Tomat is set to redefine the dining scene in Westchester (nestled between Playa del Rey and El Segundo) with its blend of Californian cuisine—featuring its own urban farm—and neighborly yet refined hospitality. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Harry Posner and Natalie Dial, both former healthcare professionals, the restaurant’s journey is rooted in a shared passion for good food, sustainability, and investment in their community.
Originally from California, but raised in North London, Harry transitioned from a career in medicine to hospitality after attending the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland. Drawing from his Persian heritage, produce in California, and culinary training in the UK, Europe, and Japan, Harry gained valuable experience working at Clove Club in London and INUA in Tokyo. Now, he takes the helm of the kitchen at Tomat. Natalie, born and raised in Montana with roots in Westchester, gained over a decade of experience in global health. As a researcher, she spent time across the western US, the UK, Africa (where she and Harry met), and India. These experiences inspired her to focus on community and sustainability, and at Tomat, she leads operations, aiming to enhance dining options and public spaces in Westchester.
The name ‘Tomat’ holds personal significance for both founders. Each was independently nicknamed ‘Tomat’ due to their propensity to turn red in the sun. This playful connection to tomatoes, a staple in their restaurant garden, symbolizes their commitment to the seed-to-table process, reflected in Tomat’s logo—a single line drawing of a tomato and seeds.
Tomat’s menu is a celebration of farmers market, seasonal, Californian cuisine, infused with European, Japanese, and Persian flavors and techniques. The dishes will be simple, delicious, and inviting, offering a culinary journey that reflects the founders’ diverse backgrounds and experiences. Signature dishes include: Barbari bread with roasted tomato butter, Crudite with walnut beet dip, Sashimi with English mustard, Peads & Barnett pork chop with apple & tomatillo, and Sticky toffee pudding with burnt milk ice cream.
At Tomat, every detail is designed to create an enriching experience for guests. From the rooftop terrace, where guests can enjoy a cocktail while watching jets land at LAX, to the open kitchen that offers a transparent view of the chefs in action, Tomat aims to foster a sense of connection and community. There is also an event space that provides myriad options for private dining, meetings, and parties. Natalie and Harry aim to make Tomat a community partner, offering something new and meaningful in Westchester.
The restaurant’s design, by Rachel Allen, Man-Yan Lam, Jeremy Quinn, and their team at RADAR Inc., features interiors grounded in emerald greens and lifted with sage, referencing the tomato vines grown nearby. Local makers at MASH Studios handcrafted the casework and tables, including a communal live-edge slab of reclaimed Canary Island Pine from Angel City Lumber. Tomat-upholstered chairs and rooftop seating were commissioned through Lacey Lechner of DKMR, and the rooftop terrace was designed by Craft Landscape Architecture and built by Natural Earth Landscape.
HOURS OF OPERATION
COFFEE & PASTRIES// Tuesday-Sunday (Starts at 8am)
DINNER & ROOFTOP TERRACE// Wednesday-Sunday (Starts at 5pm)
LOCATION
6261 W. 87th Street, Los Angeles, California 90045
