For newer restaurants, Dine LA Restaurant Week can be a big moment.
Alice Mai is the chef at Atta Girl in Hermosa Beach. She told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian the restaurant has been open less than a year, but that Dine LA has helped put it on the map.
“So we've seen an uptick in guests, especially first-timers who haven't been to this area before or haven't been to our restaurant,” Mai said.
After years of pandemic shutdowns and rising costs, opening a restaurant isn't easy, but Mai says programs like Dine LA help keep the momentum going. She also said that being part of the Simms Restaurant Group offers many opportunities.
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“I think it really helps expand that reach and gets us out there in the community, especially with Dine LA helping us to promote and to market,” she said.
For her, it's about building community one table at a time.
“Atta Girl is generally an expression to give a female person a pat on the back,” Mai said. “So there are no other female partners in this restaurant group, so being able to give me this opportunity and be able to partner with me to open this restaurant has been kind of a pat on the back for that time that I've spent working at Fishing with Dynamite and really being able to expand everything and grow with the company.”
Dine LA Restaurant Week runs until Feb. 6. You can check out participating restaurants here.
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