Where delicious in/near Beverly Hills (neither foo-foo nor dive) to take visiting foodie friend for dinner?

[Cinnamon]

What's:

-Delicious and yummy food
-Not precious
-Upscale-ish and pretty but not OTT
-Just a wonderful atmosphere
-Can hear yourselves talk

... authentic well-made cocktails a plus.

In Beverly Hills or nearby.

[Cinnamon]

Just wanted to say thanks all of you for your thoughtful suggestions ... shall peruse. (I know these kind of 'special place' requests get old ... and I don't ask frequently ... so anyway your care with your answers is sincerely appreciated.)

[E Eto]

Red Medicine

[Cinnamon]

Thanks - wanted to love this - went recently - but it was just not the phenomenal option I expected. Lukshon is more my choice in a different area of town. Although I have to say the foie gras was totally worth getting.

[degustingdiary]

I second the Scarpetta suggestion.

http://degustingdiary.blogspot.com/

[wienermobile]

+3 for Scarpetta. Great service too. Try the truffled mushroom polenta.
http://www.montagebeverlyhills.com/be...

[Juji]

I'd say The Sherbourne, Fig & Olive or Culina. Spago is always a good choice too.

[BSW6490]

Earlier reply did not post. I think the service at Fig can be beyond bad. Spago is a good choice, but Il Piccolino or Sotto (if you can get in) would be more what they are looking for.

[omotosando]

I like the food at Sotto, but the OP is looking for somewhere (1) pretty, (2) a wonderful atmosphere and (3) where you can hear yourself talk. I think Sotto fails on all three.

[a213b]

Also on the good part, though perhaps that's just me. I was less than impressed when there last week.

[BSW6490]

Then Il Piccolino succeeds on all 3!

[latindancer]

What type of cuisine do you prefer? What does 'precious' mean in this context?

[granadafan]

I think the original poster meant 'pretentious', not precious.

[a213b]

I think he meant precious, and meant it as not wanting something overwrought or needlessly complicated just for the sake of being "cutesy".

[Cinnamon]

a213b is right (though yes grandafan also) ... precious:
4.
affectedly or excessively delicate, refined, or nice: precious manners.
5.
flagrant; gross: a precious fool.

[Titiany]

Tavern. Lovely room, not too noisy and delicious food. I can't speak to the cocktails (I usually have wine), but the drink menu looks interesting.

[foodiemahoodie]

Not sure what OTT is (in you estimation), you might throw in some more specific guidelines as to what you mean with that. CUT might make sense. Picca could also work. Spagos is a no-brainer, but would that be OTT? Bouchon is very good as is Scarpetta.

[BSW6490]

I think you missed the qualifiers. Piccad is a good choice but complicated. I woul go to il Piccolino on Robertson for great food, service and atmosphiere You will be happy.

[J.L.]

OTT = Over The Top (?)

[Mr Taster]

I'm down with OTT.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/555190

Mr Taster

[J.L.]

Yeah you know me...

[Cinnamon]

Perhaps by definition the both of you!