On a stretch of Canon Drive increasingly defined by ambition, Azur Beverly Hills, a family-driven project brought to life by Erik and Florence Chol, offers something more transportive: an evening that feels lifted from the Côte d’Azur and set gently down in the heart of the city. The restaurant, inspired by the French Riviera’s art de vivre, leans fully into its ethos—sunlit elegance by day, and by night, a seamless blend of dining, music, and celebration.

From the outset, the tone is set by a level of personal attention that feels both intuitive and sincere. A server, noticing a guest’s handbag, quietly offers a table hook without prompting—a small gesture, perhaps, but one that signals a thoughtful, almost anticipatory style of service that carries through the evening.

The room itself strikes a careful balance between polish and ease. A palette of creams and sandy beiges, accented by rattan chandeliers, creates a setting that feels coastal and refined—Ibiza by way of Beverly Hills. Even the details are considered: plates edged with the words “The French Art de Vivre” serve as a subtle reminder of the philosophy guiding the experience.

In the kitchen, Chef Eric Cuenin brings classical French technique to a menu rooted in Mediterranean ease, shaping dishes that are both polished and deeply pleasurable. The evening begins with the signature Azur martini, a standout both in presentation and execution. Made with vodka, baby basil, lime, sugar, and a delicate foam, it is the basil leaf—more than a garnish—that defines the drink, lending a softly aromatic note that lingers like a whisper.

A bread basket arrives next, offering an early indication of the kitchen’s ambition: a cornucopia of freshly baked artisanal loaves, accompanied by olive oil into which the server snips fresh herbs tableside. It’s a simple gesture, elevated by care and immediacy.

Among the starters, the pissaladière is a quiet triumph—a flaky, Marseille-style tart layered with slow-melted onions, anchovies, and Niçoise olives, its thinner profile allowing each element to come through with clarity. The tartare de bœuf, made from hand-cut prime beef and delicately seasoned with capers, shallots, and olive oil, finds its edge in a well-judged mustard that adds just enough piquancy to elevate the dish. Paired with crisp waffle-cut potato chips, it offers a satisfying interplay of texture and flavor.

For mains, the crevettes grillées are a highlight: impressively large prawns, flame-charred and served over a bright fennel and orange salad that lends both freshness and contrast. The seared prime Creekstone filet mignon, accompanied by golden fries and a green peppercorn sauce, is executed with precision—tender, balanced, and deeply satisfying without excess. Dessert brings a flourish. The profiteroles, filled with vanilla bean gelato, are finished tableside with a pour of warm 63% dark Altara chocolate—a decadent yet controlled finale that feels entirely in keeping with the evening’s rhythm.

And then there is the atmosphere, which evolves as the night unfolds. Music drifts between jazz and sultry lounge in a distinctly international vein—somewhere between Buddha Bar and the Riviera—before giving way to live performance. At one point, a singer delivers a stirring rendition of Etta Jones’ “At Last,” momentarily commanding the room before the tempo shifts again. By evening’s end, the energy lifts just enough that a few guests rise to dance, drawn in by a mood that feels both spontaneous and inevitable.

Azur is not merely a place to dine. It is a place to linger, to celebrate, and to be carried along by the interplay of food, music, and company. In a city that often excels at polish, it’s the sense of joy here—genuine, unforced—that leaves the strongest impression.

— Ghalib Dhalla

Azur Beverly Hills
453 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
310-933-9955
azurbeverlyhills.com