Overview
A Santa Monica native, Brian Bornemann grew up around the corner from Isla on Bay and Lincoln and was exposed to the Los Angeles terroir and farmers markets from a young age. While studying economics at UCLA, an after-school kitchen job inspired Brian to visit Tuscany, which then led to a year-long job cooking at an osteria in Siena. Upon graduating, Bornemann returned to Italy, this time just outside of Milan, to hone his skills in the technique of handmade pasta. Bornemann then assumed his post at Potager in Denver under Teri Ripeto, who further instilled in him the importance of honoring all ingredients, as well as the utmost respect for the relationships with farmers and purveyors, before ultimately returning to Los Angeles.
Bornemann next developed his craft under chef Casey Lane for a collective five years, from overseeing the menu at The Tasting Kitchen and reviving Casa Apicii in New York’s Greenwich Village, to opening the critically acclaimed Viale dei Romani in the La Peer Hotel – a fine-dining, seafood-driven, Italian restaurant, which earned a Forbes Four Star and was deemed “One of The Biggest Restaurant Openings of 2018” nationally by Food & Wine Magazine. He then began consulting at Employees Only Los Angeles and, joined the team at Michael’s Santa Monica to helm the kitchen at the 40-year old institution when the pandemic hit.
Crudo e Nudo, Bella Dea, and now Isla, are the three projects he has created in the last three years alongside partner, Leena Culhane. They are the culmination of his wide-ranging experience and a unique expression of his love for California coastal profiles, using local ingredients, and growing opportunities for super talented teams.
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