Diner Sues Downtown LA Hibachi Restaurant After Cooking Oil Fire Burns Her Legs

A woman dining at a high-end hibachi restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles says she suffered severe second-degree burns after a container of cooking oil caught fire at her table, according to a lawsuit filed in LA Superior Court.

Angela Ciccone was eating with friends at Maison Kasai, located at Level 8 inside the Moxy Hotel, on September 5 when a chef cooking at the open-flame table accidentally set his arm and neck on fire while handling the oil, the lawsuit states.

“When Ms. Ciccone looked towards the floor, she saw that the floor and her legs were on fire,” the suit reads.

Ciccone says she rolled on the ground and patted at her legs trying to put out the flames, with help from a friend at the table. She alleges that while restaurant staff escorted the chef to another room, no one came to assist her.

Firefighters were called to the scene, and Ciccone was taken to the emergency room, arriving that evening “as a trauma activation,” according to the court filing. She was transferred to a specialized burn center the next day and stayed there until September 17.

Doctors diagnosed her with second-degree burns to both lower legs. She received intravenous fluids, narcotics and burn dressings, and later underwent surgery to remove damaged tissue along with skin grafts, the lawsuit says.

“Each dressing change was excruciatingly painful as it would rip off new skin on her legs,” the filing states. Ciccone’s attorneys say she will carry scars for the rest of her life. A photo submitted with the lawsuit shows extensive burn damage to her legs.

Restaurant Known for Theatrical Teppanyaki Cooking

Maison Kasai describes itself as “an elevated teppanyaki restaurant blending culinary virtuosity with performance art,” and its menu includes A5 Kobe beef, Maine lobster, caviar and a Wagyu beef truffle burger. Teppanyaki-style dining typically involves chefs cooking on a grill in front of guests while performing knife tricks and other flourishes.

The lawsuit names Lightstone Parent LLC, identified as the restaurant’s owner, as a defendant. Ciccone is seeking damages for physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, physical impairment, humiliation and loss of enjoyment of life.

Lightstone Parent LLC and Maison Kasai have been contacted for comment.