Hidden Gems: Meet Natalie Dial & Harry Posner of Tomat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Dial & Harry Posner

Hi Natalie & Harry, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
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 renowned 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.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
From COVID to building permits, opening during the lulls of the holiday season, and the devastation of the LA wildfires—opening Tomat has been undoubtedly challenging but also incredibly rewarding. Above all, working alongside like-minded vendors and partners has kept us motivated, inspired, and secure in our mission.

As you know, we’re big fans of Tomat. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? :
Tomat is a restaurant in Westchester with a menu that celebrates farmers market, seasonal, Californian cuisine, infused with European, Japanese, and Persian flavors and techniques. The dishes are simple, delicious, and inviting, offering a culinary journey that reflects our 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.

What sets you apart from others? :
We challenge ourselves to a rigorous standard for ingredient and product sourcing—a lot of time and love goes into researching vendors, farming practices, and the products themselves—but we’re confident that this effort shines through and is what makes our food and beverages special.

What are you most proud brand wise? :
We know that much of LA is in search of ‘vibes’, and our vibe is good food. Tomat’s brand is high quality, timeless, and refined—both aesthetically and gustatorily. Tomat’s dining room is not gawdy or opulent, but quite minimalist as to celebrate our food, beverages, and the people behind them. Our open kitchen wholeheartedly invites guests to both dinner and a show.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?:
Tomat is a casual fine dining restaurant in Westchester that offers dinner Wednesday through Sunday and coffee & pastries Tuesday through Sunday. From vinegars to miso, tamari, and kombucha, we ferment and process as many of our own ingredients as possible, including milling our own flour and rice for our Barbari bread and saffron rice, respectively. Our space is dynamic and purposeful: guests can watch the jets come in and out of LAX from our rooftop terrace, rent our second-floor event space for meetings, parties, and private dining, and enjoy morning and evening services in our first-floor dining room. We hope to be a go-to for both upscale date nights and relaxed family dinners out. Our team is eager and proud to serve this community, and we hope to help put Westchester on the map of worthy LA dining destinations.

How do you define success?
The heart of our ethos is sustainability. We aim to source products that are grown, foraged, raised, and farmed sustainably—and when our community to aligns with and supports that mission, we hope this it results in our sustainability as a business. From the inside, creating an environment where chefs have room to sustain their own curiosity and growth is also essential for us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tomat.la/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomat.la/

Image Credits
Photo of Natalie Dial & Harry Posner by Zsuzsi Steiner

Interiors, Exteriors and Food Images are by Wonho Frank Lee