NoMad Los Angeles Puts a Stake in the Heart of DTLA

One James Beard Award.

Some damn good chicken.

And a shiny new Downtown address.

It’s NoMad Los Angeles, NYC’s Guidara-and-Humm-helmed dining export, opening Sunday in an exquisitely restored former bank building-cum-ludicrously-fashionable-Sydell-Group-hotel in Downtown, now taking reservations.

As you can see here, it’s a grand, sweeping lobby bringing such eclectic elements as Doric columns, stuffed peafowl and an entire streetlight jammed into a bar. It makes for one captivating whole, and you’re really going to want to come here as quickly as you can.

But first, you’ll need to understand the layout. Follow the bouncing ball…

The Lobby: This is the name for the utilitarian, all-day, central dining room that offers egg dishes and croissants by morning, Cobb salads and lasagnette at lunch and burgers, fried chicken and carrot tartare during dinner.

Coffee Bar: A very Venetian alcove to your right for espresso, pastries and midday panini. By night, the mounted mirrors slide back and the whole place becomes a sexy little aperitif bar. Neat trick.

Giannini Bar: That’s to your left. With that streetlight we mentioned. It’s where you’ll head for classic and modern cocktails like the Start Me Up (bourbon, rum, strega, honey, ginger, lemon and orange bitters). Or a beer. There’s beer.

The Mezzanine: This is the more formal, reservations-required restaurant above the lobby where you’ll do dinner with dates over Humm’s infamous black truffle-stuffed roast chicken, shellfish platters and a 90-day dry-age ribeye steak.

But it can totally play under 40 if there’s a role somewhere.