Restaurateur and founder of IB Hospitality Rohan Talwar, will open LA’s newest rooftop dining destination, Margot, this October. Situated atop of Culver City’s PLATFORM with sweeping views of the city, Margot will serve coastal Mediterranean cuisine from the regions of Spain and Italy. Talwar, along with his team behind the neighborhood staple Norah in West Hollywood, Executive Chef Michael Williams, General Manager John Snowden and Beverage Director David Kupchinsky, will be taking their internationally-influenced approach to Margot, while staying true to the bounty of local California ingredients and produce.
“With our spectacular new space located on the roof of the Platform, we wanted to do justice to the grandness of the patio with its ample natural light. Margot is the sister concept to Norah, and the name implies strength derived from elegance, intelligence and beauty. Our concept is full of character and we believe Margot will truly personify that,” says Rohan Talwar of IB Hospitality.
Open daily, the menu will feature a prominent raw bar with a large selection of handmade pastas, grilled meats, seafood and creative vegetable dishes for dinner with house made focaccia sandwiches offered during lunch. Expect Chef Williams’ bold and fresh take on coastal Spanish and Italian cooking with menu items such as Culurgiones, a traditional Sardinian potato-filled pasta, Eggplant Caponata, which will be made vegan and gluten-free, and other standouts like the brined and roasted cauliflower, octopus, chilled lobster and caviar from the raw bar.
Beverage Director David Kupchinsky, who spearheads the bar programs for all of the IB Hospitality venues, will helm both bars with a cocktail program inspired by the art of Aperitivo and Vermouth drinking traditions found in Italy and Spain. Using only fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, several draft spritzes, gin and tonics, carbonated bottled cocktails, and bright aperitivos will be offered to compliment the coastal mediterranean cuisine. A showcased glass-enclosed wine cellar will house a highly-curated selection of 180 global wines with a wide range of vintages and varietals focusing on the regions of Italy, Spain, France and California. In-house sommeliers will be available to tour diners through the room, which will be decorated with incredible artwork, where guests can enjoy special tastings, pairings and dinners in the private neighboring patio which seats up to 25.
As for the space, expect a modern glass industrial style indoor/outdoor grand structure with art taking a prominent place throughout the restaurant, designed by the renowned Thomas Schoos and Lisa Gill. Upon entering, guests can expect to see hand-painted graphics splashing the walls using a monochromatic palette of grey, black and white with pops of brightly painted florals to contrast the tones of the mural. The main interior dining room, which will feature a signature scent from Le Labo and Diptyque, will seat 70 with a lounge and bar area each seating up to 15. A spacious al fresco dining patio lined with lush greenery will seat up to 80 and will include an outdoor lounge seating up to 20 guests. Marble table tops, graphic ceramic tiles, raw metals, burnt woods, natural stones and concrete floors will make up the vibrant dining room and bar finishes. Low hanging vintage chandeliers and canvas pendant fixtures will add a softness to the lighting, while layered lounge furniture will set the stage for a more laidback Mediterranean atmosphere. A hidden custom photo booth will also be available for guests to capture the moment and share with friends.
As with all of Talwar’s concepts, the emphasis will lie on hospitality and every meticulous detail tying back to placing the guest first. General Manager, John Snowden, will bring his extensive experience to his training the front of house staff to embody a sense of hospitality and warmth.
The rooftop will feature 360-degree views of Los Angeles, ranging from the Hollywood Hills to the downtown cityscape to the coast. The truly remarkable setting will be located in the sky, just moments from the beach and city areas. Weekly programming will soon kick off with a Monday night rooftop cinema, DJ sets and live “Jazz & Wine Wednesdays” to create a comfortable vibe for locals to frequent regularly.
“We’ve had our eye on Culver City for some time. In LA, it represents the most exciting frontier in the creative industries – from design, to entertainment and tech. It truly feels like a new chapter in the storied history of LA as a creative capital. We are thrilled to be in the epicenter of this exciting expansion, and to be inspired by all the great people and institutions laying down roots near us,” adds Talwar.
Margot will be open daily for lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an afternoon light bite menu from 3pm to 5:30pm and for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. with brunch specials on Saturdays and Sundays. The bars will remain open from 11am until 1:00 a.m daily. Margot will be located at 8820 Washington Blvd, Suite 301 in Culver City, CA 90232. Valet parking will be available free of charge to all restaurant guests with validation. The space is also available for special events, ranging from full buyouts, to private dining and patio specific space usage.
