Cucina Alba, an Italian restaurant in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, opened in summer of 2022, joining the Prince Street Hospitality portfolio alongside other concepts like Little Prince, Lola Taverna, and Lucali. Last month, the group gave Cucina Alba a sibling when they introduced Alba Los Angeles, the company’s first restaurant on the West Coast.
Alba opened February 6 in West Hollywood. It’s a tribute to Italian holidays and inspired by the travels of Cobi Levy and Will Makris, Prince Street Hospitality’s founders. Partner and co-owner Julian Black, formerly of Major Food Group, and director of hospitality Kevin King (formerly of Le Rock and Balthazar) round out the Los Angeles team.
Levy explained that the group’s desire to head west was twofold.
“From a culinary standpoint, the opportunity to cook here was exciting,” he said, noting the access to fresh ingredients and the city’s growing food culture. “From a brand standpoint, Los Angeles is the media capital, and the convergence of media and tech makes L.A. an ideal hub to tell the Alba story.”
The 10,000-square-foot space was designed by GRT Architects and nods to the golden age of Hollywood supper clubs while also channeling the Italian coast. The open-air main dining room seats 120 guests. There’s also a 14-seat bar, a smaller dining lounge, and a private dining room.
GRT created a lush, open-air courtyard lined with banquettes and murals by artist Alex Proba, and there’s a retractable striped canopy to provide shade or cover from rain. Inside, the dining room is light and airy, with white oak paneling, terrazzo floors, ivory leather, and midcentury modern furnishings.
Alba’s lush courtyard features greenery and a retractable canopy.
Alba’s lush courtyard features greenery and a retractable canopy.
Executive chef Adam Leonti, who has helmed Cucina Alba since it opened, is also running the show at the Los Angeles restaurant. For the menu, he’s putting his own spin on Italian classics and using seasonal California ingredients.
The menu begins with fresh focaccia. Leonti is known for bread — he founded Brooklyn Bread Lab and wrote a book called “Flour Lab” that teaches home cooks to bake with freshly milled grains. From there, diners can dig into light fare like salads, hamachi crudo with grapefruit and ginger, and Calabrian tuna tartare.
Alba’s menu is focused on Italian classics made with California ingredients
Alba’s menu is focused on Italian classics made with California ingredients
There’s a section of pastas (orecchiette arrabbiata, agnolotti with black truffle fonduta), and mains include branzino, chicken alla diavolo, and a dry-aged wagyu beef bistecca Fiorentina.
Beverage director Truman Flanders, formerly of Eleven Madison Park, The Grill, and The Pool, all in New York City, has created an Italian-coast-inspired bar program. The extensive wine list features more than 5,000 bottles, and cocktails include classic aperitivos, Spritzes, Martinis, and Negronis along with a few non-alcoholic options made with house-fermented fruit syrups.
Alba’s bar is stocking more than 5,000 wines and pouring Italian cocktails like the Negroni
Alba’s bar is stocking more than 5,000 wines and pouring Italian cocktails like the Negroni
As the team introduces more local diners to Alba Los Angeles, they’re continuing to keep their eyes on both coasts.
Levy said Prince Street Hospitality is currently designing a new space in SoHo in Manhattan and is exploring a few other options.
“While we’re focused on these projects, we’re always looking for new opportunities that align with our brand and vision,” he said.
