A few days before Noma closed the doors on its Los Angeles residency, we were invited inside.

By then, the story surrounding Noma had become something much larger than a restaurant. Allegations about René Redzepi's past behavior brought to life in the March 7th New York Times article had ignited an international conversation about kitchen culture, accountability, power and the cost of excellence. Many will remember just days later Noma’s opening day in Los Angeles, where protesters gathered outside banging pots and pans, and the media circled the property. Hours earlier, Redzepi had announced he was stepping down.

None of that should be minimized.

But inside the restaurant was another story.