Tom Schwartz has a theory about why his bar, Tom Tom, has been so successful. The Vanderpump Rules star, who opened the establishment with costar Tom Sandoval and bosses Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd in summer 2018, credits the eatery’s good fortune with an unexpected move he made while Tom Tom was under construction.
In addition to being “surrounded by so many talented people” who have “years of mastery and experience,” Schwartz, 36, surmised the bar has been doing well thanks to some help from a rock. “The ace in the hole was burying my lucky agate in the walls mid-construction,” he wrote. “That sealed the deal.”
This reflection came as Schwartz and Sandoval celebrated Tom Tom winning the “Best Bar in Los Angeles” award from the readers of Los Angeles Travel Magazine. The restaurant was nominated for the trophy earlier this year, and beat out four other Los Angeles nightlife staples – The Bungalow in Santa Monica, SkyBar in West Hollywood, 71Above in DTLA and Harvard & Stone in Hollywood – to take the top prize.
“SWEET,” Schwartz wrote on Instagram after learning of the nomination. “High praise. Happy Sunday. Happy new year.”
Crystals aside, the Bravo star, who said he was “proud, humbled and honored,” also expressed his heartfelt thanks to the staff that has helped to ensure Tom Tom’s success. “It’s awesome being part of such a special project. There was nothing, now there’s something. That’s so cool to me,” he explained. “Shout out to the management, staff & kitchen that light the place up with good vibes every night. What I lack in experience I try and make up for with heart.”
After showing his love for “L.A. and West Hollywood in particular,” Schwartz also acknowledged the others who helped make the win happen, writing, “Thank you to the readers and @latravelmagazine for nominating & choosing us!”
Vanderpump, 58, was also pleased with the victory, telling Us earlier this month she thought it was “fantastic.”
Even Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, who is currently feuding with Vanderpump, was happy, but not entirely surprised, to learn of Tom Tom’s “well-deserved” accomplishment. “Not only is Tom Tom a great bar with great drinks, it has really good food — excellent food,” she recently told Bravo “The food is excellent, the drinks are excellent and it’s beautiful inside.”
And despite the drama with Vanderpump, Richards, 50, complimented her costar, explaining, “Lisa really knows what she’s doing.”
