Step inside a beautiful chef’s dinner at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills to fête the unveiling of the hotel’s newest signature eatery, Costa Covo, and sleek lobby lounge Alcova—complete with a custom Negroni cart to serve up bespoke beverages tableside. Led by Executive Chef Todd Matthews and designed by New York-based studio Champalimaud Design, the refreshed space is the perfect place to slip away and soak in some quiet luxury—flute of bubbles in hand.
With a sumptuous spin on Italian favorites and Mediterranean cuisine, each plate—from primo pastas and housemade foccaccia to a buttery Branzino—is prepared with traditional and seasonal ingredients, served alongside curated cocktails from a robust beverage menu and special selections from the elevated wine list.
Come for the coastal cuisine and look forward to the debut of the property’s newest poolside paradise, Pozo, opening in January 2025 as part of the 2 Michelin Key hotel’s recent brand refresh.
Scroll to the end for more images.
“We’re excited to welcome our guests and local community to experience what we’ve been working on behind the scenes here at L’Ermitage,” shared Executive Chef Todd Matthews. “At Costa Covo, we’ve focused on drawing a spotlight on the fresh, vibrant ingredients home to the Southern California region in a coastal Italian lens, while Alcova is where you can wind down with a cocktail in hand over shared plates. For us, we hope to create more than a meal, where people can connect and relax in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
Located on the left-hand side of the hotel’s newly redesigned lobby space, Costa Covo offers a refreshingly simple and delectable take on coastal Italian cuisine with subtle hints to the shared bounty of the Mediterranean Sea. Italian plates with classic and seasonally inspired ingredients are served alongside daring cocktails and a wine list highlighting new-world Italian and French varietals. Executive Chef Matthews brings his diverse culinary expertise to Italian cuisine, from market-fresh crudo and perfectly prepared cuts of beef to artisanal desserts. The menu highlights his passion for handmade pasta, featuring standout creations such as the Grano Arso Orecchiette in garlic sauce with shishito peppers, bottarga and pangrattato and the Tagliolini al Limone with preserved lemon, Parmigiano Reggiano topped with caviarf or a refined touch.
The restaurant seamlessly blends European elegance with California modernism, creating a refined yet welcoming ambiance. Drawing inspiration from art director Cedric Gibbons, Costa Covo pays homage to Hollywood’s golden age through hand-applied silver leaf ceilings, fluted pilasters, and bespoke bar chairs. A striking landscape photograph by Amir Zaki joins a ceramic commission by Roger Herman to bring contemporary character into the space. Rich accents of velvet persimmon are enhanced by textures of lacquer and onyx, adding layers of warmth, while furniture inspired by Jean-Michel Frank and Gio Ponti, complemented by soft, residential-style lighting, invites guests to feel at home. For an alfresco dining option, Costa Covo also features an intimate outdoor seating space surrounded by lush greenery. The restaurant can accommodate up to 95 guests with partial buyout opportunities available.
Situated on the right-hand side of L’Ermitage’s lobby space lies the hotel’s new lounge, Alcova, which will offer an intimate escape accommodating only up to 16 guests. With creative direction led by Executive Chef Matthews, at Alcova, guests and locals alike will savor specialty drinks and elegant small plates such as Sterling Osetra Caviar with Potato Chips and Whipped Crème Fraiche; Pecorino Toast with Whipped Ricotta and Truffle Honey and Arancini filled with Smoked Mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes. The experience is completed with a custom Negroni trolley, that will serve specialty cocktails tableside, providing a delightful pause in the day and a moment of unexpected pleasure.
Alcova transitions from a comfortable living room in the afternoon, ideal for small meetings and conversations, to a candlelit lounge in the evening, where a custom fireplace sets a warm and inviting atmosphere. Its design features green velvet sofas inspired by Jean-Michel Frank, 1940s walnut and leather armchairs and walnut flooring, creating a timeless and chic aesthetic. A yin and yang wall provides an element of privacy, while a curved alcove showcases a glazed ceramic piece by California artist David Hicks, adding a focal point to the room.
“We approached the design for L’Ermitage Beverly Hills with a vision of creating a series of intimate, stylish spaces that embody the property's residential feel, perfect for both entertaining and fine dining, while showcasing a thoughtfully curated art collection,” said Ed Bakos, Partner & CEO, Champalimaud Design. “Inspired by the elegance of the 1920s and 30s, we chose sumptuous materials and refined proportions that balance comfort with craftsmanship, emphasizing simplicity and sophistication.”
The most gorgeous gift bag, carefully curated with special pieces especially created to evoke the spirit of L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.
