“The Indulgence Tour” from Six Taste, Beverly Hills

Ah, Beverly Hills, known for its luxury, decadence and celebrity. It’s not often on the radar of most hipsters or foodies. Although rich with history and many gourmet eateries, Beverly Hills often comes off a bit pretentious or even an intimidating little microcosm of LA. It is where the elite and tourists go to see and be seen. One often drives through its spotless streets merely as a passage to another destination, but we rarely think to spot and linger.  Don’t let the “Pretty Woman Stigma” prevent you from exploring the many unique and affordable adventures that this city has to offer.

This Valentine’s Day, one food tour company sets out to prove just that and more.

Now, I’ve written about and even previously made a video featuring Six Taste’s adventures before, but when I learned about their special limited Valentine’s Day Tour in Beverly Hills, I just had to see for myself what it was all about. You see, I’ve worked in the Beverly Hills area for over six years and although I’ve patronized the many businesses and eateries up and around the “Golden Triangle,” I was happy to find stops on this tour that I could discover for the first time. The guide veers away from the more familiar Rodeo Drive and mostly keeps to Cañon’s “Restaurant Row.”

The Valentine’s Day Tour is not only a great date idea, or perhaps a fun outing for a group of singles, but it’s also a darn good way to check out six different local Beverly Hills establishments and maybe learn something new along the way. You sample wines and house-made pasta at the Scarpetta as well as tour the inner workings of the huge kitchen that is Thomas Keller’s French-inspired, Bouchon.

As a foodie, I loved getting to see behind the scenes of their pristine kitchen. It was so worth it!

Delicious house-made pasta from Scarpetta.

You also visit The Cheese Store, which has been in business since 1967. It features over 600 varieties of rare, imported cheeses from all over the world. The owner, Norbert Wabnig is incredibly engaging and has a wealth of “cheesy” knowledge. Even I, being lactose intolerant, was able to enjoy various sheep and goat cheeses without consequence. Norbert informed the group of how it is much easier to digest than cow’s milk.

Yay for me!

The Venezuelan Coupa Café, which had been featured in the recent Muppet movie, offered us samplings of some authentic Venezuelan treats. The hand-made Tequeños and The Spicy Mayan Hot Chocolate simply blew my mind!

The chocolates from Madame Chocolat are a treat for any chocolate lover.

And finally, a restaurant that had been on my radar since they opened last October… the Korean inspired, Italian restaurant, Erbe Matte. This romantic little dinner spot had me going back the very next week to sample more dishes off their amazing menu!

If you are looking to experience something a little different with your sweetheart this Valentine’s day, you’ll definitely enjoy this tour. You will no doubt discover a part of your city that perhaps you never knew was there, plus being with a group of like-minded foodies is always a recipe for a good time!

Tour Dates are:

Feb. 11, 12, 18 and 19! Book now before it sells out!

Visit http://www.sixtaste.com/valentines/ to learn more.

[portfolio_slideshow]

About the author Amy T. Shuster is an actress, writer, singer and food enthusiast. Her blog is, backyardbite.com, which focuses on creating positive content to help generate awareness of local independent foodie “gems” in the Los Angeles area. Amy lives and dines in Los Angeles, CA. Read her story in the LA Weekly!