Geoffrey Zakarian's Georgie Breathes Fresh Air Into Montage Beverly Hills

The Montage Beverly Hills spent the last few years making updates to its existing luxury property. One of the most notable changes was the inclusion of celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian's latest creation: a Modern American restaurant named Georgie.

This chic new restaurant, located directly across from the Garden Bar, was a way for the property to breathe new life into an existing venue through the culinary arts. This quaint, unpretentious, beautifully-lit restaurant, catering to hotel guests and locals alike, is filled to capacity each night serving some quintessentially American dishes with Mediterranean accents. The decor skews modern with a lovely casualness, which radiates a homey feeling that makes it even more appealing.

Some staple dishes include Zakarian's grilled Spanish octopus, toasted to perfection, accompanied by garbanzo beans and charred peppers topped with an olive vinaigrette and lemon aioli. Also in the same seafood vein, another must-try dish is the Hamachi crudo. This delicate and vibrant fish is served with a cranberry relish, cucumber, and Fuji apples, and topped with crispy shallots.

For guests who are looking to share a few dishes or try something heartier, the grilled short rib is not to be missed. It's presented in a deep dish and is so tender it could melt in your mouth. Served alongside the short rib is majadra, labne, and pistachios topped with a sage "chimichurri" sauce.

For those with any type of food allergy or intolerance, this restaurant is quite willing to accommodate you. It has a variety of gluten free and vegetarian options, including gluten free pasta, as well as seafood options for those who are pescatarian.

While the wine list is well curated, locals seem to be buzzing more about the unique cocktail menu. Georgie's cocktail historian and bartender, Brian Van Flandern, has crafted a unique menu including cocktails such as the Hollywood Park made with Knob Creek bourbon, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, mint, and Hennessy V.S.O.P. Cognac.

Before finishing a marvelous meal, it's a decadent treat to reward and cleanse your palate with just a little something sweet. While Zakarian offers a host of delicious desserts that might peak most peoples' interest, I simply enjoyed a cup of the delicate and savory olive oil ice cream made in house.