Phil Rosenthal likes to sit at the counter at Max & Helen's, the restaurant he recently opened with acclaimed chef Nancy Silverton, and chat with people while he eats.
“Sometimes I feel like the mayor of Larchmont,” Rosenthal says over the phone as he greets diners who notice him at the counter. “When people come and realize I'm involved, they're always surprised to see me. It's a little like being at Disneyland and meeting Goofy.”
In Sunday Funday, the people of Los Angeles tell us step by step their ideal Sunday in the city. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.
Rosenthal is probably best known for creating the popular TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” and hosting Netflix's “Somebody Feed Phil,” which is moving to YouTube in 2027, but he's more than just a food enthusiast. He is now touring the country for his live show, “An Evening With Phil Rosenthal,” and recently published his second children's book, “Just Try It! Someplace New!”, which he wrote with his daughter Lily. (They will be signing books at Barnes & Noble in Grove on March 14.)
“The book series started when my daughter called and said, 'Kids love your show. Why don't you do a children's book?' “He says, before adding with a laugh: “I said, 'Yes, if you do it with me.' That's a dad trick to spend more time with your daughter.”
Rosenthal believes that stories about children who feel nervous or afraid to try new things connect with both children and adults. “When you write a children's book, you realize that it's not just a children's book,” he says. “It's really a book for everyone.”
Although he travels a lot, Rosenthal likes to spend his Sundays close to home. He enjoys walking his dog Murray to Larchmont Village and hosting movie night with friends at his Hancock Park home.
This is your perfect Sunday in Los Angeles, with lots of good food along the way, of course.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
7:45 am: Coffee with Murray and neighborhood friends
Every Sunday morning, I take my dog Murray to Larchmont Village and stop at go search tiger. It's our daily ritual. Over time, we have built a great community there and I always invite others to join us. We sit outside, talk and have become close friends. I usually post a photo of Murray on Instagram every day. He's a rescued stray dog and I like to joke that he's part Pyrenean and part psycho.
9 a.m.: Shop for produce at the Larchmont Village Farmers Market
After about an hour, I cross the street to the Larchmont Village Farmers Marketwhich is celebrated on Wednesdays and Sundays. I usually pick some fruit for the house. It's a great community place.
9:30 am: Breakfast at Max and Helen's house
Then I walk down the street to Max and Helen, the restaurant that my family opened. I'm about to order the LEO, which is Gingrass smoked salmon, three eggs and onion. So if I sound like my mouth is full, you'll know why.
One of my favorite things on the menu is the Nancy Sourdough Waffle. [Silverton] created, topped with butter mixed with maple syrup. I also love hot chocolate and the tuna melt is a special and more romantic version of the classic. If you eat there every day, the smart thing to do is choose something healthy, like what I'm eating today: high in protein and no carbs.
11 am: search for titles in a neighborhood bookstore
I love visiting Chevalier's booksthe oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles. I've been going there since I moved to Los Angeles from New York in 1989. It's just two doors down from the restaurant and feels like our community's bookstore.
Noon: go to the gym
Then I walk home and exercise. I have to exercise every day because I eat a lot. If I didn't walk everywhere, I would probably weigh 300 pounds. My gym is simple, just some weights and a bench, but it works for me. Since I travel frequently, I follow a routine that I can do anywhere.
1:00 p.m.: Enjoy a surprising meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant
If I wasn't hosting a movie night, I'd love to stop by. Republic. It's an amazing place, perhaps the best restaurant in Los Angeles. Each menu is excellent. I usually eat everything there and sometimes I ask them to surprise me. It is a restaurant open all day and I have gone for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their egg dishes are excellent, the burger is top-notch and the roast chicken, cooked over an open fire in the kitchen, is superb. I often let the chef decide what to bring me, especially when I'm with a group. It's fun to be surprised and try dishes to share.
I also enjoy a lot Connie and Ted in West Hollywood, Michael Cimarusti's casual spot. The seafood is as good as in Providenceyour elegant place to dine. Their fresh Maine lobster roll is excellent and they have the best oysters in Los Angeles. It's pretty impressive. Check it out before you go there though, as I heard it's for rent.
3 pm: Go for a walk
I used to walk more before I started traveling so much, but I still enjoy it. After all, this is Los Angeles. While other places face bad weather, we can be outdoors. I love walking in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park. It's great to make the most of the outdoors here.
6 pm: Movie night and Mozza Pizzeria at home
On Sundays we organize movie nights at home. We have an exclusive screening room, a wood-fired pizza oven in the kitchen and a chef Mozza Pizzeria, who comes to make pizza. The best part is that we are often joined by someone related to the film. Sometimes we watch new movies, other times old favorites. Aaron Sorkin came over for “The Social Network” and when we screened “Tootsie,” Elaine May, Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray joined us. We normally have between 25 and 30 people.
I really love my neighborhood and the people in it. One of the best things about traveling so much is that it makes you appreciate home even more.
