Location: Los Angeles
Designers: architect Alonso de Garay and interior designer Micaela de Bernardi
On Offer: After introducing his modern interpretations of Mexican cuisine to New York with Cosme and ATLA, chef Enrique Olvera is taking his talents to Downtown L.A. Playing on the strong connection between California and Mexico, the vegetable and seafood-driven menu at Damian is the spiritual cousin to the one at Cosme and is highlighted by striped bass ceviche, smoked clams, Tyayuda, and homemade tortillas—an Olvera signature.
Standout Features: Olvera assembled his trusted team of collaborators from the Manhattan restaurants to bring his vision to life on the west coast. Chef Jesús Cervantes made the jump from his previous post at Cosme to oversee the kitchen, while fellow transplant Yana Volfson has placed agave at the center of the beverage program with a dynamic selection of small-batch tequilas and mescals. Architect Alonso de Garay and interior designer Micaela de Bernardi joined forces again to transform a former warehouse space in the Arts District into an indoor-outdoor sanctuary of polished concrete, exposed brick, and an abundance of greenery that deftly balances the original industrial elements. For those on the go, a backdoor taqueria, Ditroit, serves up Mexican street food staples.
