A newcomer to the celebrity restaurant scene is EUROCHOW, located in the heart of Westwood Village.

But its owner certainly isn't new to the scene - he's Michael Chow, owner of the famous Mr Chow restaurants, and a long-time restaurateur to the stars, with popular celebrity meccas in Beverly Hills, New York, London & Tokyo.

The doors had no sooner opened to this stylish new eatery when celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Jodie Foster, Michael Bolton, Drew Barrymore and Helen Hunt started dropping by to sample its Italian and Chinese food.

In fact, the restaurant's grand opening in 1999 was a fund raiser which involved the likes of Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Denzel Washington, Lauren Holly, Eric Clapton, Michael York and director Billy Wilder.

A later benefit in September attracted a star-studded crowd to EUROCHOW, including Nicolas Cage, Sandra Bullock, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Sara Michelle Gellar, Patricia Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, David Arquette & Courteney Cox, Allison Eastwood, Frances McDormand, Rebecca DeMornay and Joseph Fiennes.

But the gorgeous building which houses EUROCHOW is a star in its own right.

The landmark 1929 domed Janns building has long been the architectural center of the Village, but now Michael Chow has invested $4 million to transform the building's interior into a visual wonder: the curving white lacquered walls rise to a 55' -high dome; the white marble floor is lit from within. There are sculpted black leather booths and glowing frosted glass panels in the polished white acrylic tables. In the daytime, light floods in from everywhere. It's a virtual cathedral to chic.

And Michael Chow is something of a star himself - an aspiring actor who has appeared in small roles in movies such "Lethal Weapon 4," "You Only Live Twice" and "Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?"

But the prices are surprisingly reasonable for such an opulent space - considerably lower than at the original Mr Chow.

What about the food? Although the Mr Chow restaurants serve Chinese food, EUROCHOW is mostly Italian, with just a little Chinese. The menu includes roast duck, steamed Chinese dumplings and glazed prawns. Early reviews were mixed.

Eurochow is now open only on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Getting there: EUROCHOW is located at the heart of Westwood Village, in the landmark Janss' dome building at at the intersection of Westwood Boulevard, Broxton Avenue and Le Conte Avenue - just a short walk south of UCLA.  

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