Does anyone remember Martoni's in Hollywood?

Question

it use to be a great bar and italian restaurant that was popular with the music industry crowd in the 80's. My dad use to take me their when I was a kid-it had the best shrimp. I think it was on Cahuenga.

Answer 1

Here's where it was:

Martoni's
1538 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90068
Phone: [phone]

Here are some notes about it, from the Net:

"It was the hang-out for all the 60's and 70's era radio and records people and lasted until the January 1994 earthquake, when it never re-opened (that I know of). Everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Real Don Steele ate there. In fact, in the parking lot in the back was an Echo Chamber used by the Wally Heider recording studio across the street."

http://www.latimemachines.com/new_page_20.htm

The address is now the Blues Recording Studio (Phone: [phone]).

http://www.losangeles.com/blues-recording-studio-b98584

Answer 2

I was a new reporter for Daily Variety. I started in early fall of 1965. Not too long after being there, Joe Price who was the Music/Recording reporter for Daily Variety, told me he wanted to take me somewhere for a special experience. He picked me at my apartment and we went back to Daily Variety to park the car and walked across the street to Martoni's... a place I had not yet visited even though it was that close to the Variety office. We walked in and made an immediate right turn to go up stairs to the "Up-A-Stairs Lounge (that's actually what the sign above the entrance to the stairway read. When we got up stairs, there was about 12-15 people. Among them Joe Smith from Warner records, Frank Sinatra and Bill Cosby. As you might imagine, I was stunned. It turns out that Bill Cosby recorded for Frank Sinatra's then new record company, Reprise and Frank was there to present Bill Cosby with Three Gold Albums. That was my first introduction to Martoni's and the level of famous persons one might run into there. One time I went in and sat at the bar and gabbed with Mama Cass Elliot and another time sat at one of the "2-tops " at the end of the wall you walked around to get to the back section. Sammy Davis, Jr and a lady sat next to me in the other 2-top. Yeah... it was quite a place! Vince DeMattia

Answer 3

Martoni's had the BEST Fetuccini Alfredo in Hollywood (I think maybe in the world - even better than at Alfredo's in Italy). Martoni's and Robaire's were the two places to eat in Hollywood that I don't know how I live without.

Answer 4

I was the first entertainer hired to work there, and played piano right next to the kitchen door. As for the restaurant's ownership, you be the judge: in the kitchen there was a State document posted stating that the liquor license was in the name of the "Ring-a-Ding-Ding" corporation, and in the office hung a life-sized portrait of Frank Sinatra.

Gene Grossman - author of the Peter Sharp Legal Mystery series of books

Answer 5

I most certainly do! I used to frequent the restaurant, and always requested the private room that "Crazy Lenny" was the waiter for. On several occasions, we were in that very room with Bill Cosby and one of his "female guests". They were always all over her like white on rice ~ or should I say...brown rice! None of them were intoxicated, but it was very evident that they wanted to be noticed with him. I'd like to come to Mr. Cosby's defense in this case. All of his female guests were "ready and willing and able" without the influence of alchol or drugs. He was always a gentleman, made conversation with all of us in that small private room, and was kind and gentle. I'm sick of all of "these women" coming out now, trying to tarnish his reputation. That's not the man I kew and saw on more than one occasion! It seems to me that all of the so called stories that are out there now ~ too late to confirm ~ are all the same. Let me remind the doubtful public and professional individuals that this is way too much ~ way too late. If these allegations had any truth, they would have been brought forth long before now! I'm a female, who, quite frankly is disgusted about all of this negative and shameful publicity. Search your souls people... Sincerely, Liz Wilson

Answer 6

Yes my father was one of chefs there in the 60 s and most of the 70 s his name was Joe D Amico my godfather was Mario. I born in 1963 so I remember going to restaurant when it was closed and playing up stairs. very cool place. My dad was friends with Frank and we would sometimes get his tickets for Dodger & Laker games. He would play poker with Frank and his friends on the yacht he had in Marina Del Ray till it burned up. Sonny and Cher before they made it would come to the back door and my dad would give them a bit to eat. All kinds of stories of famous people going there John Wayne, Wilt Chamberlin the Rat Pack etc.The food was always great. My dad had a falling out with Mario and Toni so he went on and opened his own restaurant called LaTraverna on Sunset a block west of Doheny. lots of stars would go there too I think they all loved the food. Anyways they were great times. I miss them and my dad a lot, he passed away in 1998.. It s nice to here that people still remember the place and the times. Take care everyone. Sincerely Angelo D Amico

Answer 7

Bottom line, Martonis was fabulous. On a given night virtually every table was occupied by people from the LA music business including scores of studio Musicians. As many of the other writers have said, the food was spectacular. Sal Martoni was the owner , Gino was the chef and Gino's brother was the host. You can't buy a great atmosphere. That just happens because of the people who show up which is in part due to the location.

I'd give anything to go back...to that place and Carlos and Charlie's too!

Answer 8

oh yes,i still have a pack of the matches,Sal grew basil in the window sill,always good food,Prince celebrated his Academy award the night he one for Purple Rain there,it was that kind of place.