Chez Mia is the latest restaurant concept from Marissa Hermer and Matt Hermer of the Boujis Group which includes nearby Olivetta and The Draycott in Palisades and Hermer’s most glamorous yet, a 220-seat Provençal-inspired escape on Melrose Avenue’s restaurant row. Originally dubbed Lalou, the renamed space was once home to celebrity hotspot  Ago, previously owned by actors Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, and director Ridley Scott.   Named after Marissa’s maiden initials, Marissa Ilamae Anshutz,  the stunning design feels like a separate village tucked away on one of West Hollywood’s busiest intersections,  a reflection of the Hermers’ travel memories throughout Southern France and Coastal Europe.  Scallop crudo on the half shell (Simran Malik Photography) “We came up with the idea when we spent a summer in Provence,” Marissa told  L.A. Weekly on a previous tour of the space. “It’s inspired by my favorite restaurant in France, the historic Colombe d’Or in St Paul de Vence. Famous artists would pay for their lodging by painting pictures in the hotel. The Provençal food is much like California, with great simple ingredients prepared well with a few drops of olive oil. “ Culinary Director Ivo Filho’s shareable menu is a blend of coastal cuisines, incorporating California flavors with lots of fish and local produce, including sustainably caught seafood, slow-baked wild Gulf shrimp, and whole fish baked in salt, an homage to the original Ago menu.   The artful queen scallop crudo in the shell is a standout, as well as the crispy squash blossoms with ricotta and honey and a French onion tart topped with olives and anchovy.  Warm fougasse bread comes with salted Normandy butter, and there are a variety of caviar services. The delicate and subtle truffle frites are the best in Los Angeles. Monet’s Lavender and Kumquat Le Mia (Michele Stueven) Main dishes include a 32-oz Snake River Farms prime bone-in dry aged rib eye served with a choice of peppercorn, Béarnaise, chimichurri, red wine shallot, or horseradish crème fraiche sauces. The desserts are light and elegant,  like baked-to-order Madeleines with hazelnut butter,  a peach melba with vanilla bean ice cream and raspberries, and a sweet pineapple carpaccio with lime and coconut sorbet. A testament to Marissa’s natural flare for glamor and style, the fun and playful design of Tom Parker uses rich textures, geometric patterns, blown glass and lush landscape design. The patio is bathed in soft green and pink seating and canopies,  reminiscent of the Beverly Hills Hotel mise en scène. It’s dotted with kumquat trees, the fruit of which is featured in the signature Le Mia tequila cocktail.  The expansive garden is anchored by a sweeping outdoor bar under vintage Sicilian heads from LA-based sculptor Stephanie Morton-Millstein. Parker and the Fettle team used 6,000 square feet of handmade Italian tile throughout the warm and inviting restaurant.    “It’s a real honor to be in this space and a real responsibility to preserve the nostalgic past,” says the mother of three.   Peaches and burrata (Simran Malik Photography) Dry aged hamachi carpaccio with truffles (Simran Malik Photography) Chez Mia (Simran Malik Photography) The post L.A.’s Most Glamorous Hostess Marissa Hermer Opens Chez Mia appeared first on LA Weekly.