Best Celebrity Chef Restaurants In Los Angeles
In a town famous for its celebrities and its food, what could be better than a delicious marriage between the two? From food competitions to reality shows, these chefs have become household names, and their restaurants have become some of LA's favorites. Here's a list of some of the top restaurants created by celebrity chefs whose culinary skills match their fame.
Maude
212 S Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 859-3418
www.mauderestaurant.com
Named after the grandmother that helped him realize his culinary dream, Curtis Stone's Maude offers a seasonally driven menu in an intimate setting. Each month the celebrity Aussie chef chooses a single ingredient to inform and inspire the entire nine course menu. Though the restaurant does allow corkage, thoughtful wine pairings are encouraged to go with the prix-fixe menu. The 25 seat dining room creates a cozy, chef's table experience; however, it also means they do not accept walk-ins. Reservations can be hard to get, so plan to make them far in advance.
Trois Mec
716 Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 468-8915
www.troismec.com
Trois Mec is the brainchild of, as its name suggests, "three guys": Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal, and the ever-intriguing Ludo Lefebvre. Though the restaurant is located in an understated stripmall on Highland Avenue (look for the bright Raffallo's Pizza sign), the food is anything but. From buckwheat popcorn to potato pulp, every item is well-thought-out, unique, and impressive. A five course menu is offered nightly to patrons lucky enough to snag a table through the online ticketing system. Tickets are available two weeks in advance, and are released every other Friday morning at 8:00AM. Due to the small size of the restaurant, walk-ins are not accommodated, so if you're looking to try this French phenomenon set an alarm and get ready to work that refresh button.
Craft
10100 Constellation Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 279-4180
www.craftrestaurantsinc.com
Whether you are looking for the perfect spot to power lunch, or you just want to witness one in action, Craft in Century City is the place to go. Adjacent to talent agency CAA, Craft was opened by Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio in 2007, and is one of several restaurants under Colicchio's culinary belt. Craft serves up contemporary American cuisine, and like its sister locations, boasts a distinct attention to detail that makes every plate memorable. In addition to delicious dishes like pork belly and short ribs, diners keep coming back for the top notch service and chic yet accessible style. And, let's be honest, the celebrity sightings.
Jar
8225 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-6566
www.thejar.com
Suzanne Tracht was already several years into her restaurant Jar before she was a contestant on Bravo's Top Chef Masters. Viewers remember her for famously winning a challenge using ingredients found in a vending machine to create an impressive dish of fried shallot rings and microgreen salad. A far cry from the vending machine, Jar is a modern chophouse in the heart of Los Angeles, serving up familiar American fare like pot roast, pork chops, and steaks - all with a contemporary twist. Both the food and decor are built on a reputation of being elegant and inviting. With a consistent track record of excellence, Tracht and Jar have won not only several awards, but the heart of Angelenos. It's no wonder Jar has garnered such critical acclaim, and is still going strong fourteen years later.
Scopa Italian Roots
2905 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292
(310) 821-1100
www.scopaitalianroots.com
Top Chef contest and Cutthroat Kitchen judge Antonia Lofaso celebrates her Italian heritage with this trendy Venice eatery that has been packed since day one. The former neighborhood Chinese restaurant has a warm yet sophisticated decor, with both communal and individual tables. The stunningly lit bar is the showcase of the venue, and pours unique drinks like the Westside - a beautiful cocktail of vodka, orgeat, cucumber, mint, lime, and piles of shaved ice on top. To eat, patrons flock to small plates of crispy squash blossoms and rice balls. If you're in the valley and want a taste of Lofaso's work without going over the hill, visit her first restaurant venture Black Market in Studio City.
Article by Kellie Fell.