Try the New Chef if You Are in West L.A.

Westwood recently appointed Executive Chef Dakota Weiss to bring her acclaimed culinary voice and perfection for good food to the hotel to oversee all kitchen operations including NINETHIRTY and The Backyard Restaurant, both managed by Choice Hospitality Group. Chef Weiss brings in new tastes and bold flavors to W with her unique, yet fresh and simple dishes.

“We are happy to welcome Chef Weiss to W Los Angeles - Westwood. Her extensive culinary experience and extreme passion in the kitchen makes her a perfect fit for our hotel. We are excited to have her be a part of our W team!” says Ren Hirose, General Manager of W Los Angeles – Westwood.

Chef Weiss has previously worked for top chefs including Jeff Drew, Dean Fearing and Bruno Menard, and has taken their influence to create her own unique and avant-garde approach to food. “I try to keep things light and fresh, but flavorful,” says Weiss. “When creating a dish, I use all of my senses not only my taste buds. I use my eyes, nose and heart.” Chef Dakota must be able to enjoy the dishes herself if it’s going on her menu.

The new menu will still consist of small and large plates with entrees ranging from light fare to simple dishes with bold flavors all combined with American farm-fresh ingredients. Small plates include NINETHIRTY chopped salad: red beets, pears, smoked pistachios, drizzled in herb de provence vinaigrette; Seared Hamachi: porcini mascarpone, pickled mushrooms, atop napa cabbage salad and Oysters X’s Two: chillin-carrot mignonette, bakin-creamed arugula and parmesan. Share & Side dishes offer groups an opportunity to mix, match, and taste various menu items including Parsnip Gratin: caramelized shallots and aged pecorino, Mustard Braised Brussel Sprouts sprinkled with golden raisins or Mac n’ Cheese: smoked bacon, granny smith apples and garlic bread crumbs. Select Large plate entrees include Beef Bourgogne: pappardelle noodles and roasted root veggies; Drunk Mussels: Washington state black mussels, white wine, garlic, hominy and grilled bread; Stout Braised Chicken n’ Biscuits: herbed buttermilk biscuit, roasted crimini mushrooms, farmers market carrots, Chile Roasted Eggplant Crepes: charred tomato couis, goat cheese croquettes, and Maple Syrup Braised Pork Shank: whiskey and brown butter yams, haricot vert, and crispy sage.
Chef Dakota was born and raised in Lancaster, California before moving to Santa Fe, Mexico at the age of 12. While she has lived all across the United States including Arizona, Texas, and Florida, one thing remains the same as she spent many hours in the kitchen with her mother, suspense novelist Charmaine Coimbra. According to Chef Weiss, her mother is who she acquired her love for food, appreciation of fresh products and flair in the kitchen. She attended and graduated top of her class from Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 1997 where, shortly after, she worked under Chef Jeff Drew at Coyote Café and spent three years there cultivating her talents. She then spent six years working for Ritz-Carlton including the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta where she made a name for herself working closely with Chef Bruno Menard and returned to Los Angeles to work for Jer-ne Restaurant and Bar at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey. Soon after, Chef Weiss worked at Sunset Tower Hotel’s Tower Bar and moved to Philadelphia to help open Stephen Starr’s restaurant Parc. Although she has lived and traveled to other parts of the country, Chef Weiss will always consider Southern California home and worked at Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica before arriving at W Los Angeles. “Southern California air runs through my veins”, says Chef Weiss and she currently has no intention of leaving.

Weiss’ French training and broad range of experience has made her an all-around, versatile chef. With her passion and creativity, she creates dishes that delight the palates of all who come to enjoy great food.

SPRING & SUMMER Programming at NINETHIRTY Include:

NINETHIRTY Sunday Brunch – at a location previously famous for their Sunday brunches, Chef Dakota Weiss revamps the way we think of Sunday brunch. Every Sunday 10:00AM – 3:00PM. Choose from classic benedict to an all-in-one breakfast pizza for $20.11 per person. Add all-you-can-drink bloody marys, sparkling wine and bottomless mimosas for an additional $20.11. Or keep it refined and order a bottle of wine for $20.11.

TABLE 930 – our version of a Chef’s Table. Special seating in a private poolside cabana during special holidays (i.e. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc) and available by request for special occasions. Chef will create special menus and present each entrée to the guests.

WINE DOWN at W - after-work cocktailing at it’s finest. Wine tasting series held the third Wednesday of each month. Chef Weiss pairs delectable delights with exquisite wines from an array of wineries and vineyards. $20 for unlimited tastings.

TwEAT about NT - guests who tweet about their experience at NINETHIRTY (using @WLosAngeles twitter username) mentioning their favorite dish or cocktail receive a 9.30 nibble or cocktail free with purchase of an entrée during their next visit

ABOUT W LOS ANGELES - WESTWOOD

A stylish contemporary escape in the heart of Westwood, W Los Angeles - Westwood is a sanctuary within the bustling city. Located on two acres of lush landscaping, this modern oasis offers 258 one- and two-bedroom Thom Filicia-designed suites, more than 4,000 square feet of meeting space, state-of-the-art technology and world-class service. At W Los Angeles, guests can enjoy the ultimate W lifestyle: dine at critically acclaimed restaurant NINETHIRTY; indulge in cool, sophisticated nightlife at Whiskey Blue; relax poolside in a private cabana while enjoying cuisine from poolside bistro, The Backyard, and enjoy ‘BIP’ status with poolside blissages with bliss® los angeles. Centrally located within minutes from Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, and the coastline, W Los Angeles enjoys a prime location in beautiful Westwood Village offering easy access to key interest points such as UCLA, the Armand Hammer Museum and the Geffen Playhouse. For more information on W Los Angeles-Westwood, please call (310) 208-8765 or visit www.wlosangeles.com.