A well-known bistro in West Hollywood has temporarily shut its doors following a vermin infestation, as reported by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Officials from LA County Public Health informed The California Post that during a recent inspection, five live cockroaches were discovered in the kitchen of WeHo Bistro, with additional dead roaches found in the bar and dry goods storage areas.
During the inspection, WeHo Bistro was cited for two major violations, one directly related to the presence of vermin, along with one minor infraction.
The restaurant, renowned for its “casual French flair and inspiration,” was closed on Wednesday and has been categorized under the “RESTAURANT (31-60) SEATS HIGH RISK” classification, according to the notice.
The bistro received an 11-point deduction for failing to ensure “No insects, rodents, birds or animals present,” a four-point deduction for “Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized,” and a two-point deduction for “Proper hot and cold holding temperatures.”
The bistro earned a “C” public health grade for the inspection, the rep said.
A message posted on WeHo Bistro’s website said: “Due to technical difficulties, WeHo Bistro will be closed on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13.”
An Instagram story from the establishment said the place was closed “due to unforeseen circumstances” and was “hoping to welcoming you back on Sunday.”
The bistro is owned by Jeff Douek, who previously told WeHo Online that he wanted a familiar place for his patrons to dine at.
“So my goal was to have a place people want to come to all the time, and to embrace where we were and bring a little life to this corner,” he said.
He said most of his customers are repeat patrons, some of whom remark that they feel like they’re in a different place when they dine there.
“One of the things that I noticed from talking to people here every day is WeHo Bistro reminds them of a place they like,” he said. “Another place than from where they come from, whether it’s Montreal, Paris, New York.”
The California Post reached out to WeHo Bistro for comment.