Driving up to the Beverly Hills Hotel for lunch, I am always impressed with the array of luxury automobiles parked in front. There are usually a Maybach, Mercedes, and Rolls Royce parked by the entrance.

The Atlantic salmon burger is served with marinated tomato salad, cucumber yogurt sauce and a delicious dill burger bun. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

For years, a friend of mine and I celebrate our birthdays at the Polo Lounge with a delightful lunch. At our last reunion, we started with tortilla soup full of fresh chicken, avocado, spring onions, cheddar cheese and colorful tortilla strips. This recipe has been served since 1926. Next, I always enjoy the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market Salad with shaved vegetables, Reggiano Cheese, and a tasty white balsamic vinaigrette.  My friend ordered Linguine Pomodoro with fresh teardrop tomatoes, basil & garlic. It’s light, yet satisfying. For my main entrée, I chose the Atlantic salmon burger served with marinated tomato salad, cucumber yogurt sauce and a delicious dill burger bun.

As our friendly waiter served our lunch, he shared some interesting historical tidbits that he gathered while working at this famous hotel.

Will Rogers, Rudolph Valentino and other celebrated movie stars used to stop in the Coldwater Canyon at a Bunkhouse for a drink, before continuing on to the Pacific Palisades to play Polo. It was the only rest stop between Hollywood and the Palisades, and soon became such a popular spot that a small hotel was built in 1912.

Later the owners of the property renamed the gathering place, the Polo Lounge. Our waiter shared that the hotel was later named, Beverly, after the founder’s wife.  Since it was on the base of a hill, the property was named The Beverly Hills Hotel.  As homes were built and the city grew and became incorporated, city officials named the city Beverly Hills, after the popular “Pink Palace.”

Our waiter continued to enlighten us with stories about how Clark Gable and Carole Lombard used to meet at the hotel before they married.  Howard Hughes resided in Bungalow 4 on and off for thirty years, and the exterior of the hotel was featured on the album cover of The Eagles’ 1976 LP “Hotel California.”

The historical site still attracts entertainers. As we glanced around, Academy-award winning actress, Diane Keaton sat nearby, and Rob Reiner, television star and producer/director sat three tables away.

The “Pink Palace” still attracts celebrities, politicians, world leaders and a couple of gals who wish to celebrate their birthday in a beautiful and glamorous setting.

The Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., (310) 276-2251.

Visit www.beverlyhillshotel.com.