Sunday Survey: Your most memorable 'famous person' restaurant encounter?

My encounter with someone famous was not at a restaurant, but was still exciting. For three holiday seasons I worked at a small jewelry store, as a sales associate. We got very busy during this time of year, and on weekends the store was packed. One Sunday evening, just before closing, the other girls I worked with started whispering, "I think Meryl Streep is here!" I looked around the store, and there she was.

She was looking for a gift for her granddaughter, and she came up to the counter where I was working to ask about charm bracelets. I didn't answer...I couldn't speak. I was too nervous, and she was already working with one of the other girls to pick out jewelry. But that's alright. It was still an encounter.

Some friends of my step dad run a fancy ice cream parlor/cafe in a fancy area of Ontario where a lot of celebrities vacation. We visited one time and Robin Williams was there!! He is just as funny IRL as in his movies!!

Some friends of my step dad run a fancy ice cream parlor/cafe in a fancy area of Ontario where a lot of celebrities vacation. We visited one time and Robin Williams was there!! He is just as funny IRL as in his movies!!

I waitressed on the guy that played "Greg" on General Hospital year ago (Jenny and Greg). I can't comment much about him, because it seemed the idiot local radio "hosts" were trying to get him as boozed and drugged up as possible. He looked pretty healthy in his role, so I'm guessing he didn't practice that level of partying on a regular basis.

I also waitressed for a few rock bands, thankfully the ones I was assigned to were pretty low key, and not as famous, so they had smaller groups. But I had to help out my coworkers a few times with some bigger names: John Mellancamp, Guns and Roses (Slash threw up on someone haha), and Peter Frampton while trying a come-back tour. One band I waited on, that was on their way out, almost got into a fight with other customers -- which I happened to know one of their fathers from being my boss elsewhere. The band guys would have got their behinds whupped most likely, but somehow I managed to defuse things (I think I threatened to tell on the young men by calling their father LOL). Then I had to "mention" to the band manager that in all the excitement, my tip had been forgotten -- he tipped me out of his pocket.

And finally, I waitressed on many well-known sports celebrities. In general, in my experiences anyway, if a sports figure wasn't nationally famous, they sometimes partied heavier. But the ones that were nationally known didn't usually party very heavily, and were usually generally polite. Exception: Moses Malone was a conceited jerk, even though he was well past his popular days. Overall, IMO, basketball players didn't party very hard at all; some football players did, while others drank juice; and baseball, OMGosh! With a few exceptions, most baseball players partied like college kids.

Hubby met John Wayne, and Bill Cosby (separately). He chatted with Mr. Wayne for a while, and with Bill Cosby for a few minutes. He said they were both extremely polite, and down to earth.

Hubby's celeb meetings were far better than mine LOL

One night, I was convinced by my BF to go out for a late late late night dinner at a local diner near us with some friends of his. We were seated at a booth and I noticed two men from the next booth get up. I recognized one of them right away and had to think about the other one, but it was Jake Gyllenhaal and Lance Armstrong! I tried not to stare too much but I was in the perfect viewing spot for staring at them throughout our meal.

A couple weeks later, I was at another restaurant for dinner, and guess who comes in and sits two tables down from us? Jake Gyllenhaal again. The restaurant was pretty fancy and dark, but I'm sure a lot of people recognized him. But this being LA, a lot of people just don't really make a big fuss about it, so I tried not to also.

I just hope he didn't recognize me and thought that I was stalking him.

More than 20 years ago, I stopped at Fat Burger in Westwood for an artery-clogging burger. I looked down and saw that Dustin Hoffman was standing beside me. (I say "looked down" because I'm quite tall and he's not.)

He apparently had been jogging and was wearing sweat-drenched white shorts, white T-shirt and a white elastic head band.

We both had our hands on the counter as we waited to place our orders. His hand accidentally brushed against mine, and Dustin apologized.

"No problem," I muttered back while I contemplated never again washing that hand.

I worked at a relatively famous restaurant in Salt Lake all through college where I waited on celebrities like Billy Joel, Vincent Price, and a few 70's TV stars. But the most exciting person I ever waited on was Robert Redford. He was dreamy looking, and very polite. He was with another man I didn't recognize, and the other guy paid so I never did get to find out whether he was a good tipper!

Love your blog, stumbled upon it. I recall recently, Rachel Hunter in Malibu at Duke's; At the Beverly Center Chinese restaurant Alan Alda with his wife;Vincent D'onofrio at the Tea Leaf in Malibu; I'm sure there are others since living in California and on the West side or the beach your bound to bump into celibrities. Oh, Goldie Hawn and her not husband, Kurt Russell at the Gaucho Grill at Brentwood.
These sound so pretentious but I was visiting my sister and she took to me to all these places.

Anthony Bourdain came into the lobster shop I worked at this summer. And he made fun of me for not knowing all the item prices (it was my fourth day). He had shaggy hair and a face like a catcher's mitt, but God, he was dashing.

Also, I sold a hot dog to Tony Kushner, and we chatted about theatre. Which made me super starstruck, even more than Anthony Bourdain.

And I fucked up wrapping John Waters' flounder. So many celebrities, so many sea creatures.

When I first moved to LA, I was looking for this spa that I had never been to before. I was swearing while I was walking through the parking lot because I was lost and late for my appointment. When I looked up from swearing, there was Warren Beatty and his friend smiling and laughing at me. They were quite amused. After I left my appoint, Beatty and his friend were still out there chatting. It turns out his office was in the building.

Anyway, a few days (maybe 3) later I was crossing the street in Beverly Hills. There at the light was a convertible that Warren Beatty was driving. (His wife was with him.) This time he recognized me from the day before and took off his sunglasses to say hello. It was really funny and no, I was not stalking him (completely different neighborhoods and random circumstances).

Well, my story isn't really as exciting... and well just read below...

My parents own a sushi restaurant in a small town on Vancouver Island, and they were filming the atrocious "Scarlet Letter" near by, and most of the film crew had already been popping by over the last couple of weeks. Great bunch of people, and it was great talking with them (I worked as a sushi chef when I was younger).
Well, late one very dull and dead night, we were closed and I had already done the majority of the cleanup for the bar when we get a knock on the door. It's one of the guys from the film crew. My dad answers the door, and tells them that sorry we were already closed for the evening, when they pull out the trump card, "Demi Moore just got in, and is hungry is there any chance...." Well you get the idea.
Well most of the staff (notice I said MOST) were excited that she was in town, and wanted to eat here, so my dad allowed them to come in. I on the other hand, was ready to head out and meet up with some friends within the next half hour after completing the cleanup. I had to stick around until final closing since it was my job to clean up. Well, long story short, she was very polite, and allowed for my cousin (who was visiting from Japan) to take a few photos and provide an autograph. She came in a couple of times during the shoot, and each time very polite, and didn't expect any special service, other then possibly a seat away from the crowd (which I can respect). I have other "famous encounters" but not all of them were in a restaurant except Robert Duvall (Great guy) PS love the site Take care

i used to bus tables and waitress at a local Korean restaurant (it was owned by my best friend's parents so they were nice to let me work for extra summer cash here and there). on one weekday afternoon, Yoko Ono and a friend walk in. i seat them right away and gave them menus. they were pretty low-key, already knew what they wanted to eat so i took their order and went back to the kitchen. Yoko Ono was very gracious and was nice to sign autographs for the other waitress on shift and a few other diners. she was not demanding in any way and only asked for more kimchee. she was very cool.

other celebs have dined at the restaurant and most have been fine patrons, but Yoko Ono was the best in that she was just super nice and good natured when diners approached her.

I think my most unexpected famous person encounter (as going to conventions, etc dosen't really count in my opinion) was seing Gordon Brown (the current Prime Minister of the UK, but this was back then when he was your bog-standard MP)in Manchester Piccadilly Train Station. I noticed an unusually large number of people in suits and right in the centre of this group there he was rushing off to his next ... well ... what ever politions do =P

After graduating from college, I worked in NY and felt quite excited to be in the "big city." One Saturday night a friend of mine and I went to the latest hot club, an old converted church, and were just glad that they even let us in. I had to use the bathroom, and on the way encountered "Rod Stewart" passing by me. I remember thinking, "Wow, this guy really did a good job with copying the hair and Rod's pineapple haircut!" I looked down at him (the guy was not very tall) and cheekily said, "Hey, Rod, babe, how ya doin'?" because I thought this guy was doing a great impression of him and might be amused by the fact that I noticed this. Next thing I know, out of the bathroom comes Rachel Hunter, Rod's gorgeous wife, who looks me over disdainfully; they sort of smirk at eachother and roll their eyes and walk away. Well, it really was him, and oh well, what a young and foolish girl I was!!

I'm so jealous of all these celebrity encounters! I've never had one.

The only time I've even been in the same room as a celebrity was at a Fleetwood Mac concert, and I lingered longer than I should have after it was over thinking "How far could I get rushing the stage before security tackles me?" But didn't try.

I have two encounters, the first which isn't that amazing, and the second that is (to me anyway.) When I was a waitress at a local popular restaurant, one day a limo pulls up and out steps Elizabeth Dole (she was in town for a huge meeting.) She came in the restaurant and was incredibly friendly and talked to a few people, but only was there to use the restroom. It would have been nice for her to stay so I could wait on her since my family has always voted for her, but she was in a rush.

My more exciting one was in that same restaurant, a few weeks later. One day, this tall, gorgeous, silver-haired, older guy walked in. He looked so familiar, but I just couldn't place him. I waited on him, and he was the most polite and awesome guy ever. And man, was he gorgeous. He left me a good tip and his newspaper. He returned the next day and did the same thing, and by this time, I KNEW that I knew him from somewhere, but I was too afraid to ask. On the third day, I finally asked him who he was, and he said 'Terry Mann' and I about fell over! He's one of my favorite stars, and I was so shocked that I hadn't recognized him off the stage, lol. (He's a huge Broadway star, was in Cats, Les Miserable, Rocky Horror Show, etc, several movies and TV shows, and 2007's Beauty and the Beast.) Of course after that, I froze and couldn't talk to him very easily. I got his autograph, and I still have those newspapers he left! <3

The only restaurant related celebrity siting I had was in a North Beach in S.F, bar and grill. I went up to the bar and a man started talking to me as I waited for my drinks. He was rather blasted I thought but he looked familiar to me. I appeased him as best I could the way you do when a drunk stranger tries to be your best friend, then I got my drinks and went back to my real friends. After a few minutes, I realized that man was James Woods! but I didn't go back to confirm:)
I used to see celebrities everywhere and always didn't realize until moments afterwards who it was.
Then there were my three seperate encounters with Bono....all concert related......those were very fun!

The only restaurant related celebrity siting I had was in a North Beach in S.F, bar and grill. I went up to the bar and a man started talking to me as I waited for my drinks. He was rather blasted I thought but he looked familiar to me. I appeased him as best I could the way you do when a drunk stranger tries to be your best friend, then I got my drinks and went back to my real friends. After a few minutes, I realized that man was James Woods! but I didn't go back to confirm:)
I used to see celebrities everywhere and always didn't realize until moments afterwards who it was.
Then there were my three seperate encounters with Bono....all concert related......those were very fun!

Back when they were dating I saw Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz at one of the restaurants at the bottom of the ski slopes in Telluride, CO. I also saw Kim Kardashian and family when they came to CO for their winter vacation/family spat

You have been so generous to share so much of your history. I have loved every word. I'd nearly kill for that Craddock book. "They" say she was a big bully...Elaine, USA

When we left England for Canada in 1957, Little Richard was in our BOAC check-in line at Heathrow. The first time we went back to England was in 1974. My mother and I had tea at Harrod's -- and there was Richard Widmark quietly sitting behind us. He was wearing a very old but very distinguished looking raincoat. Hope I win -- it will become another precious memory. Elaine, USA

When I was in college I used to hang out all the time at a little casse-croute (like a greasy spoon diner) a couple of streets away. (This particular one has been around since at least the seventies and is something of a local landmark. People go there for breakfast 24 hours a day and they also make really great burgers.) My friend, her boyfriend and I were having lunch there one day between classes and my friend's boyfriend decided to leave because they were filming a movie nearby and he was an aspiring actor and he wanted to try to meet Stephen Baldwin. We wished him luck.

Not five minutes after he left, a man and a woman came into the casse-croute and sat down about two booths away from us. "Omigod," I said to my friend, "That's Stephen Baldwin!" Shortly after, another man joined them (I think he was the director) but he had a large dog with him so they moved outside. My friend and I didn't go up to speak to them or anything but I think we giggled and said "hi" as we left. As far as I know, the boyfriend never met Stephen Baldwin, and he and my friend broke up soon after. Related? Who can say... :)

When I was in college I used to hang out all the time at a little casse-croute (like a greasy spoon diner) a couple of streets away. (This particular one has been around since at least the seventies and is something of a local landmark. People go there for breakfast 24 hours a day and they also make really great burgers.) My friend, her boyfriend and I were having lunch there one day between classes and my friend's boyfriend decided to leave because they were filming a movie nearby and he was an aspiring actor and he wanted to try to meet Stephen Baldwin. We wished him luck.

Not five minutes after he left, a man and a woman came into the casse-croute and sat down about two booths away from us. "Omigod," I said to my friend, "That's Stephen Baldwin!" Shortly after, another man joined them (I think he was the director) but he had a large dog with him so they moved outside. My friend and I didn't go up to speak to them or anything but I think we giggled and said "hi" as we left. As far as I know, the boyfriend never met Stephen Baldwin, and he and my friend broke up soon after. Related? Who can say... :)

There used to be an Izakaya in an unassuming little shopping mall east of Los Angeles. The Owner prided himself on running a true Kyoto style experience. Each customer was catered to for their specific tastes and also considering what food was the best for the season. It was almost like a "ballet" designed for each patron. Because of the unassuming nature and anonymity of the little restaurant, and its amazing cuisine, several major Japanese Executives, along with their entourages would dine there frequently. Part of the thrill for me was to sit at the same bar as they did. I still relish in those "discrete" experiences.

Back when I lived in Boston, MA, I used to eat sushi every few months at a small restaurant in Harvard Square, Cambridge (Cafe Sushi, I think). One night my husband nudged me and said "don't look, but over there is NATALIE PORTMAN". And so it was. She was attending Harvard at that time and was there with what looked like her boyfriend. She was just like any normal Harvard student except with a bigger dining budget ;)

My most exciting celeb encounter occurred about 18 years ago when I worked on a dude ranch in AZ. The tv show "Young Riders" sometimes shot their "out in the countryside" scenes there and we(ranch employees)were allowed to watch as long as we didn't interfere or act wacky. So anyway, of couse I got to see all the actors but the most memorable was the day that Josh Brolin got a HUGE three corner tear in the seat of his pants and I saw up close his naked butt! And then I unintentionally took his seat on the teamster truck and got to stare at him longingly out the back window as he rode in the bed of the truck back to the ranch proper to get wardrobe repair. It is still one of my favorite stories,"The Day I Saw Josh Brolin's Naked Butt!"

It's funny this was posted when it was. (And not like months ago and no longer relevant). I have the un-pleasure of working in McDonald's but just yesterday, one of my customers shocked me. I looked up and there was Shawn Michaels of the WWE standing there ordering McD's!

I didn't really say anything, aside from taking his order. I just grinned.

By the way, it was like 6:30 in the morning, he was passing through on his way to Philly.

My most favorite encounter with a 'famous person' would be about two years ago, when Bourne Ultimatum was being filmed right next to my college. The entire street was closed off, and at the time, three of my friends and I really didn't care because we wanted to get breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. Soon enough, the director allowed people to cross the streets, and we entered.

Little did we all know, that literally everyone at DD was the film crew and the four of us were in our small table, eating away when all of a sudden, I look up to see Matt Damon walk in with [fake] blood on his face. I start shrieking and he looks at me and starts laughing, while I go, "Matt Damon!!" and meanwhile, the film crew is laughing at the only non-crew in the store.

When he came back from washing up, my friend (after several attempts of not knowing how to address him haha) asked if he could take a picture with us and he happily agreed - a film member took my camera, and the four us of took a picture, with Matt Damon holding my waist tehe :)

He really is super nice in person.

It was over 15 years ago, right before the Australian Open, when my parents brought my sister and myself to a little Italian Trattoria for dinner. As we were about to finish eating, my tennis-mad sister and myself nearly fainted when Stefan Edberg walked into the restaurant, with his coach! He was our favourite tennis player, so we were simply awe-struck.

To our great despair, we didn't have a camera with us, but fate intervened, because right at that moment, a photographer was passing by (this was the time when you still had people going around taking photos of others for money!).

We shyly approached Stefan Edberg and asked him for his autograph and a photo with him, which he agreed to. He was very polite and obliging and he remains my favourite tennis star to this day... :)

I've never really met anyone famous, but you've made me very jealous knowing you've met Steve Jobs. He's someone I'd very much like to meet and chat with, but never ever work for from what I hear!

I saw Samuel Jackson at a restaurant in Haleiwa (Oahu's North Shore) once. I didn't approach him because I didn't want to interrupt his lunch.

I did approach a famous Japanese Kendoist in an airport though. I had to ask for an autograph for my sensei's wife. He gave me the autograph and asked me a few questions in Japanese. I didn't understand and had to silently follow him since we were on a moving walkway. That sucked. I passed him again later and I swear he hid behind a pillar.

1984 in paris when he shot the movie TARGET with (the very young) Matt Dillon.
I was sort of the guy who came with the apartment he rented for the shoot. Main job was to take care fo the place, but when you have an actor rent it the landlord went above and beyond.

Breakfast and dinner became my part of my domain. Very easy to deal with guy.
One day he asked for take out Chicken from an Epicerie around the corner he saw on his way home. When I was done carving the bird, he very down to earth asked if I would like to join him for dinner.

So yes, I was 19 and had chicken dinner with Gene Hackman.

At a TGI Friday's of all places, I saw Manute Bol. He is 7'7" and a former basketball player. Similar to your reaction to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, I thought, holy crap that dude is tall. In fact I never saw anyone have to duck so much just to get through a door way.

About eight years ago I was at an izakaya in Kings Cross in Sydney. It was very late on a weeknight and my friend and I were the only customers besides a group of four. One of them, an older man, got up to sing karaoke at the front of the room and as he started we realised he was someone "famous", but it took us a good while to think of his name - it was Max Cullen, a prolific Australian character actor ( apparently he plays a small part in "Australia" as 'old drunk'). He was VERY drunk, and very entertaining. So, feeling pretty special to have been privy to this impromptu performance, we went back to our meal - until the other guy from the group got up to sing... and we immediately realised it was Geoffrey Rush! Not quite as drunk, but very theatrical and hilarious. We figured out they were with Geoffrey's daughter and her girlfriend for her birthday. I wish I could remember what songs they sang but it was a long time ago!

I worked for like 2 and half months as a waitress-not a very good one. Better seating and cashing out. Anyway, my sister worked at this restaurant/hotel about 2 years before me and got me in. It was 1984 and the USA men's gymnastic team was in town doing a performance and staying at the hotel. I waited on Bart Conner and I think the other one was Tim Daggett. They were very polite and I tried to convince them to not order the juice as it was 2 something a glass-it was fresh squeezed. I also spilled hot tea on the lap of The Police's manager or stage director type person. But my sister (who I said worked at the restaurant before me) was working one night in August and waited on a group of guys. The were asking about the state fair and wanted to check it out. It was the Doobie Brothers. She got done with work and went with them to the fair and showed them around. They were in town to play there. They asked her to come to La Crosse with them the next day to their next gig. She said that she would come if they assured her that there would be no "expectations" if you know what I mean. They flew her on the "Doobie Liner" down with them, gave her money to go buy an outfit (she brought them the change back!) and she got to sit on stage-off to the side while they performed down there. They flew her back the next day.

Yeah.. I would like to share my experience right here but then it is quite embarrassing so I just would like to include my appreciation through this comment for the time being. I seriously like this site for its uniqueness. Thanks a lot for the share!!!