CASA LEO Brings Jose Andres Group Pedigree and Spanish Cocas to Los Feliz

Spanish tapas from a Jose Andres alum, on a stretch of Los Feliz Boulevard that has not had one.

CASA LEO brings Spanish cooking to 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard from chef Joshua Whigham, who spent years working within the Jose Andres Group before opening his own room. The kitchen is Spain-focused rather than loosely Mediterranean, with Iberian wines on the list.

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Photos by Erin Feinblatt, courtesy of CASA LEO

What to order

The tapas are the point. Jamon Iberico de Bellota, cured acorn-fed Iberian black-footed pig served with pan con tomate, anchors the charcuterie at $36 for two ounces, and Market Tomatoes arrive with tuna conserva, Manzanilla olives and scallions for $19. The cocas, Iberian flatbreads the kitchen likens to Italian pinsa rather than pizza, run $18 to $19 and come seasonal, with mushroom ragu and salsa verde, or with lardons, queso picon and caramelized onions.

Among the larger plates, Steelhead Trout en Escabeche is a recipe inspired by Basque chef Martin Berasategui at $26, Marmitako pairs big eye tuna with potatoes at $31, and Rabo de Toro is slow-cooked oxtail with crispy potato chips at $33. Dessert is Helen's Cheesecake, billed on the menu as the only cheesecake you will ever want, or a flan with green cardamom, orange and candied pistachio.

CASA LEO has since been added to the MICHELIN Guide, whose inspectors single out the Iberian flatbreads, the rabo de toro and the house cheesecake.

"It's an honor to be included in the guide and be one of the few restaurants in California recognized this year," Whigham said. "We put in years of hard work to reach this point and it's validating to be acknowledged."

Whigham also talked about the listing with CBS Los Angeles.

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Photos by Erin Feinblatt, courtesy of CASA LEO

Paella Sundays and pre-Greek dinner

Once a month CASA LEO runs a paella service on a Sunday at noon. The date is announced online and reservations go through Resy.

The room also works as a Greek Theatre warm-up. Guests can order a selection of tapas with wine or sangria at the bar or in the dining room before a show, and valet the car in the restaurant's own lot rather than hunting for parking near the venue.

Visiting

CASA LEO is at 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027, on the eastern end of Los Feliz near the Griffith Park approach.

• Dinner: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Sunday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Closed Tuesday.

• Brunch: currently on pause.

• Paella: one Sunday a month at noon, announced online, booked on Resy.

• Reservations: available on Resy.

• Price: tapas from $7, cocas $18 to $19, larger proteins $21 to $33, dessert $10. A 20 percent service charge applies to parties of six or more.

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