West Hollywood eatery Somni offers a cozy yet imaginative dining experience
Somni 2.0, the reimagined version of the Michelin-starred restaurant, has reopened in West Hollywood, California. Chef Aitor Zabala, who hails from Catalonia and the Basque Country, has transformed the dining experience into a whimsical and intimate affair, reminiscent of dining at home.
The restaurant's location at 9045 Nemo St, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA, is a hidden gem nestled near Santa Monica Boulevard. The facade of the house resembles a small art gallery, with an illuminated yellow giraffe sculpture and tiles inspired by Gaudi and modernist Barcelona.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with finger foods in the garden, such as a crispy Parmesan feather and thinly sliced Jamón Ibérico. The dining experience then moves indoors to a curved 14-seat tasting table bar, where the chef waits to cook the dream meal for guests.
The menu at Somni 2.0 features 20-plus exquisite bites with an avant-garde and whimsical twist. Inside seating offers larger plates like dashi with fish-shaped caviar, mussels in escabeche emulsion, and beets enshrouded in rose petals. Delicate edible flowers are used as toppings and dish decor. Signature dishes from the old space, such as a beef tartare-filled shiso tempura puff, are also included.
Chef Zabala, who has cooking experience at El Bulli, Saam, and José Andrés' The Bazaar, plays with textures, flavors, and custom artisan ceramic plating to create a dining experience that is both visually stunning and delicious. The dining experience ends in the garden, under the trees, for coffee and 'sweet little things'.
Several beverage pairing options are available, including a strong selection of wines from Spain and California. The restaurant's website is somnirestaurant.com, and private dining for up to six people is available in a side room. Somni 2.0 is an updated version of the restaurant that earned two Michelin stars.
The dining experience at Somni 2.0 is a thoughtful evolution of the original restaurant, focusing on intimate engagement with guests through both the ambiance of a secluded garden and a domestic, counter-front setting paired with avant-garde Catalan cuisine.
- Somni 2.0's location, a hidden gem near Santa Monica Boulevard, reflects a home-and-garden lifestyle, with its art gallery-like facade and garden offering finger foods like crispy Parmesan feathers and Jamón Ibérico.
- Chef Aitor Zabala's dining experience at Somni 2.0 showcases global-cuisines, combining avant-garde and whimsical twists, such as dashi with fish-shaped caviar, and incorporating edible flowers for a visually stunning and delicious meal.
- As the dining experience ends in the garden, guests can enjoy coffee and 'sweet little things', while social media enthusiasts can share their culinary artistry from the evening on various platforms, as the restaurant offers a unique entertainment experience.
- To elevate the dining experience at Somni 2.0, travelers can explore beverage pairing options, including a strong selection of wines from Spain and California, making the restaurant an exciting addition to any food-and-drink journey.
