If you haven’t been to the sleek and ultra-modern Ray’s and Stark Bar yet, you’re missing a multi-sensory experience at LACMA. Designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, the restaurant is named after Ray Stark, the late film producer and LACMA trustee. The restaurant and bar sit on the museum’s plaza with a great view of its famous streetlight installation.
Super talented executive chef Kris Morningstar collaborated with the Patina Group’s Joachim Splichal to create the Mediterranean inspired farm-to-table menu which is based on seasonal and local ingredients and changes daily.
“I can literally walk outside and, 10 seconds later, I can have a handful of herbs and baby lettuces,” says Chef Morningstar of the restaurant’s onsite garden.
In addition to Morningstar, Patina Restaurant Group has brought in a team of seasoned hospitality professionals: General Manager Ron Carey, the former General Manager at Sona, supervises all day-to-day operations; Sommelier Paul Sanguinetti hails from Fraiche and has cultivated an exciting wine list; and Pastry Sous Chef Josh Graves, previously of Boule, oversees the pastry program and has recently been named “Best New Pastry Chef” by Angeleno Magazine.
A separate bar and lounge area named Stark Bar offers handcrafted, seasonal cocktails by famed Los Angeles barsmith Michel Dozois and a comprehensive menu of small plates.
Mixing original creations with his signature take on classics, many of Dozois’ cocktails give a wink to the establishment’s namesake, legendary producer Ray Stark, with names like Owl and the Pussycat, Lost in Yonkers, Smokey and the Bandit, and Steel Magnolias.
–Carin von Berg
Read more from Carin von Berg on Ray’s and Stark Bar at LuxLifeLA, http://luxlifela.onsugar.com/Review-Rays-Stark-Bar-18121664
Ray’s and Stark Bar, 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, (323) 857-6180
