Restaurant hopes to expand

Mozambique plans to add seats and extend hours of operation. Its neighbors object, claiming patrons drop trash on streets and make noise late at night.Despite a barrage of complaints from neighbors, operators of newly opened Mozambique restaurant are hoping to add seating and extend the restaurant’s hours of operation.

Mozambique will bring its case to the planning commission on Oct. 26.

The African-themed establishment, which opened in July, has been accused by some neighbors of being a nightclub with a rowdy and disruptive crowd.

“Granted it’s an upscale crowd, [but] they’re loud and obnoxious,” said John Ferrante of the Woods Cove Neighborhood Assn., which has collected 50 signatures on a petition opposing the expansion plans.

“We’re working to minimize the impact on the neighborhood,” said Ferrante, who claims to be routinely awakened by drunken revelers. “We’re in a battle to stop what has happened.”

Residents have complained that patrons and employees park on neighborhood streets, make noise late at night and leave trash in yards.

There have also been reports of car-keying and urinating on private property.

Tony Shill, managing partner of Mozambique LLC, believes patrons of his restaurant are not solely responsible for the problems, and that other establishments in the area may be contributing.

After speaking with neighbors, Shill said he gave out his cell phone number to handle complaints, though has received only two or three calls.

“We want to operate a successful high-end restaurant and lounge, and provide to the community,” said Shill.

Shill said Mozambique has enough parking to serve its customers, with 61 spaces on its own lot and an additional 58 spaces across the street.

According to Shill, that number of spaces can accommodate the patrons at his establishment, which now has 140 seats.

In addition, Shill said he has warned employees not to park on or east of Glenneyre Street in the residential area. Employees who violate the policy will be fired, he said.

Mozambique also runs a valet service and uses two 10-passenger vans to shuttle parties of six or more within Laguna Beach.

Bill Brooks, a business partner at Mozambique, claimed his typical patron is generally between the ages of 40 and 65 and spends around $200 a night. That is not the typical trouble-making nightclub patron, Brooks said.

Brooks said the bar area of the restaurant is 540 square feet, with only 24 seats and no dance floor.

Live bands play in the bar area on a weekly basis, and the restaurant restricts the volume of the music.

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