The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures today revealed details of Fanny’s, the museum’s restaurant and café. The eatery is being developed by restaurateurs Bill Chait and Carl Schuster and is supported by philanthropist Wendy Stark. Fanny’s striking two-story space in the Saban Building is designed by Commune Design. Wolfgang Puck Catering will oversee catering services at the museum, which opens to the public on September 30, 2021.
The late architect Osvaldo Maiozzi conceptualized the 10,000-square-foot space, with interior design by LA-based Commune Design. Commune’s design blends contemporary style with old Hollywood inspiration, as embodied by classic spaces like the Brown Derby and Perino’s, studio backlots, and the iconic 1939 Streamline Moderne architecture of the Saban Building, formerly a May Company department store.
Fanny’s dining area features a mix of small group and communal tables and has a prepared foods market that leads into the main dining room with an art deco-style bar and lounge area that is punctuated by a series of curved booths. The industrial architecture of the Renzo Piano building is complimented by warm natural materials, including maple wall paneling, marble, zinc, and leather and mohair upholstery. The space features the work of local artists and artisans including custom light fixtures by Atelier de Troupe and Pojagi-inspired sheer curtain panels by textile artist Adam Pogue. Los Angeles artist and illustrator Konstantin Kakanias has been commissioned to create a spectacular wraparound mural for the main dining room celebrating film and music legends from classical Hollywood to present day.
The restaurant is supported by a generous donation from Wendy Stark, and is named after her grandmother Fanny Brice, the legendary vaudeville, theater, radio, and film star portrayed by Barbra Streisand in her Oscar®-winning performance in Funny Girl (1968). Funny Girl was produced by Wendy's father, producer Ray Stark, who was married to Fanny’s daughter, Frances Stark. Ray was presented with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1979.
Bill Kramer said, “As a museum dedicated to the art, history, and culture of the movies, we want to create spaces for discourse, reflection, and conversation. Our visitors will discover a full range of exceptional environments and experiences at the Academy Museum, including the opportunity to enjoy a meal or a drink at Fanny’s. We are deeply grateful to Wendy Stark for her generous support of this project and to Bill Chait, Carl Schuster, the team at Commune, and Konstantin Kakanias for their creativity and vision.”
Fanny’s will seat 250 guests and will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with brunch on the weekends. A magnificent private events facility and terrace seating 600 guests on the top floor of the museum also will be supported by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Further details about Fanny’s, including the Chef, Program Director, and reservations, will be announced at a later date.
