Inside the 14-seat LA hotspot crowned one of Americas best restaurants

One of Los Angeles’ most sought-after dining destinations is celebrating a major honor after earning a spot on America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.Somni, chef Aitor Zabala’s intimate fine-dining restaurant in West Hollywood, offers an experience unlike most restaurants in the city.The restaurant has just 14 seats and serves a single seating each night beginning at 7:30 p.m.The evening starts outdoors, where guests gather on the patio for snacks before moving into the main dining room for what the restaurant describes as an immersive culinary experience.Zabala himself is at the heart of the experience.The restaurant’s 14 seats are positioned around a bar facing a central workspace where the chef and his team prepare and plate dishes in full view of diners.

Guests are encouraged to interact with Zabala throughout the meal, asking questions, taking photos, and watching as the final touches are added to each course.“It’s almost like a show in its own regard,”  Zach Jorin, a spokesperson for the restaurant, told The California Post.The tasting menu typically includes 20-26 courses, though the exact number varies depending on the evening and the dishes being served.The menu changes regularly based on ingredients and Zabala’s creative vision.“There are some recurring dishes,” added Jorin, noting that many menu decisions ultimately depend on what the chef “feels like that day.”For those craving a more secluded affair, Somni features a six-seat private dining room.

Here, guests enjoy the same exquisite menu and attentive service, all in an intimate setting apart from the main group.The recognition follows a long road back for the restaurant.Originally, Somni operated at the SLS Beverly Hills as part of José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.Rather than immediately reopening, Zabala spent the next four years searching for what he considered the ideal location, assembling a team, and refining the restaurant’s nex...