Mystery Surrounds Sudden Shutdown of Upscale WeHo Restaurants
Two upscale West Hollywood restaurants, one from acclaimed chef Wes Avila and another opened by celebrity chef Michael Mina, have quietly closed their doors in recent months, with no explanation or statement from the restaurant groups or owners.
MXO, a Monterrey-inspired steakhouse launched by Avila in West Hollywood, ceased operations this summer after less than a year in business. Initially described by a representative as a temporary closure according to Eater LA, the shutdown was later confirmed to be permanent. After the closure of Angry Egret Dinette and the chef’s exit from Guerrilla Tacos, which later closed, his only restaurant is Hollywood’s Ka’Teen.
Meanwhile, Mother Tongue, which was located on the top floor of the luxury fitness club Heimat and operated in partnership with Mina Group, suddenly closed in June. The restaurant’s Yelp page featured ecstatic reviews, or signs of trouble, so the public was mystified. The restaurant’s website and social media disappeared. Heimat has not closed.
Neither restaurant offered a formal statement on the closures to date.
