Mayor Sharona Nazarian’s inaugural “Spotlight with Sharona” event took place on April 23 at Novikov. A sold-out crowd of 150 community members came out to support and sample the Canon Drive restaurant’s menu offerings. Organized in partnership with the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, the initiative features different businesses throughout Beverly Hills and invites the public to experience them alongside the mayor.
“I think that we have so much to offer her in the community, and I really wanted to be able to highlight the various businesses,” Nazarian told the Courier. “We are facing certain economic restraints in the coming years, and so I really wanted to find ways to support the local businesses while also highlighting the various programs that we have throughout the city. So, we’re going to be doing programs that also include the southeast part of town, including South Beverly Drive, and different areas that people may not normally visit.”
“I have a lot of interest from not only businesses, but also community members, residents and visitors,” Nazarian added. “So, I think it’s a really great way to unify the community as we build a safer, stronger and more united Beverly Hills.”
Novikov, which opened in 2024, features a mix of Italian-Mediterranean-inspired dishes in a warm and upscale setting. With Italian marble floors and a market-style display of artisanal pastas and colorful fruits and vegetables, including asparagus, apples, melons, tomatoes and bell peppers arranged in woven baskets, the space has a rustic and elegant aesthetic.
Originally from London, the restaurant has locations in Moscow, Miami, Doha, Istanbul, Dubai, Ibiza and more. “I’ve been to many Novikov’s, and this one is by far the best, in my opinion,” Nazarian told the crowd. While popular menu items include the tuna tartar and the truffle pizza, the mayor’s favorite dish is the Greek salad.
According to city officials, the event sold out in one day. “It’s quite humbling, and it’s very exciting, and I’m so grateful to Novikov for opening their doors for the very first one,” Nazarian told the Courier. “I really enjoy being able to support all our local businesses. So, we’ll go to as many as we can and visit them, just to open the door and allow the community in.”
The next “Spotlight with Sharona” will be held in six weeks.
