Here's Why Everyone Is Talking About 'Vanderpump Rules'
Whether you're a reality television fan or not, you've probably heard people talking about Vanderpump Rules. Since 2013, the series has followed restaurateur and reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump and the staff at her various businesses in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
We've seen plenty of drama over the past ten years, but few scandals have made as big of an impact as this year's Scandoval. One of the show's longest-running relationships fell apart after an affair was uncovered between Tom Sandoval and co-star Raquel Leviss.
The drama is coming to a head with the season 10 reunion, but there's still so much to unpack. Viewers have even resorted to making detailed maps to explain the complicated details of this affair. And for people who haven't followed the show for the past decade, it can get pretty confusing. So, if you're kinda lost, don't fear. We've broken down all of the restaurants featured on Vanderpump Rules and the drama that has transpired on the show so you can better understand the scandal.
Villa Blanca
After opening 26 restaurants, bars, and clubs across London, Lisa Vanderpump moved to Los Angeles and opened Villa Blanca in 2009. The Mediterranean-inspired concept in Beverly Hills frequently appeared in episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Many Vanderpump Rules cast members got their start working at Villa Blanca, including Scheana Shay, Stassi Schroeder, Ariana Madix, and Tom Sandoval. But over several years, Villa Blanca was hit with several lawsuits over unfair labor practices and sexual harassment. The pandemic was the nail in the coffin for the Beverly Hills restaurant, which closed its doors in 2020.
SUR Restaurant & Lounge
SUR, which stands for Sexy Unique Restaurant, was Lisa Vanderpump's second restaurant venture in Los Angeles. Vanderpump famously described the West Hollywood haunt as "where you take your mistress."
Many of the staff members at Villa Blanca moved over to start working at SUR, namely Scheana Shay. Shay was at the center of a cheating scandal with the husband of Vanderpump's RHOBH co-star Brandi Glanville. Shay's arrival at SUR was the basis for the Vanderpump Rules spin-off, and the rest is history.
SUR became the setting for raucous parties, explosive arguments, and plenty of iconic TV moments. Quotes like"It's not about the pasta,""I 'm not sure what I've done to you, but I'll take a Pinot Grigio," and"You’re not important enough to hate, sit down"were all spoken in SUR's hallowed halls.
Pump Restaurant Lounge
Pump opened down the street from SUR in 2014. This restaurant had plenty of outdoor seating and was prime for people watching. Stars like Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, and Lance Bass have all been spotted dining under the restaurant's 100-year-old olive trees.
But in May of this year, Vanderpump announced that Pump would be closing its doors in July, blaming increasing rent prices. If you still want to try the famous Pump-tini, you have until July 5th before Pump shuts down for good.
TomTom Restaurant & Bar
At the end of season five, Lisa Vanderpump made a business proposal to fellow cast members Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval. The plan was for them work with her on a new restaurant concept. After a drama-filled few years, TomTom Restaurant & Bar finally opened in 2018.
Schwartz and Sandoval each have five percent stake in the restaurant and are considered "baby bosses" of the West Hollywood spot. TomTom was also where Ariana Madix discovered Tom Sandoval's affair with friend Raquel Leviss.
Vanderpump Cocktail Garden
Vanderpump Cocktail Garden was Lisa Vanderpump's first venture in Las Vegas. The bar, located in the Caesar's Palace hotel on the Strip, opened in 2019 to plenty of fanfare. Saveur named Vanderpump Cocktail Garden as one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Vegas.
This year's BravoCon will take place next door to the bar and lounge, so you can meet some of your favorite Bravolebrities while sipping on drinks like the Hanky Panky, the Nut Job, and Vanderpump Rosé, obviously.
Vanderpump à Paris
Opened in early 2022, Vanderpump à Paris brings France to Sin City. This restaurant is the reality star's second collaboration with Caesar's Palace. It's filled with over-the-top decor—the charcuterie boards are served in bird cages and the shots are brought over in a miniature Eiffel Tower.
We tried some of the cocktails on Vanderpump à Paris's extensive menu. The verdict: they're ridiculously delicious. On season 10 of Vanderpump Rules, you can watch several cast members visiting the new spot. And of course, it's where scandal-ridden Raquel Leviss made out with married employee Oliver Saunders, who happens to be the son of RHOBH's Garcelle Beauvais.
Schwartz & Sandy's Lounge
After working as baby bosses at TomTom, Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval upped the ante by opening up their own concept without the influence of Lisa Vanderpump. Located in a strip mall in Franklin Village across from the infamous Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre, Schwartz and Sandy's first opened their doors in November 2022.
The two Toms struggled to get the place up and running, cycling through several different chefs and dealing with plenty of on-screen drama. After the public first learned of Sandoval's affair with co-star Raquel Leviss, Schwartz and Sandy's was flooded with negative online reviews and littered with graffiti in support of Sandoval's ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix.
A public statement was made on Schwartz and Sandy's Instagram page asking Vanderpump Rules fans to leave their business alone in the wake of the drama.
Something About Her
Just like their exes Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney are also budding restauranteurs. Season 10 of Vanderpump Rules follows the duo through the opening of their sandwich shop and wine bar, Something About Her. The West Hollywood spot has partnered with chef and Food Network personality Penny Davidi.
In the fallout of Scandoval, fans have supported Madix by buying over $200,000 worth of merch from Something About Her. In the first part of the Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion, the pair announced that the restaurant will be opening very soon.
Have you tried any of the restaurants featured on the show? Let us know in the comments.
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