Show 144, October 31, 2015: Executive Chef Nyesha Arrington, Leona, Venice Beach

Nyesha Arrington of LeonaVenice, CA. – based Chef Nyesha Arrington is no stranger to the show. You know her from Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Esquire Channel’s “Knife Fight.”

We’ve chatted with her in the past when she was at The Wilshire and, more recently, about her pop-ups. She is now creating the menu at the new LEONA restaurant in Venice.

At LEONA Chef Nyesha is serving seasonally driven, ethically harvested and globally inspired Progressive Californian cuisine inspired by the mosaic of the Golden State. It’s dinner and weekend brunch for the moment with lunch debuting later this month.

“We want you to feel like you were hugged from the inside,” explains Arrington. “Our food is consciously prepared. For instance we may use ingredients with health benefits, like turmeric or ginger, but we’re not afraid to use butter, cream and other classic culinary styles when it is appropriate. We’re mindful of modern dietary preferences and create thoughtful dishes accordingly. We also strive to be progressive in creating sustainable sourcing and kitchen practices with little to no food waste.”

In the early 1900s “LEONA” was the original street name for what now is Washington Boulevard.

“We’re California natives and Venice residents,” comments proprietor Kristian Vallas, “We wanted this restaurant to represent why we love Venice and its tradition of avant-garde entrepreneurship. We’re approaching things differently operationally and creatively.”

Chef Nyesha is with us to provide all the tasty morsels.