Haute Plates: Get Ready for the Taste of Beverly Hills

90210 is a number that’s recognized worldwide as the zip code of central Beverly Hills. So when September 2, 2010 rolled around—that’s 9.02.10, get it?—the city decided there couldn’t be a better time to celebrate itself. And what better way to celebrate than with great food? A lot of it.

Hence the Taste of Beverly Hills, a four-day food, wine and music bacchanal (Sept 2-5) set just off the Wilshire/Santa Monica crossing atop the parking structure of Robinsons-May. More than 50 star chefs will offer tastings from LA’s best restaurants, alongside wine and cocktail mixology seminars, cooking demonstrations and competitions throughout the days.

There are too many highlights to mention them all, but they certainly start with the opening night gala featuring Natasha Bedingfield (at top), Larry King and Wolfgang Puck… Friday night’s mixology event, with live Djing by KCRW’s Jason Bentley and a cooking demo by Top Chef champ Michael Voltaggio (above)…Saturday’s Date Night, with Djing by nightlife king Brent Bolthouse and a demo by notorious vagabond chef Ludo Lefebvre…Sunday morning will see a Brunch “jam” with several chefs demonstrating including Scott Conant (Scarpetta, coming soon to BH!), Ray Garcia (Fig), and visiting legend Michel Nischan…and Sunday night, it’s a BBQ theme, with Celestino and Giacomo Drago and my good friend comfort food king Kerry Simon.

Virtually every prominent restaurant in the city is involved, and wineries like Acacia, BV, Casa Lapostolle, Chalone, Domaine Chandon, Domaine Serene, Duckhorn, Fiddlehead, La Crema, Layer Cake, Sterling and Terazas, among many others. Be sure to try something with Veev acai liquor and Rock Sake, two personal favorites.

Thinking about getting a room in BH so you can enjoy the festivities without driving? Well, the adjacent Beverly Hilton would be the most obvious choice, but you’ll also want to consider the classic Beverly Wilshire and Beverly Hills Hotel, the top-rated Peninsula, Montage and Thompson, elegant Four Seasons and L’Ermitage, and boutique hotels Luxe Rodeo Drive, Maison 140, and Mosaic. Ask all about special package deals for the festival.

Robinsons-May is located at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills