A ritzy rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views and pricey entrees was shut down last month after health inspectors discovered a “vermin infestation” on the premises, according to officials.
Santa Monica hotspot Elephante, where a ribeye steak goes for $120 and fancy cocktails go for $20, was forced to close on Jan. 20 due to the presence of pests, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Health.
During the routine inspection of the upscale eatery, officials identified seven violations, including “major” breaches for the condition of the food and the presence of rodents or bugs, and awarded the restaurant a “B.”
The restaurant was permitted to reopen two days later after the issues had been remedied, according to the health department.
The bougie Italian joint boasts “stunning” ocean views from its rooftop, which it proudly shares with its more than 92,000 Instagram followers. The restaurant made no mention of the closure on its social media.
On the Reddit thread r/FoodLosAngeles, a poster claimed that Elephante told those whose reservations were canceled during the brief closure were told there was a “water leak.”
Other commenters were outraged that a restaurant with such steep prices would allow such infractions.
“This is repulsive and unacceptable given what they charge!” a recent diner at the restaurant said.
“Wish I’d seen this before going yesterday…” another user regretted.
“Makes sense, elephants are afraid of mice,” another quipped.
Elephante, owned by Australian restaurant mogul Nick Mathers’ Wish You Were Here Group, did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Dozens of restaurants and markets have been shut down in Los Angeles County in the new year for health violations — including some of local foodies’ favorite eateries and historic establishments.
Most of the closures were due to bug or rodent infestations, according to the county health department’s lengthy list, forcing businesses to shut down, usually for a few days, until they remedy the issues.
Casey’s Irish Pub, a Downtown Los Angeles staple for more than 50 years that hosts the annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival, closed for a week after inspectors found “no method to clean or sanitize.” It reopened on Jan. 14.
Chris & Pitts BBQ in Bellflower, established 77 years ago in 1949, was briefly closed as a result of to a vermin infestation before reopening on Jan. 22.
The Fugetsu-Do bakery, a family owned and operated confectionery operating in historic Little Tokyo since 1903, also closed due to pests but reopened on Jan. 29.
Shinano, located in Monterey Park, was forced to close for five days from Jan. 21 to Jan. 26 because of an infestation. It is one of the oldest Japanese Restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley.
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department’s website publishes a full list of offenders.
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