Stephen Starr

Stephen Starr is the owner of several restaurants in Philadelphia, New York City, and Atlantic City. [ [http://www.chefdb.com/nm/3773 Chef & Restaurant Database] ] All of these restaurants are part of the Starr Restaurant Organization. [ [http://www.starr-restaurant.com/ Starr Restaurants] ]

Early career

He began working in the restaurant industry at the age of 21 when he opened his first club in an Old City diner, Grand Mom Minnie's, which served food during the day and comedy at night. Next he opened Stars, a cabaret/restaurant that featured acts who were just starting out such as Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Belzer and Pat Benetar.

Continuing to promote live entertainment, Starr opened a larger venue, the Ripley Music Hall, which showcased new talent such as U2, The Eurythmics, Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen, who were still very small at the time. Eventually he began The Concert Company to bring large-scale stadium acts to Philadelphia. Starr was responsible for memorable shows including: Madonna, Lionel Richie, George Michael and others. In 1990, when Electric Factory Concerts bought him out, he used the profit to open several new venues including: Shake, Burger and Roll, a kitschy diner; The Bank, a trendy dance club which later became District Nightclub; and Cafe Republic (2201 South Street), a Russian-themed caviar and vodka bar. [ [http://www.internationalspeakers.com/speakers/ISBB-6J9UZE/Stephen_Starr/ International Speaker Bureau] ]

Philadelphia Restaurants

[http://www.continentalmartinibar.com The Continental] - Opened September 1995. Restored stainless steel 60's diner located in the Old City section. The restaurant offers sensational cocktails and global tapas.

[http://www.buddakan.com Buddakan] - Opened 1998. Chef is Scott Swiderski.

[http://www.tangerinerestaurant.com Tangerine] - Opened January 2000.

[http://www.podrestaurant.com Pod] - Opened October 2000. Original chef was Michael Schulson.

[http://www.almadecubarestaurant.com Alma De Cuba] - Opened April 2001.

[http://www.morimotorestaurant.com Morimoto] - Opened October 2001. Co-owned by Chef Morimoto of Iron Chef fame.

[http://www.elvezrestaurant.com El Vez] - Opened November 2003.

[http://www.continentalmidtown.com Continental Midtown] - Opened July 2004.

[http://www.barclayprime.com Barclay Prime] - Opened October 2004.

[http://www.jones-restaurant.com Jones] -

[http://www.parc-restaurant.comParc] - Opened July 14, 2008. French cafe, bistro, brasserie.

New York City Restaurants

[http://www.morimotonyc.com Morimoto]

[http://www.buddakannyc.com Buddakan]

Atlantic City Restaurants

[http://www.continentalac.com Continental] - located in Caesar's Pier

[http://www.buddakanac.com Buddakan] - located in Caesar's Pier

[http://thechelsea-ac.com/restaurants.php Chelsea Prime] - located in Chelsea Hotel

Teplitzky's - located in Chelsea Hotel

Future Restaurants

Butcher & Singer - Opening 3rd week in November as a Steakhouse evoking old style Hollywood with prime steaks, a raw bar and classic cocktails. Located at the old Striped Bass and named after the brokerage firm that was in the location pre-1994. [ [http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20080608_Inqlings__Throwback_plan_for_Striped_Bass.html Philadelphia Inquirer] ]

Littleneck - Oysterhouse, located at 706 Chestnut street

Unnamed Broad Street Diner - located at old Broad Street Diner

Unnamed Mexican Restaurant - competitor to Jose Garces' Distrito in University City section in Fall 2008.

Unnamed restaurant on Washington Square - located at now-closed Washington Square Restaurant

Unnamed Izakaya restaurant - located at 16th and Locust, Japanese bar/tapas with old Pod chef Zama Tanaka [ [http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2008/04/starr_to_open_an_izakaya_here.html Philadephia Inquirer - Michael Klein] ]

Closed Restaurants

Cafe Republic

Washington Square (June 2004-November 2007) [ [http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/foodanddrinq/2007/11/washington_square_86ed.html Philadelphia Inquirer - Michael Klein] ] - Head chef was Marcus Samuelsson.

Striped Bass (November 2003 (when purchased) - June 2008) [ [http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20080608_Inqlings__Throwback_plan_for_Striped_Bass.html Philadelphia Inquirer] ]

Angelina (2003-2005) - 1960's Italian [ [http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2003-10-16/food.shtml City Paper] ]

L'Ange Bleu (Blue Angel) (September 1999-2003) - Authentic French cuisine

Other

Chelsea Hotel [ [http://www.thechelsea-ac.com/ Chelsea Hotel website] ]

Unnamed Philadelphia Hotel - located above 706 Chestnut

Unnamed Manhattan Hotel

References