By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter
The much-anticipated opening night of The Draycott, Caruso’s flagship restaurant in the Palisades Village, faced a hiccup after its opening chef reportedly walked out in the middle of service.
Javier Ramos, an award-winning chef previously cooking for LA hotspot Sqirl, and Draycott owners Matt and Marissa Hermer both confirmed Ramos was no longer with the restaurant, but did not elaborate on what exactly took place.
Restaurant reviewers who claimed to be there the night of the incident reported it to not have been a dramatic scene as dinner service went on uninterrupted.
Coming to the restaurant’s defense, community members criticized the chef for having left in the middle of opening night, and questioned a social media post by Ramos claiming he was now a “free agent.”
“Sad it didn’t work out,” Ramos, who learned under renowned chefs like Jason Vincent and Paul Virant, said in an email to the Palisadian-Post. “Parted due to philosophical reasons.”
The Draycott resumed service as usual, remaining a well-regarded restaurant in the new Palisades Village.
Matt and Marissa, longtime restaurateurs, operate Eclipse bars in London, Istanbul and Barcelona, as well as Bumpkin restaurants across the UK.
“Unfortunately, the partnership just wasn’t a fit, but we wish him the best,” the Hermers said in a statement to the Post. “There is a fantastic team in place already, and it’s full steam ahead for lunch and brunch!”
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