have long been a staple in cities like New York, LA has been relatively late to the game. To make the most of this untapped opportunity, Dante Beverly Hills employs stackable French doors to ensure that each diner enjoys uninterrupted views of the Hollywood Hills and beyond, where guests are also flanked by the live wood-fired oven, a stunning pool with the art installation, ‘Hopes & Dreams’ by Joel Mesler, and plentiful trees and flowers emulating the verdant gardens of Milan - lush, green and surrounded by local plants, water and white marble tables. But what truly sets this space apart is its décor, which reflects not only Dante's signature style but also the colors and textures of California's diverse landscape. A dazzling mural by LA artist Abel Macias graces the dining area ceiling. The expansive wall-to-wall carpeting and spacious booths contribute to an intimate, "cocoon-like" atmosphere, offering both warmth and effective sound absorption. The Alfresco dining patio and bar is an immersive experience.
Dante Beverly Hills Iconic Wood-fired Pizzas
Dante’s Signature Garibaldi Cocktail
The restaurant offers a spectacular menu featuring aperitivo-style cocktails like negronis and spritzes, alongside a selection of agave-forward beverages. The crown jewel of their drinks menu is the Garibaldi, a Campari and "fluffy" orange juice concoction. In a unique nod to the Californian context, the Garibaldi also happens to be the name of California’s state fish, often seen in the kelp forests just off the northern coast. Beyond the cocktails, the cuisine is not to be missed either. Diners can savor Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dishes, many freshly prepared in the wood-fired oven. Fresh ingredients are sourced from small, local producers, giving each dish a unique, farm-to-table character. Looking ahead, The Maybourne is gearing up for further expansion and improvements, adding more layers of luxury to its ever-expanding repertoire.
Fennel & Orange Salad (left) and Crudo Del Pescatore (right)