Kazuhisa Ohyama, the owner of L.A.’s “most secret” restaurant, Totoraku, has something slated for 9111 West Olympic Boulevard in Beverly Hills, according to a pending liquor license application filed earlier this month. The license would cover the sale of beer and wine at an eating place.
The space at 9111 West Olympic Boulevard was most recently the home of French crêperie Creme de la Crepe in Beverly Hills, which announced in June on social media that it is searching for a new location.
Whether Ohyama is planning to open a completely new restaurant or is simply moving Totoraku into a bigger space isn’t yet clear. As one might expect of a restaurant that still bears the nondescript sign of Ohyama’s previous venture and whose only crumb of an online presence is an unclaimed Yelp profile, details are scarce.
Totoraku’s lore stems from its status as an invitation-only establishment that serves a multi-course, meat-heavy Japanese feast for about $300 a person. The only way to secure a reservation by calling Ohyama directly on a secret cell phone number — and the only way to get that cell phone number is from the man himself, which he writes on a business card and gives to invitees directly. Those who have managed to get in Totoraku’s doors are treated to delicacies like foie grass and sashimi, raw beef tartare and plates upon plates of steak and lamb, followed by ice cream. Guests are encouraged to BYOB, and legend has it that Ohyama himself comes out to join in the revelry.
What Now Los Angeles has reached out to Totoraku for comment (but aren’t expecting a response any time soon).
