Skip to Content
Advertisement
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.

More Stories

Mangiarsi le Mani: The Italian Expression for Regret

English speakers kick themselves over a missed opportunity. Italians turn themselves into the meal.

October 12, 2026

Mondays with Michele: Baked Flounder Piccata Style

Michele’s 30-minute fish dinner pairs tender flounder with a buttery lemon-caper sauce and a breadcrumb topping.

October 12, 2026

Fall Harvest Salad With Tuscan Kale and Butternut Squash

Serve this colorful seasonal side alongside pasta or make it a light lunch on its own.

October 11, 2026

Sunday Shop: Suitcase Faves for a Weekend in Philadelphia 

Morgan Hines seeks out the best in not only food and drink but style, housewares, and more. Welcome to Appetito’s Sunday Shop!

October 11, 2026

When Lentils Are an Invitation into the Lives of Strangers

A reflection on how a bag of lentils from a food bank created a bond among strangers in the shared kitchen of an AirBnb.

October 9, 2026

Pasta School with Lowcountry Bella: Sunday Sauce — Not Gravy! 

A family recipe brings tomatoes, red wine and fresh basil together for a slow-simmered pasta sauce.

October 9, 2026