By Christina Hamlett
The Langham
The Langham is located only 9 miles from downtown L.A. but its stately elegance conjures an immediate kinship with the 1900s elite who first strolled its expansive grounds. Its Michelin Star dining room offers a posh ambiance, American cuisine, and prices comparable to upscale neighborhood restaurants. Dinners are served 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Langham's main dining venue, The Terrace, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It offers eclectic fare and also provides outdoor seating. A Sunday jazz brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; reservations are required.
Wows and Woes
The Langham
Dining tables are spaced far enough apart for comfortably carrying on conversations. Rarely are reservations needed for weekday Terrace lunches since business and vacation travelers often head to Old Town eateries rather than stay on-site.
Always save room for the signature desserts. These definitely meet the definition of "art on a plate!"
Dinner service can be spotty during summer weekends, Valentine's Day and Christmas. The Langham hosts a high volume of wedding receptions and this impacts the attitude/attentiveness of staff toward regular guests. Neither restaurant has prohibitions against cellphones. This is particularly disruptive in the more formal venue.
Insider Tips
The Langham's Japanese Gardens
Lunch outside can be lovely but only if the adjacent pool isn't full of noisy children. These distractions are less likely during the school year, or if you arrive at 11:30 a.m. instead of after 1 p.m.
First-time visitors sometimes miss the hotel's redwood "picture bridge" with its hand-painted murals depicting California history. The bridge and the Japanese gardens are a cool and leisurely way to walk off a big meal.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The Langham
In 2002 I treated my husband to a weekend at The Langham (formerly the Ritz-Carlton). We loved Pasadena and I remarked over our luscious Sunday brunch that it would be fun to live in Southern California. Two months later, he was offered a job in L.A. and we moved from Sacramento. We now live within walking distance of the hotel and enjoy those brunches twice a year. It definitely must have some magic vibes!
Bottom Line
Save Room for Dessert
Sunday brunch is the best meal value at $75 for adults (including champagne) and $35 for kids. The pace is unhurried and the variety of buffet items is worth multiple trips.
Resources
About the Author:
Ghostwriter and film consultant Christina Hamlett has written professionally since 1970. Her credits include many books, plays, optioned features, articles and interviews. Publishers include HarperCollins, Michael Wiese Productions, "PLAYS," "Writer's Digest" and "The Writer." She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications (emphasis on audience analysis and message design) from California State University, Sacramento.
