Advertisement

Mooi in Echo Park slashes hours, seeks new investors (and serves a mean weekly prix fixe menu)

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.


Mooi, the raw/vegan restaurant that opened this summer in the coveted corner space of Echo Park’s Jensen’s Rec Center, has severely cut back its hours in the past few weeks. If the neighborhood vegans were susceptible to high blood pressure, Mooi’s darkened picture windows would have caused a few heart attacks. Especially because chef-owner Stephen Hauptfuhr is saying that if he can’t find the support of new investors, Mooi could close for good.

For now the restaurant is operating on what Hauptfuhr calls ‘holiday hours,’ which means that while the kitchen is operating (Hauptfuhr uses it for catering purposes), the restaurant is open only once a week to serve prix-fixe meals. Hauptfuhr says his current investors will not extend beyond November.

Advertisement

For reservations for the once-a-week six-course dinner, e-mail Hauptfuhr directly at stephen@mooifood.com. Wednesday night’s is Asian-themed, featuring curried coconut soup; a nori dragon roll; shredded carrot, purple cabbage and mung bean salad; Sichuan vegetable stir fry; pad thai; and papaya green tea ice cream. The cost is $25 for those who make reservations and $30 for those without (walk-ins are welcome but will be turned away if space is tight). There are two seatings, at 7 and 9 p.m.

On Nov. 19, Hauptfuhr will be whipping up an Italian-themed dinner and after that a special Thanksgiving meal.

You can follow the developments at Mooi on its Facebook page, or on Twitter.

Mooi, 1700 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 413-1100.

-- Jessica Gelt

Advertisement