Monique Lhuillier and Darren Criss
Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

Jennifer Stallone and Sophia Stallone
Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

Tyra Banks and Devon Aoki
Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

Paris Hilton, John Salley, Natasha Cuffy and Chris Zylka
Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

Brooke Burke poses with models dressed in traditional Black Forest garb

Chef Daniel Humm

Views of Downtown Los Angeles from the 11th-floor perch

Towering trees mimic Germany's Black Forest

The faux snow-covered setting.

The signature eggs Benedict from Eleven Madison Park.

One of the Gaggenau-equipped chef's tables.

With exceptional attention to detail, Gaggenau—the centuries-old high-end home appliance manufacturer—successfully transformed an industrial Downtown Los Angeles loft into the storied Black Forest in May for the second iteration of its exclusive pop-up, Restaurant 1683.

The Munich-based company teamed up with three-Michelin-star chef Daniel Humm (of Eleven Madison Park, NoMad New York and the new NoMad Los Angeles) to create a unique fine-dining experience for just three nights (May 21 through 23). Humm and his team of chefs presented a six-course menu of forest-inspired dishes and Eleven Madison Park signature favorites, all of which were prepared in front of guests at six chef’s counters decked out with Gaggenau equipment.

The stations were surrounded by towering 22-foot-tall faux trees, artificial snow and woodland sounds in the enclosed moody space, while floor-to-ceiling windows beyond boasted the contrasting cityscape of Los Angeles. The setting, designed by Gaggenau architect Hendrik Müller, thoughtfully juxtaposed the modern urban landscape (a symbol of the company’s innovations) with the simulated German forest, an homage to the region where the brand was born (in the town of Gaggenau) as an ironworks in the year 1683.

The Los Angeles dinner series welcomed an intimate group each night to the 11th-floor perch, among them Operation Smile nonprofit ambassadors Brooke Burke, Jennifer Salke, Monique Lhuillier and Tom Bugbee, Roma Downey, and Susan Casden, Erica and Lior Zohar; Tyra Banks; Devon Aoki; Darren Criss; and Paris Hilton and Chris Zylka.

Restaurant 1683 was originally presented in New York City two years ago to mark Gaggenau’s 333rd anniversary, and with its West Coast debut, the concept continues to celebrate the manufacturer’s rich heritage. “The Black Forest is very close to where I grew up, in Switzerland,” said Humm. “This is an experience that we’re really proud of. It’s really something very special.”

Written by Anush Benliyan