A beta test of the Hyatt Regency brand, Viento, at the Hyatt Century City in Los Angeles was designed as a pop-up restaurant that can be periodically switched out to showcase different concepts through menu and design changes. As such, designers looked to develop a blank slate for the renovated space so that additional decorations could be added to create that changing concept. If successful, the hotel giant plans to roll out the pop-up concept nationally.
"We are taking a guerilla restaurateur approach where we want to always offer something fresh and new," says Jared Hobbins, director of food and beverage. "I thought it was important to focus on the talent behind our culinary team and what they feel passionate about. Many are classically trained, but a few also have Latin backgrounds, so we thought that would be perfect for the first concept."
Viento, the current pop-up concept, serves a dinner menu inspired by Mexican and South American cuisine and led by a rotating roster of Hyatt Century City chefs with oversight from Executive Chef Felix Nappoly.
That said, design was an important factor in the pop-up concept. Building off of the existing footprint and mid-century modern style, designers incorporated a 1950s and '60s color palette with retro orange, gray, teal and yellow and introduced staging and lighting that could be retracted or put away for breakfast and lunch service. Hundreds of votive lights create a Latin cathedral or grand square feel, while enhanced lighting on the garden patio — including orange pendant lanterns hung from a banyan tree — gives that breezy, romantic California atmosphere diners seek.
The hotel plans to introduce a new pop-up concept with an entirely new menu and design in the next four to six months. Inspired by the existing sushi counter at Breeze, Hobbins says the team has considered an Asian-inspired pop-up that will also incorporate Indian influences. Cocktail and wine lists will also be changed up to match the new cuisine. The design will stick with the retro supper club feel but feature add-ons reflective of the new menu.