Art, Food, Drink, Beauty - All in One Space
“the art room” is brimming with beauty, humanity, specialty drinks, and good food.
I had the pleasure to sit down with Chef Derrick Walker and General Manager Daniel Gonzalez at the newly opened restaurant called, “the art room,” at 908 S. Olive Avenue between Olympic and 9th. Their website defines the space as, “an innovative bar/restaurant/art gallery space serving a chef driven fast casual menu and signature cocktails.”
The restaurant is currently open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 pm. Selected drinks and cocktails are $9, tacos $3, and Thai chili wings and fried chicken are $6 and $8, respectively. I was salivating as Daniel described the food menu and freshly innovative cocktails. Later that evening, my wife and I tasted four different tacos - the brisket, salmon, falafel, and butternut with corn nuts. Each was so delicious, especially with the Blue Summer Margaritas! We did not try Daniel’s favorite taco, the three little pigs, which is carnitas, chorizo, and bacon - all in one tortilla. Chef raves about his breakfast burrito. We did order another of his favorites for dinner and shared the pasta olio with shrimp. Wow, it was so good!
Chef Walker is an energetic, accomplished, and righteous humanitarian who was also a contestant AND winner of the cooking show “Chops” in 2013. Thereafter, he opened “Mar Vista,” and “MV Grab n Go,” while training in culinary arts, to “thousands of needy persons that are transitioning back into society at The St Joseph Center.” Chef continues his selfless gesture by working with DTLA’s Amity Organization and “has already hired a couple of vetted paroles to his staff to help them get back on their feet.”
Chef Walker and his two other “innovative” partners are fully invested in South Park with the art room restaurant, as well as their sister project, called, “The Showroom,” an event space on Grand Avenue, north of 11th St. Both spaces have been purchased by the group, and they believe in the entertainment value in this community.
Chef grew up in Los Angeles and finds South Park residents to be diverse, warm, welcoming, and energetic. He believes in this neighborhood and believes we need to build out the area beyond Crypto.com. He has been inspired by The Arts District and wants to bring that vibe to South Park.
Gonzalez added, “They welcome locals to make the art room their local watering hole. They have created the space for “guests” to come in, be comfortable, work, socialize, and feel at home. It is for anyone that enjoys creative art, music, good food, and specialty drinks. They want to serve the community and stay humble regardless of the beauty of the space.
Gonzalez spoke about the art gallery. “Art collaborates with beauty, community, and humanity.” They plan to feature art showings every six weeks. The current exhibit that runs through July 28 is from Lauren Powell and features Beck+Col’s new film, Red Night. Check it out at www.theartroomdtla.com gallery.
What a great experience!
By Marty Goldberg