Once upon a time it was the Brown Derby. Then it was Spago. Currently, it’s The Grill. How does a mere restaurant become a Hollywood Power Lunch Player? It doesn’t matter if the food is so-so, what matters is the location – is the eatery on a high-traffic, high-profile area? One that has outdoor seating on a busy thoroughfare that is near A-list talent agencies? Or one that is smack-dab in the middle of a see-and-be-seen shopping district? That is the first hurdle in making a diner a place that can charge $12 for a corned beef sandwich.

The next step is making the eatery’s presence known. Restaurants that crave an A-list clientele mail out press kits to the agents of those actors who are currently “hot.” They also forge relationships with the concierges in local five-star hotels in order to get those oh-so-important referrals. One other sure-fire guarantee: get some celebrity investors in on the ground floor. Many stars and executives are looking to diversify their portfolios, so buying into a potential Hollywood hot spot is a definite financial possibility. Once they’re on board, they’ll naturally refer all their high-profile pals to their diner. Of course, celebrity loyalty is notoriously fickle.