Porta Via looks like it is gearing up for a Beverly Hills comeback after a Christmas Day fire left its Canon Drive bistro in rough shape. Fresh public paperwork points to a possible move into a nearby spot on North Canon Drive, suggesting the long-running neighborhood favorite could reopen in a new home while loyal regulars keep a close eye on city filings.
ABC filing points to 184 N. Canon Drive
According to What Now Los Angeles, an application with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control lists 184 N. Canon Dr. as the proposed new address for Porta Via and labels the move as a relocation to a nearby space. What Now Los Angeles reports that it has reached out to owner Peter Garland for comment. The filing is standard public paperwork, not a done deal, and does not by itself mean the license or the relocation has been approved.
Investigation found accidental cause
The original Beverly Hills location at 424 N. Canon Dr. has remained closed since a Christmas morning fire that caused significant damage to both the kitchen and dining room. An independent investigator hired by the Beverly Hills Fire Department later determined that the blaze was accidental, citing “spontaneous heating of oily rags” on the south side of the prep line as the likely cause, according to Beverly Press. The full investigative report is posted by the City of Beverly Hills.
Brand footprint and Palisades damage
While Beverly Hills waits to see what happens on Canon Drive, Porta Via is still operating in Calabasas and Palm Desert, and its Pacific Palisades outpost remains temporarily closed after wildfire damage, Eater LA reported. On the restaurant’s official website, the Beverly Hills and Palisades locations are both labeled “Temporarily Closed,” while the Calabasas and Palm Desert locations are shown as active. The site also still lists the Canon Drive address and contact information for the Beverly Hills restaurant, a reminder that the brand has not walked away from the city even as Garland publicly says he is still weighing his options and has not given a firm return date.
What comes next
An ABC application is only an early step in the liquor licensing process and does not guarantee approval. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control notes that applications go through review and investigation and may also trigger local approvals and public notice requirements. For now, official filings and updates from the restaurant remain the clearest signals that a Beverly Hills reboot is in play, and What Now Los Angeles reports that it has asked Garland for further comment. Any actual move back to Canon Drive will ultimately hinge on how the permitting, licensing, and reconstruction timelines shake out.
