WeHo Bistro, the compact French-American spot on La Cienega that longtime West Hollywood regulars know well, was ordered temporarily closed this week after county health inspectors flagged a vermin infestation. Staff told patrons the restaurant would remain closed while they address the problem and await a Los Angeles County reinspection.
What Inspectors Found
According to the New York Post, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health inspection on Wednesday found five live cockroaches in the kitchen and dead roaches in the bar and dry-goods storage area. The Post reports that the inspection listed two major violations and one minor violation and that the facility was docked points for insects, improper hot-and-cold holding, and unsanitized food-contact surfaces. The outlet’s summary of the county notice shows the bistro earned a grade C and was ordered closed immediately.
Restaurant Response
WeHo Bistro's website briefly posted that the restaurant would be closed on Friday and Saturday "due to technical difficulties," and an Instagram story said the shutdown was "due to unforeseen circumstances," with staff hoping to reopen on Sunday. Those posts were the first public confirmations of the closure while the restaurant, customers, and county records sorted the inspection details.
Part of a Wider Enforcement Push
The shutdown is the latest example in a wave of vermin-related closures across the county. The Los Angeles Times recently traced dozens of similar orders, and vermin patrol shutters dozens of L.A. County eateries compiles local closure notices. Local officials say these orders are intended to force professional pest remediation, deep cleaning, and staff retraining before a reinspection will allow a restaurant to reopen.
What Happens Next
Los Angeles County guidance requires facilities cited for vermin to remediate pest activity, clean or replace contaminated food and equipment, and complete corrective actions before requesting a reinspection, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Owner Jeff Douek told the New York Post his goal was "to have a place people want to come to all the time," language the owner used as the restaurant works to address the violations and schedule county follow-up.
