Phil Rosenthal Is Opening an Previous-College Diner Restaurant in LA

Phil Rosenthal, the star of Netflix’s Any person Feed Phil and the creator, author, and government producer of the ’90s sitcom Everyone Loves Raymond, is teaming up with acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton to open a basic diner referred to as Max and Helen’s this summer time 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 on the 6,100-square-foot Larchmont Village property quickly. Each Rosenthal and Silverton reside within the neighborhood.

“I see it as a ardour venture for myself,” Rosenthal tells Eater amid a media blitz to advertise a trio of tasks, together with the premiere of Season 7 of Any person Feed Phil on March 1, his youngsters’s e-book Simply Strive It, co-written together with his daughter Lily, that comes out March 5, and a multi-city U.S. tour that kicks off in Albany, New York on April 11.

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 the primary time he’s opened a restaurant. Eater LA sat down with the ever-affable Rosenthal to be taught extra in regards to the incoming Max and Helen’s together with its inspiration, vibe, menu, and extra.

On the significance of diners

Phil Rosenthal: I really feel like diners are a dying breed, not simply in LA however within the nation. And I feel they’re essential as a result of a diner will be the middle of a neighborhood. Possibly if we had extra of those democratic facilities of our communities (and I imply democratic with a small D), a spot that’s reasonably priced to everybody and the espresso isn’t $6, you’ll be able to sit and chat along with your neighbors and get to know them.

On inspiration

Rosenthal: I used to be impressed by the Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine as a result of they took an previous eating automotive and elevated all of the objects on that authentic menu from 100 years in the past simply by way of nice elements and a few chef’s information. It’s within the Maine episode of our present [Season 5, Episode 2].

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On location

Rosenthal: Larchmont jogs my memory of the place I’m from, which is the East Coast. It’s a kind of neighborhoods in LA that has the timber and that form of small-town feeling that I’m attempting to protect. There was a few diners on Larchmont Boulevard 30 years in the past. I see that Larchmont Boulevard is gentrifying and I at all times thought there must be a diner, however it wasn’t till I went to the Palace Diner that I noticed how particular a diner might be.

On the vibe

Rosenthal: I had one notice to date to the designer and that was, I’d like [Max and Helen’s] to seem like we discovered a 100-year-old diner, even when which means getting vintage fixtures and stools for the counter. I feel there’ll be cubicles, there’ll be the out of doors patio as nicely that we get to inherit from the out of doors patio world that the COVID pandemic gave us.

On the menu

Rosenthal: It’s mainly simply elevating all of the consolation meals that you recognize from childhood to essentially the most scrumptious degree. So everyone knows what a diner breakfast is, proper? Let’s say eggs, bacon, toast, potatoes, cup of espresso. What if every of these phrases I simply stated was the perfect of these belongings you ever had? That may be memorable, proper? In order that’s the purpose. I feel now we have a shot at getting near that purpose with Nancy Silverton on the helm.

On partnering with Nancy Silverton

Rosenthal: She lives within the neighborhood, and he or she’s my pal, and he or she received [the concept] instantly. She’s the manager chef, she’s going to design the menu with me and we’re going to — by way of trial and error and whole belief in her capability — need to style plenty of meals.

On 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 single episode of Any person Feed Phil for the primary 5 – 6 seasons. And past that, I honor their spirit each episode by Zoom calling — not with them, clearly, as a result of they’ve handed — however with a well-known humorous one that does a joke for my dad. I may consider nothing higher as a tribute to them and their legacy. They’re form of beloved characters from the present and I like what they symbolize. I like that you simply perceive that that is going to be old-school.

Max and Helen’s is positioned at 127 N. Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.