LA County Health Dept. Is Investigating That Private Police Party in Hollywood

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health has confirmed that it is looking into the private party that went down at Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood last weekend. “We had inspectors out there the very next day,” said public health director Dr Barbara Ferrer, “There is really zero tolerance for having indoor parties at your business places.” Under current guidance, private parties and indoor drinking/eating are not allowed as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It’s unclear yet what, if any, punitive action could befall the 1933 Group as a result of the incident, which they say was a charity event for “first responders” only.

The LA Sherriff’s Department denies that it hosted the event (and won’t confirm if any employees were in attendance) even going so far as to call the Knock.LA video a “hoax perpetrated by social activists.” Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department says that an internal investigation is ongoing, while CNN has independently confirmed that at least one LAPD officer was in attendance.

And in other news:

• Don’t be a jerk while dining out is the mantra of this Refinery 29 piece. Tips include: not bailing on reservations, complying without complaint to any health and safety protocols, and tipping well.
• Chef Michael Fiorelli is now overseeing the food at the Draycott in Pacific Palisades as well as Olivetta in West Hollywood, and while the latter is currently closed the former has reopened for spacious lawn dining at Palisades Village.
• The Fiyahnesian team is ready to roll with their new food truck, debuting this Saturday in Carson.

• Party Beer Co. is opening up its doors in West Adams this weekend, doing a takeaway-only pickup from its first batch of beer starting at noon.
• Lawry’s is reopening in Beverly Hills with a new outdoor terrace dining feel — complete with those same iconic silver carts for carving meat. Sit-down dining hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. as of now.
• Check out this online conversation with Asian American women chefs, happening on September 1 thanks to Visions and Voices and USC’s Pacific Asia Museum.