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The Shocking Truth About Sante La Brea Now: 5 Updates On The Kitchen Nightmares Restaurant, Owners, And Location

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For over a decade, the story of Sante La Brea has remained one of the most memorable and, at times, heartbreaking episodes in the history of Gordon Ramsay's *Kitchen Nightmares*. The Los Angeles vegetarian and vegan restaurant, known for its healthy cuisine and the deeply conflicted relationship between owner Dean Hamoui and his sons, Arthur and Sammy, captured the curiosity of millions. As of late December 2025, the question remains: what happened to the restaurant, the family, and the iconic La Brea Avenue location?

The saga of Sante La Brea is a classic reality TV tale of good intentions meeting poor execution, culminating in a dramatic intervention by Chef Ramsay. While the restaurant itself closed many years ago, the legacy of the episode and the subsequent paths of the Hamoui family members continue to generate intense interest among fans who want to know the "now" status of this Hollywood hotspot.

The Sante La Brea Kitchen Nightmares Profile and Closure Timeline

Before its appearance on the reality show, Sante La Brea was a long-standing fixture in the Los Angeles healthy food scene, previously operating under the names A Votre Sante and Sante Cuisine. The restaurant's core mission was to serve healthy, natural food, often focusing on vegetarian and vegan options.

The restaurant was primarily run by owner Dean Hamoui, who was often described as being a kind and gentle soul, perhaps "too nice for his own good." His sons, Arthur Hamoui and Sammy Hamoui, were also heavily involved in the day-to-day operations, though their working relationship was often fraught with tension, a central focus of the *Kitchen Nightmares* episode.

The episode, which was part of Season 2 (often listed as Episode 10 or 11), was filmed in March 2008 and aired on November 20, 2008.

  • Original Name(s): A Votre Sante, Sante Cuisine
  • Location: 345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
  • Owner: Dean Hamoui
  • Key Staff: Arthur Hamoui (CEO/Agent), Sammy Hamoui
  • Episode Filmed: March 2008
  • Episode Aired: November 20, 2008 (Season 2)
  • Cuisine Focus: Healthy, Natural, Vegetarian, and Vegan Food
  • Official Closure Date: June 2011

Despite the changes implemented by Chef Gordon Ramsay, including a new menu and a fresh look, the restaurant's struggles continued. It was reported that Sante La Brea officially closed its doors in June 2011, approximately three years after the episode was filmed. The reason for the closure was reportedly the owners' desire to retire.

Update 1: What is at the Sante La Brea Location (345 N La Brea Ave) Now?

For fans visiting Los Angeles and hoping to catch a glimpse of the infamous Sante La Brea building, the reality of the 345 N La Brea Ave address today is a testament to the ever-changing nature of the Hollywood restaurant scene. The former single-restaurant space has undergone significant transformation and is now home to multiple, vibrant eateries.

The space that once housed Sante La Brea is currently occupied by a dynamic mix of international cuisine, showcasing the high-demand commercial real estate of the La Brea Avenue corridor.

Current occupants of the property (or units within the same building) include:

  • Wirtshaus German Restaurant & Beer Garden: A popular German restaurant specializing in authentic German food and a wide selection of over 35 German beers. This establishment has created a completely new identity for the location.
  • Mee Dee Thai Kitchen: An eatery offering the taste of Northern Thailand, confirming the subdivision of the commercial space.
  • Honeybee Burger: A fast-casual burger spot, also listed at the 345 N La Brea Ave address, further highlighting the property's commercial evolution.

This development status confirms that the building is not vacant but is thriving as a multi-tenant commercial property, a far cry from the troubled vegetarian restaurant of the late 2000s. The property itself is listed as an 11,688-square-foot commercial building.

Update 2: Where Are Dean, Arthur, and Sammy Hamoui Today?

The fate of the Hamoui family—Dean, Arthur, and Sammy—is the most frequently asked question by viewers who were invested in their emotional journey on *Kitchen Nightmares*. Following the restaurant's closure in 2011, the family moved on to different endeavors, mostly outside the public eye.

Dean Hamoui's Post-Sante Life

Dean Hamoui, the patriarch, reportedly closed the restaurant to retire. Given his age and the stress of running Sante La Brea, this decision allowed him to step away from the demanding restaurant industry. He was always seen as a genuinely good person, making his exit from the industry a peaceful one, unlike many other *Kitchen Nightmares* owners.

Arthur and Sammy Hamoui's New Careers

The sons, Arthur Hamoui (listed as the CEO of the original Sante La Brea Inc.) and Sammy Hamoui, have also moved on. One unconfirmed report suggests that one of the brothers is now working in the raw food industry. This is a logical progression, as the family's passion for healthy, natural, and vegetarian food was never in question—their business model and execution were the primary issues. Arthur Hamoui's name is still connected to the original corporation's filing information, but he has since established a life in Las Vegas, NV, according to public records, a significant geographic shift from Santa Monica and Los Angeles.

Update 3: The Enduring Legacy of the 'Sante La Brea' Episode

The Sante La Brea episode remains a popular re-watch for *Kitchen Nightmares* fans for several key reasons, contributing to its topical authority in the reality TV world. The episode is an excellent example of a restaurant failing due to internal family dynamics and a lack of business acumen, rather than malicious intent.

  • The 'Too Nice' Owner: Dean Hamoui's gentle nature and inability to be a tough boss created a unique dynamic. Ramsay's challenge was not just fixing the food but instilling a business backbone in Dean.
  • The Chef No-Show: A memorable moment in the episode was the chef failing to show up for Gordon Ramsay's arrival, putting everyone on edge and highlighting the chaos in the kitchen.
  • The Vegan/Vegetarian Niche: At the time, Sante La Brea was one of the few vegan-friendly restaurants featured on the show, making it a unique entry in the series' history and a point of interest for the vegetarian community.
  • The Name Changes: The restaurant's history of multiple names (A Votre Sante, Sante Cuisine, Sante La Brea) before and after the show is a classic sign of a business struggling to find a stable identity.

Sante La Brea Now: Conclusion

Sante La Brea, the restaurant, is definitively closed, having ceased operations in June 2011. The building at 345 N La Brea Ave has moved on, now housing the popular Wirtshaus German Restaurant, Mee Dee Thai Kitchen, and Honeybee Burger. While the Hamoui family—Dean, Arthur, and Sammy—have largely disappeared from the public spotlight, they found peace and new careers, with Arthur Hamoui moving to Las Vegas and one of the sons pursuing a career in raw food. The true "Sante La Brea now" is its enduring status as a reality television legend, a cautionary tale about the challenges of running a family business in the unforgiving world of Los Angeles dining.

The Shocking Truth About Sante La Brea Now: 5 Updates on the Kitchen Nightmares Restaurant, Owners, and Location
sante la brea now
sante la brea now

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