Marea, the highly acclaimed Italian restaurant from New York City’s Central Park South neighborhood, has made its much-anticipated West Coast debut at 430 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. Under the vision and leadership of Altamarea Group’s Founder and CEO, Ahmass Fakahany, Marea has become synonymous with refined Italian coastal cuisine and new-age luxury. Its Beverly Hills outpost brings this celebrated spirit to California, offering a seamless blend of New York edge and California sleek.
“Marea redefines the dining experience, capturing the essence of relaxed glamour,” shared Mr. Fakahany. “Whether marking life’s grand milestones or savoring its simple moments of pleasure, Marea offers a chic and comfortable setting where every visit feels like a celebration. We are thrilled to be part of this vibrant community.”
Helming the kitchen at Marea Beverly Hills is Marea Brand Executive Chef PJ Calapa, who will oversee both the New York and Beverly Hills properties. PJ’s culinary artistry has been pivotal to Marea’s next stage of enduring success. Chef Calapa’s prior roles were at celebrated restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park, Nobu 57 and Ai Fiori, where his inventive approach and pursuit of excellence garnered widespread acclaim. The Marea Beverly Hills menu pays homage to its New York roots while embracing the bounty of California’s local ingredients to create a storied culinary experience with a new kind of gusto. Signature offerings such as crudi, lobster astice with soft burrata, and our beloved octopus and bone marrow fusilli pasta, will be complemented by new creations that highlight seasonal ingredients from local purveyors and producers. Dishes that will be exclusive to Marea Beverly Hills include a decadent marubini caprese pasta, the already favored, branzino tartare, as well as a pappardelle al Granchio with Dungeness crab, and “The Avocado”—a halved California avocado, delicately torched and filled with spot prawn tartare, seasoned with Calabrian chilies and fennel.
In partnership with Chef Calapa, Senior Marea Brand Director, Francesco Grosso will oversee Marea Beverly Hills and chart the path for its wine and beverage program. Francesco was part of the original opening team at Marea New York in 2009. Over the past several months, Altamarea has carefully assembled a best-in-class hospitality executive team for the opening. The team includes General Manager, Marco Marini; Director of Client Relations, Dean Sheremet; Events Manager, Ivelka Reyes; and Wine Director, Kaleb Kiger. The wine program, true to its reputation and history, includes classic and new-world choices and exceptional vintages for a wide range of tastes and preferences.
Designed by the leading boutique architecture and design firm, nusla design, Marea Beverly Hills epitomizes understated sophistication and a welcoming ambiance, maintaining the distinctive lines that define Marea. The space effortlessly blends timeless elegance with a modern, airy aesthetic, capturing the sunny charm of Beverly Hills and its love for al fresco dining. Signature design elements that embody the brand’s DNA include the breathtaking honey onyx bar, which stretches the full length of the bar, and the radiant, hand-crafted Murano blue chandelier that illuminates the lounge area. Consistent with Marea’s New York location, the Beverly Hills’ walls are also adorned with a specially curated art collection, including Sophia, a unique original oil painting from London artist, Nasser Azam. This piece pays tribute to Sophia Loren, celebrating her timeless Italian elegance and the excitement she brought to American Cinema and beyond.
Marea Beverly Hills offers two elegant semi-private dining rooms which can be combined to accommodate intimate gatherings and larger celebrations for groups of up to 50 guests at a time. These exclusive spaces are perfect for both personal and professional events, and provide guests with access to a dedicated private entrance and an adjoining terrace. With a fully integrated events team covering Marea in New York and Beverly Hills, clients will be able to book private parties at both locations seamlessly.
Located at the intersection of West Coast vitality and East Coast hospitality, Marea Beverly Hills is poised to excite the Los Angeles dining scene with its harmonious balance of culinary artistry and exceptional service.
Image courtesy of Marea Beverly Hills
