Kevin Luzande, the former opening executive chef behind Cabo’s celebrated farm-to-table ACRE restaurant, opened Sendero on the 24th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, an iconic dining space celebrated for its views of downtown Los Angeles. Sendero, meaning “path” in Spanish, presents four independent dining experiences that reflect Luzande’s journey down south the Pan-American Highway, a network of roads that link nearly all of the Pacific coastal countries of North, Central and South America. Sendero’s four concepts include Corteza, trailing the seafood-rich Baja coastline; Leña, an Argentine-influenced steakhouse featuring premium cuts of beef from celebrated farms and purveyors; the Agave Library, dedicated to rare and premium tequila, mezcal and other agave-based spirits; and Volante, (opening late 2023) a conceptual chef’s table.
“Sendero traces my journey across Latin America, where I spent time studying the cuisine and culture across Mexico, South and Central America,” Luzande said. “Each concept’s menu is inspired by culinary discoveries that have stayed with me throughout my career, from regional specialties to rare delicacies. Sendero is an invitation to travel along the Pan-American Highway as I did, returning for a new experience each time.”
Designed by EDG Interior Architecture + Design, Sendero is sectioned into four distinct spaces with decor reflective of their culinary and regional focus. Colorful hand-woven fans framed along the walls line an intricately tiled paseo that serves as the pathway for guests to discover each restaurant. Throughout the space are artifacts from the Pan-American Highway, handpicked Mexican and Oaxacan pottery, vintage maps, custom pieces from Argentine millworkers and a series of stylized lassos, an homage to gaucho ranching.
Corteza trails the Sea of Cortez with an emphasis on seafood, including fresh Mexican and Peruvian ceviches featuring uni, hokkaido scallops and large deep-sea cardinal prawns, a rich Portuguese stew featuring octopus, littleneck clams, shrimp, and striped bass in a buttery chorizo broth and aged sea bream zarandeado with nixtamal tortillas. Other highlights include Columbian-style arepa filled with duck carnitas and a mushroom tamal centered around the rare Mexican delicacy of huitlacoche, a nutty and subtly sweet and smokey fungus or “Mexican truffle” grown on corn. Corteza’s vibrant coastal palette features bright patterned textiles surrounding an open kitchen with carved terracotta tiles and sleek marble work surfaces. A turquoise tiled bar separates the dining room from the lounge area with a live-action ceviche station.
Neighboring Corteza and tucked away into a semi-private room overlooking the city, the Agave Library offers an intimate space for a custom-tasting menu experience that centers around a rotating agave-based spirit brand each quarter. Each tasting menu is complemented by an extensive selection of rare tequila, mezcal and other agave-based spirits. Luzande designs each menu from scratch, which may include a ceviche tasting to a flaming chocolate skull for dessert. Fine reserve tequilas and unique mezcals–in casks, bottles and traditional ceramics–are arrayed above a credenza.
Slated for a late 2023 debut, Luzande’s tasting menu concept will center around the chef’s table. Its design is inspired by the speakeasies of Recoleta, a posh neighborhood in Buenos Aires, with bold interior details and art including brass light fixtures and gold accents. Details on the culinary program will be released closer to the opening.
At the end of the paseo is the striking dining room of Leña, an Argentine-influenced steakhouse. Chef Luzande and Argentinian-native sous chef Pedro Passalacqua collaborate on a menu that ranges from lavish seafood platters featuring crab claws, oysters, lobster and large shrimp to wagyu carpaccio accompanied by black truffle arancini. Traditional and modern dishes from Argentina include Provoleta, a grilled provolone-style cheese and ojo de bife, a tableside carving of wagyu double tomahawk with a choice of sides. At the heart of the menu is a selection of prime cuts of beef, from wagyu bone-in ribeye to prime porterhouse, sourced from renowned farms including Aspen Ridge, Western Plains, Dimboola Farms and Heritage Berkshire. Leña’s gaucho-inspired approach to steakhouse decor features rich charcoal walls and dark walnut ceilings. Bold drapery lines the floor-to-ceiling windows, framing views of the glistening city with art deco touches throughout the space.
Sendero’s beverage program parallels the culinary program with cocktails featuring ingredients inspired by and sourced from Mexico, Central and South America such as smoked palo santo and Peruvian chicha morada, and spirits from family-owned distilleries in Mexico, and beyond. The wine program will emphasize South American and California vintages, with some European labels highlighted in Lena. Chef Luzande and Executive Pastry Chef Francois Behuet collaborate on desserts that bring French technique to traditional desserts across Mexico and Central and South America such as the Día de los Muertos, a white chocolate skull filled with milk chocolate mousse, passionfruit, and surrounded by pepita brittle and cacao nibs and a Chocoflan featuring layers of chocolate sponge, coffee custard and espresso mascarpone.
Photography: Don Riddle
