A Traditional Peruvian Restaurant Debuts in Trendy Highland Park

A new Peruvian restaurant called Rosty opened in the former Chez Antoine space on April 21. The eatery fits into Figueroa between 54 and 55 Avenues, and comes from former nurse and local resident Maritza Gomez. The family operation includes Gomez’s sisters Carmen and Flor Bermudez, as well as Maritza’s husband Benny Gomez.

Rosty cooks up traditional Peruvian, with far more options than just a la brasa rotisserie chicken. There’s classic dishes throughout the sizable menu, including Peruvian ceviche, fried rice or arroz chaufa, lomo saltado, sandwiches, and fried yucca. Gomez has included some vegetarian items and even has Peruvian grocery items for purchase.

Despite a career as a registered nurse, Gomez was looking to transition back into restaurants. While growing up in Lima, Gomez’s mother Alis Reaño owned two restaurants called Listo de Pollo. Listo de Pollo opened in 1969 and closed permanently in 1993, while a young Gomez and her sisters learned the inner workings of a restaurant throughout the years.

After the family immigrated to the United States, Reaño suggested opening a new Listo de Pollo in Los Angeles before passing away in 2000. When former Chez Antoine closed in 2017, the option became an ideal location since both sisters live nearby. Family members helped with the renovations, installing a wood-burning oven and adding colorful tiles while Benny Gomez built wooden tables and accents.

The family’s initial idea was to open a Listo de Pollo in LA, but the name was taken, so Rosty was the next moniker. Rosty serves Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from until 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Rosty
5511 N Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA

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