April 17, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Award-Winning Unique Eatery Poltergeist to Close Its Doors at the End of September

Fans Have Until Sept. 29 to Experience Chef Diego Argoti’s Bold Creations

By Dolores Quintana

Two weeks after the PBS Socal web series Rebel Kitchens premiere, one of the featured restaurants, led by chef Diego Argoti, Poltergeist announced that the celebrated eatery would close at the end of the month. You have until September 29 to try some of Poltergeist’s favorite menu items, like the broccoli beef ravioli, duck leg bubble waffle, Thai Caesar salad, and a symphony of new specials that Argoti had hesitated to put on the menu, but has now chosen to go out with a blaze of glory: a chicken heart Waldorf salad, rad nah lasagna, crying tiger rib-eye, and a frog’s leg dish that had graced his street pasta pop up Estrano. 

Poltergeist is located within Button Mash, an arcade that has been in business since 2015 and that shuttered temporarily during the first years of the pandemic. The business has always had a bar for quick eats and a small restaurant space where a few different chefs had set up shop to keep hungry gamers and more adventurous diners fed. Chef Argoti’s Poltergeist has been making noise there since February 2023, earning a James Beard nomination for Argoti who was a semi-finalist for best chef, Esquire magazine awarded the restaurant as one of the United States’ best new restaurants, and a space on the coveted Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants list. In keeping with the rebellious nature of the chef and his creation, Poltergeist came in at number 101. 

It is a sad sign of the times that Button Mash and Poltergeist could not continue because the last night that I ate at the restaurant, Button Mash was packed with people. But rising rents are taking a toll even with successful businesses. 

The news was announced jointly on Instagram and read, “Some sad and surprising news to share. We’ve reached the end of our lease and, after much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to not renew it.

Our final day of business will be Sunday, September 29th.

We’ll most miss serving this community we’ve been a part of this past decade. We’re grateful to everyone who’s worked here and everyone who’s come through these doors over the years — from the early Starry Kitchen days to our current Poltergeist era.

We look forward to seeing you all over the next three weeks as we celebrate the experiences we’ve shared in a place that somehow stuck around this long despite never making sense on paper.”

<>Related Posts

Film Review: The Shrouds

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Canada’s cinematic maestro of body horror’s newest film is The Shrouds. While it is not a horror...

Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chão Opens in Santa Monica With Ocean Views

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Santa Monica’s Newest Restaurant Serves Steak With a Side of Charity Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse known for its traditional...

Over $2.4M in Recovery Grants Available for Wildfire-Affected Restaurants

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

To qualify, restaurants must have no more than five locations, generate less than $5 million in annual revenue, and be...

(Video) Matū Kai Brentwood Friends and Family Dinner

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Matü Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Bitters, and a Burnt Orange Peel. Amazing 24-Hour Bone Broth. Look at that steam....

(Video) Nonprofits Break Ground for 78-Unit Affordable Housing Complex on 20th St.

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Projected for a 2027 completion, half its units are reserved for those experiencing homelessness at the time of move-in Projected...

Santa Monica Police Identify Dog Owner in Fatal Poodle Attack

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Authorities released surveillance footage of the man walking the dog and asked the public for assistance Police have identified the...

Malibu Discovery Celebrates 15 Years With Seaside Wonderland Bash in Santa Monica

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Cocktails, Community, and a Cause: Seaside Wonderland Arrives April 17 Malibu Discovery will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a community-focused...

‘Bleak Week’ Film Festival Goes Global, Expanding to 8 Cities Including London

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

American Cinematheque’s Celebration of Despair in Cinema Draws Big-Name Guests American Cinematheque’s popular film festival Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair is expanding...

THIS WEEKEND: ‘Rooted in Resilience’ Event to Reconnect Palisades Community

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

The program will feature live music, wellness activities, local food vendors, and appearances by local leaders More than 1,000 people...

Long Beach Replaces Santa Monica as Site of LA28 Olympic Beach Volleyball

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Santa Monica’s withdrawal follows a public study session held by the City Council  Beach volleyball at the 2028 Summer Olympics...

Facing Major Budget Cuts, L.A. City Councilmember Opens Public Forums

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Budget Chair Opens Floor to Residents on City Spending Priorities With the City of Los Angeles facing its most severe...

Woman Arrested After Robbery at Santa Monica Target Store

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

An injured employee sustained a superficial scratch A woman was arrested Sunday afternoon following an alleged robbery at a Target...

Triathlon, Road Cycling to Begin at Venice Beach During 2028 Olympics

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Organizers say the updated venue plan reflects a commitment to using existing infrastructure and showcasing the region’s cultural landmarks Venice...

Officials Tout Plans to Rebuild Pacific Palisades Recreation Center

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

The recreation center’s rebuild comes on the heels of a separate but related effort to upgrade the center’s playground City...

Santa Monica Police Seek Owner of Pit Bull After Fatal Dog Attack

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Toy Poodle Killed, Owner Bitten, Video Released by SMPD Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the owner...