New Eastern Mediterranean Hotspot Deme at Hotel Figueroa in DTLA Is Inspired by the Greek Goddess of the Harvest

Deme is the new flagship poolside restaurant at Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles that is inspired by Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest.

Deme, by The Botanical Group, is a new poolside eatery inspired by Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest, that recently opened at the historic Hotel Figueroa in downtown Los Angeles on Aug. 13.

Featuring a stunning mural on one wall depicting Demeter and her fellow Greek goddesses by local muralist, Tim Nguyen, and a cocktail menu with drinks named after goddesses, the restaurant also pays homage to the hotel’s historic roots centered around celebrating women.

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The interior design at Deme captures the charming essence of Mediterranean towns and local tavernas with burgundy velvet booths, custom red walnut millwork, and custom clay lighting fixtures handcrafted by local artist Gabriela Forgo of Clay CA.

Overlooking the hotel’s iconic coffin-shaped swimming pool, the restaurant’s open layout and circular flow can seat up to 80 people and encourages a communal dining experience reminiscent of long Mediterranean meals.

The menu at Deme is rooted in the culinary traditions of the Greek Islands, Turkey, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Israel while utilizing the best of California’s bounty.

Under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Blake Shailes (also of Grandmaster Recorders and Eleven Madison Park), the menu at Deme is rooted in the culinary traditions of Cyprus, the Greek Islands, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey. It also utilizes the best of fresh California bounty in its Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea-inspired dishes with authentic, thoughtfully sourced spices and ingredients such as Kamut flour, one of the world’s oldest staple grains that was prevalent in the Middle East thousands of years ago.

"Inspired by the rich traditions and robust flavors found within the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea, our approach to Deme’s menu focuses on paying homage to the local ingredients, vibrant dishes, and cooking techniques found in family kitchens throughout these regions, passed down from generation to generation, all with a fresh Californian approach," says Shailes. "With Deme’s namesake a nod to the ancient Greek Goddess of the Harvest and given Hotel Figueroa’s emphasis on women empowerment, our goal is for Deme’s menu to be bountiful and generous, focused on light, fresh and seasonal offerings, with a heavy emphasis on vegetables, ancient grains, and specialty-sourced meats and seafood.”  

Highlights include an assortment of Mediterranean dips and flatbreads, shawarma, skewers, roasted Dover Sole, crispy lobster Kataifi, Turkish lamb Manti, and more. Dessert options include fresh made baklava and a rotating menu of soft serve, with the menu’s introductory offering combining Turkish clotted cream topped with sesame caramel and Cyprus black salt.

The cocktails at Deme lean into ancient Greek mythology and are named after various Greek goddesses.

Developed by Bar Director Milosz Cieslak, the cocktail program pairs perfectly with each dish. Drinks lean into ancient Greek mythology, featuring names of various Greek goddesses such as Aphrodite and Calypso, and incorporate tradition spices and ingredients including  saffron-infused mezcal and Greek yogurt clarification.

“The bar program at Deme was carefully designed to complement the cuisine while being influenced by the poolside ambiance, offering a great mix of traditional and contemporary liquors, wines, and flavors that are bright, light, and easy to drink, contrasted by spices and citrus flavors,” says Cieslak. “Our cocktails feature unique garnishes and exceptional presentation to enhance the overall experience, including my personal favorite, the Luna, which incorporates Saffron-infused mezcal, garnished with safflower, infusing a highly distinguished, representative spice originating from the Mediterranean region, creating a truly special, refreshing beverage.” 

Deme is under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Blake Shailes with a cocktail program led by Bar Director Milosz Cieslak.

David Combes, CEO of The Botanical Group, adds, “We are thrilled to partner with Hotel Figueroa to launch our latest restaurant venture, marking an exciting chapter for us as we continue to expand in the Los Angeles region and debut our first-ever hotel culinary concept. Blending our core values with the hotel’s history and commitment to exceptional experiences, we are excited for guests to savor the unique flavors and unforgettable atmosphere that our world class team has created at Deme. Reminiscent of the hotel's storied past and stunning architecture, Deme’s design, led by two talented young female designers, lends itself perfectly to a Mediterranean-inspired concept that honors the property’s rich design heritage of empowering women while pushing the boundaries to introduce innovative, palate-challenging ideas that redefine the region’s renowned cuisine.”

Deme is located at Hotel Figueroa, a historic boutique hotel in DTLA that originally opened in 1926 as an exclusive hotel for female travelers.

Deme is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday form 5 p.m. to close and reservations can be booked through OpenTable.

For more information about Deme to make dinner reservations, visit the website. Check out the latest deals when booking your next stay at Hotel Figueroa. Follow @demerestaurant and @hotelfigueroa on Instagram.

[Photo credit: Hotel Figueroa & Robiee Ziegler]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk