Manuela Is DTLA Art District’s New Texas-inspired Farm to Table Restaurant

Manuela is the new chic eatery inside the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel complex in the Arts District. The 5,000-square foot restaurant sits next to the gallery’s open-air courtyard and can seat up to 140. Named for Manuela Wirth, one of the gallery’s co-owners, the restaurant is a key component of the arts complex. In keeping with the location, the design features contemporary art works by Paul McCarthy, Mark Bradford, and more including some murals.

Helming the kitchen is Chef Wes Whitsell, who has previously worked at Gjelina, Osteria La Buca, and Soho House in New York City. The menu is based on locally grown produce, seafood, and livestock. Whitsell was raised on a rural farm just north of Dallas, so his kitchen features a smoker and wood-fired grill. On the menu, you’ll find smoked baby back ribs and the Redneck Sampler, which features country ham, pickles, pimento cheese, and biscuit. Beyond those, diners can enjoy striped bass ceviche, fried quail, deer burger, or salads for lunch. The dessert menu tempts with fried peach and apricot pie, avocado honey ice cream, and blackberry cobbler. Manuela is also taking farm-to-table further with an on-site kitchen garden that will provide seasonal herbs, fruits, and vegetables for the restaurant. There is also an onsite chicken coop, which provides fresh eggs for the breakfast menu.

The cocktail menu is small but has something for all palates, from the sweet and smoky Ole Hickory (mescal, peaches, rose geranium, and lemon), to the Nightshade for the heat lovers, with Ixa tequila, tomato, yellow bell pepper and lemon. The list of draft beers is focused on California brews and the restaurant also offers homemade sodas and kombucha. The wine list is divided into the “Tried & True” and “Fun & Fresh” sections, appealing to those looking for the best of the classic styles and those seeking uncharted territories.

Manuela opens for lunch and brunch on Oct. 19. Dinner service begins Oct. 27.