Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
Pacific Palisades is getting ready to welcome a new name to the food scene: Prima Cocina.
The Baja-inspired restaurant will be located at 15246 Sunset Boulevard—the space formerly occupied by Kayndaves.
Prima Cocina shared that its goal is to reflect the spirit and essence of Baja, California, in its cuisine.
“Baja is a diverse region both in culture and geography, which inspires our cooking,” according to the restaurant’s website. “Our menu blends elements of the deep culinary heritage of mainland Mexico with the lighter, ocean-inspired, unique coastal cooking of the Baja peninsula, fused with the natural, produce-driven approach of California cuisine.”
Prima Cocina currently has one location on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica that opened in 2018. Its menu offers a bevy of Mexican dishes and bites, including Street Corn Esquites, Shrimp Ceviche, Enchiladas, Fajitas, Mojo de Ajo and more.
“Vibrant fresh herbs, smoky dried chilies, fresh Pacific seafood, bright salads, savory tacos and a focus on grilled food express these regional inspirations and our distinctive take on tradition,” according to the website.
The Santa Monica cantina also has its own take on Happy Hour: “Fiesta Hours,” Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. where guests can enjoy $7 appetizers and margaritas, $6 wine, $5 beer and $4 tacos. And every Tuesday, guests can enjoy $4 tacos all day.
Palisadians can look forward to Mexican food #HechoConAmor—a hashtag the eatery boasts, which translates to “made with love.”
The restaurant will take over the space formerly occupied by Kayndaves, owned by David and Jintana Licht. The Lichts recently sold their restaurant after 30 years in the Village.
“We’re selling the restaurant, not the building,” David said to the Palisadian-Post in August. “There were a number of factors. We met a local operator who hinted he loved our location, we made a deal and shook hands in 10 minutes.
“My wife and I live in Santa Fe and Thailand and haven’t been here. Staffing is also a big issue. It’s difficult to hire people. We just felt it was time.”
The restaurant’s last day of operations was Saturday, August 27.
“We had a blast,” Dave and Jintana shared in a joint statement on the website. “We forged many wonderful bonds. We encountered bumps along the way … We weren’t always perfect. But we gave it our all. So with that said, thank you for all your support. Thank you for all your kindness … And thank you especially for warming our hearts when you walked through our doors time and time and time again.”
As the Post went to print Tuesday evening, it was unclear when Prima Cocina would be opening in the Palisades, as the restaurant did not respond to requests for comment.
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