Oliver’s Osteria, the acclaimed Italian eatery at 853 Laguna Canyon Road, has temporarily closed its doors following two separate small fire incidents,.
According to the Laguna Beach Fire Department, small fires broke out at the restaurant on Jan. 29 and again on Feb. 15. While both fires were quickly contained with no injuries reported, the most recent incident led the owner to cease operations to ensure the safety of the building.
A message posted to the restaurant’s website stated that the fire was caused by an unexpected electrical short. “At this time, our top priority is ensuring the safety of our guests and staff,” reads the statement. “We are actively working with the appropriate authorities and inspectors and hope to reopen as soon as all required safety inspections have been fully completed.”
Management is currently reaching out to guests with upcoming reservations to notify them of the temporary closure. Fortunately, the fires were quickly contained, and no injuries were reported.
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Executive chef and owner Erik De Marchi stressed in the message that the closure is not permanent, with the restaurant anticipating a reopening toward the end of March. When it does reopen, according to manager Giovanni Labile, Oliver’s Osteria will be a slightly smaller space. He added that the restaurant’s owners are doing their due diligence to make sure the space is safe and ready.
The Michelin-recognized spot is known for its authentic Emilia-Romagna cuisine and signature pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and the lasagna classica.
While the Laguna Beach location is sidelined for now, its sister restaurant, Oliver’s Trattoria, remains open at 6511 Quail Hill Parkway in Irvine.