Yes, the Food Fashionista was the very first diner at Michael Mina's XIV Restaurant. The actual restaurant opening to the public will be on October 16th, and the grand opening party will take place on October 14th, which I will definitely share first hand pictures of with you all.
XIV Restaurant Exterior (still in it's stages)
Wow, I must say that you are definitely in for a surprise with Michael Mina's XIV. While the exterior is completely contemporary with it's minimalist design, stainless steel framing, charcoal walls, and zen like foliage, the interior is a whole different story! Once you walk in past the host stand, you are completely drawn in to an entirely different vibe with the Philippe Starck designed dining room which resembles a library in a European chateau. It is quite interesting how Starck melds the feel of the old and the new all together in one combined space.
XIV Restaurant Interior
Just passed the host stand along the entire left wall is the completely chic and modern bar area with crystal chandeliers and an expansive bar which seats 40. Following the bar in the back of the room is the large and bustling contemporary stainless steel framed kitchen space.
XIV Interior Bar
XIV Kitchen
When I first stepped in to XIV, I was at first shocked (because it looked so different on the outside), then just a bit mesmerized taking in all my surroundings. There was the the bright red dramatic carpet which spanned the dining room floor, the mismatched chairs and benches which ranged from leather, antique style to animal fur lined. The main dining room wall is covered in book shelves, corinthian style columns, and colorful abstract paintings. XIV definitely takes you back to a time of opulence and grandeur, yet when you shift your view towards the opposite wall, you are back in an ultra hip and modern spot on the Sunset strip.
XIV Dining Area
XIV Dining Area Decor
Just when you are feeling a bit like you have cycled back to many centuries ago, you all of a sudden jump right back in to the now with the oh so fabulous XIV Michael Mina menu. The standard menu has a total of 35 items which are 8 dollars each per person which means that whatever item you order, every person at the table receives it. At first I thought, hmmm, is this going to work, but what an incredible concept it turned out to be. It makes dining with others so much fun. It is definitely a unique and creative culinary experience.
Besides the fact that my dining companions usually have devoured their several bites and are already on to the next course while I am still visually taking in every ingredient on the dish with a follow up photo, it all worked out perfectly. Chef Mina was very wise in creating the menu for the Los Angeles dining crowd, because not only do you have 35 selections from the standard menu, but there is also a 35 item vegetarian menu which is comparable to the carnivore menu. The extensive vegetarian menu will definitely do well with health conscious, weight watching Angelenos. And unlike most restaurants where you order desert after completing entrees, at XIV, all courses are ordered at the beginning of the meal. Jordan Kahn formerly of Per Se is the Pastry Chef. I assure you that you will be blown away by the aesthetic design and flavors of Jordan's deserts. They are edible works of art, resembling a piece you would find at MOMA.
Flat Bread made in an in house Tandoori Oven with Feta Cheese w/Mint and Olive Oil
Chilled Maine Lobster w/Potatoes, Celery, Chestnuts and Truffle
Ice Cold Shellfish Selection
Dungeness Crab En Feuille de Brik - Avocado Creme Fraiche, Yuzu
Enjoying my beets and new favorite pumpkin dumplings
Golden Beets - Endive, Mache, Aged Gruyere, Hazelnut
Pumpkin Dumplings-Stewed Cherries, Brown Butter, Sage
Sunchoke Soup w/ Celery, Black Olive, & Espelette Pepper
Violet Artichokes - Carvatelli, Black Truffle, Pecorino
Lemon Glazed Cod, Spaghetti Squash, Matsutake, Coriander
Chaource Cheese w/ Frozen Lychee, Belgian Ale
Hazelnut Milk w Frosted Artichoke, Tennessee Whiskey, Wood Ice Cream
Lemongrass Custard- Cola, Buttermilk, Sweet Potato-Yuzu Mochi, Saffron
White Chocolate Cube, Orange Blossom Cream, Coriander, Pistachio, Sake
XIV also offers a Chef Selection tasting menu which is choice of "A Lighter Meal" which is 8 courses, "Something More" which is 11 courses, and "Fourteen from XIV" which is a 14 course meal.
Michael told me today that besides the food of course, XIV will also focus on the lounge crowd with the restaurant opening until 2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Food will be served until 1 a.m. on those evenings. There will also be an exterior bar on the outdoor covered patio area which overlooks Sunset Boulevard. This will be a fabulous spot for mingling, people watching and drinking. Food will also be served on the patio.
Chef Michael Mina at XIV Restaurant
Michael Mina and staff are definitely excited with the opening of XIV and from what I experienced today, so will all you L.A. foodies and social butterflies. This restaurant is so uniquely different than any of Michael's other restaurant concepts, but I do believe that with XIV, Mina is going to gain even more of a following by drawing in a whole new clientele. While Michael Mina is known for his uber high end and high priced cuisine, with XIV he is also going to appeal to the younger social crowd who enjoys a cocktail night on the town in an ultra hip, people watching atmosphere.
XIV Staff Uniforms designed by Emiliano Moreno
I wouldn't be the Food Fashionista if I didn't mention the uniforms on the wait staff. Being in L.A., it is so common to see an attractive wait staff, but it wouldn't be me to not notice their chic uniforms. Local Los Angeles designer, Emiliano Moreno was the man behind these fab outfits. More information on Emiliano to come in a future post on Food Fashionista.
Now come on folks, what are you waiting for. Don't be left out in the cold. Make those reservations now.
8117 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 656-1414
For More Information on XIV Restaurant, visit XIV
For More Information on Michael Mina, visit MINA GROUP
For Food Fashionista's XIV Grand Opening Party Scoop, visit XIV PARTY
