Rao’s Bar & Grill of New York Coming to Hollywood

Image: Rao’s Bar & Grill

As one of the oldest family-run restaurants in the country, Rao’s Bar & Grill of New York is expanding and heading to Hollywood.

The Italian restaurant was founded in 1896 and is located in East Harlem, with a sister restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, which opened in 2006. Started by Charles Rao, the eatery will now be opening a new location in Hollywood. According to LA Eater, the new Rao’s will open in the former Hollywood Canteen on Seward.

Rao’s East Harlem location only has 10 table, making it widely known as one of the toughest reservations to get in New York. According to Rao’s website, year-long waits for one of the ten New York tables are not uncommon.

It is currently unclear when the Hollywood location of Rao’s will open, but with a history of celebrity clientele loving the New York and Las Vegas locations, it’s seems like a natural transition to open in Los Angeles. LA Eater also reports that co-owner Frank Pellegrino Sr. had dabbled in acting and appeared in films such as Goodfellas and Carlito’s Way, in addition to the hit TV show The Sporanos.

Rao’s now offers specialty products in gourmet markets and supermarkets. Products include pasta products and sauces as well as olive oil.

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