Phil Rosenthal, best known for creating Everybody Loves Raymond and fronting the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, is teaming up with Nancy Silverton, the chef behind some of Los Angeles’ most celebrated restaurants, on a new venture in Larchmont Village.
The two have spent the past months on a diner crawl through Southern California, sipping milkshakes, dissecting patty melts and debating what belongs on the ultimate comfort food menu.
Rosenthal’s obsession began during a trip to Maine, when he filmed an episode at the Palace Diner in Biddeford. He was struck by how the century-old spot elevated each traditional dish with better ingredients and careful technique. He told the LA Times: “It’s like the ultimate comfort food, best of each of these things I’ve ever had. I’m like, I want this in my neighbourhood."
With Silverton on board, the pair set about building what they hope will become a local hub. Rosenthal explained: “There used to be diners everywhere.
“The other reason I want this is because I want to preserve a sense of community in my community. If you lose diners, you lose that centre of town. You lose that meeting place for people rich, poor and everyone in between.”
And at the centre of it all is a name with deep significance. The diner, which will open later this autumn, is called Max and Helen’s - a tribute to Rosenthal’s late parents, who regularly featured on his Netflix series before their respective deaths. For him, it is more than just a restaurant; it is a way of honouring family while creating a space that connects people.
When the venture was first announced, fans of Rosenthal couldn't help but hide their emotions, after growing to love his parents through their TV appearances.
"Why is this making me cry, such a BEAUTIFUL way to honor them," one commented on in Instagram post.
Referring to Max's love for jokes, another wrote: "I hope there will be a joke of the day in the daily menu."
The menu has been shaped by their research, particularly milkshakes. Silverton confessed she had never made one before but quickly learnt there are endless interpretations.
Silverton elaborated: “If you would have asked me months ago, what do you think a great milkshake is, I would have said that first of all you have to start with the best ice cream possible, most likely with the highest butter fat, and then it’s got to have milk. And I would have said you just have to know how to blend it. But after we started tasting milkshakes, I realised quite early on that there are many versions of a milkshake.”
After trial and error, the team landed on Thrifty ice cream, half and half, milk powder and vanilla paste for the perfect texture and flavour. Expect vanilla, chocolate, Oreo, strawberry and peanut butter-banana shakes, alongside banana splits and hot fudge sundaes.
The patty melt has been another cornerstone. Silverton argued it should replace the burger, recalling her favourite from the long-gone Ships coffee shop. Rosenthal wasn’t convinced until he tried her version and admitted: “The best patty melt I’ve ever had.”
The burger will remain on the menu, but as Rosenthal joked: "That was our big fight. We all win."
With a line-up also featuring hearty breakfasts, meatloaf, hot dogs, matzo ball soup and rotating desserts, Max and Helen’s is shaping up to be a modern classic.
Rosenthal summed up his excitement: “I’ve never been more excited about any restaurant opening. Forget that I’m involved. Just as a fan. And I can’t think of a better living tribute to someone than naming a place that you love after them.”
Originally due to open in spring this year, it's expected the new joint will be welcoming guests towards the end of October.
Featured Image Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesTopics: Restaurants and bars, Celebrity, US Food
Ben Williams