The Ivy — Restaurant in Los Angeles

2023:

Loved it as always. I have visited a few cherished icons for 30+ years, and this is one of them. Took my sister-in-law for her 60th birthday yesterday and we had a blast - and the service even had a birthday treat for her. Much appreciated.

Had the lobster pasta they are famous for - and to be honest, I can not remember ever trying anything else. Sure this place is not for everyone's budget - and I must say I do not understand why valet parking is almost double compared to others. $17 was hard to explain to my guests.

But then, we loved the wonderful setting, very attentive service, and their wonderful food. I would always come back and highly recommend it for any special occasion. I can not remotely confirm any racism or overworked staff as suggested in other comments. Not at all.

Missed any chance to get something to drink while waiting for our table to get ready, though.

2019: Loving this place for years - and am amazed I never wrote a review. If you have never been: the Ivy is one of "the" places for the "nouveau riches" - see and to be seen. So dress up - and enjoy. It's been there forever - and they are always overbooked.

You gotta take it as it is: they are extremely successful, and so is their attitude - they will let you wait, and if you attack them for it, they will attack you back. They have an attitude, and always will.

Just read "This place is not classy! We had a reservation and they would not let us sit for 45 minutes because we were missing 2 out of 16 people from our party. ..."

First, unless I would bring Leonardo Di Caprio or anyone close, I would never even think of booking a table for 16 there. It's just not the place for it. Then, talking about class: if you really have class, you will wait with your order until your party is complete. So if 45 mins after you arrived two are still missing .... that's everything, but sure not "classy".

Let's face it: I hate to wait too. This is one of the places where you somewhat expect to wait, but then, hey - everytime they made us wait they took good care of us with complimentary champagne.

If you consider it as an adventure, this place is amazing. And yes, the food is pricey - but as I said, I have been here again and again - possibly a dozen times of the years, and the food was always...

So…. Four years ago, I had written a great review about this spot that my family has spent so many memorable moments at. We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries holidays here however, it seems that the owner has lost his mind and thought I was some sort of lowlife and treated my friends and I in the nastiest way I have ever been treated anywhere. He was very discriminatory towards my 2 friends and I and did not recognize me even after years of patronage to his restaurant, and after we complained about something, not being quite right on one of the dishes, he said he knew what kind of people we were (We are Hispanic Americans, who live around the area and can definitely afford to eat there and if his mind was serving him correctly, he would remember us and know that as he’s known my entire family for years!) he told us “he knew what kind of people we were” and that he would buy us our drinks, and that we needed to get out immediately, and he proceeded to throw us out. We acted with complete decorum and class, despite his completely offensive racist and derogatory comments and attitude to us, which were completely uncalled, for we behaved in a completely decent manner. Unlike him, I would highly recommend you DO NOT GO HERE!

My husband could not truly believe it so, we went together with our children which are 7 and 10 years old. (this was me really trying to be the bigger person and take into consideration that the owner is getting quite old and give him the benefit of the doubt and I was definitely wrong to do so) The manager called us into the stairwell and told us we were not allowed to dine there!!! It was completely ridiculous. I cannot even express the humiliation and disappointment I have after all these years of patronage shame on you Richard. What a disgusting experience! What a disgusting place and what a sad excuse for a restaurant you have now and you should be ashamed!!!! When I had written that nice review almost 9000 people had read it. Sadly I had to completely rewrite it to reflect my...

The Ivy on Robertson gives you the uncanny feel of a country estate, only the lawns are replaced by a charming white picket patio and the butler is probably texting you the wine list. Since opening its doors in 1980 the place has carried that effortless air of old school glamour and quiet prestige.

Start with the corn chowder that punctures any notion that soups must be stodgy. It is silky and comforting without being heavy. When stone crab is in season that is your chance to go off menu in the best possible way. Paired with a grilled farmers market salad or one of the lighter healthy gems, it is a perfect balance.

The menu is an orchestra of favorites. You might follow that chowder with pumpkin ravioli one day, baby back ribs the next, or the classic crab salad or chopped salad that are staples people come back for.

Drinks are as thoughtfully made as the food. The French rosé champagne sangria is brimming with fresh fruit, the passion fruit margarita balances tart and tropical, and the blood orange margarita with serrano heat has just the right kick.

This is still the Ivy, legendary for reasons that go beyond supremely good food. Its status as a Beverly Hills dining institution comes from the way it blends floral whimsy, celebrity spotting, and an atmosphere that says you are exactly where you belong without ever shouting it. Hollywood came of age here, patrons have been walking in glossy magazines since shoulder pads were a thing, and yet it still feels fresh enough to make repeat visits feel new.

It is still a legend in Beverly Hills because it balances spectacle with substance. The flowers are everywhere, the energy quiet but electric, the menu familiar but filled with pleasurable surprises. It is the kind of place people go when they want to dine fabulously, and know they will be remembered for doing...