La Scala, the upscale Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills was busted trying to defy strict COVID-19 restrictions with a secret speakeasy-style New Year’s Eve party.
A not-so-secretive invite was reportedly slipped into a number of to-go bags by restaurant staff, reading in part: “Welcome back to the 20’s Prohibition… We are currently taking reservations for New Year’s Eve dinner. Inside,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Please keep this discreet, but tell all your friends,” the message reportedly read.
Photos of the invitation were soon posted on Twitter, and the celebrity hangout was quickly roasted across social media, including on their own Instagram posts.
City officials and Beverly Hills cops were informed after a slew of snitches tagged the restaurant in posts.
“Beverly Hills Code Enforcement is aware and will be handling this matter,” the police department tweeted.
City officials contacted La Scala on Christmas Eve to warn it off the planned “secret” party, city spokesman Keith Sterling told the paper.
“We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for all of our businesses,” a statement given to the paper read. “However the County Order does currently prohibit indoor and outdoor dining, including in the City of Beverly Hills.”
La Scala, which opened in 1956, is a Beverly Hills institution and a favorite hangout for actors and celebrities had complained earlier in the year about restrictions “hurting our restaurants.”
“I heard La Scala in Beverly Hills is planning a super spreader. They want to keep it quiet so shhhhhhhhh. You didn’t hear it from me,” tweeted Kevin Jordan, one of many to poke fun at the invite.
News of the New Year’s Eve party comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had himself recently attended a ‘super spreader’ dinner party at the exclusive French Laundry restaurant, begged the public not to gather over the holidays saying it will only add to the COVID-19 surge.
“The peril will be a surge on top of a surge, where we are today, on top of yet again another surge in the middle and latter part of January and February,” Newsom warned.