Issa Rae Opens Somerville Restaurant in View Park, Honoring Black Cultural Heritage

South Los Angeles’ dining scene continues to flourish with the opening of Somerville, a new restaurant in View Park-Windsor Hills from actress, writer, and entrepreneur Issa Rae. The establishment, which opened in December, joins a growing number of notable restaurants in the area, including Inglewood’s own Two Hommés and Sunday Gravy.

Somerville represents a collaboration between Rae and her business partners Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan of GVO hospitality group, the same team behind the successful Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen chain that now operates five locations across Los Angeles. This new venture reflects their ongoing commitment to creating meaningful gathering spaces for South LA communities.

The restaurant’s name carries significant cultural weight, paying tribute to Hotel Somerville, a historic establishment that served as a hub for Black jazz culture on Central Avenue during the 1930s and 1940s. The original hotel regularly hosted legendary performers including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Billie Holiday, making it a crucial part of Los Angeles’ cultural heritage.

For residents of Inglewood, Compton, and surrounding neighborhoods, Somerville offers both a connection to local history and a contemporary dining option. The menu honors this legacy by featuring dishes inspired by the original hotel’s offerings, including collard green lasagna, Parker House rolls, fried chicken, and caviar sliders, alongside more modern culinary creations.

This opening continues the positive trend of expanded dining options throughout South LA, with Inglewood’s restaurant scene having seen significant growth in recent years. The establishment joins venues like Alta Adams in West Adams that have helped transform perceptions of South LA’s culinary landscape.

Rae, who grew up in Windsor Hills and gained prominence through her web series “Awkward Black Girl” before creating and starring in HBO’s “Insecure,” has consistently used her success to invest in the communities she came from. Somerville represents her latest effort to create spaces that celebrate South LA’s rich cultural history while providing contemporary gathering places for current residents.

The restaurant’s location in View Park-Windsor Hills places it approximately 15 minutes from downtown Inglewood, offering local residents another quality dining option within the broader South LA area.