Ricardo Zarate Shutters Casual Hollywood Peruvian Spot Mamacita Overnight

Chef Ricardo Zarate has closed his fast casual Hollywood restuarant Mamacita overnight, less than a full year after announcing its arrival. Yelp now lists the place as gone, and reps for the restaurant confirmed the closure.

The first mention of Mamacita came back in March of this year, when it was revealed that Zarate had been quietly plugging away making rice bowls and other casual fare at the top floor dining terrace of the large, touristy Hollywood and Highland complex. Because (at that time) his primary project Rosaliné was not yet up and running, Zarate was using the Mamacita space as something of a culinary incubator, testing flavors and some fun dishes for what would become his Melrose restaurant.

With Rosaliné officially coming to life in June, Zarate began spending practically all of his time there instead of at the Hollywood complex, which was always more than a little-bit tucked away at the top of the property. And so now comes the shutter, leaving one less fast casual option at the Hollywood building (and a rather unique one at that), while Zarate continues to focus on his primary dinner destination, where’s been spotting working in the kitchen every single night.

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