Ma Maison was a restaurant opened by Patrick Terrail in October 1973 at 8368 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California.
[3] According to the Los Angeles Times: "By using ingredients sourced from the local farmers markets that highlighted the glory of California's produce and pairing it with French technique, they created a new type of cuisine.
[4][5] Celebrity chronicler Robin Leach noted "it truly became the favorite culinary playground for Hollywood's rich and famous".
[8] Terrail has also credited director Mel Stuart and producer Fred Weintraub as early investors,[9] and also as attendees at the 1973 dinner party.
[10] Wolfgang Puck became the chef at Ma Maison in 1975 and departed circa 1982 to form his own restaurant, Spago.
In his credited character as "Ma Maison host" in the theatrical release, Terrail appears as himself circa 1977, shot from behind, his voice audible as he welcomes David Frost, Richard Nixon, and guests to the restaurant.
Driving away that evening I felt sorry for Nixon, he was so lonely and we were going to a party at Ma Maison, where Sammy Kahn (sic) was performing.
[21][3] One source stated the "fall from greatness" began when sous chef John Sweeney strangled his actress girlfriend (Dominique Dunne)[22] on October 30, 1982, leading to her death on November 4, 1982.
[22] Many believed Terrail supported Sweeney, leading "the glamorous clientele" to stop frequenting the restaurant.
[3] Terrail himself, in his book about the history of Ma Maison, both confirms the narrative of how Dominique Dunne's murder affected the restaurant and defends his own role: "The last time I ever saw or talked to Sweeney was when he completed his shift on the evening of the attack.
Some people have angrily accused me of supporting John Sweeney by providing his bail and legal services...but none of it is true.