The massive explosion that rocked Beirut on Aug. 4 — killing at least 135 and injuring thousands — has left much of the city in ruins, and that sadly includes Le Chef, a favorite restaurant of the late Anthony Bourdain.
Bourdain dined at the restaurant in the 2006 Beirut episode of his show No Reservations, calling it “a legendary spot, famed for its simple, straightforward, home-style classics.” And to honor his memory, Russell Crowe has donated $5,000 to the GoFundMe campaign to help Le Chef rebuild after it was destroyed by the blast.
After Rich Hall, the campaign’s cofounder and a former Middle East correspondent for The Independent, tweeted wondering whether the Russell Crowe who donated was in fact the Russell Crowe, the actor confirmed it, writing, “On behalf of Anthony Bourdain. I thought that he would have probably done so if he was still around. I wish you and Le Chef the best and hope things can be put back together soon.”
On behalf of Anthony Bourdain.
I thought that he would have probably done so if he was still around. I wish you and LeChef the best and hope things can be put back together soon. https://t.co/VHYCJujJ6y— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) August 13, 2020
As of this writing, the GoFundMe has already exceeded its $13,000 goal, raising $13,230. Prior to the explosion, the restaurant had been a staple of the city’s Gemmayze district since 1967.
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