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6 Celebrities who also own restaurants

BY READERS DIGEST

1st Jan 2015 Food Heroes

6 Celebrities who also own restaurants

While you might not associate the average celebrity with something as domestic as cooking, many celebrities have a passion for food, and this can sometimes lead to them opening up their own eateries. Whether it's investing in an established eatery, or coming up with a whole new concept, there are many restaurants that are owned by stars of the stage and screen, and here are a few that might surprise you.

Robert De Niro

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It's surprising that Robert De Niro has had time to be a restaurateur in-between acting, directing, and winning two Oscars, but surprisingly the star of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas has investments in many restaurants. He co-founded and provided creative direction for the prestigious Nobu brand, which has two restaurants in London, and locations in many capital cities, serving Japanese and South American fusion cuisine. He also owns many restaurants in New York City, including the Tribeca Grill, close to the neighbourhood he grew up in.

 

Richard Gere

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Better known as a romantic lead in movies such as Pretty Woman and An Officer and a Gentleman, Richard Gere also has a passion for running restaurants in his spare time. He owns rustic and cosy The Barn and upscale eatery The Farmhouse, both set in Bedford, New York. These charming waterfront restaurants were opened in 2007, along with a romantic inn for weekend retreats away from the city.

 

Sandra Bullock

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Image ref: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

When Sandra Bullock decided to invest in a restaurant, she chose a more down to earth option, opening the cosy Bess Bistro in Austin, Texas. The actor may have an enviable filmography, from action movies such as Speed, to romantic comedies such as The Lake House, but owning this popular restaurant allows her to indulge in her passion for classic American cuisine.

 

Danny DeVito

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Best known for his comedy roles in TV shows such as Taxi, and movies such as Twins, 5ft star Danny DeVito paid homage to his Italian roots by opening an Italian chophouse in Florida. DeVito South Beach had a laid back and stylish interior, typical of the Miami area, and served favourites such as steak, chops, and wood fired pizzas.
 

Francis Ford Coppola

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Arguably one of the great directors and writers of our time, Francis Ford Coppola won three Oscars for his most famous movie, The Godfather, and then became known for classics such as Apocalypse Now and Sleepy Hollow. A child of Italian Immigrants, Coppola went on to open the hip Cafe Zoetrope in San Francisco, which specialises in classic Italian cuisine, and enjoys a spot in the iconic Sentinel Building. There's also a restaurant in the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, a complex close to the famous Napa Valley, where many New World wines are produced.

 

Gladys Knight

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The 'Empress of Soul' has had a long and glamorous career behind the microphone, with hits such as Midnight Train to Georgia and I Heard it Through the Grapevine, but Gladys Knight's choice of restaurant shows that she still enjoys the comforts of home. Gladys Knight & Ron Winan's Chicken And Waffles has three locations in the singer's home town of Atlanta, Georgia, and offers American soul food favourites such as fried chicken, catfish, waffles, and macaroni cheese, served in casual and laidback dining rooms.

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