The celebrated New York Italian seafood staple Marea opened its doors in the heart of Beverly Hills on January 16, a move that brings its acclaimed coastal cuisine to the West Coast food scene. Eater LA reports that the establishment at 430 North Camden Drive joins the ranks of other high-end dining options in the area, set to cater to the upscale clientele with favorites from its original menu and new dishes that pay homage to local Californian ingredients.
This opening signifies the Altamarea Group's first foray outside of its well-established eastern venues, including Ai Fiori, Morini, and Fifty-Three in Manhattan, as well as international locations in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and India. The Beverly Hills spot is expected to maintain the group's reputation for luxury dining and top-tier seafood offerings, the restaurant has a history of accolades including a past win of the James Beard Best New Restaurant Award and two Michelin stars which it has since lost according to Eater's coverage. Executive chef PJ Calapa, who took over after founding chef Michael White's departure in 2021, leads the kitchen and brings a menu that includes dishes such as the revered red wine-braised octopus fusilli laced with bone marrow and grilled octopus over "smoked potatoes and tonnato sauce" that was also highlighted in their reporting.
On the design front, Eater LA describes a space featuring a handsome honey onyx-backed cocktail bar, a potential future spot for paparazzi, and wood-paneled dining that echoes the luxe aesthetic loyalists of Marea's New York City location have come to love. As Beverly Hills Living details, guests will also find unique nods to California such as "The Avocado," a dish that captures the spirit of the state with torched local avocado and spot prawn tartare.
Amid the excitement of Marea's expansion to Beverly Hills, the recent wildfires that have impacted the community have tempered the opening. In a show of support and communal spirit, Marea has been providing free to-go meals for first responders since January 10, as per The Observer. Executive Chef PJ Calapa also expressed the importance of the restaurant as a community builder in both good times and adversity saying, "From our perspective, this idea of working together, working more closely with other people that are in the area, makes even more sense now." In their reporting, the publication also noted distinct L.A.-focused menu inclusions, like rockfish crudo with calamansi and pistachio powder, and highlighted local fare like pappardelle with Dungeness crab, added by chefs de cuisine with strong Los Angeles roots, Travis Passerotti and Amaury Tafolla, to further mesh the renowned brand with its new locale.
Marea's venture into Beverly Hills not only illustrates a physical merging of East Coast finesse and West Coast vibrancy but also the resilience and adaptability of the high-end dining industry. The restaurant currently operates from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM and is taking reservations, Beverly Hills Living noted.
