Manhattan Beach Restaurant Shutters With Owners Owing Back Rent and Wages

Despite an almost five-star Yelp rating and popularity amongst Manhattan Beach locals, the Brittany-inspired Les P’Tits Bretons closed abruptly on February 1 after opening back in August 2017. Information about the closure is unclear, as the owners left a mysterious notice on the front door saying that “the landlord decided not to stay with us.” Their former chef Chuck Kallal alleges that vendors and employees are owed back pay.

For owners Olivier Jouet and Djahida Righi, Les P’Tits Bretons was one of the first Brittany-inspired restaurants to open in LA. Locals were surprised to see a notice on the door from Jouet, and that they were given orders to vacate the premises earlier this month.

Becky H. via Yelp

Eater spoke with Kallal, who offers another side of the story. Les P’Tits Bretons was Kallal’s fourth restaurant opening, and was an early member of the Ludo Bites team. He also helped launch Petit Trois, while honing his craft at places like Factory Kitchen and the shuttered Cook’s County.

Kallal alleges that Jouet did not pay the $11,000 per month rent on time, and the landlord subsequently served two eviction notices. After another late rent payment, Kallal believes the landlord started the eviction process, which included a court date. “He owes a lot of money to me and a bunch of vendors,” says Kallal.

On the closing notice, Jouet suggests that he paid a year’s rent in advance, and says Les P’Tits Bretons is looking for another space. Eater reached out to Jouet for comment, but has not heard back.

• Petit Trois Vet Opens a Brittany-Inspired French Restaurant in Manhattan Beach [ELA]