You don’t go to a museum to eat.
You don’t, that is, unless the museum is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
There, the Patina Restaurant Group and its founder, Joachim Splichal, have opened Ray’s, named after the late film producer Ray Stark, who was an LACMA trustee.
The kitchen is under the direction of Kris Morningstar, who built his reputation at Blue Velvet and then District.
The menu is eclectic, creative and ever-changing–much like the artwork at the museum.
On the eclectic side, consider the hanger steak. It comes with smoked marrow, roasted radishes and cipolline onions. If that’s not enough flavor dancing around your mouth, the dish also includes a piquant salsa verde.
And then there’s the wine list. Although a bit pricy, it’s beautifully selected by sommelier Paul Sanguinetti to complement Morningstar’s wine-friendly fare.
Surprisingly, this upscale spot also has a diner-friendly corkage policy: free for one bottle, and $15 for each additional bottle.
Great food. A solid wine list. A view of LACMA’s architecturally stunning Resnick Pavilion.
What further reason do you need to dine at a museum?
Ray’s is open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Tuesday, and parking is free after 7 p.m. in the museum’s parking garage. For reservations, call 323-857-6180.
