Spruzzo Restaurant To Open In Pacific Palisades This Summer

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — After a successful run in Malibu, Spruzzo Restaurant & Bar will open a second location in the heart of the Palisades this summer. The Italian restaurant will operate out of 538 Palisades Drive, the former location of Taste, with a planned opening in late June or early July.

The original Malibu location was opened in 1994 by Ray Gowhari, who still runs the restaurant to this day. Now, Ray and his son Ryan will make the quick trip down PCH to the Palisades Highlands, where the younger Gowhari will have the chance to make his mark in a brand new spot.

"My dad was kind of ready to hang it up, but when I told him I wanted to get involved, he kind of said he was doing it for me," Ryan Gowhari told Patch. "I'm totally aware of how blessed I am for having a dad who gave me an opportunity like that, because really, it's my project. He's helping me out so I can run the restaurant over there."

The new location will feature a similar atmosphere as the current Malibu location, but will also launch a new brunch menu to to expand upon current options. Gowhari said he wanted to expand after seeing the potential to grow Spruzzo's footprint, and that the new location instantly made all the sense in the world after it reminded them both of the community they work in now.

"It's a similar neighborhood, similar audience and neighboring cities," he said. "My dad and I dined at Taste a few times before they closed, and we felt a similar vibe to Spruzzo. When we heard the land was up for lease, we thought, 'why not open another one.'"

The original Spruzzo has changed quite a bit since its inception — and Gowhari would know better than most, of course. He says the most impactful improvement was getting a liquor license and subsequently building a full bar in 2004, although there were plenty of aesthetic choices that made a big difference from the prior establishment.

"There was a fish tank in the middle of the dining room," he said. "The dining room is surrounded by windows now, but when he bought the restaurant, they were literally shower curtains. It was ugly."

The move to the Palisades has actually been in the works for nearly two years, but like so much else, coronavirus put those plans on hold. The Gowharis first discovered what would become their new location in January 2020 and were ready to sign at the start of March, but as signing day approached, statewide shutdowns and a general feeling of uncertainty compelled them to hold off.

Rather than setting up a new restaurant, father and son spent much of the year trying to stay afloat at their current spot as eateries across the city closed temporarily and later for good. After successfully navigating the storm, they renegotiated the potential lease in November, and now feel confident to finally launch the new site as businesses around the city begin to reopen.

"Since we even got in these talks to take over this spot, we emphasized to our broker and architect that we want a big spot for takeout and delivery," he said. "Takeout and delivery got us through this pandemic in Malibu, so we definitely want to keep going with that. So I wouldn't say the vision has changed; if anything, it reaffirmed what we already wanted to do."

Questions about the new Spruzzo opening can be sent to admin@spruzzopalisades.com.