Gossiping Gourmet: Hotel chefs' creativity is best in the starters

Hotel restaurants are often quite pricey and the food is frequently mediocre. With a few exceptions, like the Montage, locals tend to dine elsewhere. However, the Californian at the Hyatt in Huntington Beach is a surprising contradiction to this popular assumption. This huge, imposing hotel overlooking the ocean boasts a restaurant that has very tasty food at reasonable prices, while daytime diners have the benefit of a spacious terrace, complete with towering palms, gurgling fountains, large fire pit and a beautiful view.

By Elle Harrow and Terry Markowitz

January 5, 2011