Celebrity Owned Restaurants just in time for the Oscars

The Academy Awards is today and it always gets me thinking; What are all the other actors doing? For some, it’s opening up restaurants right here in our own city of stars that just might outshine their own careers. Here are the best celebrity-owned restaurants just in time for the Oscars!

Jon Huertas’s Clutch 

Miguel has a restaurant??! While many of us know Jon Huertas for his role as the man that can never live up to NBC’s hit drama This Is Us. Turns out he also owns a Cali-Mexican-style roadhouse in Venice, California with a killer happy hour and Taco Tuesday menu. Must-have items that are totally clutch, Mama’s Ceviche Tostada and the bottomless Manmosa (served during brunch) served in a 16 oz mug.

It’s #TiKiTaKoTuesday at the #RoadHouse 🤘🏿 Sto by for delicious #Ceviche, #Tacos & #Drink specials🍹 #Clutch #Venice #Beach 📸 @graphikosmktg pic.twitter.com/UUcQDXKiNA

— Clutch Venice (@clutch_venice) May 30, 2017

Lisa Vanderpump’s Pumping Empire

Lisa Vanderpump and her husband Ken Todd have owned restaurants long before becoming reality TV stars (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; Vanderpump Rules) and they’ve now got 36 and counting! 

The latest restaurant opened just this month in Las Vegas at the Paris hotel and is aptly called Vanderpump à Paris. The most recognizable one, made famous on the show, Vanderpump Rules, is SUR in West Hollywood. Dress to impress at this Sexy, Unique, Restaurant and order a drink that matches the furniture: a Strawberrini made with Vanderpump vodka, fresh strawberry puree, and a sugar rim ($15). 

Robert De Niro’s Nobu

“There are three ways of doing things around here: the right way, the wrong way, and the way that I do it.” – Casino

There are almost 40 Nobu restaurants in the world but without the persistence of one New Yorker, the story might have begun and ended in Beverly Hills. With a partnership that began in 1994, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa together with Robert De Niro created that perfect blend of celebrity and Peruvian Japanese fusion…and a FOMO NOBU that’s lasted over 20 years.

Ryan Gosling’s Tagine

When he’s not collecting Oscar nominations, Ryan Gosling is helping to make dreams happen. After meeting Moroccan Chef Ben through a catering event, the two collaborated to create a restaurant “where the food is made with love” as passion is at the heart of Tagine. 

Menu favorites include Mom’s recipe Hummus served with Berber bread ($11) and Lamb Tagine Couscous ($32).

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Danny Trejo’s Trejo Empire

From tacos to donuts, beginning in 2015 Danny Trejo began wielding his machete through any fast-casual competition. Don’t have time to visit all 8 restaurants and counting? One of his newest, Trejo’s Cantina at the Warner Center, is like a greatest hits reel. Start the day with donuts at 7 AM and close the place down at 10 PM satiated from the full bar and hefty Mexican-style platters.

While you’re there be sure to try the latest menu addition, a Jackfruit Burrito (Vegan) created by Executive Chef Mason Royal made with Jackfruit, beans, rice, Verde slaw, pico de gallo, avocado cream, and tortilla strips.

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Jerry Ferrara’s Fat Sal’s

With 5 locations, a sneaker line, and more down the pipeline it’s no wonder there was a lawsuit over how much of the pie Jerry Ferrara should be calling his. All legal matters aside the constant creation of a new menu from founders Josh Stone and Sal Capek is what keeps the crowd coming to Fat Sal’s.

The sandwiches change often, but my favorite has always been the Fat Joey with Thousand Island dressing, pastrami, and french fries. You can recreate that now by ordering a Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami from their Signature Subsection. Be sure to leave room for a Fat Shake. 

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Christina Milian’s Beignet Box

What once started as a truck has now popped up with its first Cafe in Studio City, along with a kiosk in Glendale at the Americana Mall at Brand. Beignet Box is a collaboration between Elizabeth Morrisell and singer Christina Milian specializing in Beignets and great Coffees and Iced Teas.

Prices start at $6 for a box of 3 Traditional sized.

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Adam Shapiro’s Shappy’s Pretzels

Shappy Pretzel Co. is a pandemic-born project from actor Adam Shapiro (Mank, The Affair). He set out to create the Philadelphia-style pretzels he grew up on to keep himself busy while production was shut down during the pandemic. Next, his wife, Katie Lowes (Scandal), fatefully got them into the hands of Ryan Seacrest when she was cohosting Kelly & Ryan in place of Kelly Rippa. From there, a celebrity following ensued, and since August of 2020, over 100,000 pretzels have been sold. This “Philly born, LA bread” story is almost like its own rom-com.

Must have flavors include the original, Shappy Philly Soft Pretzels ($10 for 3); the addictive Lil’ Albees Pretzel Bites (Sweet or Salty for $6); and the OreYo Stuffed Pretzels you never knew you needed but now can’t get enough of ($12).

And now to the Stars, we’ve Lost

Robert De Niro’s Ago

A natural transition from building a sushi empire, De Niro is a co-owner of Italian restaurant Ago along with Chef Agostino Sciandri and the Weinstein Brothers. Not much has changed about this Tuscan spot since it opened in 1997 and the prices teeter on expensive, but hey the doors are still open on La Cienega so the celebs must still be coming. 

Update: Ago closed in December 2019 after losing their lease and was going to reopen Summer of 2020 with a new concept but the pandemic interrupted that.

Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge (Closed in 2018)

If you’re looking for a place where both children and celebrities are welcome, then look no further than Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge in West Hollywood. Part restaurant, part indoor play place, and all organic, menus feature hearty salads, burgers, and kid-friendly bites. Oh and the wine list is by the bottle…but hey she’s a mom first and foremost!

Mel B.’s Serafina Sunset (Closed 2017)

The Madison Avenue staple has found a home on Sunset Blvd thanks to a little scary spice. America’s Got Talent judge and her husband Stephen Belafonte helped bring Serafina‘s light Italian fare in 2016 to a stretch of Sunset always hungry for the sexiest bites.

Menu highlights include a Spaghetti Aglio E Olio “Al Pacino” and the supremely decadent Spaghetti Al Caviale with fresh Ossetra Gold Caviar reminiscent of La Dolce Vita.

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