There is a new Mediterranean restaurant on the DTLA block and let’s just say it does not disappoint! Located inside Hotel Figueroa, one of Downtown LA’s most historic (pssstt…they just celebrated their 98th year), gorgeous, and one stop shop for networking execs and work from home Angelenos, lies the all new restaurant – Deme. It’s Hotel Fig’s latest flagship restaurant that is a culinary trip to the Eastern Mediterranean parts of the world. The food is fresh and authentic and the restaurant vibe is cozy, hip and romantic. Keep reading to find out why it’s the perfect stop for a little pre-game action before experiencing the beat of Los Angeles. Here’s everything to know about Deme, Downtown LA’s new mediterranean escape.
THE VIBE
It’s no surprise that Hotel Figueroa would have such a cool, contemporary and aesthetically pleasing restaurant as their flagship. You’ll find Deme at 939 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles. It’s just two blocks away from the Crypto.com arena, Peacock Theater, and LA Live, which makes it the perfect stop for a pre-game before a game, concert, event, etc., or a post-game hang. Plus the hotel offers $18 valet services for 3 hours when dining there.
If you’ve never stepped foot inside the hotel, do yourself a favor and visit it. Trust us, you’ll be inclined to stay there all day. But past the hustle and bustle of the lobby and the lobby bar –Bar Magnolia – you’ll find the entrance to Deme. For all you Hotel Figueroa experts, Deme takes over the spot where the fine Italian restaurant, Sparrow, once resided. The restaurant name is actually named after Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest, a subtle nod to the hotel’s historic roots centered around celebrating and empowering women since the 1920’s. Pretty cool if you ask us! Upon first sight, you’ll see warm earthy splashes of color meet middle eastern decor. Walk inside a little more, and to you’re left, you’re met with an open air, indoor, outdoor vibe that makes you feel like you escaped to another world. The restaurant faces the the shimmering coffin-shaped pool and is reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach club. It sets the most perfect scene for an exquisite dinner.
Stunning terracotta tile, pops of gold, muted clay pots and a Greek inspired mural painted by a local LA artist, compliment the velvety booths and minimalistic tables and chairs. The bar is large with several seats to check out the mixologists doing their thing. There’s only a total of 60 seats in the restaurant but it truly feels venue like. They’re open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m – 10 p.m and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 AM.
Pro-Tip: When making a reservation (book on OpenTable), request one of the booths overlooking the pool. It’s a whole mood!
THE DRINKS
The wine list and signature cocktail menu at Deme are equally indulgent. They have a long list of red, white, sparkling and rosé wines from all across the Mediterranean. But their signature cocktail list is the reason to stay. If you’re into Greek mythology, you’ll notice the drinks are named after ancient Greek goddesses like Aphrodite, Calypso, and Iris. How’s that for a historic nod! Every signature cocktail is $18 and the playful list includes ingredients like traditional Mediterranean liquors, spices, and even Greek yogurt (it’s in their Calypso drink). A common note? Every drink is super refreshing. Makes sense. The sight of the pool automatically puts you into vacation mode, hence, the need for a drink. Bar Director Milosz Cieslak made sure the drinks also fit the aesthetic of the Deme with “unique garnishes and exceptional presentation.”
We had the chance to taste the Rhea, a spicy margarita like drink that’s made with cucumber, fermented harissa, coriander, lime, agave and rimmed with Tajin. It was the perfect starter to our dinner. Mid meal, we ordered the Iris (one of the more popular drinks a as told by our incredible waiter Eddie). This drink was gorgeous. A pinky magenta like colored cocktail that included Grey Goose vodka, an Italian liquor called Strega, rose, apricot, blueberry and lemon juice. If you need a mocktail, they have two available. A spritz made with Ghia or a mock Negroni (both $12).
Pro-Tip: If you’re not into any of these signature cocktails, Deme has a huge bar and their mixologists can make anything your heart desires. Also, they host Happy Hour from 5 p.m-7 p.m.
THE FOOD
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for….let’s talk about the food! Ok, so here’s a little background. Deme is under the culinary direction of Australian Executive Chef Blake Shailes. Chef Blake is an LA restaurant legend. He’s been behind some favorite LA Girl spots like E.P / L.P and Grandmaster Recorders. He also has Eleven Madison Park in New York. But Deme is unlike anything he’s ever done. The menu is inspired by his travels to the Greek Islands, Turkey and Israel. One of the popular dishes – the Turkish Manti – is a dish he typically indulged in while traveling throughout Turkey. And each dish is crafted and presented in an old-world like style.
We kicked off our date with Deme with their signature dips and some Mezze. We chose a traditional hummus, a whipped ricotta, and a roasted red pepper dip. The dips are served with freshly made pita, which is as airy and soft as they come, and kept warm in a rattan container. Our favorite dip was the Muhammara – the red pepper and walnut dip. Our waiter Eddie (be sure to ask for his tables when you go) recommended this one and it was a hit. It had tons of flavor and minimal heat. It was truly the best compliment to our spicy Margarita.
From the Mezze list, we ordered the Blue Fin Dolmades, Turkish Manti, a chicken skewer, and Greek Fries. The fries were thick and crispy and dusted with lemon zest and oregano. The Manti were bite sized lamb dumplings and super filling. Be sure to have no more than one, as the lamb will really fill you up. Finally, the Dolmades (think wrapped poke, but better) were fresh and flavorful with mint, dill and a yogurt sauce. The chicken skewer didn’t make a lasting impression. It’s a great skewer if you like dark chicken meat. We would have opted for the Wagyu skewer, but they were out. Next time!
Deme does have a selection of large entrees, like a bone-in ribeye or cooked duck, which are great for sharing, but we decided to stick to the small plates that packed big flavor. The salad you cant go wrong with, is the Baby Gem Salad. So, so good! It comes with a house-made buttermilk dressing which tastes more like a vinaigrette, and tossed with Eastern Mediterranean veggies. This was a great salad to share and really fuels for the night. Finally, the best part, dessert. They only offer two desserts – a soft serve and a Baklava – let’s just say we’re glad we ordered both. The soft serve was our favorite. It’s made with a dairy base called “kaymak“, which gives it a rich and sweet flavor. Then, it’s topped with a sweet caramel table side, along with black sea salt. The Baklava was also yummy, not too overpowering and it was the perfect serving for one.
After feeling full, satisfied, and grateful for an LA night like this, we’ve come to the conclusion that Deme has really closed the gap on finding quality Eastern Mediterranean food while blending a scenic space in LA to escape to. This won’t be our last time coming here. As we mentioned before, it’s an ideal place to stop and nosh before a huge LA even, or, to come and hang out post event. Make sure to follow them on IG and if you’re in the mood for Mexican instead of Mediterranean – check out the best Mexican food restaurants in LA.