VIVIANE. She's retro. She's laid-back. But she's not too popular.
Viviane Restaurant
9400 West Olympic Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA
OVERALL ★★★☆
FOOD ★★★☆
AESTHETIC ★★★☆
CROWD ★★☆☆
SERVICE ★★☆☆
Tucked away in a less exclusive neighborhood of Beverly Hills, the Viviane Restaurant at Hotel Avalon epitomizes old-school minimalist. We absolutely love the retro aesthetic of this restaurant and outdoor seating built around the pool and cabanas. Sure most of the hotels in BH are retro-themed, but what we love most about the Avalon and its accompanying Viviane Restaurant is the overall casual and peaceful vibe. I mean we all know LA can be chaotic and snooty at times. It's nice to have a place to unwind and gather yourself in a more casual setting (unless of course someone's kids are running around the pool screaming #nothanks). Viviane is never super busy, so no need to book a reservation weeks in advance. Don't let that deter you from thinking it's worth a visit, especially on a beautiful day. The breakfast and lunch are great - love the cobb salad! Dinner on the other hand, well let's just say there are far better places to have dinner in LA.
-THINGS WE LOVE-
Mid-century retro decor. Kelly Wearstler (designer of Viviane) really outdid herself. The restaurant is simplistic and casual, yet still manages to be polished and chic. Who even knew that was possible?! Viviane is decorated in muted, pastel tones. Streamline oak tables are accented with cacti. The small bar has a blue marble backsplash. We seriously feel like we have been transported back in time and placed in a well-designed 1950s home.
Laid-back poolside vibe. It's nice to be able to grab lunch or drinks by the pool and not be annoyed by swimmers. There is usually no one in the pool. Instead the pool serves as a tranquil centerpiece for the outdoor area of the restaurant, surrounded by cabanas and tables.
-THINGS WE LOATH-
Retro sign. Okay, we get the whole retro, understated vibe of the sign (see photo below). But seriously it’s old. It’s too small and it looks like its about to fall over. Time for an update!
Crowd. What crowd?! if your looking for a local hotspot this probably isn't your best choice. Usually you're surrounded by people in their late 30s-40s and occasionally annoyed by small children splashing in the pool.
Tiled pool deck. I mean who honestly thought it would be smart to make the patio with slippery tiles when people are sitting around eating? I mean really. Every time we stand up we have to survey the premises and make sure we aren't about to fall on our a**es.
