The restaurant Here's Looking at You has announced it will permanently close its doors on June 13, after a nearly decade-long run of culinary innovation. Initially launched in 2016 by the late Jonathan Whitener and Lien Ta, the establishment quickly carved out a space for itself with a menu boasting uni panna cotta and frogs’ legs coated in salsa negra, items that have captivated the palates of Angelenos.
Following a heartfelt Instagram post by co-owner Lien Ta, the restaurant's closure is synchronizing with the expiration of their 10-year building lease and marks Ta's intended departure from the restaurant life. Despite closing down temporarily in 2020 due to the pandemic and facing an uncertain future, Here's Looking at You managed to reopen in 2022 after a successful GoFundMe campaign and renegotiating the lease terms.
Fans of the restaurant are rushing to make last-minute reservations, eager to say goodbye to a place that has offered much more than just a meal. Lien Ta shared in the emotional post that the restaurant's significance came from the community and passion of those who worked there, stating, "Remarkable originals, who have kindly made this restaurant what it is." Social media is abuzz with patrons reminiscing about the restaurant, sharing fond memories, and dining experiences.
Lien Ta and Jonathan Whitener's intent behind choosing Koreatown for their venture was to pay homage to the area’s rich history and to contribute to its non-Korean, more-than-casual dining scene. "We like to think of it as the physical heart of Los Angeles," Ta once told Eater LA. After Whitener's unexpected passing in 2024, the community had rallied around Ta, supporting the restaurant's continued operation.
