By The Big Magazine Staff
The Gallery is the future experience of how you see and taste fine dining in Downtown Los Angeles.
Allureum launched its flagship project, “The Gallery”, an experiential, and immersive restaurant and bar in downtown Los Angles, created by entertainment visionaries Daren Ulmer and Chuck Fawcett, officially opened its doors on Wednesday, Mach 11th.
The new facility offers two interconnected experiences. It all starts at the Horizon bar, where a seasonal menu and expertly crafted cocktails are available. In the art deco bar area, a large chandelier is prominently displayed in the center. Behind the bar and on the wall, an animated, ever-evolving 3D cityscape is showcased, featuring mini projected scenes of silhouettes depicting city life.
The experience continues onto The Gallery Theater, which features the venue’s first themed dining show, Elementa, a culinary and multi-sensory journey exploring the five classical elements of nature: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Aether (Space). Guided by The Curator, an enigmatic master of sights, sounds and tastes, guests will marvel as their surroundings—from tabletops to walls to window views—transform into a breathtaking showcase of visual and musical artistry.
When you first enter the dining room, expect to see your name projected onto your table so you know where to sit. A small but personal touch ahead of a wild ride. The intro music begins, and from there you are whisked away to several scenes, from underwater to green nature scenes with interactive butterflies and plants, all the way to a galaxy unknown.
Each scene pairs with a five course meal developed by Joshua Whigham, former Chef de Cuisine at José Andrés’ acclaimed ThinkFoodGroup restaurants including The Bazaar in Los Angeles and Minibar in Washington, D.C..
You are encouraged to interact at your table with projections, such as a school of fish that swim to your flattened palm but dart away if you make a fist, or the lightning bolts that connect you to other guests sitting near and around you.
Developed in partnership with Mousetrappe Media, the cutting-edge technology behind Elementa will allow guests to interact with their environment, as responsive tabletops react to their movements, creating a dynamic and personalized connection to the performance.
“With Elementa, we wanted to create a culinary experience that transcends traditional dining
and immerses guests in a world of wonder and creativity,” said Daren Ulmer, President and
Creative Executive of Allureum. “From the dramatic musical score to the visually stunning
environments, Elementa is designed to delight all the senses.”
Ulmer's company, Mousetrappe Media, worked on various projection mapping experiences, such as Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at the Hollywood Bowl, among numerous other high profile projects. Ulmer's new company, Allureum, draws from his extensive expertise and passion for the theme park industry.
Fawcett serves as CEO of Allureum, and is an Emmy™ and Thea™ award-winning designer, creative executive, real estate investor, and entrepreneur. With over 35 years in the themed entertainment industry, combined with his experience building, owning, and operating Animax Designs—the industry’s leading animatronics company—Chuck holds a unique position of influence within the global theme park landscape. His extensive career includes collaborations with the world’s foremost entertainment companies, such as The Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, NBCUniversal, SeaWorld, Warner Bros., and Sesame Workshop.
Guests eager to experience Elementa’s inaugural month of performances can take advantage of exclusive early access pricing of $175 per person, available for shows through March 23. A variety of curated add-ons, including premium wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverage pairings, are also available. Outside of Elementa show hours, The Gallery Theater will offer a variety of themed and live entertainment experiences, including special brunches, tastings with guest chefs and live music performances.
We highly recommend this experience! Tickets for Elementa start at $200 per person and are now on sale at www.TheGalleryDining.com.
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