Update: Fred Guerrero, writing in the comments section of the Patch story "," tells us that the opening date of the restaurant has been pushed back once again.
"Hi, I'm writing on behalf of Maximiliano, unfortunately we won't be opening until Friday, not Wednesday. Hope to see you all there!" Guerrero said.
Previously: Maximiliano Owner Andre Guerrero told Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch on Thursday that a handful of health department requirements will force him to delay the eatery's grand opening for a few days.
"It looks like it's going to be Wednesday [Oct. 12]," Guerrero said. "The health department didn't sign off on a few things and we've got to take care of them."
Guerrero had previously told Patch that he had zeroed in on Friday, Oct. 7 for Maximiliano's opening.
Among the issues Guerrero needs to address are adding more grout to the tile finish of the pizza oven to make it smoother, adjusting the temperature of a walk-in cooler, installing a sneeze guard over the pizza preparation area and putting a vent in the mop closet.
"It's all really minor stuff," Guerrero said. "We should be all signed-off on Monday."
If everything goes according to plan, Guerrero said, he'll prepare test dinners for friends and family on Monday and Tuesday before opening Maximiliano's doors to the public.
"It's exciting. It's going to look stunning," Guerrero said. "Our furniture is coming in today. We've been cooking. I'm going to cook some pizzas today. It's going to be great."
Guerrero is already well regarded among Northeast L.A. gourmands due to the success of , his "gourmet fast food" restaurant in Eagle Rock.
He said he's hoping to have similar success with a Maximiliano, which will offer traditional Italian cuisine.
"I'm just very excited for everything that's happening in Highland Park," he said. "Hopefully we can have a a positive impact on the neighborhood."
