Skip to Content
News

LAVO Ristorante Announces New Chef in LA, Global Expansion

Sicilian native Luca Maita takes over as Executive Chef at the West Hollywood location, while a new restaurant opens in London, and more from the Tao Group’s LAVO brand.

11:38 AM EDT on September 27, 2023

LAVO Los Angeles

One of the dining rooms at LAVO Ristorante in Los Angeles

LAVO Ristorante in Los Angeles, part of the sprawling Tao Group of nightclubs and restaurants, has changed its kitchen leadership. Opened to fanfare in West Hollywood last year, the elegant coastal Italian restaurant now has Luca Maita at the helm as executive chef. A native of Catania in Sicily whose grandfather was a fisherman and who grew up in a family with a seafood business, Maita brings expertise and experience. 

Luca Maita is the new executive chef at LAVO Ristorante in West Hollywood, in Los Angeles.

He started his career cooking in Sicily and then in London and Australia, before landing in the Los Angeles area in 2016. More recently, he led the kitchens at highly rated Italian restaurants 1212 in Santa Monica and Nonna in Westlake Village, before joining Lavo in West Hollywood.

At LAVO Ristorante, he’s tasked with overseeing a menu that goes deep into seafood while covering many popular Italian dishes, as well as representing a dynamic, growing brand with locations in Manhattan, Las Vegas, and San Diego, as well as the new LAVO London. There’s a Mexico City LAVO in the works for 2024 as well.

Angelenos will have a chance to experience a special LAVO menu for DINE LA, running October 6-20, with prix-fixe brunch at $35 [pdf] and dinner at $65 per person [pdf].

Check out more images from LAVO Ristorante in Los Angeles below.

The Meatball from LAVO Ristorante in Los Angeles.
Salt-baked sea bass from LAVO Ristorante.
Tagliatelle al limon from LAVO.
More of the stunning interiors from LAVO Ristorante.
The patio at LAVO Ristorante.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Stuffed Calamari Recipe with Black Olive Ratatouille

This colorful seafood entrée lets fresh ingredients do the heavy lifting.

July 22, 2026

Spirito di Patata: When Italians Blame the Potato for a Bad Joke

The humble potato has fed generations of Italians. Their sense of humor is another matter.

July 22, 2026

Appetito’s Andrew Cotto on Little Italy and “Mapgate” in NYC

Appetito's EIC appeared on the "Little Italy" podcast to discuss issues surrounding the recent "Mapgate" controversy in New York City.

July 21, 2026

Danielle Callegari on A Bite-Sized History of Italy and Italian Food History

The Dartmouth professor discusses why cuisine became Italy's strongest cultural identity, from ancient Rome to modern Italian-American cooking.

July 21, 2026

5 Italian Seaside Destinations Beyond the Amalfi Coast

From hidden islands to charming beach towns, these five destinations prove there's so much more to Italy's coastline than the Amalfi Coast.

Positive Influencer: Margherita Gismondi of Margherita Blogs

Appetito interviews influencer Margherita Gismondi about her approach to educating audiences about Italian culture and lifestyle.

July 20, 2026