DOMA BEVERLY HILLS
SERVING MODERN ITALIAN & SEAFOOD DELICACIES

Restaurateur Sonja Perencevic knows a good thing when she sees it—from buying iconic L.A. hotspot Dan Tana’s nearly five years ago (hard to believe the venerable Dan Tana’s is now celebrating its fiftieth anniversary) to opening her refined DOMA Restaurant in Beverly Hills roughly two years ago.
While her two popular eateries differ wildly in setting and décor, they both offer a first rate Beverly Hills dining experience. Walk into DOMA and you’re immediately taken by its spacious, yet intimate dining room, which is tastefully decorated with deep, rich colors and textures. The main focus though, is the panoramic view diner’s enjoy as they watch their meal come to life under the direction of Dodger cap clad chef Dustin J. Trani who brings to life Perencevic’s modern Italian and seafood menu.

During our recent visit for dinner, cocktails seemed the fitting way to start our night. While their handcrafted cocktail menu isn’t extensive, it does offer savory and potent libations, including the Doma Dirty Martini, mixed with Tallarico vodka, olive juice, and bleu cheese stuffed olives (this is a stiff drink to say the least), along with the Manhattan Bulleit—Bulleit bourbon, sweet vermouth, and orange twist, another drink on the stiff side.

Starting with some nice, light and refreshing appetizers, we shared the lovely Salmon Carpaccio with a nice mix of chili, lime, cashew and coconut air; along with the Japanese Hamachi Sashimi, prepared with ginger soy, Ponzu caviar and sesame tuile; Thai Style Big Eye Tuna Ceviche served with fermented Thai vinaigrette, Dungeness Crab, and coconut cream; the fantastic Tempura Shishito Peppers, which really come to life with Thai Chili Buerre Blanc, and Feta cheese; and Local Crispy Calamari, which taste slightly fiery with Thai Aioli, balsamic reduction, and micro cilantro.

If you’re looking for a drink on the refreshing side, you can always go with the Brighton Way Refresher or the Moscow Mule or the Doma-Jito, while Pepino’s Revenge mixed with Cazadores silver tequila, Cointreau, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice packs a mighty wallop. Otherwise, feel free to trust your server to choose a nice glass or bottle of wine to pair with your meal.

If you want to continue with delicious yet relatively guilt free choices, the Tempura Micro Beet Salad with Humbolt Fog, micro radishes, pea tendrils, shallot and honey Dijon is an excellent selection. This dish will go so well with a nice glass of white wine. As would the Shrimp Shu Mai prepared with coconut air and Shishito soy consume.

If you’re looking for heartier fare then the Moroccan Lamb Belly, prepared with lamb fat confit fingerling potato, lemon creme, and smoked salt, is a winner. This one with a glass of red wine spells Nirvana. As does the Mascarpone Agnolotti with Beef Cheek Ragu, a divine blend of Port-braised beef cheeks, chive, and truffle salt.

Lighter fare that go so very well with white wine include the extremely savory House Made Linguini served with Spanish octopus, wild Mexican shrimp, and Dungeness crab, and a personal favorite of mine, the Branzino with extra virgin olive oil Zabaglione, fingerling potato, tomato, and pan sauce. It doesn’t really get better than this.

I know I need to go back to try their renowned pizzas, not to mention the handful that is The Doma Burger.

While Executive Chef Dustin Trani rocks the menu items, Pastry Chef Marissa Sharon really delivers with her decadent desserts, which include Vegan Salted Caramel Pudding, made with dark chocolate Ganache, whipped coconut cream, and toasted coconut; along with French Vanilla Panna Cotta with Fig Compote, 35-year Balsamic, and strawberries; House Made Cannoli with ricotta cream with citrus, dark chocolate and pistachio; Milk Chocolate Mousse Tart with dark chocolate shortbread, and raspberry caviar; and French Macarons.

From its elegant dining room to inspiring and satisfying cuisine, DOMA offers and delivers a truly wonderful night out of good food and drink—the rest is up to you.

DOMA is located at 362 N. Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 11pm; Sun: 5pm to 11pm. Call 310-277-7346.

By: Jose Martinez.

Some Photography courtesy of: DOMA