Phil Rosenthal, the star of Netflix Somebody Feed Phil and the creator, author and govt producer of the '90s sitcom Everybody loves Raymond, is teaming up with acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton to open a traditional diner referred to as Max and Helen's this summer season within the former Le Petit Greek area on Larchmont Boulevard. The 35-year-old Greek restaurant closed in December 2023; Transforming for the brand new restaurant will start quickly on the 6,100-square-foot Larchmont Village property. Each Rosenthal and Silverton reside within the neighborhood.
“I see it as a ardour undertaking for myself,” Rosenthal tells Eater amid a media blitz to advertise a trio of initiatives, together with the Season 7 premiere of Somebody Feed Phil on March 1, the e book of his kids simply attempt co-written along with his daughter Lily, out on March fifth, and a multi-city US tour beginning in Albany, New York on April eleventh.
Whereas Rosenthal has invested in quite a few eating places over time, together with Silverton's Mozza institutions and cooks Walter and Margarita Manzke's République, that is his first time opening a restaurant. Eater LA sat down with the ever-affable Rosenthal to be taught extra about Max and Helen's arrival, together with its inspiration, ambiance, menu and extra.
On the significance of meals
Phil Rosenthal: I really feel like diners are a dying breed, not simply in LA however throughout the nation. And I believe they’re necessary as a result of a diner will be the middle of a group. Perhaps if we had extra of those democratic facilities of our communities (and I imply democratic with a small D), a spot that’s accessible to everybody and the espresso is just not $6, you possibly can sit and chat together with your neighbors and know them
On the inspiration
Rosenthal: I used to be impressed by the Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine, as a result of they took an outdated eating automotive and elevated all of the gadgets on that unique menu from 100 years in the past solely by way of nice elements and a chef's information. It's on the Maine episode of our present [Season 5, Episode 2].
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In place
Rosenthal: Larchmont jogs my memory of the place I'm from, which is the East Coast. It's a type of neighborhoods in LA that has bushes and that type of small-town really feel that I'm attempting to protect. There have been a few diners on Larchmont Boulevard 30 years in the past. I see that Larchmont Boulevard is gentrifying and I all the time thought it ought to be a diner, nevertheless it wasn't till I went to the Palace Diner that I noticed how particular a diner may very well be.
On the ambiance
Rosenthal: I had a word as much as the designer and that was, I would love it [Max and Helen’s] to appear like we discovered a 100-year-old eating room, even when it means getting vintage home equipment and stools for the counter. I believe there might be cabins, there may even be the outside patio that we’ll inherit from the outside patio world that the COVID pandemic has given us.
On the menu
Rosenthal: It's mainly simply elevating all of the consolation meals you recognize from childhood to probably the most scrumptious stage. So everyone knows what a breakfast for dinner is, proper? Let's say eggs, bacon, toast, potatoes, cup of espresso. What if each a type of phrases I mentioned was one of the best factor you ever had? That might be memorable, wouldn't it? In order that's the objective. I believe we’ve got an try and get nearer to that objective with Nancy Silverton on the helm.
In partnership with Nancy Silverton
Rosenthal: She lives within the neighborhood, and she or he's my good friend, and she or he had [the concept] directly. He’s the manager chef, he’ll design the menu with me and we go – by trial and error and whole belief in his skill – we’ve got to style loads of meals.
About Max and Helen Rosenthal
Rosenthal: Max and Helen have been my mother and father. They have been immigrants from Germany and have been featured in each episode of Somebody Feed Phil for the primary 5 or 6 seasons. And past that, I honor his spirit each episode of Zoom calls – not with them, clearly, as a result of they’ve handed – however with a well-known humorous one that makes a joke for my father. I couldn't consider something higher as a tribute to them and their legacy. They’re type of beloved characters from the present and I like what they symbolize. I like that you simply understand that is going to be old-fashioned.
Max and Helen's is situated at 127 N. Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
