Can't Decide What It Wants to Be
The Belmont is a smallish restaurant with an indoor seating area and a covered patio. I mention this only because I held a gathering of 10 people on a weekday night there, which seemed to strain the Belmont's capacity, so it's not for big parties, but for more intimate tête-à-têtes instead. My table wasn't ready when my party arrived at the appointed hour, a bad oversight in the restaurant business. This is a better bar than restaurant, which is a pity, because the food was good, although the kitchen was a bit slow. People in my party even said that their hamburgers were among the best they'd ever had. Other dishes, such as the petrale sole, were serviceable, but not spectacular, with undercooked risotto. Service at the Belmont was attentive, which is why it's a pity that it can't quite decide if it just wants to be another scenester bar or a restaurant worthy of its Zagat rating. The glare of flat-screen TVs, albeit with the sound off, detracted from the Belmont's otherwise pleasant, if mysterious, ambiance. This is quite a loud space with small tables and a few booths. The bar area has intriguing hooks underneath the counter for your purse, or baseball cap. Since this is the upper end of La Cienega Blvd., parking is at a premium, and valet parking is a must.    [02 Aug 2008 05:07:46]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Hamburgers

     ­Anonymous