Buzz of LA Review

Spark Wood Fire Grill stands for fine, innovative cuisine served in an artfully decorated setting that alludes to a time when fine quality and value were expected virtues.

In 2004, Spark Woodfire Grill opened in Beverly Hills adjacent in a location that previously housed an Italian restaurant called Orlando Orsini. Since this building was purchased by Spark and its partners, there was an opportunity to do something very special with the remodel and transformation of this location.

After a year of design and construction, Spark opened a unique tri-level restaurant with three distinctive environments for dining and private parties. Spark Beverly Hills seats over 200 guests and can accommodate up to 250 for special events, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners and receptions.

It was a first class dining experience. Executive Chef Freddy Escobar who applies his years of training and keen sense flavor coordination to put together some of the tastiest dishes in the entire city.

Shortly after being seated, our server brought us fresh bread with homemade olives Tapenade that I loved. The menu is extensive, with a large variety of appetizers, so we were surprised by their traditional woodfired pizza; their pizzas are made in the traditional Italian style from hand rolled dough and 100% whole milk mozzarella. The pizza sauce is made fresh daily from imported Italian pear tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and oregano. Ours was the Asparagus and Goat Cheese, a great choice for vegetarians; it went perfectly with our glasses of crisp, Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Next, we sampled an exotic appetizer tray, which included tender, Wood Grilled Artichoke with champagne mustard sauce, and Maryland Blue Crab Cakes with Chipotle Aioli and a roasted corn red pepper relish. Each of these offerings was a masterpiece unto itself and, with a little Sauvignon Blanc, would have constituted a full meal for most people.

Our server then arrived with three of Spark Wood Fire Grill's signature dishes the Atlantic Salmon with crusted vegetables, chive mashed potatoes and a tarragon sauce, simply divine, the Salmon was dense and extravagant in fine taste and aroma, one of the best I’ve ever had, indeed.

Also memorable were the next 2 dishes which meat lovers would be in heaven, and they were both extremely flavorful, and proved to be a wonderful prelude to our incredible course; the slowly cooked “Iowa” Baby Back Ribs, glazed with their special BBQ sauce, served with mashed potatoes and hazelnut green beans, if you love ribs, these are truly to die for, simply divine, it can’t get better than this.

We also had a taste of their distinctive grilled steaks, which are hand-cut from USDA Midwestern, corn fed beef that has been aged a minimum of 28 days for optimum flavor and texture. All Steaks served with two sides: French Fries, Mashed Potatoes, Smash Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach or Fresh Green Beans. In my opinion the delightfully balanced with gently sautéed spinach and potatoes were a wonderful complement to this dish. Steaks are also available with steak butter or a Cabernet Peppercorn Sauce. Ours was the New York “Center Cut” the most lean and tender cut steak you can ever try; this thick and tender cutwas bursting with flavor and truly a meat lovers delight. We absolutely enjoyed the entire dinner.

Spark Wood Fire Grill's Restaurant is a real winner, and delightfully balanced with gently sautéed spinach and a chive potato cake. The roast lamb shank with mashed celery root, seasonal vegetables and a dense, decadent demiglaze was the elemental mix of comfort food and haute cuisine.

Gorgeous partner and special events coordinator Elizabeth Chait, personally delivered our dessert sampler, although it was a bit difficult for us to fully appreciate at this point in our sumptuous repast. Nonetheless, the Chocolate Brazilian cake was a real knockout, as was the he Fresh Fruit Cobbler with its crunchy topping.

Whether it's a birthday celebration, business lunch or an intimate dinner, Spark Wood Fire Grill is, without a doubt, the place to go when you are looking for fine food, attentive service and dependable value.Our special thanks to the amazing Elizabeth Chait for her kindness and hospitality.
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