Latest news with #Chait
Los Angeles Times
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
The Tesla Diner is officially open ‘from now until forever.' What we learned on Day 1
Was it a restaurant opening or a car show? On Monday, Cybertrucks and Teslas filed into the parking lot and lined around the block for the opening of the Tesla Diner: a two-story, retro-modern, steel-covered restaurant with two towering movie screens for customers to watch as they 'supercharge' their cars. It marks the popular but controversial car company's first foray into the restaurant industry. Should it prove successful, Musk posted to his social media platform X, the L.A. Tesla Diner will be the first of many. The contentious new Hollywood diner will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The chef and co-operator Eric Greenspan posted a video of the diner set to Guns N' Roses' 'Welcome to the Jungle' to his personal Instagram account with the caption, 'Tesla Diner now open. 24/7 from now until forever.' The roughly 9,300-square-foot Tesla Diner drew at least a thousand customers, according to co-operator Bill Chait, and at least one protester, on its first day. Some traveled for hours and arrived early in the morning to wait in line until the doors opened, in memelord Musk fashion, at 4:20 p.m. The opening day scene was a parade of Tesla owners, Musk fans and curious Angelenos who flocked to Santa Monica Boulevard to find parking lots outfitted with 80 superchargers compatible with any electric car, according to Chait. Some of the vehicles outside were covered with custom decals, at least one done up in purple glitter, another with sparkly polka dots and one plastered with the face of the Musk-beloved crypto-meme dog, Doge. Inside, the diner boasts the smell of an In-N-Out in a space that looks as if it were plucked from Disney's Tomorrowland. From behind the pass in the kitchen, Greenspan shouted customer orders: 'Epic Bacon,' tuna melt, grilled cheese, egg sandwich add avocado — most of which come served in paper boxes shaped like Tesla Cybertrucks. Some customers wore them as hats. The diner is also fully electric, from the fryers to the griddles (no gas stoves). 'If our retro-futuristic diner turns out well, which I think it will, @Tesla will establish these in major cities around the world, as well as at Supercharger sites on long distance routes,' Musk, a former President Trump senior advisor, wrote on X. 'An island of good food, good vibes & entertainment, all while Supercharging!' At the center of the diner are two industry veterans: restaurateur Chait, whose credits include Tartine, Mian, Paloma and Firstborn, among others, and Greenspan, a former Foundry and Patina chef, the creator of New School American Cheese and the culinary lead on MrBeast Burger. The company gave Chait and Greenspan 'more or less carte blanche to operate the diner within the Tesla brand,' Chait said. Tesla began planning the diner in 2018. Franz von Holzhausen, a lead automotive designer at Tesla, oversaw much of the restaurant's design and consulted with Chait and Greenspan to bring Musk's vision to life. Chait characterizes Musk — who has been lambasted by critics for his work in the Trump administration as well as a recent alleged Nazi salute, which he denied — as 'a big thinker.' Longtime Tesla fan, investor and cinematographer James Miller, who arrived at the diner at 6:30 a.m. Monday, likened him to Michelangelo or 'Steve Jobs on steroids.' As smooth as the diner's opening has proved for the operating duo, sometimes the restaurateurs learn news of it just like the rest of the world: from social media outbursts by its polarizing tech billionaire. 'We hear it before he posts it, usually, but there is stuff that he posts, you know, in the middle of the night: out come proclamations,' Chait said. Chait said he submitted a proposal for the diner years ago; Tesla chose another operating team, then parted ways, and Chait reentered the picture. When it came to tapping a chef, the restaurateur said he knew who to call. He and Greenspan were already in development of a modern Jewish deli, called Mish, which is planned to open Oct. 3 on La Brea. 'He's an American chef, he knows this food really well, he understands the system,' Chait said. Greenspan envisioned a pseudo-retro diner. 'Charged sodas' on draft are meant to evoke phosphates, and breakfast is served all day long. There are hot dogs, club sandwiches, biscuits with gravy, tallow French fries, cinnamon buns and slices of apple pie served with vanilla ice cream. Tesla's branding — and occasionally Musk's meme-leaning humor — seep into the food. Waffles come stamped with Tesla's lightning bolt, while a white paper carton holds four maple-glazed strips of 'Epic Bacon.' Tesla's engineers devised their own smashburger press, which produces crispy edges and a juicy center for the burger topped with caramelized onions, shredded lettuce, pickles, a punchy 'Electric Sauce' and Greenspan's brand of American cheese. Even the electric vehicles' range influenced the restaurant: Greenspan and Chait wanted to build a menu using purveyors found within a Tesla's mileage from a single charge. Burbank's RC Provisions makes the diner's wagyu chili. Colton's Chino Valley Ranchers provides the eggs, while Buena Park's Brandt Beef supplies the burger patties. Tartine, with a location two blocks away, delivers the bread. The diner does not allow tipping the staff; instead, Chait said, Tesla covers a 20% tip pool, which is distributed to both front- and back-of-house employees. 'Being in food service myself, it's always great to see innovation,' said Nathan Hoover, a Tesla owner who drove from San Diego at 4 a.m. that morning. 'I was impressed. It was worth the wait.' Chait said he finds the integration of food and technology 'outrageous.' Orders can be placed up to 24 hours in advance, while a new 'geofence' system tracks when a Tesla enters a set perimeter, alerting the kitchen to ready its order 15 to 20 minutes from arrival. Guests can select their preference of dining in or utilizing carhop-inspired delivery. Movies projected onto two large screens in the parking lot can also be viewed within the vehicle. 'Easter eggs' are hidden in the menu; Chait said some may or may not pertain to how long certain buttons are held while ordering. On opening day, rumors ran rampant. Does the diner take crypto as a form of payment? No, Chait said, at least not currently. Will robots deliver the food? No, but one was serving popcorn. The restaurant's 360-degree rooftop — accessible by an all-white winding staircase with museum-like displays of Tesla's humanoid Optimus robots in glass cases — offers ample seating and prime views of the movie screens. At the bar is the Diner Shop, where customers clamored for $40 Tesla Diner T-shirts and $175 levitating Cybertruck models. Adjacent sat a popcorn stand operated by none other than an Optimus itself. Fans giggled as the robot slowly filled paper boxes with popcorn, handed them to customers and gave a wave and peace sign. Not everyone was there to plug in and dine. Outside the entrance on Santa Monica Boulevard, a man strode the block carrying a sign that read 'Workers should have power not the billionaires!' It was, he promised, the first of many Tesla Diner protests to come. 'I'm putting word out to Action Network and a variety of other Tesla takedown organizations, so we will be here in vast numbers from now on,' said Charles Happold, who lives in the neighborhood. 'We will do everything in our power to get him to sell this place and get out of here.' The activist said he regularly protests Tesla dealerships on weekends, and considers Musk to be a threat to democracy alongside President Trump. Happold also pointed to Musk's estrangement from his trans daughter as proof of poor character. Happold paced the sidewalk, occasionally garnering honks of support from passing cars. As guests exited the restaurant, he stopped them to ask why they supported Musk; many responded that they were unaware of the billionaire's involvement. 'They're playing dumb,' he said. Los Angeles, Happold said, is not a city receptive to Musk. But Teslas queued down the block to enter the diner's parking lot. 'I wanted to make sure there was sound presence here today at this secret grand opening that will make people understand that this is not something we will tolerate in Los Angeles,' Happold said. 'We do not want this restaurant here unless he sells it: It's a unique place and that would be fine, but we don't want Musk involved at all.'
Eater
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Eater
The Retro-Futuristic Tesla Diner Opens at 4:20 p.m. in Los Angeles
Elon Musk's long-awaited Tesla diner is set to open today at 4:20 p.m. in Los Angeles, according to Bill Chait, lead operator and longtime LA restaurateur (Tesse, Tartine, Republique). As of 12:30 p.m. on Monday, July 21, a growing crowd of between 50 and 100 people was lined up outside the futuristic diner and charging station, which took over a former Shakey's on Santa Monica Boulevard. At one point, someone drove by on a miniature DOGE coin-themed ATV, wearing a T-shirt that said, 'Keep Calm and Love Doge.' The restaurant channels the look of a retro-futuristic diner, with a curved metal exterior that resembles a spaceship but falls closer to evoking the design sensibilities of an Apple store or Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Massive 45-foot screens are located in the outdoor Supercharger section, allowing guests to catch a movie while about 35 vehicles charge. An ancillary charging lot on the far side of the building can accommodate approximately 75 additional vehicles. Inside, circular banquettes and a long, rounded counter are situated in the dining room, and an open-air second-floor balcony overlooks the neighborhood. The diner is slated to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chait was tapped to help open the Tesla diner, including hiring the team developing the menu, with the expectation of serving somewhere between 2,000 and 2,500 people a day. Chef Eric Greenspan, previously of the Foundry, Greenspan's Grilled Cheese, and numerous other restaurants — and also the founder of New School American Cheese — was brought on board to build out the menu and lead the kitchen. According to Chait, the scale of the restaurant posed difficulties, and the building didn't even have electricity until Thursday, July 10. Chait recalls Musk visiting the restaurant last week and telling the team that if a dish wasn't 'epic,' it shouldn't be on the menu. The Tesla diner will also introduce a new digital ordering system that allows guests to order from their car. The kitchen will begin preparing their food once their location is detected to be within a 15 to 20-minute driving range. Once there, customers may have the food brought to their car or eat it inside the restaurant. At first, sources on site indicated that they have no intention of opening in the next few hours, despite the crowd waiting outside for a chance to get a drink from the rumored humanoid robot bartenders named Optimus. As the news spread of the late afternoon opening, the crowd began to thin out to just a few dozen. Musk first announced the Tesla diner in a 2018 post on X, writing that he would put an 'old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in LA.' Chait says Franz von Holzhausen, the chief designer of virtually every Tesla vehicle, including the Model S and Model 3, was the main force and lead designer restaurant building, overseeing virtually every aspect of the customer experience. Musk later wrote on X that this diner would be the first of many to be built around the world, blending aspects of a drive-in theater and retro-futuristic diner with electric vehicle charging. Additional reporting by Mona Holmes. Exterior of Tesla diner. Matthew Kang Matthew Kang Bill Chait, operator of Tesla Diner in Los Angeles. Matthew Kang A 45-foot screen looks over the Superchargers. Matthew Kang Matthew Kang Matthew Kang Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Silent Epidemic That May Be Hurting Your Health
Though we're technically more connected than ever—thanks to texting, video calls, and social media—many people report feeling alone. In a recent American Psychiatric Association poll, one-third of Americans said they felt lonely every week. And 10% said they felt lonely every day. Feeling lonely doesn't necessarily mean you're alone. 'It can happen whether there are people around or not,' says Jacqueline Olds, M.D., psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of The Lonely American. Instead, you may feel disconnected from other people—and sad about that lack of connection. 'Loneliness is a subjective experience or feeling,' says Sari Chait, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and founder of Behavioral Health and Wellness Center. 'It can be brief or situational, such as if you've recently moved to a new town where you don't know anybody yet. Or loneliness can be more chronic.' When chronic, the feeling comes with real consequences. Studies have found that loneliness can make you feel stressed, impact your immune system, and increase inflammation. Other research has linked loneliness to an increased risk of early death. Loneliness is associated with a slew of chronic conditions, like depression, heart disease, and cognitive decline. And some researchers have gone as far as calling it a public health epidemic. 'Loneliness can negatively impact almost all aspects of your life,' says Chait. Fortunately, there are expert-backed steps you can take to combat loneliness—boosting both your happiness and your health. 'If you can become more socially connected, it's like giving up smoking,' says Dr. you're lonely, you may not feel like getting out and seeing people. That's normal. 'Often, feelings of loneliness lead people to isolate more,' says Chait. But withdrawing can trigger a vicious cycle, causing you to feel even lonelier than you already do, she says. So push yourself to be social anyway. Set up a cooking class with a friend, schedule a workout with a coworker, or head somewhere that offers group meetings and activities, like a local library or community center. Changing your routine will get you out of the house. And doing activities you like will give you the chance to connect emotionally with people who share your interests, says Chait—something that can ultimately help you overcome feelings of in marriages, romantic relationships, and partnerships isn't uncommon. In fact, about 28% of people who aren't satisfied with their family life report feeling lonely all or most of the time, according to a Pew Research Center survey. 'People sometimes feel lonely despite connections because their needs aren't being met,' says Chait. Feel like something is missing in your relationship or you're growing apart? Schedule one-on-one time for you and your partner every week to check in and truly connect, suggests Dr. Olds. Dr. Olds also recommends a 'distance alarm'—something that helps you notice you might be drifting apart and prompts you to do something about it. This is a key aspect of lasting marriages, she says. And planning a romantic dinner or a fun outing is a great way to to be alone because you think you'll feel lonely? 'If you can find activities you enjoy doing by yourself and reframe what being alone means to you, it can be quite powerful,' says Chait. Learning how to enjoy your time alone—curling up with a new book you've been dying to read or hitting that a weekly yoga class—can give you something fulfilling to look forward to, even if you're not engaging in social interactions, she surrounded by people doesn't necessarily prevent loneliness. A 2018 Cigna study found that 27% of Americans rarely—or never—feel like they spend time around people who actually get them. And only about half said they have meaningful, daily, in-person interactions with friends or family. That's a problem. Spending your days small-talking with people you're not clicking with can cause you to miss deeper, significant relationships, says Dr. Olds. So take the opportunity to reconnect with someone you're close to. Tell a cross-county friend you miss her, and schedule time to catch up. Or grab lunch with your sister. This can strengthen your relationships with people who truly know you, making you feel less lonely, she is a great way to interact with people you have something in common with. Clean up a local park on a Saturday morning, join Big Brothers Big Sisters, or sign up for a volunteer trip. To reap the benefits, look for a group that meets at least once a month. 'Joining other people on a mutual project where you share a mission can be conducive to forming good friendships and helping you feel much less isolated,' says Dr. Olds. 'You don't have to know them well, but you have to share some value.'The relationship between social media and connection is complex. Some research has linked social media use to depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. But other studies have suggested that social media use can reduce loneliness and isolation, especially in older adults. The trick, Dr. Olds says, might be to use Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to truly connect with people. That means less time mindlessly scrolling and more time messaging people, reaching out to stay in touch with old friends, and joining groups you're interested a busy schedule or packed social calendar isn't enough to feel less lonely, and seeking the help of a professional is necessary. In these moments, therapy can be very effective. Chait specifically recommends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), because it can help you identify and change the thought processes that may be behind your loneliness. 'Your therapist will also help you change your behaviors that are contributing to loneliness,' she says. '[And they can] help you initiate new behaviors [to] combat the loneliness.'At some point or another, most people feel lonely. Maybe you're moving to a different city, starting a new job, or going through a breakup. Feeling isolated from time to time is par for the course, says Dr. Olds. Simply admitting you feel lonely and talking about your loneliness can make all the difference in connecting with others and normalizing your experience. After all, you're probably not the only one going through this. And opening up could help you—and others—feel less alone. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Fast Company
12-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Greenhouse and Clear team up to fight fake job applications flooding tech hiring
Fraudulent job applications have become a serious issue in the era of remote interviews and AI-generated content. Research firm Gartner predicts that by 2028, up to 25% of applications could be fake. In some cases, fraudsters in North Korea have managed to land Western tech jobs under false pretenses, according to recent reports. One client recently told Daniel Chait, cofounder and CEO of hiring software company Greenhouse, that more than 70% of applications for remote tech roles they're receiving are fake. Others have reported increasing difficulty sorting through waves of irrelevant or fraudulent submissions. 'What we're hearing from them is that they're overrun with spam, unqualified applicants, cheating (people using various means to pass job interviews), and fraud. [It's] willful misrepresentation in the process, often by kind of nefarious groups,' Chait says. To combat the problem, Greenhouse is developing a new platform called Greenhouse Real Talent. The goal is to filter out unqualified candidates submitting AI-generated applications, those using AI tools during interviews, and individuals applying under fake identities. To help with identity verification, Greenhouse is partnering with Clear, the company best known for its expedited airport security service. In recent years, Clear has expanded beyond travel with a platform called Clear1. While airports were the initial focus, the company always intended to move into broader identity verification, says Clear cofounder and CEO Caryn Seidman Becker in an exclusive interview with Fast Company. 'Clear1 really does reflect our day one vision to make experiences safer and easier, physically and digitally,' she says. 'It's what we talked about and pitched 15 years ago when we went out to raise capital to start Clear, and it's coming to fruition today.' Clear now provides ID checks for LinkedIn verification badges, tool rentals at Home Depot, and patient check-ins at certain medical facilities. In April, it announced a partnership with DocuSign to integrate identity verification into digital contract signings. T-Mobile also uses Clear1 to authenticate employees, the companies announced Wednesday, saying biometrics help the telecom provider confirm employees' actual identities, not just that they know a password or are in possession of a particular device. The Clear1 platform enables businesses to add identity checks into their websites or apps, whether on users' phones or company tablets in places like medical offices. First-time users are typically asked to provide an email address and phone number, photograph a government-issued ID, and take a selfie to confirm they're real. Future verifications are usually quicker. The process is meant to feel similar to logging in with Google credentials or using Apple Pay, allowing users to see what information is shared with the requesting company. 'They can verify with Clear just like you can pay with Apple,' Seidman Becker says. The stage at which applicants are asked to verify their identity through Clear will depend on each company's process. Chait expects that employers using Real Talent, which is set to launch in the third quarter of this year, will ask applicants to reverify at key stages such as before video interviews. Behind the scenes, Clear checks various factors to validate documents, confirm the user matches them, and detect suspicious device activity. Seidman Becker says this provides a seamless way for businesses to ensure users are who they claim to be, without relying on multiple tools. Verification is also faster after a user completes the process once. According to the company, initial verification takes about 90 seconds, and later sessions typically take less than 15 seconds. Clear also offers alternative verification methods for users who struggle with certain steps—a common issue during the COVID-era unemployment surge—though Seidman Becker declined to share details, citing proprietary technology. 'There are other ways that we can work to verify you, as opposed to some more traditional ID verification companies that just sort of have one trick, if you will,' she says. Chait adds that Real Talent will offer an alternative path for applicants who are unable or unwilling to use Clear's standard process. 'If you, for a variety of reasons, don't want to or can't be part of that online verification process, there'll be an alternative path,' he says. 'But I think most people will find it's a lot more convenient and a lot more straightforward to do it the Clear way.' Clear has occasionally faced criticism from lawmakers and travelers over its paid airport perks and from privacy advocates concerned about biometric data use. Seidman Becker argues that Clear's visibility and track record actually build trust among businesses and consumers handling sensitive data. She also believes the use of Clear online may drive more sign-ups for its airport services. In May, the company reported that first-quarter revenue rose 18.1% year over year to $211.4 million, with Clear+ airport memberships up 9.1%. Last fall, Clear introduced new facial recognition technology in airports, which it claims is significantly faster than its previous systems.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
L.A. chef picked to run Tesla diner in Hollywood
The Tesla diner slated to open in Hollywood will be run by Eric Greenspan, a longtime Los Angeles chef, a Tesla investor announced this week. Greenspan will be the chef de cuisine at the new diner set to open on Santa Monica Boulevard, which will feature a drive-in movie theater and 75 V4 Supercharger stalls, according to a post on X by Sawyer Merritt, a self-identified Tesla investor. Greenspan declined to comment or confirm his involvement in the project, telling The Times, 'I'm not sure there's that much to talk about." But Tesla's Elon Musk seemed to confirm the hiring, responding to Merritt on X: 'It will be cool.' Greenspan, a Le Cordon Bleu alum and Patina veteran, launched into L.A.'s culinary scene with his Californian-French restaurant the Foundry in 2007. He went on to open multiple restaurants and eventually founded Alt/Grub/Faction, a collection of ghost kitchens, or restaurants-in-name-only that deliver food to an online clientele. He also developed New School American Cheese, a product that's currently served on burgers and sandwiches across Los Angeles. 'Greenspan is a charismatic man, with a big, low-slung presence and a loud personality that can distract you (is it a diversionary tactic?) from his considerable intelligence,' wrote Amy Scattergood, former editor of the L.A. Times Food section. Greenspan frequently serves as a restaurant consultant, lending culinary acumen to projects such as the Weight Watchers cafe and Mr. Beast Burger. Whether Greenspan will serve as the Tesla Diner's head chef or a consultant — simply advising aspects of the menu — is yet to be seen. Read more: Tesla plans a drive-in movie restaurant in Hollywood Another possible connection to the restaurant, reported by the New York Times, is influential restaurateur Bill Chait, with a William Chait listed as the manager for Zero2One LLC, a company cited on recent job postings for the Tesla Diner. Chait helped mold the city's dinescape through his operations of Bestia, République, the Rose and others via Sprout Restaurant Group, which he left in 2015. More recently Chait has had a hand in Fanny's at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Tartine, the since-shuttered Zozo La Brea, and new Chinatown restaurant First Born. Chait and Greenspan aren't alone in making news this week related to the Tesla Diner. In a separate article by the New York Times, which interviewed L.A. chefs about the project, République chef-owner Walter Manzke said it 'sounds exciting' and noted that his wife — République co-owner and James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Margarita Manzke — agrees. 'She told me the other day that she wants to buy a Tesla, so I can tell you what side she's on,' Manzke said. The Manzkes faced immediate backlash, and in a since-deleted Instagram post, wrote that the statement was never meant to be political. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
