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NominationsJames Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur Organizations foundedStarr Restaurant Organization
Philadelphia retail stephen starr
Stephen Starr is the James Beard Award winning restaurateur behind Starr Restaurants. In 2017, he took home the "Outstanding Restaurateur" James Beard Award, and his restaurant Le Coucou with acclaimed chef Daniel Rose, was also named "Best New Restaurant.". Stephen has also received a nod from both Bon Appétit and Zagat as "Restaurateur of the Year." Travel + Leisure noted that "Starr creates complete environments with an artistic, almost cerebral approach". USA Today identified him as "the 'It' guy of the city’s food scene", while Restaurant Hospitality reported his winning the annual Richard Melman Innovator of the Year award in 2013 and cited his popular restaurants in Philadelphia as "arguably the key reason for the city’s revitalized culinary scene". The Harvard Observer recognized Starr "for making contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of restaurant hospitality over the whole of his career"
Stephen starr on bloomberg tvs night talk part 1 of 3
Work history
A lifelong devotee of music and pop culture, Starr began his career at the age of 21 with Grandmom Minnie’s, a converted diner serving food by day and comedy by night, in Philadelphia’s Old City. He next opened Starr’s, a cabaret that featured then-emerging acts such as Jerry Seinfeld and Pat Benatar, and later Ripley Music Hall, a venue that showcased acts like U2, The Eurythmics, Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen. He founded The Concert Company to bring large-scale stadium acts to Philadelphia, and was responsible for many memorable shows in the city, including Madonna, Lionel Ritchie and George Michael. His company was purchased by Electric Factory Concerts in 1990, giving Starr the opportunity to explore the hospitality industry full-time. In 1995, he opened his first restaurant, Continental Restaurant & Martini Bar in Old City.
Today, Stephen Starr oversees more than 30 restaurants in five states.
Reality TV
Stephen was the guest judge on the Restaurant Wars episode of Top Chef: Season 5.
South Florida
Steak 954 - Ft. Lauderdale. Opened April 30, 2009. Boutique Steak House inside the Largest W Hotel.
Makoto - Bal Harbour. Modern Japanese.
Continental Miami - Opened in 2015.
LeZoo - Miami. Opened November, 2015.
Upland - Miami. Partnership with chef Justin Smillie. Opened November 2016.
Philadelphia
The Continental - Opened September 1995. Restored stainless steel 1960s "Continental Diner" located in the Old City section.
Buddakan - Opened 1998. Chef is Scott Swiderski.
Pod - Opened October 2000. Original chef was Michael Schulson.
Alma De Cuba - Opened April 2001. Chef Douglas Rodriguez.
Morimoto - Opened October 2001. Co-owned by Chef Morimoto of Iron Chef fame. Ranked 18th in 2011 Philadelphia magazine "50 Best Places to Eat Right Now."
El Vez - Opened November 2003.
Continental Midtown - Opened July 2004.
Barclay Prime - Opened October 2004. Chef Jeff Froehler.
Jones
Parc - Opened July 14, 2008. French cafe, bistro, brasserie. Chef Joe Monnich.
Butcher & Singer - Opened October 27, 2008. High-end steakhouse. Ranked 19th in 2011 Philadelphia magazine "50 Best Places to Eat Right Now."
Pizzeria Stella - 2nd and Lombard, Philadelphia. Chef Shane Solomon.
El Rey - Opened April 25, 2010. Chef Dionicio Jimenez.
The Dandelion - Opened January 1, 2011. English pub. Chef Robert Aikens
Talula's Garden - Opened April 13, 2011. Chef Charles Parker.
Frankford Hall - Opened May 17, 2011. German beer hall, beer garden. Chef James Davidson
Serpico (partnership with chef Peter Serpico)
Fette Sau
New York City
Morimoto - Opened subsequent to the establishment of the Philadelphia location.
Buddakan
El Vez
Clocktower at the New York EDITION Hotel - Opened 2015 in partnership with British Chef Jason Atherton.
Upland - Opened 2014 in partnership with chef Justin Smilie.
Le Coucou - Opened in partnership with chef Daniel Rose.
Atlantic City
Continental - located in Caesar's Pier
Buddakan - located in Caesar's Pier
Washington DC
Le Diplomate - opened April 2013, located at 14th & Q Streets NW, in Logan Circle. Executive Chef Michael Abt.
Closed
Hybird - Opened May 16, 2013 (in Chelsea Market co-owned by Questlove).
Cafe Republic - A vodka / caviar bar
Tangerine - January 2000 - August 2009
Washington Square - June 2004-November 2007. Head chef was Marcus Samuelsson.
Striped Bass - November 2003 (when purchased) - June 2008.
Angelina - 2003 - 2005. 1960's Italian.
L'Ange Bleu (Blue Angel) - September 1999 – 2003. Authentic French cuisine.
Route 6 - 2011 - 2014. Seafood. Chef Anthony DiRienzo.
