A fantastic meal helps craft an unforgettable event—after all, taste and scent are strongly linked to memory. But good food is not only key to keeping attendees happy and focused, it also provides an extra enticement to boost attendance. No one wants to miss out on an experience that includes a delicious meal at one of California’s hottest new restaurants. So, leave attendees talking about your event long after they leave, and consider booking one of these fresh and innovative California eateries.
Marea Beverly Hills opened in January this year, bringing sophisticated coastal Italian-inspired cuisine to Southern California; its flagship location in New York City has been praised for years as one of the city’s best Italian restaurants. With fresh seafood, expertly selected wines, and handmade pastas like ricotta-filled ravioli, this dining destination offers an elegant setting perfect for an A-list affair. Marea’s stylish event spaces include the Positano room, ideal for intimate dinners for up to 12 guests, and a patio poised for receptions of up to 40. Full buyouts accommodate up to 130. Menus include three- and four-course dining experiences, starting with passed canapes. Caviar cart add-ons provide a luxurious touch.
After establishing themselves catering high-profile entertainment industry events, the team at Manila Inasal opened the restaurant’s brick-and-mortar location in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood this April. Manila Insasal gives guests a taste of traditional Filipino flavors with a modern twist, featuring dishes like the popular Crab Tortang Talong, a roasted eggplant omelet filled with delicate, sweet crab meat. The open-concept restaurant is a collaboration among Elzar Dodjie Simon (a famed Filipino songwriter), Simon’s family, and Chef Natalia Moran, and offers culturally inspired comfort food, chargrilled specialties, and options to accommodate most food allergies and dietary restrictions. “We tailor pretty much anything and everything for clients in terms of diet,” says Eli Simon, the restaurant’s chief operating officer. “If you’re going to do a full buyout, we also offer [the opportunity] for you to come in and do a tasting first to make sure the food is to your specifications.” Full buyouts accommodate up to 54 guests.
Perched atop the Indian Wells Golf Resort clubhouse near Palm Springs, Kestrel–A Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge, is helmed by James Beard-nominated author and television personality Richard Blais and debuted at the end of last year. With expansive views of the desert and mountains, Kestrel not only provides a stunning destination, but also an imaginative menu featuring a modern West Coast take on American classics. Dishes are prepared with fresh seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients like famous Coachella Valley dates. Event planners also can book appearances by Blais or experiential cooking demos with Chef Eric Stenberg, the restaurant’s director of culinary operations. Buyouts hold up to 312 attendees seated. “A beautiful setting for sunsets is the Eisenhower Room, a space that holds roughly 50 people,” says Indian Wells Golf Resort Marketing Director Ashley Scott.
Led by Michelin-starred Chef Danny Grant, Marisella at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, offers more than just soulful Italian cuisine. With panoramic Pacific Ocean views, Marisella, which opened in June, sets the scene for sophisticated, yet relaxed fine-dining experiences. From small private or semiprivate rooms to terraces and lounges, groups from 12 to 270 will enjoy Mediterranean warmth paired with laid-back California sensibilities while savoring dishes rooted in Italian tradition. Think signature house-baked focaccia, pasta, and fresh seafood. Also new to The Ritz-Carlton Bacara is Lulio, a stylish Mediterranean-inspired indoor/outdoor eatery that can be booked for up to 40 guests or provide catering to the hotel’s other event spaces.
Tucked into an industrial pocket of San Francisco’s Mission District, the recently opened Bar Brucato welcomes attendees with its inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to host a happy-hour-style reception with cocktails and passed bites or a shared family-style sit-down dinner, Bar Brucato offers three private and semiprivate group dining areas for up to 100 guests. Starting with the crave-worthy gribenes (crispy chicken skins with fried onion and house-made hot sauce) is a must, and the burnt honey ice cream, made from the founders’ beehives, is a not-to-be-missed finish. Arrange for a memorable night with a guided distillery tour featuring a house amaro sampling.
brucatospirits.com
kestrel.kitchen
manilainasal.com
marearestaurant.com/beverly-hills
ritzcarlton.com
