SOME celebrities lend their names to a restaurant, bar or lounge, become partners and barely stop by, but other stars truly cherish their havens.
Michael Imperioli of “Sopranos” fame operated Ciel Rouge (Red Ceiling) on Seventh Avenue long before his mob character, Chris, hit TV screens across the world.
Now, instead of going to celebrity-studded events on Saturday nights, Imperioli, who was a struggling New York actor for many pre-“Sopranos” years, prefers to serve friends drinks and chat with Chelsea chuggers.
But if you go, don’t bombard him. He is friendly, but only for a wink. And if you tell him you love his work, he’ll merely respond with a gracious “Thank you.”
New York is full of celebrity-owned eateries, from Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Grill to Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse.
Patrons who hope to see those famous restaurateurs may be disappointed, but fans of Chris Noth – who plays Big on “Sex and the City” – can find him hanging out in his jazz lounge, the Cutting Room. Last week, we spotted him there, casually smoking a cigar, flipping through press clippings.
“I love the place,” says Noth, who co-owns the joint with partner Steve Walter.
“I’m moving around as an actor, so I don’t have time to deal with the day-to-day stuff, but I have a lot to do with the jukebox. We have a great jukebox. I like to be here.”
A star-struck Noth boasts that Gore Vidal had his “Best Man” cast party there, Janeane Garofalo has been a patron, country crooner Nancy Griffith has performed in the club, and Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris are going to do a joint benefit there.
But the establishment, like lots of other spots, has its share of headaches. Many stars open bars and restaurants hoping the party will never end – then find out it’s more work than they ever imagined.
“They all feel it’s like giving a party, it’s like entertaining, but they have no idea how much work it is,” says famed restaurateur Michael “Buzzy” O’Keefe, who operates restaurant/bars Pershing Square, the Water Club and River Cafe.
“Perfect Storm” writer Sebastian Junger didn’t merely lend his name and handsome face to a place – he often rolls up his sleeves behind the bar at his Half King literary saloon.
He goes there every night when he’s in town: Hey, being a bar owner has its perks. “He can’t fathom paying for a drink anymore,” says one of his employees.