Thank God for Guy Starkman (Beverly High). Back in my day, Guy was the one to know. He co-owned Jerry’s Deli with his brother Jason and mother Carolyn, but Guy was always up to something in the nightlife business as well. He turned Jerry’s into a celebrity hang, and started a weekly party at Starky’s which was in the Beverly Center.
Today he co-owns Guy’s on Beverly Blvd, next to Jerry’s, with his partner Darren Dzienciol. They recently sold restaurateur and promoter Michael Sutton (Goa, Xenii, Lodge) the lease and liquor license for a period of time. They still own the name and the building, and have taken the party to The Luau on Friday and Saturday nights all this summer. You can count on this being a celeb-packed, L.A., upper-crust crowd every Fri & Sat all summer. Go if you can.
Steve Crane’s Luau Beverly Hills, closed 1978
A couple friends of mine own the new Luau and say it is a nod to the original Luau, once located across from Giorgio Armani on Rodeo Drive. The original Luau, opened in 1953, was owned by Steve Crane, and was a popular celebrity hangout throughout the 50’s, 60’s and 70s. If you went there – you will remember Benny & Jean – the 2 Filipino waiters who made the place home to all, if you could get in! They knew your regular seats, tables, drinks – you name it! This is where my mother fell in love with my dad, who was mad to impress her and knew she would love the tiki-theme given her Hawaiian roots. My parents were regulars and went there for five years until they had my brother in 1973. The historical haunt closed soon after in 1978 when Rodeo property went on the incline in response to the soon-to-boom 80s.
This 1959 magazine “Movie Screen Yearbook No 4″ featured a celebrity section called Hollywood Teens (shown below). Caption read: “Judy Harriet does the Hula, while Annette Funicello and Roberta Shore sip pineapple punch at the Luau Cafe in Beverly Hills. To judge by the expressions there may have been more than just pineapple in the punch. Roberta Shore, who is a Mormon, keeps the straw away from her lips.”
Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez arrive at the grande opening of The Luau, October 08
Chef Mako, inside The Luau
Tyson Park (Loyola High School ’96) told me the daughter of Steve Crane (and his former wife Lana Turner) comes in to the new version all the time loves it! She says her father would not have done a thing differently. That is about the best approval these new owners could seek.
The Luau – 369 North Bedford Drive
Tel. 310-274-0090
(reservations advisable)
Menu is Pan-Asian/Balinese/Hawaiian, put together by Mako Tanaka from Mako, Beverly Hills (pictured left). Other owners include Andy Hewitt from Il Sole. Guy Starkman promotes the weekend parties along with partner Darren Dzienciol. Local jewelry designer Loree Rodkin has done the interiors.
Director Brett Ratner, Darren Dzienciol and club co-owner Tyson Park (Loyola High School ’96) at the grand opening of Guy’s Beverly Hills at Luau on June 5, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. Photos from The Insider and Wireimage.The Luau bar
Addendum Friday, July 17, 2009: Guy’s last night at Luau is tonight. Guy’s will re-open this fall under a new name in new location across the street from Boa.
