The Villa Nova, 9015 Sunset Strip
This restaurant was originally called the Mermaid Cafe built in the late 1920's. In 1933 it premiered as The Villa Nova and taken over by film director Vincente Minnelli and silent film actor-director Allen Dale. Dale had a strict rule: No press allowed!".
Marilyn Monroe went on her first (blind) date with Joe DiMaggio in 1953, and director Minnelli chose it as the spot to propose to Judy Garland. The Villa Nova was sold in early 1972 to Elmer Valentine, Lou Adler, and Mario Maglieri. The named it The Rainbow as a tribute to Judy Garland. Originally they wanted to name it Over The Rainbow, but could not get clearance. On April 16, 1972, the Rainbow had a huge opening starting with a kick off party for Elton John. It quickly became known as a hangout for celebrities of all types. John Belushi ate his last meal here (lentil soup) at table #16. The owner is still Mario Maglieri.
UPDATE!
Now Let me introduce you to 90 year Charlotte Dale. Her husband, actor Allen Dale ( born Alfred DiLisio in Abruzi, Italy) opened the original VILLA NOVA on Vine in 1933. It moved a few times and then settled at the Sunset location (now the RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL) in 1944. It was at this time they met, fell in love and were soon married. They ran the place together from 1948 - 1968 until they moved it to Newport Beach. (They closed just this past year/2013) Her son, Jim contacted me via Vintage Los Angeles and I just interviewed her for my next Los Angeles Magazine article. She hadn't walked into the Rainbow for YEARS and she was STUNNED to see so much of the original interior INTACT along with the murals and stained glass her husband installed. This woman *IS* VLA! Imagine her stories. This is the location where Marilyn Monroe had her first date with Joe Dimaggio (which angered Mickey Rooney) and where Vincent Minnelli proposed to Judy Garland. They basically witnessed gangster, Mickey Cohen's attempted murder right outside the restaurant and Charlie Chaplin was the one that helped them get their business off the ground. By the end of the night the entire staff of the Rainbow was surrounding her table where she graciously held court. She's sharp, funny, detailed and sentimental. I have to say she made me cry a few times listening to her recall her early days in Los Angeles. I don't want to give too much away since it will be all documented in the article, but these are reasons I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with my life. She's one of the last restaurateurs of the golden of Hollywood left and I'm honored to document her stories.
My exclusive mini documentary featuring interviews with Charlotte and Mikael Magierli at the Rainbow Bar & Grill
Villa Nova and Club Largo seen in this 1966 photo. Largo became the Roxy. See my Largo entry for extended groovy info.
Original Villa Nova Menu from the 1940s. EBAY SCORE!
Alison is also currently a columnist for Los Angeles Magazine.
Thank you for doing this! I love learning the history of places I frequent.
ReplyDeleteSo much time to re-connect with you
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Inspired and lovely
hugs,
Lucy
Again, these pictures are great. My Dad owned the Villa Nova and as a young boy, I remember meeting some of the girls from the Largo. Wow!
ReplyDeleteJim Dale
Newport Beach
If you really want to know about life on the Strip in those days, you should talk to my mother, Charlotte Dale. Let me know:
ReplyDeletejdale100@msn.com
Jim, how wonderful for you to suggest that. I would love to speak with her some time. Is she still in LA? That's cool that you have your own memories as well - it was probably hard to forget those girls from that time right? Do you ever go to the Rainbow now? I always wondered if the Villa Nova looked similar to the Rainbow interior. Nice to find you here!
ReplyDeleteAlison I am also @alisonmartino@gmail.com
Hooray for Hollywood
ReplyDeleteThese are my favorite sites. LA in the 60's was magnificent. Scandia, Tail o'the Cock, Frascati's, you know the rest. My lifetime friend, high school forward, and I used to go to the old/first Hamburger Hamlet on the strip. I'm a very healthy 81 now, and I love to remember the thousands of wonderful times in had in that decade especially, before LA became little New York. I was also there at opening day at Riverside International Raceway, in 1957, and so many great afternoon's over the years. Had sports cars from '57 on, when you really enjoy them re: traffic. The canyons were mini racetracks - Laurel Canyon, Mullholand - I drove the Grand Prix's in them all. Thanks so much for rattling my memory once again. Best wishes, T. Smith
ReplyDeleteThank you so much or publishing this! I recently found a box of matches that were branded Villa Nova with the drawn image of the restaurant- the same photo that is in black and white in this article, also holding the restaurants address and text with an image of a chef working, in text below it: "Chef Alfredo originator of "MOZZARELLA" and many other famous Italian Dishes". It was my dads matchbox, and to think he carried the Villa Nova's matches for over 50 years after it rebranded is crazy to me! If you have any information on this chef it would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteDid you ever get part two made ? Can’t find it. Thank you
ReplyDeleteDear Alison, Thank you for initiating and publishing this article and video, particularly about my then boss and dear friend Charlotte Dale. I came across your video while researching the history of Villa Nova, some of which Charlotte shared with me, for my new book where I will be speaking about my performances (voice and piano) at various venues worldwide. I performed there in 1987, when, as you know, the Villa Nova was on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach. In closing, thank you for sharing this video. I was deeply and immeasurably touched listening to Charlotte speak. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteIt would be appropriate to showcase the main reason of this restaurants success! Master Chef "Walter Gentile" Without his touch and contestant standards to deliver "World Class Food" Everyday he cooked, My Father Walter was the Chef at the Villa Nova, Hollywood/Newport Beach for 47 Years. He pored his heart and sole into his craft and was hands down the chef to the Hollywood Stars. Best Father in the World and a War Hero.
ReplyDeleteIs the Rainbow menu similar to the menu the Villa Nova on Sunset had previously? That's so great that you honor your father and his role in this history.
DeleteIn the early 70's, I was a wine salesman, meeting with Jim and Charlotte, offering them wines for their wine list.
ReplyDeleteJump to the opening of The Winery Restaurant on the same site, replacing the Villa Nova. From the opening of The Winery until today, my son, Jim Fritz is the Chef d' Cuisine. What goes around, comes around.
Father of the Chef