Phil Rosenthal, the star of Netflix’s Any individual Feed Phil and the creator, author, and govt producer of the ’90s sitcom All people Loves Raymond, is teaming up with acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton to open a basic diner known as Max and Helen’s this summer season within the former Le Petit Greek house on Larchmont Boulevard. The 35-year-old Greek restaurant closed in December 2023; reworking for the brand new restaurant will begin on the 6,100-square-foot Larchmont Village property quickly. Each Rosenthal and Silverton reside within the neighborhood.

“I see it as a ardour mission for myself,” Rosenthal tells Eater amid a media blitz to advertise a trio of initiatives, together with the premiere of Season 7 of Any individual Feed Phil on March 1, his kids’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 through the years, 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 concerning 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 vital as a result of a diner may be the middle of a group. Possibly if we had extra of those democratic facilities of our communities (and I imply democratic with a small D), a spot that’s inexpensive to everybody and the espresso isn’t $6, you’ll be able to sit and chat together 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 automobile and elevated all of the gadgets on that unique menu from 100 years in the past simply by way of nice substances and a few chef’s data. 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 type of small-town feeling that I’m making an attempt 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 could possibly be.

On the vibe

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

On the menu

Rosenthal: It’s principally simply elevating all of the consolation meals that from childhood to probably the most scrumptious stage. 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 mentioned was the most effective of these belongings you ever had? That will be memorable, proper? In order that’s the aim. I feel now we have a shot at getting near that aim 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 obtained [the concept] instantly. She’s the chief chef, she’s going to design the menu with me and we’re going to — by way of trial and error and complete belief in her capability — should style a number of meals.

On Max and Helen Rosenthal

Rosenthal: Max and Helen had been my dad and mom. They had been immigrants from Germany and had been featured in each single episode of Any individual Feed Phil for the primary 5 or 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 who does a joke for my dad. I may consider nothing 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 perceive that that is going to be old-school.

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

This interview has been edited for size and readability.