New Leadership Strengthens Galerie's Culinary Position Galerie on Sunset, the 1970s-inspired restaurant across from Chateau Marmont, has appointed Executive Chef Justin Feliciano and Beverage Director Brynn Smith, signaling a shift in the restaurant's culinary and mixology direction. Feliciano, formerly Head Chef at New York's Monkey Bar and Zero Bond, and Sous at Cote, is bringing a market-forward approach to the menu. His seasonal California bistro concept draws on French techniques, Mexican flavors, and locally sourced ingredients, including meat from Cream Co's regenerative ranches and produce from The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills. Smith, known for Bar Next Door—ranked among North America's best bars by the 50 Best organization—is building Galerie's cocktail program around fresh ingredients and balanced flavors. Her menu includes the tableside Rose Gold Martini, prepared with ultra-premium Seventy One Gin, Dry Vermouth, and Meleitti Amaro, served in a rosewater-spritzed coupe garnished with rose petals. Other offerings include the Pornstar Martini (vodka, passion fruit puree, Passoã, vanilla), Lychee Spritz (Amaro Montenegro), Dirty Shirley (blanco tequila, Luxardo Cherry Morlacco Sangue Liqueur, grenadine, lemon lime soda), and the Lost on Sunset Boulevardier (Woodinville Whiskey, Cocchi Americano, Braulio Amaro).

Menu and Programming Expansion Feliciano's menu balances refined small plates—Bluefin Tuna Tostada with salsa macha, Caledonian Blue Prawns with chimichurri—with seasonal vegetables and mains including a Galerie Burger with Gruyère and "French Onion" sauce, stuffed agnolotti with Bolognese, grilled halibut with sauce vierge, and Wagyu NY Strip Steak Frites. Desserts include warm chocolate chip cookies and a Banana Split with strawberry, vanilla bean, and chocolate ice cream. Since opening under founders Trae Meyer-Whalley and Simon Pompan, Galerie has positioned itself as a destination for creative professionals and high-profile diners. The restaurant now offers Thursday Vinyl Nights, weekend DJ sets, a martini-friendly happy hour, and plans to launch Wine Wednesdays and guest chef collaborations featuring Michelin-rated partners. Galerie operates Tuesday–Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.–11 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, 5:30 p.m.–2 a.m. Reservations are available via Resy.

Why It Matters

Galerie's appointments reflect the ongoing consolidation of talent on the Sunset Strip and broader West Hollywood dining scene. The restaurant's emphasis on seasonal sourcing, premium spirits, and experiential service—from tableside cocktail preparation to curated DJ programming—signals a maturing competitive landscape where established hospitality concepts are layering entertainment and dynamic programming to justify premium pricing and drive traffic beyond the initial novelty phase.

For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.

Written by FBM Publications Editors