Cicada is a restaurant located in Los Angeles, which serves a Northern Italian menu.
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Foundation
Cicada is named after an indigenous North American species of insect The restaurant was founded in 1994 by Elton John's lyricist, Bernie Taupin and his then wife Stephanie Haymes (daughter of actor/singer Dick Haymes). Its menu was based on a popular country-French menu In 1997, the restaurant moved to a new location, and the original location has since be renamed the "Ago"
Ago
The restaurant is named after head chef Agostino Sciandri - pronounced "AH-go." It's investors include actors Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken; Miramax's executive producers Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein; and director Ridley Scott Ago is located on south side of Melrose Avenue, one half block east of La Cienega, about a half mile northeast of the Beverly Center mall.
Rex location
In 1997, the restaurant moved to its present location at 617 S. Olive St., downtown Los Angeles. Under previous ownership, the location was called the Rex, the location where Julia Roberts' famous escargot restaurant scene from the movie "Pretty Woman" was filmed (Slippery little suckers!) The tango/dinner scene from the film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" was also filmed at this location. The location is a combination of 30ft ceilings and 1920s Art Deco design, combined with contemporary design. The restaurant runs to about 15,000 square feet. Taupin and Haymes sold out to investors in 1999, in light of their divorce. The new owners/investors changed the style to a Northern Italian menu.
