Drago Centro, nestled among high rises in downtown L.A., exudes urban chic. It’s Italian restaurateur Celestino Drago’s latest and most ambitious restaurant yet, with a budget of $7 million. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The briny sweetness of the antipasti langostino dish is set off by a few pomegranate seeds and a squeeze of lemon. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The panzanella with cubes of heirloom beets is tossed with crunchy croutons, spinach and thinly shaved truffled pecorino. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Chef Celestino Drago, background center, prepares a dish for a gathering in a private dining room that used to be a bank vault and now features a demonstration kitchen. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The veal chop is served with an earthy green lentil ragout adorned with sweetbreads. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The buckwheat pizzoccheri, buckwheat pasta with fontina cheese, cabbage and potatoes straight from the mountains, takes the chill off a cold night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Stanley Felderman gave the restaurant its elegantly contemporary design. Standout features include a vaulted cove ceiling, black Murano glass chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the Central Library and a free-standing glass wine tower that separates the bar from the dining room. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
For dessert, savor Italian doughnuts with ricotta cream, poached pears and brown butter gelato. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Private parties can dine in quiet luxury at the Vault, one of two private dining rooms at Drago Centro. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
