Castaway from the city in Burbank’s Mountains

Los Angeles’s newest gorgeous venue provides a dramatic setting with views of the whole city. Set up on the hillside above a golf course in the Verdugo Mountains, surrounded by canyons and palm trees in Burbank, find a seat outside on the grand terrace or indoors at a cozy booth with AC. The 12,500 square foot venue is worth the drive for a special brunch or dinner under the stars with firepits. The historic venue is brand spanking new with a $10 million dollar revamp.

You will actually feel “Cast-away” from the city life while you peruse the menu that reads like a movie script. Spot a real star sitting nearby and drool over what seasonally-inspired dish is the most-worthy to order from newly appointed Chef Perry Pollaci, a Cut Throat Kitchen winner. Special features of Castaway include a meat dry-aging room created from glowing bricks of Himalayan salt, a floor to ceiling wine cellar, and a 10-person Chef’s Table that allows behind the scenes kitchen action and chef interaction.

Drink: Bottomless mimosas at brunch for $18. The wraparound bar includes a built-in tap system helping to reduce its carbon footprint, offering beers, eight different wines, and four cocktails on tap. “Tappy Hour” is held Monday – Friday from 4 – 6 pm, offering $3 off all tap beers, cocktails, and wines, and $10 off social punches.

Share: Ricotta honey strawberry tartine or crushed avocado 24-hour tomato tartine. The Charcuterie Board allows you to pick and choose your artisanal meats and cheeses with chef accoutrements and arrives on an impressive grand olive wood board. Try the duck prosciutto, Italian chorizo salami, goats milk with Crème Brulee from Spain, and sheep’s milk gouda from the Netherlands. For dinner, share the Dungeness Crab Cake with cornflake-crusted West Coast Crab.

Order: Panko crusted Lobster & Waffles with a smoked syrup made with star anise, cinnamon, and vanilla. The Steak and Eggs Wagyu Benedict is served with tennis ball roasted tomatoes while the poached eggs sit atop soft potatoes on a grand wooden board. For dinner, you may wish to try the Whole Roasted Branzino or the Snake River Farms American Wagyu with shallot marmalade and sweet garlic chips.