A glamorous new LA hotspot affords a brand new spin on Afro-Caribbean delicacies

A classy Afro-Caribbean eating vacation spot has landed in Los Angeles’s Fairfax District. The eatery, known as Lucia, is the undertaking of hospitality entrepreneur Sam Jordan, who beforehand labored on LA’s Issima restaurant and Oakland’s Kissel Uptown lodge. With Lucia, a labour of affection that took three years to develop, Jordan is shining a glamorous highlight on an under-represented delicacies.

Wallpaper* dines at Lucia, Los Angeles

The temper: a contemporary Caribbean daydream

Alexis Readinger of LA-based hospitality design agency Preen, Inc. imbued Lucia with a seductive Caribbean ambiance. The vibes begin on the entrance door, which incorporates a snake-shaped deal with, and proceed right into a golden mirrored chamber. You’ll be tempted to linger over a spherical of okra martinis on the central white terrazzo bar, which is framed by three towering verdigris palms by native multi-media artist Guerin Swing, or nestle into the shell-like domes ensconcing 5 plant-patterned velvet cubicles.

A smoky glass window separates the kitchen from the eating room, and in the event you enterprise behind the bar, the Palm Room affords a barely extra formal setting, with bespoke wallpaper by textile designer Candice Kaye and a wide range of textured materials in deep emerald, coral and gold mohair.

The meals: smoke, spice and roots

Jamaica-born chef Adrian Forte is the drive behind a contemporary Caribbean menu rooted within the African diaspora. The elevated recipes have a good time the tactic of ‘jerk’ – utilizing not solely the signature spices but in addition pimento wooden chips sourced from Jamaica.

For heartier appetites, go for the jerk-spiced dry-aged tomahawk steak or the coconut fried hen served with ‘Trini’ mac pie. Smaller plates, that are additionally out there on the bar, embrace half-moon-shaped beef patties, saltfish and fig croquettes, and a must-try candy potato sticky pudding for dessert.

Beverage director Melina Meza attracts on spices and native fruits from St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, paired with Caribbean rums. The Oxtail Outdated Normal blends oxtail-washed bourbon with candy potato, sugar cane and Creole and Angostura bitters. Wines by the glass embrace picks from South Africa and Pink Bear Vineyard in Sonoma, which Jordan co-founded along with his father.

Night time owls take word: the kitchen will stay open till 2 am – a welcome late-night addition to this space.

Lucia is positioned at 351 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States.