Lisa Vanderpump’s Glitzy Beverly Hills Restaurant Villa Blanca Has Closed

Reality star Lisa Vanderpump has reportedly closed her Beverly Hills restaurant Villa Blanca permanently. Multiple outlets say that a taped-up note on the boarded-over front of the restaurant indicates a permanent shutter, while the company website says simply that “with the advisement of the government and local authorities, we are closing our restaurant until further notice.” The property has actually been on the market for several years, and was rumored to be in financial trouble following a sexual discrimination lawsuit dating back to 2014.

And in other news:

• Director Paul Feig has teamed up with Redbird for a special charity cocktail. Feig’s Artingstall’s gin brand will make its way into the drink made by bar director Tobin Shea, with proceeds from the Squeaky Door cocktail benefiting Redbird’s C-CAP scholarship fund.
• Wexler’s Deli has closed its Palm Springs location inside the Arrive Hotel, according to staff members at the property. The restaurant first opened in 2018.
• Hit taco maker Loqui is expanding west, along with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The pair are set to lead the culinary offerings at the new open retail space Free Market, part of the larger Runway Playa Vista campus.
• West Adams newcomer Johnny’s Pastrami has been allowing diners to hang out on its patio space lately, and is even selling cocktails from the still-closed attached bar space on property. Hours have also expanded, and now run noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

• Breakfast pop-up Bravo Toast is opening a physical space at 632 N. Doheny Drive in West Hollywood this fall.
• Charcoal Venice has a new walk-up window, selling burgers and fries and drinks from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
• Santa Ana’s 4th Street Market returns on July 11 with a new slate of vendors and a new virtual kickoff event called Taste.
• There’s a lot to parse out in this nuanced interview from Bestia/Bavel owners Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis in LA Magazine. The pair discuss how they managed to keep their restaurants afloat, and also talk about the possibilities of opening up a third restaurant in the future.
• The folks from LA-based Masienda have teamed up with Ray Garcia and the Broken Spanish crew to drop some tetelas, a stuffed masa pocket that’s griddled and filled with a variety of ingredients. Much like Broken Spanish’s burritos and tamales, they can be ordered in bunches and stored in the freezer until ready.