Hollywood’s Magic Castle hires executive chef Ben LaFleche and opens first outdoor dining in decades. Get details on the historic venue’s culinary transformation
Hollywood’s most enchanting venue just pulled off a different kind of magic trick: hiring a chef who might finally make the food as memorable as the illusions.
The Magic Castle—the legendary 59-year-old private club and home of the Academy of Magical Arts—has appointed French-Canadian chef Benoit “Ben” LaFleche as executive chef, signaling a serious commitment to elevating its culinary program.
For members and their guests who’ve long visited for world-class magic shows while treating dinner as, well, a necessary intermission, this hiring could change everything. LaFleche brings experience from LA’s elite Griffin Club and multi-restaurant management at Huntington Beach’s Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort. Combined with the venue’s first outdoor dining space in decades, The Magic Castle is betting that exceptional food and fresh air can complement the close-up card tricks and stage illusions that have made it a Hollywood institution.
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Why This Chef Hire Matters for The Magic Castle
Let’s be honest: if you’re a SoCal local or regular visitor, you know The Magic Castle’s food hasn’t always been the main attraction. The venue has cycled through several executive chefs recently, including Jason Sperber and a brief tenure by Jason Fullilove. The real draw has always been the magic—intimate performances where magicians make coins vanish inches from your nose, and grand stage illusions that leave entire rooms gasping.
But here’s the thing: when you’re paying premium prices for a members-only experience in one of Hollywood’s most storied buildings, the food should match the magic. That’s where Benoit “Ben” LaFleche comes in.
LaFleche spent time curating menus at the Griffin Club in Cheviot Hills, LA’s exclusive members-only venue known for its sophisticated approach to California cuisine. He also managed three restaurants simultaneously at the Hilton’s Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, proving he can handle complex operations and diverse dining concepts.
“This could mark the start of a revamp for the 59-year-old venue,” industry insiders suggest—and they’re not wrong. When a historic restaurant finally commits to serious culinary talent, it signals institutional change. For food lovers, wine collectors, and cocktail enthusiasts from Beverly Hills to Culver City who’ve been invited to The Magic Castle, this news means your next visit might offer genuine surprises beyond the card tricks.
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The Magic Castle Opens Its First Outdoor Dining Space in Decades
Here’s something truly unprecedented: The Magic Castle now features outdoor dining for the first time in decades. Before the space was enclosed in the 1960s, a second-floor balcony offered open-air dining that eventually became the indoor Terrace Dining Room.
For anyone who’s dined at The Magic Castle, you know the experience has always been delightfully claustrophobic in the best way—velvet curtains, dim lighting, ornate Victorian interiors creating an atmosphere of mystery. But outdoor dining changes the equation, especially in Los Angeles where alfresco eating isn’t just preferred; it’s a lifestyle.
Imagine enjoying LaFleche’s new French-Canadian-influenced menu while overlooking Hollywood, with California’s perfect weather replacing the enclosed formality that’s defined the venue for nearly six decades. For upscale diners in West Hollywood or Santa Monica used to rooftop lounges and patio brunches, this adds a fresh, fun-loving dimension to The Magic Castle experience.
According to the Academy of Magical Arts, the club has always balanced tradition with innovation. This outdoor space represents the biggest architectural and experiential shift in a generation.
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What Makes The Magic Castle Special (Beyond the Food)
The Magic Castle isn’t just another Hollywood restaurant—it’s the clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts, a private venue that allows entrance only to members and their guests, or through courtesy invitations available to visiting magicians from outside the United States.
A typical evening unfolds like this: You arrive at the unassuming Victorian mansion on Franklin Avenue. You speak the magic words to a bookcase (yes, really), and it swings open to reveal the lobby. Inside, you’ll find multiple performance spaces featuring magic shows that range from intimate close-up miracles to full stage illusions that leave entire rooms stunned.
Between shows, guests explore rare memorabilia and magnificent vintage posters covering the walls—a museum-quality collection celebrating magic’s golden age. The Castle houses several unique bars, each with distinct personality and flavor profiles. Whether you want a classic martini in the sophisticated Palace Bar or something more playful in the Hat & Hare Pub, there’s a perfect spot for every mood.
And now, with LaFleche in the kitchen and outdoor seating available, the dining component finally matches the venue’s legendary status. The critically acclaimed full-service dining room gets a serious upgrade, promising that dinner becomes part of the show rather than just a prelude to it.
A French-Canadian Touch Meets Hollywood Magic
LaFleche’s French-Canadian background brings interesting possibilities to The Magic Castle’s new menu direction. French-Canadian cuisine emphasizes rich flavors, comfort, and a sense of humor about food that doesn’t take itself too seriously—think tourtière (meat pie), poutine elevated to fine dining, and creative applications of maple alongside savory ingredients.
For chefs and foodies who appreciate culinary craftsmanship, this represents a refreshing departure from the California-French fusion that dominates upscale LA dining. LaFleche can draw on traditional techniques while incorporating the fresh, seasonal California ingredients that make LA’s food scene so dynamic.
His experience at the Griffin Club—where members expect impeccable execution and innovative presentations—suggests he understands how to satisfy sophisticated palates. His multi-restaurant management at the Huntington Beach Hilton proves he can handle high-volume operations without sacrificing quality.
The Magic Castle needed someone who could balance tradition (members love the venue’s historic character) with innovation (younger guests expect contemporary food). LaFleche’s background positions him perfectly for that challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I get into The Magic Castle if I’m not a member?
A: The Magic Castle is private and requires either membership, an invitation from a member, or a courtesy invitation available to magicians visiting from outside the United States. Members can bring guests, so your best bet is befriending a member or connecting with someone in the magic community. Some hotels in LA also offer guest passes as amenities.
Q: What should I expect from the new menu under Chef Ben LaFleche?
A: While specific menu details haven’t been released, expect French-Canadian influences combined with California ingredients and techniques. LaFleche’s background at the Griffin Club suggests sophisticated, well-executed dishes that appeal to upscale diners. The focus appears to be elevating The Magic Castle’s culinary reputation to match its legendary magic performances.
Q: When can I experience the new outdoor dining space at The Magic Castle?
A: The outdoor dining area is now open, marking the first alfresco dining option at The Magic Castle in decades. Contact the venue directly or check with your member host about reserving outdoor seating, especially during Los Angeles’ ideal weather months.
The Future of Dining at Hollywood’s Most Magical Address
The Magic Castle’s decision to hire Benoit “Ben” LaFleche and open outdoor dining represents more than operational changes—it’s a statement about the venue’s next chapter. After nearly six decades of prioritizing magic over meals, the club is finally investing in a culinary program worthy of its prestigious address and devoted membership.
For food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and cocktail connoisseurs throughout Los Angeles—from Beverly Hills to Culver City to West Hollywood—this evolution matters. The Magic Castle has always offered something no other venue can: genuine wonder through world-class magic. Now it’s adding exceptional dining to that equation.
If you’re lucky enough to score an invitation, prepare for an evening where every element—from the abracadabra that opens the bookcase entrance to the flavor-forward plates arriving at your table—contributes to the show.
Visit magiccastle.com to learn more about membership and dining reservations.
