Whether we like it or not, celebrities sell. It doesn't matter if it's lip gloss, fragrance, or expensive tequila. When you see your favorite star's name on it, you might be tempted to reach for your wallet. And as with any of these productions, it's best to do some research before booking a fancy dinner at the actor's new restaurant. The hard truth: It might not be so good.
Los Angeles is full of celebrities looking to capitalize on their facial recognition. This means there are a particularly large number of celebrity-backed spots. So before he hands over $20 for a bowl of guacamole, we wanted to see which of these famous restaurants are worth your time. Introducing the power ranking of restaurants run by celebrities.
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Photo by Jacob Layman
Celebrities: robert de niro
With over 50 restaurants and 13 hotels around the world, Nobu's name is printing big bucks at the moment. Think of it as the celebrity-owned hospitality group's “All I Want for Christmas.” It's a huge hit that never gets old. One of the many branches of the upscale Japanese restaurant co-founded by Robert De Niro and Nobu Matsuhisa, this one in a luxurious Malibu location remains Malibu's most famous restaurant ten years after opening. It is one of the You'll be spending a fortune at this beautiful beachfront spot, but it's well worth it in several ways. A gorgeous sashimi platter, a buttery black cod entree, the sound of waves crashing beneath your feet, and maybe you'll rub shoulders with the A-listers who will make you a star. So whether you view Nobu as a special occasion spot, a tourist trap, or simply a hyped-up sushi option, there's no denying that eating here is an enjoyable experience.
Celebrities: ryan gosling
Apparently, some people were once upset that Ryan Gosling was nowhere to be found at Tajine, the Moroccan restaurant he invested in more than a decade ago. Ryan is probably busy coming in for mint tea every day as an international movie star, but luckily this Beverly Hills spot can exist without the celebrity hype. Tajine is an ideal date spot for him in many ways. Dark, moody lighting, plush cushions to sink into, and delicious plates to share, such as the sweet-savory chicken bastilla and the tantalizing spices of honey lamb couscous. The shank was roasted the moment it arrived at the table.
Celebrities: Issa Rae
With three locations in Los Angeles, Hilltop Coffee is the perfect place to procrastinate on your laptop with an iced latte. Issa Rae is also a fan, so we helped her open a store right next to City Hall in her hometown of Inglewood. His huge two-story cafe is bright and airy, with plenty of comfortable booths, large communal tables, and motivational quotes plastered on the walls. Hilltop is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers espresso he drinks, hearty bowls, and a particularly delicious breakfast sandwich with bacon, cheddar cheese, fried eggs, and hot he sauce on a brioche bun. It offers. So you'll need to come up with an excuse to work here soon, if not just camp and eat the menu.
Photo courtesy of Fat Sal's
Celebrities: Jerry Ferrara
Nothing can be explained about Fat Monkey. If you come to a sandwich stand in Westwood and eat something heavy that makes your stomach explode, chances are you'll be carted home in a wheelbarrow and tossed on the couch in the living room. The concept was inspired by overstuffed jersey-style “fat sandwiches.” entourage Star Jerry Ferrara was born and it has since grown into a Southern California mini-chain that stays open until 3 a.m. You won't find the best sandwiches in LA here, but you'll find sandwiches that satisfy all your late night cravings, including chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, fried eggs, and shaved steak. And yes, there are salads and wraps on the menu, but these don't absorb what I drank before coming to this shop.
Photo credit: Vivian Kirilia
Celebrities: evan ross
Leona's Sushi House is an Evan Ross-backed Peruvian-Japanese restaurant in Studio City that feels like several restaurants rolled into one. Inside the restaurant he has three different dining areas. It features a chic white marble indoor-outdoor space that resembles a bar, a bare-bones sushi counter, and a dark dining room with an ornate bird's nest-shaped chandelier, reminiscent of those found in Las Vegas casinos. Choosing where to sit is confusing and once you open the menu things don't go as easily. Sushi, small plates, robata skewers, and lukewarm Peruvian entrees come out of the kitchen so quickly that Leona falls victim to overkill. The only thing that could catch our attention in this expensive restaurant was the decent sushi rolls and sashimi.
Photo provided by: Crossroad Kitchen
Celebrities: travis barker
West Hollywood's Crossroads Kitchen is a vegan restaurant that ironically resembles an upscale steakhouse. It's a place that claims to change the way we think about plant-based foods with its ability to make “beef short ribs” from eggplant, but it falls short in that regard. Crossroads (backed by Blink-182 drummer and Kardashian spouse Travis Barker) is perfectly fine, although some dishes are better than others. The baby beet salad with salty vegan feta and the artichoke oysters with kelp caviar are quite tasty, but the campanelle pasta with Italian “sausage” is tasteless, with a watery sauce that clings to the noodles. It doesn't get tangled. It can't be helped that this Weho spot is quite expensive.
Photo credit: Holly Liss
Celebrities: Danny Trejo
Like the first installation in his classic B-movie series machete, Danny Trejo's fast-casual restaurant has proven to be a huge success, and it's easy to see why. Now with four locations in the city, Trejo's Tacos is a solid lunchtime option if you want something quick, thoroughly delicious, and vegan-friendly in under 30 minutes. You can choose from tacos served with charred mushroom “asada,” shredded jackfruit, or a pretty underwhelming chicken tinga, but we like the juicy barbacoa topped with fried tortilla strips for an extra crunch. I like things. The asada tacos are also a little too salty for our tastes, but they come with a tangy pepita pesto, like a blast from a Robert Rodriguez movie.
Photo courtesy of Casita
Celebrities: anderson paak
Anderson Paak is co-owner of this Tulum-inspired Mexican spot in Sherman Oaks. Just like his shows, Casita is a packed party venue where you have to scream to be heard. Securing a table in Ventura's dimly lit dining room may be a hassle, but it's worth it to eat a festive plate of fiery queso under his bamboo pendant lights. Prices tend to be a little on the high side (like $42 for two wagyu steak tacos and $120 for a jalapeño butter-crusted tomahawk), but there are also affordable options here for under $20. Never go near raw bars. The ceviche, crudo, and oysters we sampled were almost inedible. If you're looking for a birthday dinner for your baller, Casita also offers a multi-course omakase experience at the table.
Photo courtesy of Rock & Brews
Celebrities: Paul Stanley & Gene Simmons
Founded by two face-painted members of the '70s rock band KISS, Rock & Brews is a burger restaurant and sports bar chain that capitalizes on classic rock nostalgia. This isn't exactly the groundbreaking way Hard Rock Cafe has stepped up to allow Rock and Brews to operate, but since opening its first location in 2012, the concept has grown to 22 locations nationwide. Expanded. El Segundo's flagship store features an outdoor beer garden decorated with fake stage equipment, walls plastered with vintage his album covers, waitresses wearing backstage passes as name tags, and loud guitars featuring his hero has a soundtrack. As a place to simply watch a game and eat standard bar food, Rock & Brews is a great place to stay, with leather-clad guys who look like (and might actually be) the lead singer of Creed. It's a useful option as long as you don't mind spending a lot of money.
Photo courtesy of Hart House
Celebrities: kevin hart
It feels like Kevin Hart is always announcing new projects. That project will include the addition of 10 more of his vegan fast-casual restaurants, Hart House, over the next year. And if you're wondering why the actor and comedian put plant-based chains on a crowded plate, his flexitarian diet and previous investment in Beyond Meat offer some hints maybe. Hart House's first location was a few blocks away from his LAX, a vegan-friendly alternative to his always-chaotic streetside In-N-Out. And like a Double Double, Hart House's Double Burger comes with two thin patties, caramelized onions, sweet Thousand Island sauce, and a slice of chalky vegan cheese that overwhelms everything else. . The plant-based chicken options are much better, like nuggets that are surprisingly similar to McD's, or the Spicy Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich with sweet and tangy slaw that we're addicted to. I am.
Photo credit: Nicholas Chow
Celebrities: donald glover
Jellyman has been focusing on “content creators” since its opening. The main reason for that is because this Boba His shop is owned by Donald His Grover, but its prime location near Sunset His Silver Lake and its funky space-age design don't hurt either. The futuristic decor may appeal to adult Disney fans who miss the Star Wars rides, but the bubble tea is less impressive. The drink menu is quite extensive, from expensive fruit drinks to watered lattes. If you're planning a visit, skip the chunky peanut butter and jelly milk tea (a surprisingly disgusting combination in liquid form) or the overly sweet strawberry milk latte and stick to a simple jasmine tea.
Celebrities: Cristiano Ronaldo
Tatel is an upscale restaurant chain from Spain that is supported by famous athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to be voted the most beautiful man on earth. Unfortunately, you won't actually meet him at the Beverly Hills store. Instead, you have to focus your attention on the parade of mediocre tapas coming out of the kitchen. That could include dishes like burrata with lavender vinaigrette, tuna tartare topped with fried onions, and watery risotto. This is the kind of food you would find in a club restaurant, but Tatel is not a club restaurant. It's a big normal restaurant with lots of empty tables except for a few hours on a Saturday night.
Photo courtesy of Wahlburgers
Celebrities: mark wahlberg
Given its name and the long-running reality show that followed the family, you probably already know who owns this burger chain. The Wahlberg brothers, Mark and Donnie, opened their first store in 2011 with their brother Paul, and more than a decade later, it has grown into a worldwide franchise. Located in the heart of Hollywood Boulevard. You can pair a greasy burger with an alcoholic shake, beer, or wine. Madame is his perfect fast food spot to take his cousin after he's been his tour guide for a few hours at Tussauds. But the most notable thing about this place is its famous owner.
Celebrities: Ryan Phillippe and Evan Ross
Don't be fooled by the secret name. This Ryan Phillippe and Evan Ross-backed restaurant in Beverly Hills uses 90% of his cheeses for tourists. Eating on the huge pink patio is like eating at his Disney glitzy tavern downtown. Children are running around everywhere. $20 guacamole that should have been $5, table with gimmicky “press tequila” button, “Welcome to beautiful Rodeo Drive!” the waitstaff says with a deadpan expression. When I'm sitting. As for the food, there are a few highlights. Delicious tableside brisket birria is the perfect dish to share on a date. But there's nothing to distract you from the fact that you're in a shopping plaza. People who have just returned from the Santa Monica Pier.