I have a weakness for rooftop dining. It beckons like a portal to another world – geographically stuck in a busy metropolis but blissfully cocooned in a calm oasis.

Dante’s opening in Beverly Hills officially made this New York icon bicoastal and I couldn’t be more thrilled by its arrival. Situated on the rooftop of the Maybourne Hotel it offers sweeping views of the city sprawled out below.

Even in February the weather was beautiful for dining al fresco and the balcony’s heaters helped ward off any evening chill. We kicked off with a couple of cocktails.

I chose the Sbagliato Sicilia comprised of white vermouth, bitter bianco, limoncello, lemon bitters, and prosecco. It was light, refreshing, and tasted like spring even in the winter.

My lovely husband opted for their Fireside Old Fashioned which boasted aged bourbon, scotch whiskey, sherry, smoked raisin syrup, and bitters. It was liquor forward but still balanced and sweet.

For our starter we ordered off the pizza menu and selected the Diavola.

The crust was incredible but under the weight of the spicy soppressata and hot honey it could have used a minute more in the oven. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t hesitate to order again! Having enjoyed a few hot honey pizzas, the heat level of this one packs more of a punch than some of its colleagues.

For our shared main we chose the Pappardelle Al Ragu with a medley of roasted carrots on the side.

The carrots were tender and buttery, exactly how I prefer them. Judge me all you want but I don’t like my roasted veggies crunchy! I love them soft and sweet.

The ribbons of perfectly cooked pappardelle were an ideal, albeit slippery, vehicle for the ragù sauce. Ordering pasta for the table enables a carb fix without inducing that heavy feeling.

Time for an espresso! But since this was a sunset espresso, I made it decaf.

We rounded out our dinner experience with the sticky toffee pudding paired with vanilla ice cream and rum caramel. Dense, sweet, and satisfied our sweet tooth!

I don’t say this often, but I would recommend every dish we tried. If you plan your own dinner, be sure to book in advance as this restaurant occupies a small footprint and the tables fill quickly.

For those design minded, the tropical inspired dinnerware showcased throughout is from the Sultan’s Garden collection by William Edwards Home. It was designed in collaboration with the famous Cobblers Cove Hotel in Barbados.

Speaking of design, a real treat is the ceiling fresco painted by Los Angeles based muralist, Abel Macias; also responsible for the lobby of the Downtown LA Proper. If you fancy a peek, you can stroll through on your way to brunch at Caldo Verde.

Until next time!