The Hammer Museum’s Ambitious New Restaurant Opens in Early 2019

The Hammer Museum has a new restaurant opening in early 2019 called Audrey from restaurateur Soa Davies Forrest and chef Lisa Giffen. Taking over a section of the ground floor of the museum, plus the patio, the dinner and daytime destination is the most compelling eatery to come to Westwood in the past year. Lisa Giffen worked at numerous New York City restaurants, including Daniel, Blue Hill, and most recently at Brookyln’s celebrated Maison Premiere as its executive chef and sister restaurant Sauvage.

Davies Forrest also has New York City experience, with time at Le Bernardin as its head of R&D and Director of Operations before partnering with David Chang to debut Maple, a delivery-only restaurant in New York. Most recently Davies Forrest overseeing food and beverage for such hotels as Chateau Marmont and the Mercer.

Audrey will be the first significant eatery to open at the excellent and slightly underrated Hammer Museum since Ammo did something there a few years back. Tartine also did a coffee and pastry cart briefly. The new restaurant will have seating for up to 115 diners, with cocktails, small production wines, and “soulful, elevated cooking with a Southern California feel.” In addition, Cuban artist Jorge Pardo’s tile installation will grace the space. Anyone visiting the museum (which already offers free admission) will have access to the restaurant, though anyone with the intention of dining at Audrey can get in through a separate entrance on Lindbrook Drive. The name comes from philanthropist and Hammer board member Audrey Irmas.

Audrey at the Hammer. 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024.