It’s true. Café D’Etoile, the beloved West Hollywood restaurant known for serving French-American faire, located in the heart of WeHo’s Boystown, has closed after serving the community for the past 36 years. Tonight was its last night of operation.
The following statement was posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page:
“With a very heavy heart, we are sorry to announce that after 36 years we are closing our doors,” read a statement via the restaurant’s Facebook page. “With rising costs from food, drinks and labor, it is no longer financially viable to remain open. We want to thank all of our customers throughout the years that have stood by us through thick and thin. We could not have done it without you. We also can’t leave out our amazing staff that put in so much to keep it going and to make the Café such an iconic place to visit in West Hollywood. We wish [them] the best and know that they will do well wherever they go. We hope that whatever replaces Café D’Etoile in the future can not only live up to our customers expectations, but can exceed them. Thank you EVERYONE! We love you all and we will always remember the great times we all shared together over the years!
From the staff, the family, of Café D’Etoile”
Tom Doherty – photo courtesy of Jon Viscott“It was a great part of history and I was proud to be a part of a great legacy of the city’s,” Tom Doherty, the owner of Café D’Etoile told WEHO TIMES. “The staff deserves great credit for carrying the business through so many years of fine memories.”
When asked why the restaurant closed so abruptly, Doherty responded:
“Perhaps when I think about it… and put it perspective, it was not so abrupt. Any business is subject to its own set of circumstances. There were many factors, all important in their part. There was no one event or circumstance. The great run was very special and I’m not going anywhere, just making some major life changes.”
“The title of owner of the Cafe I’m sure will be the most defining aspect of my career. I will continue to be a guy that carries that memory,” he added.
Café D’Etoile was gay-owned and has seen its share of business come and go. It closes its doors a month after the closing of the Los Angeles Sporting Club (LASC), another gay-owned business that has been around for decades.
Café D’Etoile first opened at 8941 1/2, Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, in 1983. It was Le Toile back in the 70s for more than a decade. The restaurant has massive history and holds memories for countless people. It will be missed.
Such a loss to WeHo and the gay community. I am from San Diego but had some very memorable (at least I think I did, I had one too many cocktails on a couple of occasions while dining there). What I do know is the management and staff were always fantastic and always made me feel welcome. They served you with a genuine hospitality, not overtly formal or distant, which as a native San Dorgan made me feel like I was in my hometown. It was a neighborhood restaurant that was always filled with laughter, locals, and out-of-downers like myself.… Read more »
Soon there will be nothing left of the WeHo that welcomed me from the midwest twenty years ago. It’s sad how West Hollywood has become East Beverly Hills.
Correct. Bland WeHo planners who are changing the area into East Beverly except it’s a high rise version.
Oh no! This was my fav place in all of Weho – not just the gay strip. Had the best Scallop dish and steaks – this was our go to place for any special day or holiday. I wish I had known it was going to close as we would have loved to had one last meal there to say goodbye. Sadly, there are now no places for the older gay generation who made that neighborhood what it is… I will miss the group of guys that used to sit around that little bar inside – it was so charming… Read more »
I wish i knew they were closing. I’d have loved a last meal there. From lamb, to risotto, seafood and everything else always prepared perfectly, I have enjoyed hundreds of meals there. So sad.
Agreed. When he says it “wasn’t abrupt,” I’m not sure what that means. It would have been nice to give the patrons a last chance to enjoy a meal there. I feel like we are missing part of this story.
Usually taxes