Beverly Hills goes for broke with a month of promotional dining offers

The recession is hitting in places high and low. Last month, The Times reported that even Beverly Hills isn't immune to the market fall-out and that city officials were projecting a $24-million drop in tax revenues over the next 16 months (a sum that equals about 15 % of the general fund budget).

In April, Beverly Hills will launch into grand-scale action in an attempt to bring visitors and business to the city's posh hotels and upscale restaurants and retailers. The monthlong effort, called "Breakfast in Beverly Hills," is coordinated by the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau and features discounted breakfast specials at 25 participating restaurants. In addition, every hotel in the city is offering a free extra- night stay (when a certain amount of nights are booked) and complimentary breakfast for two each morning.

Retailers will get in on the action by offering deals and sales throughout the month of April. Every weekend, you'll find a host of fun activities and shows. Balloon artists, magicians, stilt walkers, guitarists and saxophonists will be at predetermined (and normally staid) street corners across the city.

In addition, every Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., celebrated chefs from area restaurants will perform cooking demonstrations on the cobblestone street of Via Rodeo at the mouth of the picturesque Two Rodeo shopping strip. Each chef will create a signature dish for onlookers, who can take home the recipes along with a list of wine pairings created by Julie Brosterman, sommelier of the Wine Valet.

The fact that GQ magazine called L.A. the "the Best Breakfast City in America" in March doesn't hurt the cause (although the piece itself was a tad snarky). Dining deals include: An organic continental breakfast buffet at Bar Noir at Maison 140, $14; a free cappuccino with purchase of a breakfast special atIl Fornaio; scrambled eggs, toast, Coney Island fries, sausage and coffee for $7.99 at Marty D's; and a complimentary jar of house-made jam with breakfast special purchase at BondSt.

Also, just to show that Beverly Hills isn't losing its knack for excess, Raffles L'Ermitage is offering a "Breakfast in Beverly Hills Suite Package." Stay one night in their luxurious, one-bedroom suite for $1,500 and receive a second night free. Oh, and you'll also get, you guessed it, complimentary breakfast.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jennifer]

208 Rodeo has the best food in Beverly Hills!!!

[Julie]

Thanks for the note on Wine Valet - in the P-1 parking level of Two Rodeo Drive. Purchasers of the wines recommended with the recipes will receive 10% off. Additionally, The Grill on the Alley will waive the corkage for anyone who purchases wine from our store.

Just a quick note, I am not a sommelier - Caroline Debbane is our sommelier. She's great!

[amourra]

discount on breakfast? what a joke.

[mattatouille]

I used to get breakfast at Mickey Fine's restaurant, tucked away on Roxbury. Cheap pancakes and such. I bet it's not included in the citywide promotion.

[sanders]

dont waste your money by eating outside
you can have a much cheaper an healthy breakfast at your home