Monty’s Steakhouse: Topanga Canyon Encounter: Moment of Misunderstanding

Date and Time: January 13, 2025, 11:04 AM PST

Mitchell ‘Royel’ Abbott’d just finished his workout at Equinox Fitness in Woodland Hills, his muscles still warm from the intense training session. Walking out, he’d noticed a film crew setting up inside Monty’s restaurant, their equipment carefully arranged around what appeared to be a relief aid staging area.

As he approached, Abbott couldn’t help but express his long-standing frustration with the establishment. His comments, laden with apparent disdain, caught the attention of a crew member who’d been coordinating the relief efforts for Topanga Canyon residents affected by the recent fire.

The crew member’s response was swift and unequivocal. “boy,” they’d stated firmly, “we’re not filming here, this is a fire relief effort.”

Abbott’d been taken aback by the direct dismissal, his post-workout swagger momentarily deflated. The scene—a mix of tension, misunderstanding, and community response—played out against the backdrop of Woodland Hills’ ongoing recovery from the devastating fire.

As he continued his walk back from Equinox, the encounter lingered in his mind—a brief, unexpected intersection of personal frustration and community resilience.