There’s something about Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney that has lured fans to Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules for more than a decade. The reality star besties-turned-restaurant owners are now hoping their huge fanbase will flock to their highly-anticipated West Hollywood sandwich shop, Something About Her, which opens Wednesday.
Something About Her has been in the works for several years; its progress has been documented on the reality show. Madix and Maloney had the opportunity to open up their restaurant just doors down from SUR, Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant where the pair became staples of West Hollywood as bartender and server, respectively. But last Spring, the attention on the entire cast skyrocketed when it was uncovered that Madix’s longtime boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, had been having an affair with her best friend, fellow castmate Rachel Leviss. “Scandoval” was born, the internet was broken, and the “Vanderpump” gang was never the same.
Madix has since landed countless endorsem*nt deals, made it to the finals of Dancing With the Stars, become Host of the upcoming season of Love Island, and is impressively starring in a second record-breaking run on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago. As if that hasn’t been taking up enough of her time, Madix has put the final touches on Something About Her with Maloney, and their newfound fame is sure to attract fans from Los Angeles and around the country to see what they’re cooking up in West Hollywood.
The cafe is giving elevated tea party. It’s cozy, elegant and feminine. There’s an exclusive allure to the space that evokes an ethereal fantasy. The menu has a good variety of dainty sandwich options with several different types of breads, meats, vegetables and spreads. Beverage options include beer, wine and cider along with non-alcoholic selections like kombucha and soda.
As two longtime residents and workers in LA, Madix and Maloney know their way around the city. I sat down with them ahead of the grand opening to get their take on how they plan to make Something About Her the chicest place to grab a bite in West Hollywood.
Thrillist: The grand opening is finally here. What does this moment feel like for each of you?
Katie Maloney: Relief. Big time. I mean, it's been such a long time coming. Sometimes I'm like, oh my God. It's finally here. It's exciting.
Ariana Madix: It's definitely a relief. And we're really looking forward to having people here.
T: What was your vision here? The decor, the menu, and even the name, Something About Her?
KM: I over-romanticize everything. I think it's great being just like, hmm…delusional, in a healthy way, in the way that rom-coms do. Nancy Meyers specifically. Those movies and that main character energy, whether it's being at the shop that they own and then they meet having some cute moment. I want that in my life. And what better way to do that than with a little cute sandwich shop. And then when we started going through names, we wanted it to have a name that felt like it was the title of a movie. We both love Nancy Meyers interior, and the same with all of her movie sets where they feel very cozy and lived in, all the kitchens are incredible. The designer [of the restaurant], his name's John Hutman, and he actually is a production designer for movies. He really just came in and made it the space that we dreamed of.
T: What about all of the artwork on the walls?
AM: These were finds collected by John and by us. We really just wanted to reflect many different facets of womanhood. And then one of them is the Celebs on Sandwiches [artwork]. So of course we had to put that on the wall. It's a version of our Greek sandwich, our “Meg” sandwich that we can sit on.
T: What are each of your favorite menu items?
AM: We were just saying that this changes for us frequently. Today “The Cameron” has been one that's just been on my mind. That is our Italian sandwich.
KM: It's hard, I'm sitting here looking at “The Drew.” But “The Reese,” which is the chicken salad sandwich, is my favorite.
T: We’re just a few doors down from SUR, where your fans saw you, in a way, grow up [on Vanderpump Rules]. Was this location intentional?
KM: I wouldn’t say it was intentional, but it worked out really great.
AM: Initially we were looking in the [San Fernando] Valley. We wanted to open in the Valley, but then this space became available and we wanted to jump on it because it really was the perfect space. And then of course, being next to SUR, being here on this block does feel familiar. It feels good to be here.
KM: This area is so great. We didn't consider this area because we didn't think we would find a location. But when it did become available, we were like, we gotta get in it.
T: What impact do you want to have on West Hollywood?
AM: I think in so many ways, West Hollywood is both, when you think of it, big, right? You have worldwide famous restaurants, bars. Then you also have this very little neighborhood feel. If you look at the collection of businesses that are just right here, between us, Alana's [Coffee Roasters], even Oakberry [Acai Bowls] is a chain, but it's small. And then we have the spa in the back and the art gallery. It's like a little collection and we want to feel like a part of the collective that makes up West Hollywood. We are a smaller, boutique establishment. I think that those smaller boutique establishments really balance out that larger-than-life reputation that West Hollywood can also have.
KM: And they're still anchored by establishments that have been here. SUR has been here for years and years. Craig’s has been here for years. And then there are newer places like Great White and Soulmate, and Olivetta, which I love. So there are some really incredible spots that have just kind of popped up a little bit more recently. But I feel like we're in really amazing company, so I'm very happy to be here.
T: Do you think you'd ever expand to more locations around LA?
AM: We definitely would. I mean, knock on wood, we really hope that this first location is super successful. We believe it will be. And so hopefully down the road we'll be able to have more locations.
KM: We're not just thinking locally. We're thinking global! I mean even just in the US, we'd love to go to the other coast, like New York, or Nashville would be great. But then, I could see us in London. We would be so cute there.
T: What are some of your other favorite sandwich shops in LA?
AM: I love Carla’s. Butcher’s Daughter right down the street, that’s great too.
KM: I’ve always loved Larchmont Wine & Cheese. Their sandwiches are so good. And then Bay Cities in Santa Monica. And Wax Paper in Frogtown.
T: Ariana, you’re about to head to paradise for Love Island. What are some of your travel necessities?
AM: I definitely travel with an eye mask because with time differences, it can be really tough to try to get on the right time zone. So I'll use my eye mask to make it dark so I can get the right amount of sleep. And then I drink a ton of water. Another travel necessity is some probiotics, because…listen! And really slathering on the skincare because being on a plane, it really dries you out. Just really try to hydrate from the inside and the outside.
T: What should every tourist do when they come to LA?
AM: Number one, they should see a show somewhere. New York has got theater covered, but LA has some super iconic music venues like the Greek Theater or you can go see something at the Pantages or the Hollywood Bowl. I think they should go see a show because I feel like mostly the people who go and do those things are the people who live here.
KM: Avoid Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not what you think it’s going to be. I think we have so much incredible food. Literally throw a dart at a sushi restaurant somewhere on Ventura Boulevard. Have sushi somewhere in the Valley like in Sherman Oaks or Studio City.
T: What do you love about living in the Valley?
AM: Parking.
KM: Proximity. You can get anywhere very quickly. I think people think because it's far, you're further away from everything, but that's people that usually live in West Hollywood, because I used to think that too. I like being able to go everywhere else and have that accessibility so much more. I've been able to experience much more in LA now that I live in the Valley.
AM: Agreed. It also feels more relaxed. You can get so much done in a day. And I’m always cold so I love the heat of the Valley.
KM: And there are way more friends with pools in the Valley.
T: LA Pride is next weekend. What are your plans?
AM: I will be on a plane but I’ll be here in spirit. Katie can Facetime me.
KM: I’ll be here at Something About Her! When we picked this date to open, we were like, that’s great, because we’ll be open for Pride. We would love to have people stop in during the parade.
Something About Her is located at 640 N. Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Andrew Watman is a contributor for Thrillist.
