Eat Chic: The Power Lunch

Wolfgang Puck's flagship restaurant, Spago Beverly Hills, remains one of the busiest work lunch destinations in Los Angeles, with Friday lunches often booking a year in advance. The outdoor patio allows year-round al fresco dining thanks to the retractable roof and duel fireplaces on either end of the dining room. While Puck is also the force behind another lunch go-to, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, mixing modern California cuisine mixed with European and Mediterranean influences, this lunch spot will impress your starstruck out-of-towner. From actors to politicians, the restaurant is known for hosting top people in every industry, making this the place to be seen with your celebrity-obsessed colleague or clientele.

Spago; 176 North Canon Dr.Beverly Hills, CA 90210; Lunch Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Wolfgang Puck at Bel Air, 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077; Lunch Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

With locations open for dinner in almost every major city, The Polo Bar is a go-to power dining spot no matter where your work takes you. With it's warm lighting, wood paneled walls and iconic paintings, this luxe setting is perfect for the client who likes feeling exclusive and dining on perfectly executed versions of American classics. At this quintessentially 'uptown' spot, there is something for everyone–whether your guest gravitates towards an unforgettable burger or the shrimp cocktail.

The Polo Bar, 1 E. 55th St. New York, NY; Ralph's 173 Blvd Saint Germain, Paris; RL Restaurant, 115 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Older than the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park, Delmonico’s opened in Manhattan’s Financial District in 1837 as one of the country’s first fine-dining restaurant. Over the next 180 years, they served up elevated takes on American classics, finding fame in their steak, burgers, lobster and carefully crafted wine list. Today, the elegant, old-fashioned spot acts as a go-to for Wall St. worker bees who often know the power lunch to be a daily occurrence.

Delmonico's, 56 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004; Lunch Hours: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 5:00pm.

Situated in an old bank (vault included), The Wolseley is the perfect setting for a high power business associate as well as a designer, publicist or editor. Serving everything from impeccably cut steaks to hearty salads with diverse ingredients, there is something on the menu for everyone (including a well-executed afternoon tea service). With its crowded atmosphere, you can assure that no one will hear your conversation, and the speedy service will have you feeling as efficient as your business strategy.

The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB; Hours: Monday - Sunday, 11.30am - 3pm.

With the Park Hyatt's proximity to our very own Hearst towers and all midtown and uptown New York businesses, it's Back Room serves as a go-to hotel lunch spot for city-dwellers and visitors seeking to make a pit-stop at Bergdorf Goodman en route back to the office. Take in views of Carnegie Hall as you dine in the intimate atmosphere, which features a menu of sophisticated American food prepared by expert chef Sebastien Archambault and an unexpected wine list. Think comfort-food like roasted chicken breast, a harvest salad and grilled skirt steak with healthy options to boot.

The Back Room, 157 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019; Lunch Hours: Monday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:30pm.

Chef Neal Fraser's modern American cuisine at Redbird is refined yet approachable, highlighting the multi-cultural influences of his native Los Angeles. Fraser's menu features seasonal small and large format plates ranging from snacks or "kickshaws" to entrees meant to be enjoyed by the whole table. While we only recommend sharing if you've met your lunch date before, an extensive cocktail menu by Tobin Shea features well-balanced, bespoke renditions of the classics to help break the ice. Sommelier Ben Teig's wine list is eclectic with a focus on Burgundy, Bordeaux, and California, ensuring there is something for every palette–even the unexpected oenophile.

Redbird, 114 East Second Street Los Angeles, CA; Lunch Hours: Tuesday - Friday 11:30am - 2pm.

The Beatrice Inn has long been the place to power lunch for media titans and fashion editors alike. With its Great Gatsby style clubhouse, featuring antique ceiling fans, a lit fireplace and mahogany walls, you can't help feeling like you've been transported to a posh living room in another decade–a power play all the more helpful for sealing deals. The exceptional meat dishes are somewhat of a staple here, with the house burger and lamb chop serving as a crowd favorite. Just in case you were questioning it–you will regret not partaking in their side of herbed truffle fries.

The Beatrice Inn, 285 W 12th St, New York, NY 10014.

Otium is a contemporary restaurant that draws from the rich culinary heritage of Chef Timothy Hollingsworth. This social restaurant strips away the rigid formalities of dining while focusing on the quality of food, warm service and relaxed casual ambience (nonetheless, dress to impress.). Using a wood fire and sustainable ingredients grown in the garden of the restaurant's mezzanine, this is the eatery that will impress your foodie colleague with a green thumb.

Otium, 222 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Lunch Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 11:30am - 3pm.

Rose Cafe's Jason Neroni (formerly of Superba) has re-invented this Venice staple, maintaining the roots that community knows and loves, all while introducing his seasonal, globally influenced cuisine. Now, the menu focuses on local Southern California cuisine with an international influence. The bakery, helmed by Jacob Fraijo and Christina Hanks (Quince/Cotogna, SF) under the mentorship of Alen Ramos and Carolyn Nugent, celebrates American classics re-conceptualized with their innovative techniques. With indoor and outdoor dining, a beer garden, and full market and bakery, this is the perfect place to take the diner who wants it all...or isn't sure what they want.

Rose Cafe, 220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291; Hours: Tuesday -Thursday, 7AM - 10PM.

With its stunning setting and top tier hotel status, The Four Seasons in NYC is a no-fail power lunch locale. At lunchtime, members of Manhattan's power crowd flock to the extravagant menu—full of everything from steaks to crab cakes that taste all the better when you're the one being treated.

The Four Seasons, 99 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022; Lunch Hours: Monday - Friday 12pm - 3pm.

Hosting an array of chic clientele, from premiere PR execs to the publishing crowd, The Mark restaurant by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a comfortable setting with lavish appeal. Sit among the plush chairs and flattering lighting, all while being served simple menu items with an elevated touch. Think avocado toast and egg caviar to start, and golden scallops or fresh fettuccine as an entrée.

The Mark, 25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075; Lunch Hours: Monday - Friday 11:30am - 3pm.

Tucked within The Lombardy, a hotel and residence that has housed many of Manhattan's elite since 1926, American Cut epitomizes the Midtown power lunch scene, offering a lighter fare of large salads and grilled fish options. The 6,000 square foot, 130-seat dining room, includes private dining options for meetings or events, as well as a 40-seat bar and lounge area. Executive Chef/Partner Marc Forgione's modern American steakhouse fare includes signature items like the Chili Lobster Toast and OG 1924 Caesar Salad.

The Park Café in Charleston, SC, regularly hosts folks around town for power lunches–Lowcountry style. James Beard Award-winning chefs, local and state politicians, well-known musicians and international celebrities who call Charleston can be found dining here on the daily. Chef Blair Machado's seasonal menu focuses on locally soured fare and serves breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner as well as grab n' go groceries for you to bring some treats back to the office for your colleagues.

The Park Cafe; 730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403; Hours: Monday - Saturday 7am - 9pm.

Row 34 opened its Boston location in November 2013 and its outpost in Portsmouth, NH in May 2015. A neighborhood-focused restaurant and oyster bar, the team's mission is always to celebrate New England's rich seafood traditions. Led by seafood authority Chef Jeremy Sewall, who spent summers in Maine with his family throughout his childhood, Row 34 uses a market-driven approach to the traditional oyster bar menu that includes his personal repertoire of pristine seafood offerings.

Row 34, 383 Congress St, Fort Point, MA 02210; Hours: Monday - Friday, 11:30am - 2:30pm.

Oak Restaurant is the perfect spot for a protein-centric business lunch, making its steak program lighter for the daytime so diners don't leave overstuffed. On offer are Steak Frites with a butcher's cut steak, frites and chimichurri, Shrimp Cobb Salad with avocado, bacon, egg, tomato, corn and feta and an Open Faced Salmon Sandwich with fennel, capers, red pepper, aioli and rye bread. An array of craft juices such as The Springbok with watermelon, mint and lemon are sure to please your health-conscious colleague as well.

Oak Restaurant; 1628 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX, 75207; Lunch Hours: Monday - Friday, 11am - 2pm.

The historic dining room in The Connaught hotel serves as a go-to spot for exquisite French cuisine and impeccable service. Dine among the stunning wood paneling and gold touches, which complements the more rustic food options nicely, like Norfolk black chicken breast, perfectly proportioned foie gras and crème brûlée with apple sorbet. This spot's location makes it prime real estate to attract London's fashion crowd–it's location on Carlos Place sits directly across from Jenny Packham, Roksanda, Roland Mouret, Solange Azagury Partridge and Oscar de la Rentas' London locations.

The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL; Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm and Saturday - Sunday 9am - 7pm.

In a hotel which often hosts many of London's visiting businessmen The Westbury's atmosphere and emphasis on fine dining landed it on our short list. The price, which features a three-course set lunch menu at £30, is a steal when one considers it's being provided by chef Alyn Williams, who holds a Michelin star. The cooking combines subtlety with power, featuring items like Spring Onion Risotto with truffle, or Herdwick Lamb with feta and cucumber. The restaurant also features an entire vegetarian and a la carte menu, making it a solid spot to impress without overcompensating.

The Westbury, Bond St, Mayfair, London, W1S 2YF; Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12:00pm - 10:30pm.