Edible art meets dinner theater – “Elementa” at The Gallery Theatre in DTLA

They say, “You eat with your eyes first.” Elementa takes that notion to a whole new level. From the very first course to the final dessert, the visual experience is as much a part of the meal as the food itself.

Set in The Gallery Theatre, this two-hour, five-course dining experience offers more than just a meal. It’s a multisensory journey, packed with stunning visuals, dramatic music, and inventive flavors. The owners have created a one-seating-per-night setup, so you never feel rushed during the experience. For now, it’s a relaxed pace, but they’re considering adding a second seating for night owls in the future.

The venue itself is in a prime spot, nestled in a chic DTLA high-rise apartment district—perfect for a night out. There are nearby lots but metered street parking can be found. If you’re lucky like I was, you might score one of the three parking spots around the corner on Hill that are free after 6PM.

Inside, we find two sections: Horizon is an intimate and chic bar and restaurant offering a fantastic selection of wines, cocktails, and seasonal dishes. If you’re living in a small apartment, this could easily feel like your go-to local watering hole. In a separate, much larger room is The Gallery Theater where you can catch the signature dining show.

The concept:

Elementa is a culinary and visual journey exploring the five elements of nature. The event features a five-course prix-fixe menu inspired by the five classical elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether. Each course is served with wine, spirits, or non-alcoholic beverages, and is accompanied by visual projections and a symphonic soundtrack.

All told, it’s a unique blend of gastronomy and multi-sensory artistry.

Elementa features over fifty projectors (the owners apparently invested millions in the tech). The interaction between the projections and the food adds an entirely new layer to the experience. Think AI-driven dining, where the projections react to your movements. With Air, you can “pop” bubbles, with Water, you can “pet” the schools of fish, and with Earth, flowers bloom at your touch. The system learns how you engage, making the experience feel dynamic and personalized.

Seating is communal, with everyone seated opposite one another at banquet tables.

We had prime seats at Table 7, right in the sweet spot for people-watching. As one of our hosts – a groovy OG hippie with long blonde hair – Barbara Jacobs remarked, “Do you want to know why this is my favorite seat? Because I like to look at other people’s expressions when they’re at a show. So you get to see every screen and every human.” Barbara was right.

The music, while inspired by Claude Debussy, had more of a Disney-esque vibe. After the initial dramatic overtures, I barely noticed the soundtrack, though it did set the mood early on. But the magic wasn’t just in the visual show—it was in the food too.

The menu for Elementa was created by Chef Joshua Whigham, who has worked at top-tier locations such as José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup restaurants.

Although the meal was promoted as having “thoughtfully paired” wines, we were just served a middling Chardonnay at the beginning (Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay from Alexander Valley in Sonoma, CA). The wine switched to a Ferrari-Carano red halfway through the night.

The courses:

THE AMUSE BOUCHE

The first course—a Blueberry Yuzu disc—was a surprising combo of salt and tart flavors, maybe with a hint of balsamic and oil. It wasn’t the most groundbreaking flavor, and it served as an intriguing start. It had a surprising purple hue and, for an amuse (a small bite to tantalize your tastebuds), it was oversized and too thick for what you’d expect from a molecular gastronomic sphere.

EARTH – “Roots & Dirt” with Strawberries & Flowers

The real magic came with the Cocoa Earth, where tiny beets, soft strawberries, and delicate potato filigree came together in a perfect balance of earthy and sweet. The combination of salty beets with the sweet strawberries was something I’d never tried before but absolutely loved. The “dirt” was a sort of cocoa crumble that mainly added texture.

The interactive part of the experience really came to life as we waved our hands and watched flowers bloom in front of us on the projection screen. It sounds gimmicky, but it really adds something playful and fun to the meal. Plus, our servers were discreet, friendly and incredibly attentive, always topping off our wine glasses without making us feel crowded.

Our impish Magician maitre’d deftly plucked a rose from the video wall, magically manifesting an image into a (fake) flower.

WATER – SEAFOOD: Hamachi & Seaweed with Kabocha Squash & Tamari-Shiitake Dashi Dressing

Next came the water course, where fish “swam” across our plates. A nice touch, though I didn’t necessarily see how it added much to the flavor profile of the dish. Thick slices of delicious raw hamachi were plated with seaweed and kabocha squash puree, dressed with salmon roe for that salty pop.

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AIR – Eggplant & Duck with Pickled Eggplant Chermoula & Candied Pistachios

The star of the evening was the meaty slivers duck paired with a sweet honey foam—a rich, unctuous dish that balanced the savory eggplant, duck, and sharp hits of black olive. It was a little salty, but the sweetness of the foam and the depth of the combined flavors kept it interesting.

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FIRE – Tenderloin & Mushrooms with Coriander & Peppercorn Crust, Mushroom Soubise & Escabeche

The Fire course, featuring a small yet rich portion of beef tenderloin, was everything you’d expect from a perfectly cooked cut—tender, flavorful, and leaving you wanting just a little bit more. It didn’t need to be bigger, but it left me impressed with its simplicity and excellence. An earthy and rich mushroom soubise (tender mushrooms bathed in a rich, onion-based reduction) was complemented by a coriander and peppercorn crust.

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AETHER – DESSERT: Ube & Coconut with Candied Ginger & Ginger Snap Croquant

Finally, we were promised a “wow-factor” dessert, which was delivered but was underwhelming. That same unappealing deep purple hue from the amuse was repeated and the textures were mushy and uninspired. A disappointing conclusion to an otherwise enjoyable evening.

Beginning at 7PM, the experience wrapped up around 9:40 pm, leaving us full, satisfied, and a little bit in awe of the innovative concept.

Overall, Elementa is a unique dining experience that blends fine food with cutting-edge tech and mild entertainment. While some of the musical and interactive elements could use a little fine-tuning, it’s clear that a lot of thought and care went into making this a truly immersive experience. If you’re looking for something new and different, then this is definitely worth checking out.

At $200 per person, the price point is fair, given the quality of the cuisine and the magical entertainment throughout.

From the press release:

The Gallery is the new dining location in downtown Los Angeles, now open at 330 W. Olympic Boulevard. This (nearly) 8,000 square-foot venue is home to two main attractions: Horizon, a chic bar and restaurant offering a fantastic selection of wines, cocktails, and seasonal dishes, and The Gallery Theater, where you can catch the signature dining show, Elementa—a culinary and visual journey exploring the five elements of nature.

The Gallery is the first project from Allureum, a collaboration between Daren Ulmer and Chuck Fawcett, and their mission is to bring immersive dining and entertainment experiences to cities across the country. Chuck Fawcett, CEO of Allureum, said, “We want The Gallery to be a real cornerstone of the neighborhood, where you get world-class dining and entertainment all under one roof. There’s nothing like this in LA, and it’s going to change the way people think about dining out.”

At Horizon, you’ll find an impressive variety of wines, spirits, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks, along with a seasonal menu of delicious snacks, shareable plates, and full entrées. The vibe is comfy but upscale, making it the perfect place to hang out with friends, toast a special occasion, or simply enjoy a great meal. The bar itself is a real showstopper—featuring a dynamic 3D cityscape that shifts throughout the night, creating a stunning atmosphere while you sip your drinks.

As for The Gallery Theater, it just kicked off its signature dining experience, Elementa, on February 28. This two-hour, five-course immersive experience takes you on a journey through the elements—Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether. You’ll be guided by The Curator, a mysterious host who brings everything to life with music, visuals, and flavors. The space around you will transform—from the table to the walls—creating a sensory experience like no other. The coolest part? The interactive technology lets you engage with your surroundings, making you feel like you’re actually part of the performance.

Daren Ulmer, Allureum’s President and Creative Executive, said, “We wanted to create an experience that goes beyond traditional dining—something that inspires wonder and creativity while engaging all of the senses.” The menu for Elementa, created by Chef Joshua Whigham, is a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds, with innovative dishes that tie into the immersive theme. Chef Whigham has worked at top-tier spots like José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup restaurants, bringing his expertise to create something truly special. And if you have dietary preferences, there’s also a vegan and gluten-free menu available.

Tickets for Elementa start at $200 per person, and you can also add premium drink pairings to enhance your experience. When Elementa isn’t running, The Gallery Theater hosts other events like themed brunches, chef tastings, and live music. Plus, if you’re looking to host a special event, The Gallery offers customizable spaces for everything from corporate meetings to weddings.

For more details, reservations, and event updates, go to www.TheGalleryDining.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @TheGalleryDining.

About Allureum:

Allureum, founded by immersive entertainment pioneers Chuck Fawcett and Daren Ulmer, is a
visionary company specializing in the creation, ownership and operation of location-based
entertainment and immersive hospitality destinations. With a mission to redefine experiential
dining and entertainment, Allureum combines cutting-edge technology, innovative storytelling,
and world-class design to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. The company’s debut
venture, The Gallery, opening in downtown Los Angeles in February 2025, serves as a proof of
concept for Allureum’s groundbreaking approach to immersive hospitality. For more information,
visit www.allureum.com.