Martha Stewart Reveals Why She Opened Her First Restaurant At 81 – Hollywood Life

Martha Stewart, 81, Reveals Why She Opened Her First Restaurant While Her Peers Are All ‘Retiring’

At 81, the home and garden icon isn't slowing down one bit. She just opened her first restaurant, The Bedford at Paris Las Vegas, and couldn't be more thrilled.

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August 19, 2022 12:39PM EDT
Martha Stewart
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MARTHA STEWART Martha Stewart, right, cook and author of a new book, "Entertaining," and her friend and restaurant consultant Ruth Leserman of San Francisco, chop mushrooms while preparing dishes for a luncheon. The affair in Westport, Conn., in 1982 was to celebrate the book's publicationMARTHA STEWART, WESTPORT, USA
STEWART Martha Stewart, chariman and CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, officially opens her new television studio and production facility during a media reception, in Westport, Conn., as she poses in one of the kitchen studios. Stewart is the creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning home living series, which broadcasts every Monday through Friday, as well as a weekend editionMARTHA STEWART STUDIO, WESTPORT, USA
STEWART Martha Stewart, chairman and CEO of Martha Stewart Omnimedia Inc., takes pictures from the bell podium of the New York Stock Exchange before ringing the opening bell, . Kmart Corp. and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. today announced that they have signed a new long-term merchandising agreement that will significantly lengthen the term and expand the scope of the Martha Stewart Everyday brand of home and garden related products. Under the terms of the agreement, her products will continue to be available exclusively at more than 2,100 Kmart stores, and online at until 2008 with conditional renewal until 2013WALL STREET KMART MARTHA STEWART, NEW YORK, USA
Image Credit: Caesars Entertainment

Still cooking up the best! Martha Stewart has done everything from tablescapes to tulips to TV, but it took until now to have her first restaurant.

The lifestyle queen, 81, just opened her very first eatery, The Bedford at Paris Las Vegas, and while she admitted it’s a “strange” time for her to be opening her very first restaurant, Martha knew it was the right time.

Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart just opened her first restaurant at 81 years old. The Bedford by Martha Stewart is in the heart of Las Vegas. (Caesars Entertainment)

“It’s a rather strange time for me [to do this],” she told HollywoodLife at an EXCLUSIVE media brunch on Aug. 13, 2022. “When most people my age are retiring, I embark on a restaurant of all things,” she went on, adding, “I’ve always wanted a restaurant, and this opportunity I couldn’t pass down. I just love the idea.”

The Bedford is a near-perfect replica of the dining room at Martha’s Bedford, New York estate. Cabinets filled with elegant crystal frame the dining room, which features a beautiful woodgrain, faux bois finish just like at Martha’s.

Framing the room are digital panels that look like the pastoral views beyond the Bedford estate. (And adding a bit more Vegas magic, the panels will change from season to season, showing off the fall leaves and winter snowscapes in coming months.)

Martha Stewart
The Bedford is a near-perfect replica of the dining room at Martha’s Bedford, New York estate. (Caesars Entertainment)

The menu is full of elevated takes on classics like a smashed potato and whole roast chicken carved tableside, old Vegas style. But a meal isn’t cheap, with entrees running from $35 to $160 a plate. (And that’s not counting the $251 caviar-coated buckwheat crepes available off the appetizer section.)

While Martha is an expert at everything from endives to entertaining, it took a village to create The Bedford. Martha’s righthand guys Kevin Sharkey and Thomas Joseph joined forces with Caesars Entertainment and their culinary team to create the perfect experience.

“Teamwork is everything. If you don’t find people who think similarly to you and have the same likes and dislikes, it’s not going to work so well,” she explained. “We’ve always looked for like-minded people who have really good taste and a really good imagination. And a penchant for excellence.”

Now, a taste of excellence is in reach for all. The Bedford By Martha Stewart is located in Paris Las Vegas and reservations are available now.

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