First known as the creator of the beloved sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal has a special talent for making people feel happy through laughter and storytelling.
Tying that in with his passion for food, he has long hosted Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, where he explores some of the world’s most delicious cities, getting to know local chefs and diners. To Phil, food is a great connector between people.
In the show and beyond, Phil Rosenthal has visited many restaurants, including numerous ones in our North America MICHELIN Guide selection. A sampling of those includes:
- Austin: Birdie's, Distant Relatives, InterStellar BBQ, Kemuri Tatsu-ya, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, and Nixta Taqueria.
- Chicago: Alinea, Giant, Monteverde, and Virtue.
- Los Angeles: Connie & Ted’s, Anajak Thai, Antico Nuovo, Jitlada, Langer's, matū, Osteria Mozza, Petit Trois, Pizzeria Mozza, Providence, and République.
- Mexico City: Nicos, Pujol, and Rosetta.
- Montréal: Damas, Montréal Plaza, Park, and Schwartz’s Deli.
- New York: Blue HIll at Stone Barns, Peter Luger, and Russ & Daughters Cafe.
- Oaxaca: Alfonsina, Casa Oaxaca, Crudo, and Levadura de Olla.
- Orlando: Capa and Domu.
- San Francisco: Ad Hoc, Atelier Crenn, Bouchon, State Bird Provisions, and The French Laundry.
- Washington, D.C.: Anju, Maketto, Rasika, Thip Khao, and Yellow.
In Season 8 (premiering June 18), Somebody Feed Phil heads to Boston, right as the city is preparing to welcome its own, first-ever MICHELIN Guide selection.
Below, we spoke to Phil about some of his favorite food memories and his soon-to-open Los Angeles restaurant in partnership with Chef Nancy Silverton.
How did you get interested in dining out?
When I was a kid, we couldn't afford to go anywhere.
When I was in my 20s in the 1980s, I would save up every year to eat at one fine dining restaurant on my birthday. I had another friend of mine whose birthday was a few days later, and we would save up together. We couldn't afford to bring dates, so we would bring one girl to the dinner, and it was absolute heaven. Lutèce, Le Bernardin, The Quilted Giraffe, La Côte Basque, La Grenouille.
It wasn't until I went to The French Laundry that I experienced anything close to that level of extravagance. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. It felt like you were entering a world where you could dream of having something and then it would appear. This was just on a level by itself. Mind blowing for me.
Mark Twain said, "make your vacation your vocation," right?
What do you like about MICHELIN restaurants?
It's about quality at every level. “Is this delicious?” That's the number one criteria.
What are some of your favorite MICHELIN restaurants in different American cities?
Austin, Texas
Nixta and LeRoy & Lewis are my favorites. Those I go back to the most – delicious food that I can't find elsewhere. At LeRoy and Lewis, they happen to have one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life, and all their other barbecue is fantastic too.
Chicago, Illinois
Alinea, the first time I went there was mind blowing. It took molecular gastronomy to another level. It's like going to a magic show. But, with visuals and whimsy, if the food is not delicious, it doesn't mean anything. But Grant Achatz knows how to make it very delicious.
Monteverde is one of my favorite Italian restaurants anywhere. There's a very theatrical element where you can sit at the bar and watch real Italian grandmas make your pasta right in front of you in the pasta theater. Sarah the chef is brilliant – everything she touches is wonderful.
Los Angeles, California
LA is the food city of America because we have the most diverse population. We have the biggest Thai population outside of Thailand. You can visit all the provinces of China just by going to the different neighborhoods in the San Gabriel Valley. It's truly spectacular.
République, pound for pound is the best overall restaurant in the city. Best breakfast, best lunch, a phenomenal dinner, and all different. If I had to eat at one restaurant the rest of my life, it’s République.
By Michael Cimarusti, Connie & Ted’s is the casual version of Providence – some of the finest seafood in the country.
New York, New York
Peter Luger is my favorite steakhouse experience in the world, and I've been to lots. They've got it dialed in. I've always loved it. The steak, tomato and onion salad, potatoes, cream spinach, desserts, lamb chops are all the best. It is the definition of a special occasion birthday dinner for me. That's one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is so underrated. Most people think of one thing: Disney World. The real magic kingdom is the real world just outside. It's an amazing food scene. Domu has some of the best ramen I've ever had in my life. It's just fantastic.
San Francisco, California
Dominique Crenn is a genius. Everything she touches is beautiful.
State Bird Provisions has this fantastic idea. They take the dim sum on carts idea (roaming through the restaurant), and they have their appetizers going through the dining room on carts. It makes it so much fun and spontaneous.
Washington, D.C.
Yellow is amazing, a casual restaurant from a brilliant chef. I do not go to D.C. without going there for breakfast.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from a chef?
I played a sous chef for Adam Sandler in the movie Spanglish. Thomas Keller was the advisor on the film. They recreated The French Laundry kitchen. I asked him what his pet peeve was in restaurants, and he said, the under-salting of food.
Who would you invite to a MICHELIN-Starred meal?
Anyone who makes me laugh. I would have loved to have had dinner with Groucho Marx.
What’s next for you?
A great restaurant makes your neighborhood better, your city better, your country better, the world better. It's the definition of thinking globally and acting locally.
I'm opening a diner in my neighborhood with Nancy Silverton as the executive chef. We're very good friends. She lives in the neighborhood. Everything she touches is delicious.
It's called Max & Helen’s, named after my parents. I cannot wait. It's the glorification of comfort food.
Hero image: Courtesy of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil
