by Anton Polouektov
Celebrities dabbling in the restaurant business is a common occurrence – from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert DeNiro to Justin Timberlake and Alice Cooper, the rich and famous from every arena of entertainment seem eager to dive headlong into the not-so-glamorous business of feeding hordes of ravenous customers and die-hard fans. Often, their efforts end in quagmire, but at other times, celebrity-owned restaurants transcend the label and become true staples, commanding respect from fans and foodies alike.
The past decade has seen a concerted effort by famous Black performers, actors and sports stars to secure a place in the sun for their own culinary undertakings and leave a lasting imprint on the restaurant industry. Many of those efforts have failed, like that of Usher’s The Grape and The Jackson’s Family foray named Katherine’s, in line with the low success rates of restaurants in general. The restaurants included on this list are ultimately survivors of the tough cuisine service industry. They range from swanky to plain, from modern to rustic, and, are part of the growing breed of restaurants owned by African-American celebrities.
Michael Jordan’s The Steakhouse N.Y.C.
The retired basketball legend’s flagship Manhattan restaurant, “Michael Jordan’s Steak House N.Y.C.,” offers an upscale, quintessentially American fine-dining experience complemented by an extensive selection of wines and spirits. The restaurant’s interior design reflects its haute cuisine focus – you’ll find no sports memorabilia or self-aggrandizing photographs here, only a sleek, stylish décor evoking Michael Jordan the Businessman, rather than Michael Jordan the Basketball Player. Few celebrity-owned restaurants are as ambitious in scale and price-point as Michael Jordan’s New York venture.
Sugar Bar – Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
Established in 1996 by singer Nicholas Ashford and co-owned by his wife, Valerie Simpson, the Sugar Bar has seen a host of celebrity guests come through its doors to enjoy the restaurant’s down-home Southern cuisine, relaxing atmosphere, and eclectic musical ambiance. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the Sugar Bar’s legacy is a decade of premium country dining right in the middle of a big city. Its continued relevance on the hyper-dynamic urban dining scene makes the Sugar Bar a real success story.
Justin’s – Sean “P. Diddy” Combs
Famed rapper Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ restaurant “Justin’s,” named after the star’s son, provides upscale Southern and Caribbean cuisine at two different locations in New York and Atlanta. Placing an emphasis on exotic spices and healthy ingredients, Justin’s original goal was to shoot for the top spot on the crowded soul food restaurant market. Though it initially attracted ample attention thanks to its association with the legendary hip hop artist, Justin’s has since been brought low by poor reviews and a shortfall in investment.
40/40 Club – Jay-Z
Club 40/40, Rapper Jay-Z’s upscale take on the traditional sports bar, seeks to channel the hip hop star’s passion for sportsmanship into a sophisticated, modern environment. With a number of locations open in cities such as New York, Chicago, and even Tokyo, Jay-Z’s sports-bar-and-lounge enterprise certainly doesn’t lack ambition. Success, however, has not been a constant for the club, with Jay-Z selling off a failed Las Vegas branch in 2008. The opening of several new locations, however, indicates that the legendary rapper’s commitment to Club 40/40 remains strong.
Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles
Connoisseurs of Southern comfort food looking for a place to eat in Atlanta need look no further than singer Gladys Knight’s and Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles – the restaurant’s traditional Southern menu has garnered rave customer reviews since Chicken & Waffles opened its doors in 1997. The restaurant’s authentic Southern menu combined with the backing of the “Empress of Soul” ensures Chicken & Waffles’ continued popularity in Atlanta as well as its other locations.
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Named after the legendary musician who holds court there, B.B. Kings is a Blues club that also offers an impressive off-the-grill menu. Hard to beat when it comes to authenticity, B.B. Kings serves as a regular host of live Blues performances at all of the club’s several locations in different cities. The proprietor’s entrepreneurial streak can be glimpsed in the array of promotional merchandise that is offered at the club’s gift store, while his commitment to providing the best service possible is evident in the consistently high reviews garnered by the club.
