Local News In Brief : Pasta Restaurant to Be Closed

The Palos Verdes Estates City Council has directed its staff to take legal measures to close a popular Lunada Bay restaurant, saying the owners have failed to secure proper building permits.

Joseph Calderone, owner of the Viva La Pasta restaurant, had little comment on the city’s plan. “This is the first time I hear of it,” he said in a telephone interview.

Viva La Pasta was issued a permit when it began serving pasta and pizza specialties in 1985. However, no permits were sought for expansion into neighboring office space in 1986 and onto an outdoor patio this year or for a new kitchen built in 1987, city officials said.

The city has unsuccessfully tried to get the restaurant to comply with building regulations, according to City Manager Gordon Siebert.

Although most of the permit violations easily could be rectified, City Atty. Mark Allen said, “we aren’t very well geared up to deal with someone who just says, ‘Go to hell.’ ”

Allen told the council he is not sure how to go about closing the business.

The restaurant has been the subject of numerous complaints to the city from neighboring merchants and residents, who say its popularity has outstripped its parking capacity.