Thirty-five years ago, Pat’s opened up in Pico-Robertson. At the time, it was one of two kosher restaurants in the neighborhood – the other was Pico Kosher Deli, which is now closed. At first, Pat’s served dairy food, but after two years, they switched over to meat.
“That was the best thing we could have done,” said Errol Fine, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Pat. “In those days, you really couldn’t find a fine dining kosher restaurant.”
Now, after three decades, the Fines have re-opened Pat’s Café, the original milchig restaurant, but with a modern twist. It’s in the old location on Pico Boulevard where Pat’s, the fleishig restaurant, used to be before the pandemic. The meat restaurant is across the street at The Mark, an outdoor space.
“We thought we couldn’t let our location go, so we maintained it and opened it again,” said Errol.
Pat’s Café is serving breakfast and lunch food like French toast, a Caesar salad with salmon, a roasted vegetable sandwich, pastas, ice blended drinks, huevos rancheros and a poke bowl. Pat came up with the menu, just as she did for the meat restaurant.
“Since I am strictly kosher, I can’t really go out and eat, so I’ve got my ear glued to the ground. I try to tweak things and create them on my own.” – Pat Fine
“I’m always researching new food trends,” said Pat. “Since I am strictly kosher, I can’t really go out and eat, so I’ve got my ear glued to the ground. I try to tweak things and create them on my own.”
Pat and Errol came to the United States from South Africa in 1976, when Errol got a job as an accountant in Los Angeles. At the same time, Pat had been a pharmacist, but decided to be a stay-at-home mom, as they had three young sons.
“We saw that in the long term, it would be good for our family to leave South Africa because there was an opportunity here,” said Errol. “We knew we needed to take it.”
After arriving in L.A., Pat started catering events out of their kitchen in Santa Monica, where they lived at the time. One day, Errol’s cousin had a bar mitzvah, and they asked Pat to help make the food.
“Everybody loved what she made,” said Errol. “She was self-taught and has always had a great desire to do well in the kitchen.”
At first, Errol and Pat opened Elite Cuisine, a casual dining kosher restaurant, first in Pico-Robertson, then La Brea. Once a fine dining space at 9233 W Pico Blvd. opened up, they decided they’d give it a go.
Pat and Errol have been trendsetters from the start, tapping into what’s happening in the world of non-kosher dining and making kosher versions of the same dishes. When they first opened the dairy restaurant three decades ago, a very important rabbi came in, and they served him gourmet-style ravioli.
“He nearly freaked out and said, ‘What’s this?’” said Pat. “I said it was ravioli. He had never heard of such a thing. Later, he called us and said, ‘What’s the ravioli of the day?’ It was hilarious. In those days, people used to call it mac and cheese. We brought new types of food to the Jewish world.”
When dining at the new Pat’s Café, customers may recognize the waiters from the meat restaurant – that’s because many members of the staff have been with them since they started in the ‘80s.
“I’m very much a kitchen person and care about my staff tremendously,” said Pat. “I’m in the trenches with them all the time and work side by side with them. We learn to respect each other and work together. They appreciate it. They’re like our family.”
Both Pat and Errol, who have been together for 50 years, believe their respective partner is responsible for the success of their restaurants.
“I have a very patient husband,” said Pat. “He’s kind to everyone. He is the heart and soul of the business.”
Errol echoed a similar sentiment about his wife. “If somebody were to say to me, ‘Who deserves the credit?’ I would say unquestionably and undoubtedly, it’s Pat,” he said.
The two have juggled being married, having children, working in a restaurant and weathering the pandemic with grace.
“Having a restaurant is not an easy undertaking,” said Errol. “It’s got to be in your blood.”
Reflecting on the earlier days, when they were parenting their little boys while working more than full-time, Errol said they had to take it day by day.
“Thank Hashem it worked out,” he said. “We get a lot of joy from our children. We’re very proud of them.”
The Fines, who are longtime members of Beth Jacob Congregation, now have nine grandchildren – seven boys and two “princesses,” as Errol calls them. They have built quite a life together since they met in South Africa at a pharmacy where Pat was working. When Errol saw her coming down the stairs, he was immediately smitten. He called her and asked her on a date, and they fell in love.
Looking to the future, Errol and Pat plan to stay hands-on with both of their businesses. And when they do finally decide to retire, they hope their legacy lives on.
“I’d like to make sure that the business has a long life, but not necessarily with me around,” said Pat. “I hope the employees will continue in our footsteps. In the meantime, we’ll work as long as we possibly can.”
To find out more, visit Patsrestaurantandcatering.com or Instagram.com/patscafela
