Los Angeles Restaurant Scene Lights Up with Daring Moves Amid the Pandemic

Mandatory stay-at-home orders have permanently shuttered businesses across Los Angeles. Some restaurateurs who have been waiting to start the next hot spot are seeing the opportunity and are doubling-down amid the health crisis.

According to a Yelp study, Los Angeles had nearly 6,000 businesses close since the stay-at-home mandate from March to July. Businesses have had to dig deep to find creative ways to stay afloat amid the COVID 19 pandemic. Some restaurateurs are seeing the opportunity and have jumped in from the sidelines to open their restaurant. Food bloggers like Kat Hong of The Infatuation sites several new restaurants in the Los Angeles area that look to have some great potential. 

Among them is Mikaza in DTLA. Serving Japanese-Peruvian gastronomy with a menu that spans from elevated versions of Peruvian dishes like Lomo Saltado to sushi and sashimi infused with Peruvian flare to daring signature cocktails like the “Yuzu Penicillin”.  With stern restrictions that prevent indoor dining experience from adding to the flavor, Mikaza owners chose to feature a vibrant mural and market lights strung across the outdoor dining area to set the ambiance. Danny Rodriguez, the restaurant owner behind the brand, said in an interview with What Now Los Angeles,

“With the opening and given the circumstances, we’re focusing on a welcoming patio environment where it’s an experience. Patios are really sought after right now, so we’re concentrating on a strong cocktail menu which will use a lot of Japanese whiskeys and pisco.”

The result is a flurry of 5-star reviews on Yelp and a consistent crowd each night. 

Landlords are keeping their minds open to concepts with creativity and stellar execution that are sure to keep the Los Angeles foodie scene buzzing despite the rampant closures. Of course, it still boils down to LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! While some locations like those with large outdoor seating still command premium lease rates, some landlords have been more open to negotiations to ensure that vacancies are avoided or quickly filled. In Venice Beach, the local favorite Sunny Spot which closed earlier this year already has its new replacement, Nueva, a modern cantina concept, drawing crowds to its pandemic-ready outdoor patio since early August.

It goes to show that for those business owners who have the resources and the appetite for the risk, opportunities are present. Wayne Little, Mr. Rodriguez’s partner, weighed in on taking the plunge with opening Mikaza DTLA:

“We took the  Warren Buffet mindset... when others sell, you buy. They thought we were crazy, but now want to join on the ride.”

It’s high time to seize the moment --- whether you’re looking to tighten the belt by renegotiating your lease, finding a larger location to make way for new health restrictions, or open the new hotspot you’ve been waiting to launch.

Author: ERICA JOY MANIQUIS