Los Angeles just welcomed its newest vegan eatery.
Straight out of New York City, Ravi DeRossi’s Overthrow Hospitality has made its first-ever West Coast expansion with the opening Avant Garden Bistro L.A.
“We decided that it was important to expand beyond New York City, with Los Angeles at the top of the list,” DeRossi said. “We are building on Avant Garden’s excellent name recognition in the vegan space and adding Bistro to give more prominence to the drinks aspect. We are combining the best aspects of our NYC venues with localized new creations, outstanding wines, great cocktails and craft beer. With L.A. now and other cities in the pipeline, we will be taking this model across the U.S., so stay tuned.”
The new West Hollywood restaurant adds to Overthrow Hospitality’s nine vegan NYC restaurants and bars, including Avant Garden and acclaimed cocktail bar Death & Co., which also has locations in L.A. and Denver.
The Avant Garden Bistro menu will feature Overthrow Hospitality favorites and new signature creations from chef Sarah Stearns, formerly of Mírame and Vintage Wine + Eats. Highlights include the Scorched Cauliflower (toasted garlic, fried caper, calabrian chili, cauliflower purée), artichoke toast (spinach artichoke purée, black truffle vinaigrette, jicama, cashew) and Celery Root Pasta (mushroom cream sauce, escarole, gremolata).
“It is exciting and humbling to work with Ravi and the team on this new concept,” Stearns said. “I spent a month in New York City immersing myself in the group’s kitchens and mastering their culinary masterpieces. I also have a few culinary tricks up my sleeve and can’t wait to unveil some of my own dishes that have a definite L.A. flair. While there are many vegan spots in L.A., I think we are creating something really unique, elegant and special for Angelenos that will become a destination for vegans and non-vegans alike.”
The beverage program is led by a number of wine and spirit experts. Master sommelier Brett Zimmerman curated a vegan-friendly, international wine list, while beer director Ramon Hung developed a lineup of rare European and L.A.’s finest beers.
See also: The Aster Will Debut Rooftop Restaurant Lemon Grove In August
Designed to complement Stearn’s plant-based cuisine, master mixologist Sother Teague created a list of low-ABV cocktails that pair fortified wines with unique juices. For example, the Desert Willow combines white port, grapefruit vermouth and orange bitters, while Melrose Ave Spritz is made of White Floc de Gascogne, lime juice, Darbo Elderflower Syrup, celery syrup, seltzer.
Avant Garden Bistro certifies an elegant dining experience with a DeRossi-designed interior that coalesces French bistro and New York city aesthetics. Even more notable is the enchanting garden, which was designed by exterior set design veteran Andrew Nowling whose credits include Iwo Jima and HBO’s Ballers.
Avant Garde Bistro L.A. is located at 7469 Melrose Ave.
Photography by: Courtesy Overthrow Hospitality
