I live in Encino and my kids live on the Westside. Bel Air Bar and Grill is a godsend! It's the only good restaurant where we can meet ""in between"". Truthfully, I'd drive twice the distance to eat the food. Some of the best dishes in LA. Try the boullabaise or the lamb. Some of the pastas have been on the menu a little to long though-- but it doesn't pretend to be Valentino. It's a cozy, friendly place; and worth the price. Quick story: My kids went to USC. We were in there one night sitting next to a Trojan legend. My wife, never the shrinking violet, approached him and told him that our kids were fellow alumni. He laughed, got up and came over to say Hi! It's that type of place. The only negative we ever experienced was one night, after a function at the Getty Museum, we popped in after 9:00. The kitchen was closed. Oh well, we've got no business eating that late, anyway.
Pros: food, service, ambience
Cons: closes early
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