Star Gazing In Los Angeles

We take a look at some of the best places in Los Angeles to catch a glimpse of the stars.

Spotting celebrities in Los Angeles has long been a popular pastime, a rush that incorporates both excitement and awe. You'll never know whom you'll run into on any given day or night. It's not uncommon to glimpse stellar figures from sports, music, film and television at various LA hot spots. When they take a particular liking to a place, it's only natural that a celebrity would want a chunk of the business or even open up their own place. Celebrity-owned businesses thrive in Los Angeles, as nowhere else appreciates the connection to fame as much as we do. After all, if you're a celebrity, you can never have too much, right?

While celebrity-owned businesses seem more popular than ever today, there's actually a long history of celebrity-owned spots in the City of Angels. Jack LaRue, a character actor who played gangsters in the movies, ran LaRue's on the Sunset Strip all the way back in the '30s and '40s. Legendary screenwriter and director Preston Sturges opened The Players a bit further east on Sunset Boulevard, and it was a famous hangout for writers, directors and actors in the early '50s. And director Billy Wilder created the Bistro Garden (now Mastro's Steakhouse) on Canon in Beverly Hills from sets salvaged from Irma La Douce, a movie he shot in the early '60s with Jack Lemmon (who invested in the restaurant) and Shirley MacLaine.

While those places are long gone, there's no shortage of spots with celebrity owners and investors in Los Angeles today. Following are some of LA's celebrity-owned establishments.

Restaurants

The Continental. There's a great martini bar at Continental, and it's rumoured to be a favorite hangout of Oscar winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It's easy to believe as those childhood friends are key investors in this lively nightspot, where the cuisine is American spiced up with a dash of Asian flair.

Via Veneto. Named for the trendy street in Rome that's home to great shopping and dining, Via Veneto is the creation of longtime Duran Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo. Born in Brooklyn, he acquired a taste for fine food and wine during his two dozen years on the road, and he's made sure the cuisine is authentic and the wine list includes some of Italy's best.

House of Blues Sunset Strip. It may be home to the blues and rock 'n' roll, but investors at the House of Blues include actors Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi. Stop in at The Porch for a meal of Southern-inspired cuisine before the live music starts.

Ago. Movie star Robert De Niro apparently loves food, and has been active in New York in bringing restaurants to the Tribeca area. Here in Los Angeles, he's a major investor at Ago (along with the Weinstein brothers of Miramax fame), a casual Italian restaurant known for its A-list crowd at lunch and dinner.

La Boca del Conga Room. A virtual who's who of Latin Hollywood is behind The Conga Room, with investors ranging from J.Lo and Sheila E. to comedian Paul Rodriguez and actor Jimmy Smits. The downstairs restaurant, La Boca, features Nuevo Latino cuisine and classic tropical cocktails like the mojito, while upstairs the action revolves around live music, often with a Latin beat, and dancing.

Granita. Wolfgang Puck's seafood restaurant in Malibu caters heavily to locals, and celebrities, local and otherwise, are among the investors, from Johnny Carson and David Geffen to Bob Newhart and Don Rickles.

Madre's. J.Lo must've liked being an investor at Conga Room, because she recently opened Madre's, a place of her very own, offering traditional Cuban cuisine in a fun setting.

The Sunset Room. Will Smith and Bruce Willis are among the Hollywood elite who invested in this elegant supper club and lounge in the heart of Hollywood, where Executive Chef Andrew Pastore, formerly of legendary Michael's in Santa Monica, offers his take on American cuisine.

The Edendale Grill & Mixville Bar. The newest addition to dining and nightlife in Los Angeles is this east side hotspot, which recently opened its doors in a meticulously restored landmark 1920s brick firehouse. Kathy Kinney, best known as Mimi on The Drew Carey Show, is one of several Hollywood investors. It's no secret that celebrities love dining out, especially at places they own, but it doesn't end there. Celebrities also invest in their other favourite pastimes: fashion, music, and day spas. Here are some other celebrity-owned businesses in the area:

Shops

Blancs. Jennifer Blanc, better known as Kendra on Dark Angel (and a former regular on Party of Five), opened this funky store late last year. The loft-like space holds the largest selection in town of up-and-coming designers such as Monah Li, Fornarina and Ceila Wise.

Patrick Reid. Even celebrity siblings can open businesses, as Tara Reid's brothers, Tommy and Patrick, did when they founded this trendy boutique. The vibe here is small and slick, with wooden ceilings and graffitied walls making up the décor. The men's and women's merchandise consists of hip, youthful fashions of the moment.

Silver Lake Conservatory of Music. Flea made his name and fortune as Red Hot Chili Peppers' bass player, and this music school is his way of giving back to the community. It's not just about rock here; lessons are available on virtually all instruments. The school also sells music books and related supplies.

Garden Sanctuary. Connie Stevens owns this charming day spa, boutique and café. The age defying "Connie Stevens Time Machine Facial" is the signature treatment, and massages, hairstyling, manicures and more are also available.

ZenSpa. Former Baywatch star Donna D'Errico, wife of Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, recently opened this "funky-peaceful-hip" day spa. ZenSpa combines the sophisticated service of a worl