Apparently, If You’re Rich You Can Keep Eating at Steakhouses in Malibu

Yes, it’s true: Mastro’s Ocean Club in Malibu is still letting diners eat expensive steak and lobster on-site, directly in defiance of a state-level public health order demanding that restaurants across Southern California revert to takeout and delivery only. Here’s a look at the tented setup, per TMZ.

Not only is the chain steakhouse rather busy, it’s also violating a number of different COVID-19 related rules — not least of which is the tent itself, which is supposed to be open on at least three sides, per LA County Department of Public Health protocols. Eater has previously confirmed that the restaurant (located in one of the richest places in America) continues to offer on-site dining as a reservation on OpenTable, and that reservations for outdoor dining can be made over the phone. TMZ reached out to Mastro’s corporate, but so far hasn’t heard back.

Of course, Mastro’s isn’t alone in defying the current public health order, which lasts until at least December 28. Tinhorn Flats in Burbank has been seating people on its patio for days now, while some restaurants, nightclubs, and illegal parties continue to operate for on-site action across the county. The city of Beverly Hills is even exploring the possibility of breaking with the County Department of Public Health and creating its own health department, so that in the future when county-level orders like the cessation of on-site dining come around, the wealthy city can choose to ignore it if it likes.

Yesterday Los Angeles County logged over 22,000 COVID-19 cases, and intensive care unit bed capacity in the Southern California region sits at less than one percent. While Malibu residents are almost 93 percent white, the restaurant workforce across LA County is overwhelmingly Latino — a demographic that has been hardest-hit by the coronavirus, with Latinos three times as likely to contract COVID-19 as fellow White residents in the county. Meanwhile, as federal financial intervention continues to stall in Congress, small businesses and area restaurants continue to lay off staff and close altogether at alarming rates.

In other news:

• Manhattan Beach’s plan to provide ‘public seating’ (aka keep tables and chairs out for restaurants to use) isn’t going well. Per the Daily Breeze, County officials have confirmed that the standalone South Bay city is not in compliance with its rules, and has ordered them to knock it off.
• San Bernardino County officials are suing the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the current stay-at-home order, saying the emergency order lacks specificity, needs more regional variance, and may be unconstitutional. The county just east of LA is expected to attempt to take the case directly to the state Supreme Court.
• Hotshot young baker Jyan Horwitz of Jyan Isaac Bread is launching a new pop-up store inside the Harvey’s Cafe at 8051 Beverly Boulevard. Hours run Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until sold out, and will last at least three months.

• A big new non-profit push from a group called Sustain the Scene is trying to keep local live entertainment venues afloat during the pandemic, by partnering them up with restaurants and bars to offer food and live-streamed music nights, among other things.
• Tacos Tu Madre in West Hollywood is doing holiday-appropriate tacos this season, including a smoked ham taco, a twice-baked potato taco, and more. Cocktails are also involved, naturally.
• Ever checked out the delightful Basque meat market Hottinger’s out in Chino? LAist has the story of the Swiss-founded butcher shop, which dates to 1948.
• Classic Italian destination Angelini Osteria is doing a holiday dinner that includes filet mignon, lasagna, panettone, options for wine, and more. The dinners run $95 per person, minimum two people.