Dan Tana's Marks Passing Of Beloved Bartender

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — As the iconic restaurant Dan Tana's, a West Hollywood landmark heralded for its Italian fare and star-studded history, reopened for takeout service after 50 days of coronavirus shutdown, a footnote was added that saddened regular patrons.

Mike Gotovac, the eatery's loyal and witty bartender, with more than 50 years of Hollywood stories after serving such guests as Al Pacino, the Mamas and the Papas, Elton John, Frank Zappa and the Eagles, passed away Thursday at 76 years old.

"Miljenko 'Mike' 'Dida' Gotovac’s generous heart stopped beating on May 14, 2020," the restaurant posted on its Facebook page. "We will miss his barbeque, laughter, wisecracks and storytelling. Most of all, we will just miss his presence."

Gotovac reportedly was diagnosed with COVID-19 in April, according to the restaurant, however, whether his death was linked to virus complications could not be confirmed.

Loyal diners took to Facebook to express their sorrow over the passing of Gotovac, a fixture at Dan Tana's.

"It’s a terrible day. We’ve lost Mike Gotovac, the bartender at Dan Tana's Restaurant," Vintage Los Angeles said. "He was so much MORE than a bartender. He was a dear friend to us all and one one of the main reason we stepped through those doors at D.T’s. The loss is way too heavy to to process."

"I last saw him in February before a concert at The Troubadour when I sat alone at the bar, and Mike took care of me," one customer wrote. "I planned that my first outing after coronavirus restrictions lifted was to go sit there again. I’m so sad for the loss."

"Oh no, not Mike. I am in tears. My heart goes out to his family and all the people who loved him," said another.

"I will never forget the first time I walked in Dan Tana's 25 years ago," another added. "I had no idea it would become my second home for the longest time. My favorite seat was at the end of the bar because Mike was behind it."

Born in Croatia, Gotovac grew up in a world of family, faith and Croatian patriotism, but it was the difficult 1940s' Communist era that drew him to Germany and then to Los Angeles, where he found work and remained a member of the tight-knit, Croatian-American community, Dan Tana's management said.

He was hired in 1968 at the restaurant, "quickly making his way to the bartender’s stool, where he reigned as the resident curmudgeon for over 50 years, still working there until the time of his illness," staff said.

Was The Eagles' “Lyin’ Eyes” written at Dan Tana's Table Four? Was Robert Urich’s character in Vega$ named after Dan Tana’s? What's better? The chicken parm or shrimp scampi? In interviews, Gotovac spilled the tea ... sort of.

Bon Appetit's profile of the prolific mixologist in 2019 nailed his self-described role: "It’s my job to like every customer. You gotta be nice to everybody, take care of everybody, make sure everybody is happy with the food and drink and nobody bothers anyone else. And don’t let anyone go to the tables by the movie stars!"

And Gotovac added: "You either drink or you don’t drink. Thank God now for Uber."

He is survived by his wife, Milojka, his sons Matija (Anastasia), Domagoj and Milian, granddaughters Emelia, Iva and Beatrix, brother Ivica, sisters Anka and Dragica, and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Ivka. Private family services are planed. Donations can be made here to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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