Over the course of four series of Succession, cousin Greg slowly, surely and ever so slyly secured his place at the heart of the Roy dynasty. As the final episode of what is arguably one of the greatest shows in recent television history aired this week, Nicholas Braun, the actor who played Greg, has big plans for the future, many of them food related. And it seems Nicholas has rather more business nous than 'Greg the Egg', savvily investing in a number of New York–based venues, building up his very own mini restaurant empire at the same time. Here’s what we know so far.
Delivering a slice of old-school Americana in the city (pool table, jukebox, beer on tap), at dive bar–inspired Ray's they make no secret of the Succession connection. In fact, it’s a major draw for both regular punters and celebs alike, with fans heading to the hangout for viewing parties, swiftly followed by a spot of karaoke. To add to the appeal, the food has a reputation for being great, too (those in the know say the buffalo chicken taquitos are unmissable).
A spot so swish the Roy siblings themselves would feel at home here, Pebble Bar is an upmarket cocktail spot located in the Rockefeller Center townhouse. With a host of celebrity investors (Nicholas is joined in his endeavor by Justin Theroux and Pete Davidson), there's plenty of scope for drinks, dancing and fun times here, as well as the lure of an exclusive, invite-only floor frequented by A-listers.
A passion project if there ever was one, the legendary S&P Lunch closed for business during the pandemic, only to open again following backing by Nicholas (a dedicated customer) and his fellow investors. Thankfully, they haven’t made any major changes at this no-frills diner and the classic sandwiches and homemade bakes and cakes remain the star of the show (much like Greg himself).
The latest addition to Nicholas' growing restaurant kingdom, Jac’s On Bond is a seriously cool spot. This NoHo hangout quite rightly bills itself as the perfect place for a bite to eat and a well-made cocktail in hip, low-key surrounds. The decor is minimalist, the vibe casual, and the food upscale yet accessible (hello, chilled crab dip with Spanish potato chips followed by a slice of creamsicle pie).
Countless other celebrities have invested in their own restaurants. Read on as we take a look at some of the best celebrity-owned diners, cafés, and bars across the country.
Ping pong club-meets-restaurant, SPiN is the perfect choice if you fancy a change from the usual drinks and dinner – and plan to work up an appetite beforehand. Now in eight US locations, plus one in Toronto, Canada, the laid-back and lively chain is part-owned by actress and activist Susan Sarandon, who helped launch the first club in Manhattan in 2009. The menu includes tacos, pizza, sharing starters like nachos and wings, and cocktails.
Joanne Trattoria in Manhattan’s Upper West Side has all the feel of a traditional, family-run Italian trattoria. It’s run by Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga’s parents who have Italian ancestry, but the singer and songwriter herself is said to be part-owner. Both the restaurant and Gaga's album Joanne were named after Gaga's late aunt Joanne. Stop by for homemade spaghetti and Italian meatballs.
High-end sushi restaurant Nobu was co-founded by Robert De Niro. The actor and director teamed up with chef Nobu Matsuhisa for the opening of the original downtown New York restaurant in 1994 and the pair have since launched nearly 50 Nobu restaurants and hotels on five continents. Signature dishes include black cod with miso, rock shrimp tempura, and squid pasta with light garlic sauce.
Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea opened the non-profit community restaurant Soul Kitchen in 2011 to help "address the issues of hunger and homelessness" in Red Bank, New Jersey. Following its success, the couple opened two more outposts at Toms River and Rutgers University. Diners are offered the chance to make a suggested donation for their meal, or buy a 'Pay It Forward certificate' for an additional $20, with the money going towards feeding others in need, while those short of cash can volunteer their time in lieu of payment.
Hart House, actor and comedian Kevin Hart’s plant-based fast food chain, recently opened a flagship venue for the vegan brand within what’s known as Hollywood’s fast food corridor (on the corner of LA's Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue), provocatively close to fast food giants Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out Burger. The former McDonald's building has kept a drive-thru (a first for the brand) and also has a 24-seat dining room and 16-seat patio. And while the man himself might be known for jokes, Hart House's commitment to food is free from any funny business – cholesterol, hormones, artificial colours, preservatives, corn syrup and trans-fats included.
Since his days of being the NBA’s greatest player of all time, retired basketball player Michael Jordan has turned to other interests: his business ventures. He owns four Michael Jordan’s Steak Houses across the US, which serve prime 45-day dry-aged steak to the athlete's standard. Find them in Chicago, Connecticut, and Washington State.
Opened in November 2018, Swan, located in Miami’s Design District, is a partnership between hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman and musician Pharrell Williams, who is responsible for the 2014 hit Happy. The restaurant is distinctly pastel pink-themed with marble furnishings, animal print, chandeliers, and flowers. The menu, as impressive as the decor, is globally inspired and locally sourced, with dishes such as citrus-cured hamachi and lobster cavatelli pasta with tomato and garlic breadcrumbs.
Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV series Fixer Upper – where they turned dilapidated homes in Texas into showplaces – opened Magnolia Table in 2018. A vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Waco, Texas, only breakfast and lunch is served, with locally sourced ingredients and produce grown in Joanna’s garden. Joanna has also written a cookbook, based on the recipes served at the restaurant.
Scrubs actor Zach Braff is a partner in Mermaid Oyster Bar, a high-end seafood restaurant with coastal vibes in Greenwich, New York. Mermaid Oyster Bar is known for its oyster happy hour and lobster rolls, but it also has some tempting cocktails such as Mermaid Mule, Black Pearl and Tidal Wave, which combines rum, passionfruit, ginger and lemon. The restaurant has twin sisters: The Mermaid Inn on the Upper West Side and in Chelsea.
She famously played a bartender in Coyote Ugly, but in real life actress Piper Perabo co-owns several New York restaurants. Located in Soho, Chelsea, Williamsburg and West Village, the outposts of Jack’s Wife Freda serve tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners, inspired by global cuisines. Alongside classic burgers and salads there's matzo ball soup, Persian meatballs with tahini, and chipotle chocolate cake on the menu. Piper Perabo is also an investor in Employees Only, a speakeasy in West Village.
This cozy Rhode Island restaurant, serving retro American comfort food, is owned by actress, model and 2012's Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and her family. Situated on a country road in North Kingston, south of Providence, the building has been designed to feel like a restored barn and opened in 2017 to much fanfare. Stop by pastoral Back40 for a hearty plate of baked mac 'n' cheese, fried chicken sandwich or crispy fish tacos.
Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar in New York is one of four restaurants the fashion designer owns – it opened in 2015, joining RL Restaurant in Chicago and Ralph’s in Paris. Expect to dine on the designer’s favorite dishes, including shrimp cocktail and the signature Polo Bar Burger, while drinking classic cocktails.
Made famous by the TV series of the same name, Wahlburgers is a joint venture between actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul, the latter an experienced chef. As documented on the award-winning reality show, the family opened their first burger bar in 2011 at Hingham, Massachusetts, and have expanded the franchise to 91 locations across the USA, as well as one in Germany, one in Australia and two in Canada.
Never one to miss a business opportunity, music mogul and entrepreneur Jay Z launched The 40/40 Club in New York City in 2003. The all-American sports bar, which is spread over several floors, is opulently decorated with bronze mirrors, leather-paneled walls, an 18-foot Champagne tower and countless flat-screens for the games. The menu includes wings and nachos, king crab sliders and bone-in ribeye.
Styled on the old burlesque halls and bordellos of New Orleans in the early 1900s, Saints & Sinners was launched by actor Channing Tatum and his childhood pal Keith Kurtz in 2012. Tatum fell in love with the city’s colorful, risqué history while filming 21 Jump Street and opened the bar on Bourbon Street soon afterwards. The menu is described as "fun, not fine dining" and a portion of every menu item sold is donated to help feed families around the world.
Best known for his role in HBO’S Generation Kill as Sergeant Antonio ‘Poke’ Espera, Jon Huertas is the owner of the Cali-Mex restaurant and bar Clutch in California’s Venice. Situated on Highway 1, the roadside spot is known for its dry-rubbed BBQ, craft beer, fine wine, motorcycles and classic cars. Stop by for Taco Tuesday or check out the mighty Cali Turf menu with options such as a one-pound fire-grilled Angus ribeye served with a 10-ounce cold-water lobster tail, house guac, pico de gallo and tortillas.
Country singer Jimmy Buffett, who famously sings Margaritaville and songs about Caribbean island life, owns a global chain of hotels, resorts, casual-dining restaurants and casinos under the same brand name. At Margaritaville expect to fill up on southern American classics: crispy fried wings with blue cheese, chicken quesadillas, nachos and plenty of shrimp. Naturally, the restaurant has an extensive margarita menu.
When chef Ben Benameur prepared his grandmother’s Moroccan recipes for Ryan Gosling, the Hollywood actor told him it was “the food I want to eat for the rest of my life”. With nowhere else in Los Angeles serving similar dishes, the pair decided to launch Tagine Beverly Hills in 2004. With candlelit tables and jazz music, the romantic venue is now one of the top-rated restaurants in LA and was awarded the OpenTable Diners’ Choice award in 2016.
Reality TV stars Giuliana and Bill are the ultimate business partners and husband-and-wife celebrity duo. With Bill the first Apprentice winner and Giuliana an E! News anchor (the couple met in an interview), they decided to focus their skills on the restaurant industry. RPM Italian is a contemporary Italian restaurant with a focus on sharing dishes, fresh pasta, slow-roasted meats and seafood, with locations in Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington DC, and West Palm Beach. They’re also the owners of RPM Steak and RPM Seafood, both in Chicago.
Actress Sandra Bullock closed her French restaurant Bess Bistro in 2015 after nine years but still owns Walton’s Fancy & Staple – a coffee shop, deli, bakery, restaurant, cocktail bar and catering company in Austin, Texas. Opened in 2009 in a once-neglected building, it's a modern yet rustic space with exposed brickwork and wooden floors. Classic southern dishes include biscuits and gravy and shrimp 'n' grits.
Big screen villain Danny Trejo, who starred in films including Spy Kids and Machete, is the man behind Trejo’s Tacos, which created a buzz when it first opened in 2016. With options such as blackened salmon, chicken tikka and jackfruit on the menu, this isn’t your average taqueria. Get your taco-fix at four different locations around the US, or instead fuel up on coffee and donuts at Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts in Los Angeles.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump and her husband Ken Todd once ran 26 restaurants but now keep themselves busy running three successful spots in California and a cocktail bar in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. SUR in West Hollywood serves southern European dishes; dishes at Pump Restaurant, also in West Hollywood, draw on inspiration from around the world; and TOM TOM focuses on delicious cocktails and bar food.
Country music singer and songwriter Dierks Bentley is the owner of American gastropub and go-to place for happening nightlife Whiskey Row, with locations in Scottsdale and Gilbert, Arizona, Denver, Colorado and Nashville, Tennessee. On the menu are sliders in soft brioche buns, beefburgers, sandwiches, and chicken and waffles, to name a few options. The Nashville venue typically boasts an impressive line-up of country musicians too.
Modern Family actor Ty Burrell opened Beer Bar in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2014. He launched the venture with chef Viet Pham, winner of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef award in 2011. Committed to using local ingredients, the bar serves spicy sausages, apple strudels and Belgian fries, along with Pham’s signature 'Reuben Brat' sandwich with pastrami, bratwurst, Swiss cheese and pickled vegetables. Burrell also owns the bar next door, Bar-X, with his brother Duncan.
Not one to shy away from business ventures, rock musician Sammy Hagar (aka The Red Rocker) has turned his hand to restaurants and tequila. Cabo Wabo Cantina, with locations in Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, does Mexican-style quesadillas, shrimp dishes, enchiladas and burritos, and has live music daily. Hagar also owns Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill in Honolulu, Maui, Las Vegas and Cleveland.
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Hugh Jackman was inspired to open his own café after meeting young coffee farmer Dukale during a trip to Ethiopia in 1999 with the charity World Vision. Laughing Man Coffee has two locations in New York City, where you can buy fair trade coffee, with all proceeds going to charitable programs that support health, housing, education and fair trade farming. The brand has gone from strength to strength, recently undergoing a refresh and expanding the availability and varieties of its bagged coffees.
In 2007, the old Bedford Post Inn building in Bedford, New York was looking rundown and neglected. So local residents Richard Gere, Carey Lowell, and Russell Hernandez came to the rescue and transformed the historic landmark into a luxury inn with eight bedrooms, a yoga loft, two restaurants and an outdoor terrace. These include The Barn, where they serve casual brunches, and The Farmhouse, a fine-dining restaurant with a large wood fire grill.
Country music singer Toby Keith founded I Love This Bar and Grill in 2005 and named it after his hit song I Love This Bar. Expect southern American cuisine, including ribeye steak seared over an open flame, slow-smoked St. Louis-style ribs, fried catfish and live music.
Got a flight to catch at Atlanta airport? Make sure you check in to Chicken+Beer, the southern comfort-food diner owned by rapper Ludacris and named after his 2003 double-platinum album. Ludacris teamed up with chef Andrew Tabb to create the indulgent menu, which includes Luda’s chicken and waffles with bourbon maple syrup, sweet potato and pecan chutney, and fried chicken sandwich with pickles, slaw and spicy mayo.
Despite the name, at the award-winning Francis Ford Coppola Winery, you'll find so much more than vino. Located in Geyserville, California, this renowned resort from the director promises ‘wine, food and adventure’ with a vineyard, movie theater, swimming pool and restaurant, Rustic. The menu includes traditional Italian dishes like Neapolitan-style pizza and spaghetti al pomodoro.
Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus and director Greg Nicotero teamed up to open Nic & Norman's in Senoia, Georgia, where the TV series was filmed. Among the all-American classics on the menu, you’ll find cheesesteaks, meatloaf, fried chicken and gourmet burgers including a bison patty burger with Cheddar, caramelized onions, applewood smoked bacon and the house N&N sauce. There are now two more locations in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Lexington, Kentucky.
Located in Eminem's home city Detroit, Mom's Spaghetti is named after a lyric from the famous 2002 hit Lose Yourself and has attracted plenty of attention from both fans and the media since it opened in late 2021. The menu at this hole-in-the-wall joint only features two items – the spaghetti sandwich and mom's spaghetti (available on its own or with meat or vegan meatballs). The famous rapper has revealed his favorite is the spaghetti sandwich. "Don't even eat a bite of your spaghetti until you put it in bread," he said in an interview.
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