Mooi, a new raw-vegan restaurant, is coming to Echo Park

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Stephen Hauptfuhr is full of surprises. First he exploded minds by making dance parties cool for shaggy rocker kids at his weekly Radio parties at Star Shoes in Hollywood. But his quiet demeanor should have been a tip-off that he had even more going on. Like the fact that he is incredibly health-conscious and likes to cook.

So much so that he’s opened Mooi, a raw-vegan catering company, which grew from monthly dinner parties he hosted at his loft. His specialties include beet fettuccine with cilantro pesto and chocolate chili tacos with marinated greens. In addition to catering, Hauptfuhr also sells his desserts at the vegetarian cafe Elf in Echo Park. (He says Alicia Silverstone is a fan of the “Snickrz” cake made with chocolate, peanut butter, caramel and nuts.)

Soon he’ll open his own cafe with Theresa Wayman from the band Warpaint. “It’s called Under the Bridge because that’s basically where it is, so to speak, on Glendale Boulevard under the bridge where Sunset crosses,” he says, making sure to point out that Wayman is the visionary behind the restaurant.

“Eventually I will have a restaurant that is a little more high-end, maybe open a few nights a week for dinner only,” he adds.

Still, Hauptfuhr’s not out of the after-dark events game. He’s involved with the 2009 Zero Film Fest and managing the bands WEAVE! and Sister Mantos.

-- Alexandra Le Tellier