Executive chef Anthony Keene implements fire-breathing chef Gordon Ramsay’s culinary vision at Gordon Ramsay at the London, where fashionable Sunset Strip denizens routinely hit up the pink banquettes, compartmentalized microlounges and central booths that form a serpentine, double-S pattern not unlike a chic Tilt-a-Whirl. His talent (and artistry) comes across instantly in a starter of seared, cardamom-spiced hamachi, with alternating cubes of kabocha squash and bursting tobiko (flying fish roe). Main courses are just as good, especially the rosy slabs of spiced duck breast with a pine-nut cassoulet studded with diced sausage and a ramekin of surprisingly airy foie gras crème brûlée topped with orange chunks and strands of candied orange peel. Keene does double duty, also overseeing the more casual Boxwood Café by Gordon Ramsay, where flatbreads receive minimal manipulation and sesame-crusted Kumamoto oyster come in a tangy ginger sauce, and you can never go wrong with the wonderful London Burger with Grafton cheddar and fries.

Gordon Ramsay at the London
Crudo
Caramelized sea scallops
Spiced duck breast

Boxwood Café by Gordon Ramsay
Sesame-crusted Kumamoto oysters
Rock shrimp risotto
London Burger
*menu changes daily
view full menu here

At Gordon Ramsay, attention-seekers tend to flock to the central booths. (Looking to avoid the Sunset Strip spotlight? Snag the large hexagonal table in the corner.) At Boxwood, just pull up a chair and sit anywhere—perhaps at the marbletop table if you have a crew of six.

Of course a hotel called the London should offer afternoon tea, and here it’s at the Boxwood Café (Mon.–Sun. 2:30 PM–4:30 PM). It comes with a choice of teas, finger sandwiches, scones and pastries ($28; $40 with a glass of champagne).

Gordon Ramsay: daily, 5 PM–10 PM

Boxwood Café: Mon.–Fri. 6:30 AM–4:30 PM;
Sat.–Sun. 7 AM–4:30 PM

Gordon Ramsay: $19 (coconut curry and lobster velouté)
to $45 (filet mignon)

Boxwood Café: $12 (chicken panini) to $22 (chicken paillard)