From a coastal Mexican haunt to a Japanese-Italian marriage to a fiery Spanish hot spot, L.A.’s newest dining concepts are internationally inspired.
Chef Wes Avila brings his take on Mexican seafood to the tommie Hollywood hotel. PHOTO BY ANDREA D’AGOSTO
KA’TEEN
“Mexican seafood was and still is my favorite way to eat,” says chef Wes Avila, whose vibrant new Hollywood restaurant KA’TEEN (meaning “afresh” in Mayan) brings some coastal Mexican flavor to the tommie Hollywood hotel. “I draw inspiration from my Mexican American heritage, childhood food memories and travels throughout the Yucatán.” Accessed through a reeded tunnel, the 5,000-square-foot outdoor space designed by Studio Collective and styled by Bernadette Blanc conjures the lush jungles of the Yucatán and the Mayan Riviera with greenery, basket chandeliers and handwoven chairs. Seafood sourced directly from Baja California stars on the menu, which includes authentic dishes like tuna aguachile, scallop ceviche tostada and a grilled whole fish served with mixed salsas—“that takes me back to eating in Puerto Vallarta,” Avila says. A selection of tacos will please fans of Avila’s street food favorite Guerrilla Tacos, and a drinks menu of colorful tequila and mezcal cocktails (like the Witchdoctor and the Wes Colada) accompany wines from Latin America. Avila will spice things up further for spring, with “exciting new menu items and a brunch like no other in L.A.” Hollywood, kateenla.com
The Hollywood Roosevelt’s poolside patio is now tropical all-day eatery Rosy Café PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Rosy Café’s popular avocado toast PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
ROSY CAFÉ
Previously, the patio next to Tropicana pool at The Hollywood Roosevelt was where guests would sit while having a cocktail or snack. “As the world changed over the last 18 months, we saw more and more people using this space to work outside on their laptops, have poolside meetings and unwind—so we decided to really give it an identity and create an entirely new concept,” says Rosy Café chef Brian Drosenos of the tropical new breakfast, lunch and dinner poolside escape. A sign touts “Rosé all day”—which is on offer alongside cocktails like the Rosy Margarita or Rose Colored Glasses. The menu accommodates healthy, vegan and gluten-free eaters, with seasonal favorites like pumpkin and ricotta toast, roasted beet salad, and duck confit and sweet potato hash. Dine outside under fringed umbrellas and palm trees, or inside the colorful cafe. “The pops of pinks and greens on the interior really give a bright, tropical vibe, but the brass and glass accents still keep those touches of classic Hollywood glamour that are found throughout the hotel,” Drosenos says. Hollywood, thehollywoodroosevelt.com
TATEL Beverly Hills transports patrons to Spain. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
TATEL BEVERLY HILLS
“We felt Beverly Hills was missing our style of entertainment combined with fabulous cuisine,” says TATEL Restaurants USA Director Brando Juris, who brought the lively Madrid- and Ibiza-based Spanish brand to North Canon Drive last fall. The combination of traditional Mediterranean recipes, quality Spanish seafood, festive live music and starry backing (from investors including tennis great Rafael Nadal, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol) quickly caught on—and in December, TATEL added a vibrant 80-person patio where guests can enjoy new lunch and Sunday brunch menus in addition to dinner service. “The outdoor patio was built with the idea of making you feel like you’re in Europe,” says Juris of the colorful space—designed by in-house Mabel design team to echo the Spanish outposts. Just as transporting is the food, highlights of which include ibérico ham imported weekly from Spain and expertly-prepared paellas. Don’t miss the cheesecake dessert or generous selection of Spanish wines. Says Juris of the fun, high-energy concept: “Diners are looking for an uplifting experience where they can escape.” Beverly Hills, tatelrestaurants.com
Italian and Japanese cuisines collide in MAGARI’s dry-aged sea bream and wood-roasted half-lobster with miso butter PHOTO: BY ADRIAN JUAREZ
Tao Group’s LAVO Ristorante Italian concept opens in an airy Sunset Strip space with a retractable roof. PHOTO: BY ADRIAN JUAREZ
MAGARI
“Before I introduced contemporary Japanese cuisine to San Francisco 20 years ago with my Ozumo Restaurant, I lived in Japan for many years,” says Jeremy Umland, founder and CEO of California-based restaurant group Ozumo Concepts International. “I loved the uniquely prepared Italian food using Japanese ingredients and technique.” The idea for MAGARI, which means “if only” in Italian, began with the name. Says Umland: “We thought, ‘If only there was a new culinary concept that married the world’s two most popular cuisines, Italian and Japanese.’” MAGARI is a partnership between Tokyo’s Yoshiyuki Okuno, chef and owner of Michelin-acclaimed La Brianza; Tony Messina, the James Beard Award-winning chef of Boston’s UNI; and chef Enrico Merendino. Uni pasta is already a signature on the menu, which also features pasta dishes with Japanese toppings, a crudo selection and “Spiedini,” their take on traditional Japanese yakitori. The sleek 183-seat restaurant designed by Cass Calder Smith also includes a cozy 49-person patio with fireplace—perfect for gazing out at the Columbia Square courtyard while sipping craft cocktails and fine Italian wines. Hollywood, magarirestaurant.com
PHOTO: COURTESY OF LAVO RISTORANTE
LAVO RISTORANTE
Five years after Tao Group Hospitality brought its renowned TAO and Beauty & Essex dining concepts to Los Angeles, the group is expanding into West Hollywood with a fourth outpost of grand Italian eatery LAVO. The lighter and brighter West Coast flagship on the Sunset Strip boasts a retractable roof for all-day alfresco dining and earthy decor that transports patrons to seaside southern Italy—with marble, terrazzo and mouth-blown glass chandeliers from Italy, and a horseshoe-shaped bar inspired by Italianate architecture. The food is just as authentic: “You will see some of the greatest hits on the menu, including the LAVO signature meatball, all-natural 100% prime steaks as well as classic Italian American dishes like veal chop and eggplant parmigiana,” says chef and partner Ralph Scamardella—formerly of New York’s The Plaza Hotel. Unlike its New York, Singapore and Las Vegas siblings, the L.A. branch will offer new local dishes like grilled Santa Barbara prawns, Pacific halibut and housemade pasta with seasonal vegetables. West Hollywood, taogroup.com
Mes Amis and Bar Lis chef Lincoln Carson’s popular Kusshi oysters and hamachi crudo PHOTO BY MICHAEL MUNDY/COURTESY OF BAR LIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MUNDY/COURTESY OF BAR LIS
MES AMIS
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MUNDY/COURTESY OF BAR LIS
“Now, more than ever, L.A. needs restaurants that bring everyday enjoyment back into our lives,” says chef Lincoln Carson, known for his former French Arts District restaurant Bon Temps. With Mes Amis (French for “my friends”), Carson aims to bring the communal vibe and “casual everyday nature” of bustling Paris and Lyon cafes to the new Thompson Hollywood—where he also helms Bar Lis rooftop. “You should expect a menu rooted in French style and technique but maintaining a level of everyday approachability—running from small bites and multiple raw bar options to large-format entrees suitable for the table to share,” says Carson, who’s also planning ample Champagnes and wines by the glass and craft cocktails. Debuting this month, the open space designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio includes an elegant bar, lounge, main dining room and spacious patio. “We want Mes Amis to provide great experiences, great memories, great food, wine and drink—in an environment that is warm and welcoming,” says Carson. “We want our guests to return frequently and to welcome them back as friends.” Hollywood, mesamisla.com
Thompson Hollywood’s chic rooftop PHOTO BY MICHAEL MUNDY/COURTESY OF BAR LIS
Bar Lis’ lush entrance and interior decor channel the French Riviera. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MUNDY/COURTESY OF BAR LIS
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