The Magic Castle Sunday Brunch is a wonderful dining experience that combines delicious food with a touch of magic. Located in the iconic Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, this brunch offers an enchanting setting and a menu that is sure to please. The Magic Castle itself is a private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts, and the Sunday Brunch allows non-members to enjoy the magical atmosphere. As you enter the castle, you are greeted with elegant décor and a sense of intrigue. The dining area is filled with ornate furnishings and decorations that transport you to a different era. The brunch menu at the Magic Castle is nothing short of extraordinary.

Mother’s Day Brunch at Magic Castle/Postponed

Join us for brunch and magic shows at the Magic Castle looming over Hollywood, the world's most famous nightclub for magicians and their guests and home to The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.

Full brunch comes with bottomless champagne or mimosas, coffee, juices, teas, sodas. Tickets for the 1:30pm main stage Palace of Mystery show and entrance to the numerous smaller stages for close-up magic and special performances included.

Jeffrey Cowan '86, CCLA Board Member At Large, is our member connection. He is a former professional magician turned trial lawyer who used to headline at the Castle while "performing" his way through law school.

THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT! RSVP by May 1, 2020 at 4:00pm.

Date: Sunday, May 10, 2020 - Mother’s Day

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm. Doors open at 10:00am. Our brunch time is 12:00 noon. Palace of Mystery tickets at 1:30pm. Doors close at 3:00pm.

Location: 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, CA 90028

Parking: Valet Parking required - $15 per vehicle

Cost: $85 per CCLA member and each guest (ages 14 and over - CCLA members can bring up to 5 adult guests (Magic Castle considers adults 14 and over- sorry) and unlimited children at the CCLA rate); $65 for children ages 11-13; $50 for children ages 6-10; Children under 5 - Free. $95 for non-members. Price includes brunch, entrance fee, shows, taxes and tip.

RSVP: click below to buy tickets. RSVP by May 1, 2020 at 4:00pm. Returned tickets will be subject to a $10 per ticket service charge. No refunds after May 1.

More info: Strict dress code - no denim, t-shirts, shorts, sandals or flip-flops. Dress casual. Jacket and tie optional. (Clean sneakers are allowed for kids.)

Questions: Kim Bixler at [email protected] 310-560-0444

Houdini Séance Evening at The Magic Castle, Los Angeles

“Open sesame.” I asked the secret passageway through the bookcase to reveal itself. “Open sesame!” I commanded, an octave lower. Nothing. I looked at my friends, the ten of us pressed close together in the bustling hallway, but they were all there for the first time as well. I stomped my foot. “OPEN–” The creaky bookcase swung open, and we hurriedly followed the guide inside. For my fortieth birthday I had decided to celebrate with the Houdini Séance Evening at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles.

My boyfriend at the time had told me about The Magic Castle’s Houdini room. A magician friend of his who used to live in LA had given him a tour once, and apparently the room, filled with actual Houdini artifacts and memorabilia, could be reserved for dinner and a séance. A séance! What a crazy, creepy, kooky way to spend my fortieth birthday! Apparently Houdini himself had enjoyed séances, and one could be arranged along with a five-course meal in this private room. I had never been to The Magic Castle, a formal dinner club famous for its fabulous magic shows. Only members of the Academy of Magical Arts or their guests could get in, but the Houdini Séance Evening was actually open to the public without a member’s assistance.

I called to reserve the room a little under one month in advance and there was a seating available for a Saturday evening, a few days before my actual birthday. I was lucky to get a date with such little notice. The event was for 10-12 people, no less, no more, and a deposit of $300 had to be made up front. Cancellation for a full refund of the deposit could be made up to 14 days before the event. The remainder was due in one payment on the night of the séance. The total came to $177 per person, which included a five-course meal with wine and gratuity, the séance, and seating at the Palace Mystery Magic Show (in the Castle’s largest theater). The only things not included were valet parking ($8 per car) and additional drinks. It was certainly more expensive than I could logically afford, but I was only turning 40 once.

Every now and then I listen to Hayhouse Radio on the Internet, an inspirational talk radio station billed as “radio for the soul.” A week or so before the séance, I heard two different speakers who discussed communication with the dead. One was a woman on a cruise ship who led a session that was more talk show format than strict séance, with the spirits talking to her, not through her, about people there in the room. Another was a man who could do séance-like readings for listeners who called in to his show. I wondered what the process was for transfer of information between listener’s ghost and radio host across state – and phone – lines. A bit of a stretch, particularly as he seemed to be wrong quite frequently, but I got to thinking – and worrying – about the séance. There were likely mediums who could legitimately call upon spirits of the dead, and it seemed logical enough that these spirits might have messages of comfort or encouragement for the living. But like psychics or palm readers, there were probably many more swindlers than mediums with authentic talent, and I had no way of knowing which we would have at The Magic Castle.

The idea of a séance was creepy, but then I didn’t really know too many people who had died. Either of my grandmothers was the best bet for someone who might try to contact me, and I was sure that both of them would only have messages of love and support. (My one grandmother might complain that I was dating a Jewish man, but she wouldn’t say anything scary.) I had to submit a seating chart to The Magic Castle a few days before the event – full names for everyone – maybe so the medium could google us for séance-worthy material? At any rate, I decided to seat the medium between me and my sister, who also lives in LA. At least I’d have familial back-up.

All of the people attending were my friends, but none of them really knew each other. My friend Nancy came out to visit from Baltimore with her mother-in-law Galina who was visiting from Russia. My Russian friend Tanya attended, so she sat next to Galina and gave Nancy a break from translating. Nancy talked to my former roommate, and my sister yelled across the table at Tanya’s husband who spoke a little Russian but couldn’t really follow his wife’s conversation, and at Fred, a friend of my boyfriend’s. While they discussed detective novels, my boyfriend was deep in a music conversation with David, Fred’s husband, and I was… feeling a little left out. The feeling was short-lived; my boyfriend leaned in to give me a kiss, Tanya led everyone in a toast, and I opened my present from Galina, a beautiful crystal vase that she brought from Russia. It was “an empty vase to be filled up with wonderful things,” as she hoped my life would be too. It felt really good to have all of them there, and once I moved to a shelf the creepy crystal ball marking the medium’s place next to me and pulled away his or her chair, I relaxed completely.

The dinner was very good: lobster bisque, shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, followed by a choice of beef tenderloin flambé with morel mushrooms, cognac cream sauce, a ragout of summer vegetables and roasted potatoes; or salmon with scallion risotto, Mediterranean salsa, and summer vegetables. The server told us flat out not to order the vegetarian dish. For desert was banana’s foster flambé and a little brandy. Wine was plentiful, though there wasn’t really time for sipping and chatting; the wait staff was rushing us so that we would fit dinner and the séance in before the Palace Mystery Magic Show.

After dinner, we were asked to leave the room for 20 minutes or so; the staff wanted to clean up our table for the séance. We headed downstairs. The Magic Castle exterior really is castle-like, sitting high on hill above Hollywood. The interior is lush and elegant, glamorous and haunted, all velvet and candelabras, the way Poe’s House of Usher would have looked before it fell. The piano bar purportedly has the ghost of Aunt Irma who can play any song requested, if you ask her nicely. I was delighted to hear “Heart and Soul” – not a tough one if I can play it, but then, she had to play both parts by herself. We thought we’d stump her with a Russian song, but she did know “Moscow Nights” (Moskovniye Vechera), as did Fred, surprising us all with his hidden knowledge of Russian.

When we returned, the heavy crystal ball was back in its place between me and my sister. Our medium had arrived, a balding man with glasses and neatly trimmed goatee. He stood behind his chair in a black tuxedo and welcomed us all to the séance. I was completely on edge, and it wasn’t until we reached the end of the séance, all of us holding hands in utter darkness listening to a spooky recording of spirit voices and thunder crashes, that I realized we were partaking in a magic show, not an actual experience with the occult. I was a little disappointed, not only because I was curious, (if not terrified), but also because a couple I am friends with had bowed out, uncomfortable with the supernatural aspect of the evening. Oh well. The magician put on a wonderful show, and at least half of us were able to actually participate in the performance, which was a lot of fun. For one of the tricks, the spirit of a woman who had lived with Houdini as a little girl was supposed to contact one of our group, and my boyfriend swore he was tapped twice on the back. The magician was very knowledgeable about Houdini and related several interesting anecdotes about his life. He answered all of our questions and explained the artifacts in the room, including the only pair of handcuffs that Houdini couldn’t unlock and his famous milk can.

Following the s̩ance, we all got in line for the Palace Mystery Magic Show. The performance had a little of everything Рcomedy, great magic tricks, even a juggler. I think it was about an hour. Audience members near the front rows were chosen to participate. Our two Ketel One vodka cranberry cocktails came to $30, but otherwise there was nothing to complain about. On the way out of the theater, we saw Natalie Portman in line for the next show, looking just as fresh and cute as she does in her movies. One of The Magic Castle staff members, a young guy in his twenties, confided in me that he was going to ask her out. I advised him to join the circle of admirers soon or he might miss his chance, but he said he was waiting for just the right moment. I wished him luck.

A few of us stayed after the big magic show to check out one of the intimate magic rooms that seated about 12 people. We were all crammed in right up next to the magician, a woman with a deep booming voice and thick eyebrows, who I think was really a man. Even that close, the sleight of hand was absolutely imperceptible. I was really impressed with the professionalism and high quality of all the magicians we saw.

In short, the Houdini Séance Evening is great for special occasions. For more ordinary nights out, dinner and a few shows at The Magic Castle, sans séance, is much less. The trick is to be sponsored by a member, but just about everyone in LA knows someone who knows someone who is a member. The Magic Castle also offers brunch on the weekends at a reasonable price.

No spirits, no grandmothers, no messages of support or encouragement – or were there? Who’s to say that my deceased grandmothers weren’t passing on their blessings through my friends and magical experiences? At any rate, it was a wonderful night out and very special birthday.

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The Magic Castle Hires New Chef to Helm the Historic Hollywood Venue

Mona Holmes is a reporter for Eater Los Angeles and a regular contributor to KCRW radio. She has covered restaurants, dining, and food culture since 2016. In 2022, the James Beard Foundation nominated her for a Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award.

The Magic Castle announced that a new executive chef is on board to navigate a new menu direction, while also opening an outdoor dining space. The landmark restaurant and venue announced that French-Canadian chef Benoit “Ben” LaFleche will assume the role. LaFleche spent time curating menus at Cheviot Hills’ members-only Griffin Club, and managing three restaurants at the Hilton’s Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach.

Regulars and locals know the food isn’t always the primary draw for Magic Castle, a place that has cycled through multiple chefs over the last decade, including Jason Sperber and a short stint by Jason Fullilove. LaFleche’s hiring could mark the start of a revamp for the 59-year-old venue. In 2020, the Los Angeles Times dropped a bombshell report that outlined multiple instances of alleged sexual misconduct and racism at the historic property that spanned years.

About that new outdoor dining area, it’s the first time in decades that there’s been an open-air dining option at the Magic Castle. Before it was enclosed in the 1960s, there was a second-floor balcony that eventually became the terrace dining room.

Magic Castle outdoor dining area Courtesy of the Magic Castle

Donuts and HBO’s Barry

As Barry premieres season three this Sunday, HBO announced that a promotional roving food truck will hand out free donuts while driving throughout Los Angeles this Saturday. Follow HBO, HBO Max, and Fooji Twitter to find out where the truck will be serving. If not up for a scavenger hunt, the truck will be parked at Melrose Trading Post all day on Sunday, until it runs out. Keep an eye out on the Fooji account and use the #Barry and #donutpromo hashtags to access a same-day delivery service this Sunday as well.

Donuts at HBO’s Barry premiere Courtesy of HBO

Emo-themed brunch at the Bourbon Room

Feel like busting out some black skinny jeans and inner angst for a meal? Hollywood’s Bourbon Room is hosting an emo-themed brunch now until May 29. Taking place weekends-only with 90-minute sessions starting at 10 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. with “pancakes! at the disco” and “Jimmy eats French toast.” All the details for the $50 brunch are here.

Bludso’s first book and a barbecue pop-up

Kevin Bludso published his first cookbook “Bludso’s BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul” this month, and Now Serving LA will host an event tonight to celebrate the acclaimed LA pitmaster. Bludso and co-author Noah Galuten will be interviewed by Smorgasburg LA market manager Zach Brooks. Tickets are $35 which includes a signed copy and some barbecue.

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And for the Magic Castle’s next trick: Food that’s worth talking about

Jason Fullilove, the new executive chef at the Magic Castle, is attempting to spiff up the menu at the private Hollywood clubhouse. “I want people to talk about the food as much as the magic,” he said.

It’s not easy to score an invitation to the Magic Castle. Opened in 1963 in a baroque chateâuesque mansion, Hollywood’s legendary private clubhouse and headquarters for the Academy of Magical Arts is a glorious relic of entertainment eras past and still considered one of the preeminent magic destinations in the world.

Members go through an extensive application process; the only way for guests to gain access is by snagging a formal invitation from one of them. A night at the Castle is a nearly guaranteed good time, except for one thing: the required dinner before the show, where the food over the years has been laughably overpriced and mediocre. (“This place does magic tricks on your wallet. It can make your money magically . disappear!” complained one guest on Yelp in 2005. “Delicious? Nope.”)

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“I used to go up and park my car there, walk down to Musso & Frank’s for dinner, then walk back,” said Beverly Glen-based magician James Lewis, 66, a member for 44 years. “Even [former Magic Castle president] Jim Steinmeyer wrote in the member newsletter that he used to stop at In-N-Out on the way home,” Lewis recalled.

But now, the Castle is pulling a new rabbit out of its hat.

In April, the Castle hired a new chef, Jason Fullilove, who previously cooked at Culver City restaurant Barbara Jean (now closed) and Malibu Pier Restaurant & Bar. He’s attempting to spiff up the menu with dishes such as tagliatelle with lump crab and uni, za’atar spiced chicken with sweet potato latkes, and Meyer lemon and coconut doughnuts.

“I want people to talk about the food as much as the magic,” he said. “I want to slowly modernize the menu, and make it more competitive with what’s available in the rest of Los Angeles.” That means gradually introducing new dishes and finding ways to update bestsellers like prime rib and beef Wellington.

“I’m aware that some of those standbys are important to the place, and members will lose their minds if I take them away. But I can work within a box,” Fullilove said.

Fullilove’s hire is the latest stop in the long and sometimes winding road of the Castle’s food and drink program. Since its inception, the menu has leaned toward a classic steakhouse style. Members recall steak sandwiches, banquet-style roasts and cinnamon-laced dinner rolls. Other notable offerings included an “award-winning” chili (it is unclear which award it received) and something called the Festal Board, a sort of proto-salad bar that savvy members approached with caution: “It was not necessarily well-managed during the day,” said mentalist Max Maven, 68, of the Hollywood Hills, a member who has been coming to the Castle since 1978. “Those of us who knew avoided certain items, like shrimp.”

But magic has always been the main attraction at the Magic Castle. “It’s fair to say that in the early days, the club did not have very high goals with the restaurant,” Maven said. “It was meant to be serviceable food.” As the Castle aged, the quality of the food continued to not be a top priority. By the mid-2000s, food was being subcontracted to an outside caterer.

Things began to change in 2012 with the arrival of general manager Joe Furlow. When Furlow came on, the Castle was in financial decline after the death of Bill Larsen, who founded the club with his wife, Irene, and brother Milt, and suffering physically after a devastating 2011 fire.

“The club had lost its identity, and management didn’t have its finger on the pulse of where we needed to be,” Furlow said. Under the direction of then-president Neil Patrick Harris, Furlow’s task was to improve the Magic Castle experience on every level.

Within his first 90 days, Furlow replaced 13 out of 15 managers, fired the chef and started searching for a replacement. “The food was inedible as far as I was concerned,” he said. “Everything was wrong.”

Chef Jason Fullilove is introducing new dishes while updating old favorites like prime rib and beef Wellington.

Complicating matters further are a small kitchen, dated equipment (including a refrigerator salvaged from a naval ship in Long Beach in the 1950s) and timing constraints around the magic acts.

Over the years Furlow brought in new back-of-the-house talent, including the club’s first-ever full-time sommelier, Ian Pritchard, who started last year.

Furlow’s efforts appear to have paid off: When he joined in 2012, the Castle earned $8.7 million in total revenue, $4.8 million of which came from food and beverage; last year, total revenue was up to $20.2 million, $13.2 million of which was tied to dining. Members can eat (or just drink) at the bar or in the dining room; guests are required to have a dinner reservation and must order an entree.

With Fullilove, Furlow has found a chef who also wants to make improvements outside of the kitchen. On his to-do list for coming months: revitalizing the Castle’s now-dormant herb and vegetable garden and revamping the $250-a-person private chef’s table in the Houdini Seance Room.

Longtime visitors to the Castle say they like what they see.

“The menu has not radically changed, but it has changed,” Maven said, “and I think that’s a good thing.”

An organic, grass-fed, 20-ounce prime tomahawk steak from Creekstone Farms with a side of vegetables from the Magic Castle’s new executive chef, Jason Fullilove.

He was intrigued by the vadouvan fried chicken bites with kimchi and Sriracha mayo at the bar (“I don’t think I’ve ever had that combination of flavors, but I like that it was making a statement”) and impressed by the doughnuts that a tablemate ordered, wisely, in advance (they later sold out). “I’m glad that things aren’t stagnant,” he said.

On the first night of the new menu rollout a few weeks ago, the atmosphere in the kitchen was calm: Waiters piped soft butter through a pastry bag into neatly pointed curlicues; line cooks snapped photos of proper plating technique for a new grilled flatbread dish; the sous chef tasted a bite of glistening prime rib.

At 5 p.m., the doors to the Castle opened, and members and their guests, adhering to the club’s strict formal dress code, began filtering into the first-floor bar. They sipped drinks and tried in vain to stump Invisible Irma, the club’s self-playing piano. An hour later, about half of the people trundled upstairs for the first dinner seating.

Things move quickly from here: Everyone slotted for the 6 p.m. seating must be hustled through a drink, appetizer, entree and ideally dessert with enough time to be seated for their 8 p.m. ticketed magic show in the Palace Theater down the hall.

Then the tables are reset, the floor freshly swept and the act repeats itself twice, at 8 and 10 p.m. The seating timeline is strict: On a busy weekend night, the kitchen must get nearly 450 entrees out the door like clockwork; any delays risk ruining a carefully calibrated schedule.

Already, some early customer favorites have emerged: the uni pasta, roasted salmon with summer vegetables, and made-to-order doughnuts among them.

“It’s sort of like changing tires on a moving train,” Fullilove said. “But it’s working.”

The brunch menu at the Magic Castle is nothing short of extraordinary. From a variety of omelets and eggs benedict to decadent French toast and fluffy pancakes, there is something for everyone. The food is prepared with care and attention to detail, and the flavors are deliciously satisfying.

But what truly sets the Magic Castle Sunday Brunch apart is the entertainment. Throughout the meal, magicians wander from table to table, performing close-up magic tricks that leave you in awe. You might find yourself holding an object one moment, only to have it disappear in a puff of smoke the next. The skilled magicians add an element of wonder to the dining experience, making it truly magical. As you enjoy your meal, you can also take in the stunning views of Los Angeles from the castle's rooftop terrace. The breathtaking panorama is the perfect backdrop for a leisurely brunch and adds an extra touch of magic to the overall experience. Attending the Magic Castle Sunday Brunch is a unique and memorable experience. Whether you are a fan of magic or simply looking for a special dining experience, this brunch is sure to leave you with a sense of wonder. The combination of delicious food, skillful magicians, and the enchanting atmosphere of the castle make it an experience unlike any other..

Reviews for "A Magical Feast: Sunday Brunch at the Enchanting Magic Castle"

1. Emily - 2 stars - The Magic Castle Sunday Brunch was a major disappointment. The food selection was very limited and the quality was mediocre at best. The buffet station lacked variety and most of the dishes were either overcooked or undercooked. To make matters worse, the service was incredibly slow and inefficient. It took forever for our drinks to be refilled and we had to constantly ask for basic condiments. Overall, I would not recommend the Magic Castle Sunday Brunch to anyone looking for a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience.

2. Michael - 1 star - My experience at the Magic Castle Sunday Brunch was extremely disappointing. The atmosphere was lackluster and felt more like a cramped cafeteria rather than a magical castle. The food options were limited and not worth the high price. The taste was average at best and I expected much more from a place known for its magic. To top it off, the service was downright terrible. The waitstaff seemed uninterested and inattentive, making for a very underwhelming experience. Save your money and time, and choose a different brunch spot.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for the Magic Castle Sunday Brunch, but unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects. The overall ambiance was underwhelming, with little to no magical atmosphere. The food options were limited and not as impressive or varied as I had hoped. The service was subpar, with slow drink refills and a lack of attentiveness from the staff. For the price we paid, I expected a much more enjoyable and enchanting experience. I would recommend exploring other brunch options before settling for the Magic Castle.

Savoring Splendor: Sunday Brunch at the Magical Magic Castle