Esterel Restaurant in the Sofitel Hotel is setting the bar for celebrating dads on Father’s Day. Their bluegrass-themed event featured live music and a dad-sized menu featuring delicious BBQ and ice cold beer.

Arriving at the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Arriving at the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The patio at Esterel.
The patio at Esterel.

Located inside the Sofitel Hotel of Beverly Hills, Esterel extends the hotel’s brand of French Luxury into the dining room. Guests are greeted with “bonjour!” and a smile. The first floor dining room is just off the lobby and extends into a secluded patio which was the setting for the Father’s Day barbecue. A variety of tables — most of them covered from the mid-day Southern California sun — offered comfortable seating for large and small groups.

Live Band Playing Bluegrass Music
A live band playing blugrass music completed the ambience for the Father’s Day Backyard BBQ.

To set the mood for this swank, backyard barbecue, a live band played bluegrass music for the enjoyment of Dad’s and their families alike. Heck, me and my daughter even got up and danced to a couple songs!

Of course, the main attraction was the food! Each entree on the Father’s Day BBQ menu was a grilled item served with fresh coleslaw and a chunk of warm, buttery corn bread, perfect for satisfying the dad-sized appetites.

Surf and Turf; Steak and Shrimp, coleslaw, corn bread, beer
Surf and Turf: A New York strip and grill shrimp, served with coleslaw, corn bread, and ice cold beer!
bbq ribs
Barbecued ribs were the star entree. They were moist, tender, and perfectly sauced.

I ordered the surf and turf: a perfectly grilled New York Strip served with a skewer of grilled shrimp. My wonderful wife ordered the barbecued ribs. Both plates were wonderful but the ribs were a clear winner. The perfect amount of tangy, slightly spicy sauce was slathered on moist and tender ribs. I was happy with my steak but I wish I had ordered the ribs! Thankfully, my loving Mrs shared a bite — just one bite — so I could experience how good they were. Next time I’ll get a plate of my own!

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with ice cream.
Freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with ice cream.

Dessert came in the form of a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie topped with ice cream, whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. It was warm and gooey and the perfect way to end a Father’s Day feast.

If you missed Father’s Day at Esterel, there are other opportunities to visit and experience their ambiance and cuisine. Visit their events page for info on live music events, open mics, and Father’s and Mother’s Day brunches when those times come around.

Esterel also participates in Dine LA’s Restaurant Week; you can catch them during one of these two-week long events held a few times throughout the year. Check Esterel’s page on the Dine LA web site for details on menu and prices. Bon appetit!

* Some items mentioned in this article were provided on a complimentary basis for the purpose of this review. Menu items mentioned are subject to change. This story was accurate when it was published and reflects the uninfluenced opinions of the reviewers.  And even though we may be invited to dine on a complimentary basis, the South Bay Foodies ALWAYS share a gratuity to the staff for good food and good service.