Chef Marcus Jernmark, Chef Charles Namba, Chef Jordan Kahn, Chef Genevieve Gergis, Chef Ori Menashe.
Photos courtesy of Lielle, Camélia, Vespertine and Bavel.
Los Angeles has become one of the world’s most sought-after food destinations because of the people behind its kitchens.
In celebration of National Culinary Arts Month, we’re recognizing a handful of extraordinary chefs whose creativity and hospitality continue to define the remarkable range of Los Angeles cuisine. Within a few miles, diners can experience cuisines shaped by French, Japanese, Scandinavian and Middle Eastern traditions, each interpreted through California’s seasonal ingredients.
Chef Jordan Kahn, founder and creative director of Vespertine, Meteora and Destroyer, has reimagined the dining experience as immersive storytelling. At Vespertine, every element, from the architecture and lighting to custom soundscapes, reflects deliberate attention to detail, transforming a meal into a thoughtfully choreographed artistic journey. Guests begin the evening in the outdoor garden, move through different levels of the sculptural steel tower as each course unfolds, then return to the garden to conclude the evening.
Photos courtesy of Vespertine.
Chef-owner Charles Namba pairs French technique with Japanese influences in a bistro menu that is both elegant and approachable. Like Camélia’s welcoming midcentury modern interior, Chef Namba’s cuisine strikes a careful balance between contrast and comfort. Together with partner Courtney Kaplan’s exceptional wine program, Camélia has become one of Los Angeles’ standout restaurants, alongside Tsubaki, the couple’s acclaimed izakaya, and Ototo, the sake bar next door.
Photos by Wyatt Naoki Conlon. Courtesy of Camélia.
Swedish chef Marcus Jernmark, together with his wife and creative partner Andrea Jernmark, has created one of Los Angeles’ most intimate dining experiences. Their restaurant celebrates California ingredients infused with Scandinavian-inspired simplicity and craftsmanship in a space for no more than 80 guests per night.
Nestled in an understated neighborhood in the heart of Los Angeles, Lielle feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. The ever-changing four-course menu reflects the seasons, so no two visits are exactly alike.
Photos courtesy of Lielle.
Husband-and-wife chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis have helped define Los Angeles’ dining scene through Bestia, Bavel and Saffy’s. At Bavel, they celebrate the diverse culinary traditions of the Middle East, drawing inspiration from Israel, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. The menu interprets those traditions through refined presentations in a lively dining room softened by cascading greenery.
Photos by DYLAN + JENI. Courtesy of Bavel.
Beyond the Plate
As memorable as the food is at these iconic dining destinations, what lingers long after the dishes are cleared are the conversations sparked by each chef’s imagination. Everyone leaves with a deeper appreciation for Los Angeles’ ever-evolving creative spirit. That’s what great restaurants do. They tell the story of the people, cultures and artistry that make this city unlike any other.
We’re especially proud that each of these restaurants is also part of East West Bank’s client family. Supporting entrepreneurs whose vision enriches our communities through creativity and craftsmanship is one of the many ways we help people reach further.
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