How to have a fancy dinner party in Wolfgang Puck’s test kitchen

When it comes to one-of-a-kind group-dining experiences, private rooms are somewhat par for the course. For the adventurous set, where the usual won’t do, you might want to up the ante. Good thing Wolfgang Puck’s Test Kitchen inside the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood is now open for bookings.

Over the past few months, Puck’s top kitchen talent from his restaurant and catering operations (Puck is the chef behind Spago, Cut, WP24 and the Oscars Governor’s Ball) has been experimenting with serving tasting menus to a handful of private parties consisting of friends and family, out of the test kitchen. A cocktail aperitif precedes the meal, while wines paired to each course often highlight certain winemakers. And now, bookings of these eight chef’s table seats are available to the public, each with a front-and-center view of the creation of each meal.

Though you can tailor each dinner to your group by theme — such as nose-to-tail, vegan, comfort food, for example — menus of your 12+-course tasting won’t be viewable in advance. What you can expect are inventive techniques, surprising presentations, artful plating with custom tableware, and — of course — deliciously experimental courses. Different chefs on the team often prepare more than one course each for the dinners.

Each reservation requires a minimum of eight diners with a maximum of 10. Dinners start at $295 per person and include a cocktail. The optional wine pairing supplement starts at $135, but you also have the option of bringing your own — corkage is $50 per bottle. However, the following stipulation comes in fine print: Seasonal menus and pairings at more approachable price points may be offered.

Wolfgang Puck himself might even drop by for a visit on the night of your reservation. To reserve, contact Pamela Pimiento at [email protected] or (323) 491-1251.

700 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood

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