Celeb haunt Nobu Malibu miraculously survives LA fires as trolls claim firefighters were 'paid off'

Losing the Reel Inn in Malibu was a big loss for the community.

The seaside restaurant was famous as it was featured on the TV shows The Chew and Man vs. Food. And celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton, Jerry Seinfeld and Michelle Pfeiffer dined there often.

Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio, Cafe Vida, Vittorio and Casa Nostra in the Palisades village are in ashes. A ranch in the Pacific Palisades that hosted a Beverly Hills museum dedicated to the actor Will Rogers was also lost to the flames. 

The famous Topanga Ranch Motel, which was on the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, is gone. It was built by William Randolph Hearst.

Also at risk is the tony Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. That is where Rihanna and A$AP Rocky often dine. Kim and Khloe Kardashian have also stopped by the intimate dining spot that serves pasta and salads with a classic selection of wines.

Multiple fires continue to rage through the city, torching homes and businesses, with the death toll expected to rise. There are also growing calls for city and state officials to resign over their mismanagement of the disaster. 

Duke's Malibu, where Pamela Anderson has dined with her sons, is also in jeopardy of burning down. It has been on the Pacific Coast Highway for decades.

Another iconic place has been threatened: Mt. Wilson Observatory in Angeles National Forest joined the list of Los Angeles landmarks imperiled by the Eaton fire, which charged toward it Thursday afternoon. The region was ordered to evacuate.

'The fire has reached the mountain top, and firefighters on the ground are working to protect the observatory and the broadcast antenna,' said Tim Thompson, a volunteer with the Mt. Wilson Institute, which manages the site.

The fire is epic and like a disaster movie, say locals. Several celebrities such as Anna Faris, Heidi Montag, Miles Teller, Paris Hilton, John Goodman, Anthony Hopkins and Leighton Meester lost their homes.

Gladstones

Malibu's historic beachside dining spot Gladstones was destroyed.

The establishment was legendary as it sat on the Pacific Coast Highway next to the Pacific Ocean and was a place locals and tourists alike frequented.

It featured seafood, steaks, bar bites and classic cocktails in a lively atmosphere.

The bar was known for a great place to network. 

The original Gladstones was opened by Robert J. Morris in Santa Monica Canyon in 1972 and then moved to the beach at 17300 Pacific Coast Highway in 1981. 

Morris sold the restaurant in 1984 but bought it back in 1990.

Richard Riordan, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, owned Gladstones since the mid-1990s. 

In 2009, the private company SBE assumed day-to-day operations as part of a management contract with Riordan which expired in 2014. 

Malibu's Reel Inn 

The 36-year-old Reel Inn in Malibu (seen above)  has been destroyed by the current Pacific Palisades wildfire, marking a heartbreaking loss for the Malibu community and its celebrity patrons.

Many stars, including Jerry Seinfeld, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Paris Hilton, were regulars, drawn to its unpretentious charm and great atmosphere. 

The restaurant also gained wider fame, having been featured on TV shows like The Chew and Man vs. Food. 

Reel Inn owners Teddy and Andy Leonard confirmed the destruction of the restaurant on Instagram. 

The Instagram post said they are 'heartbroken and unsure of what will be left.'

The owner of the fish restaurant where Vice-President Kamala Harris first met her stepchildren has told of her heartbreak at seeing her family's business go up in flames.

Therese 'Teddy' Leonard, 70, and her husband Andy, 76, have run the iconic Malibu restaurant The Reel Inn for nearly four decades.

But on Tuesday, the couple could only watch helplessly as the raging Pacific Palisades Fire tore through the landmark – looking on via their security cameras as the blaze took hold.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Leonard said: 'I guess it just knocked the wind out of us - we couldn't breathe. It was unthinkable.

'My husband's had this restaurant for 36 years and most of our 21 employees have worked for us for over 30 years.'

DailyMail.com photos show how the once vibrant eatery has been reduced to a pile of rubble by the conflagration that ripped through star-studded Malibu and Pacific Palisades, with little left but the sheets of corrugated iron that once formed the roof.

The neighboring Topanga Ranch Motel – which was once owned by politician and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst – was also flattened by the inferno, as were the nearby Rosenthal Wine Bar and Cholada Thai restaurant.

Like its neighbors, the Reel Inn had a devoted clientele made up of locals and celebrities alike, with Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton and Michelle Pfeiffer regularly seen dining there.

Leonard also told DailyMail.com that her home in Topanga Canyon is also at risk, with fire crews battling on Wednesday to save properties in the area.

'We evacuated last night,' she said. 'We could see the flames and the sky had turned red and we saw that it was moving very, very quickly.

'We've just heard that the fire is heading up Topanga Canyon Boulevard so it doesn't look good at the moment for our home.'

Will Rogers Ranch

A ranch in the Pacific Palisades that hosted a Beverly Hills museum dedicated to the actor Will Rogers was also lost to the flames. 

Rogers' great-granddaughter, Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, said in a statement to the Museums Association, 'The Rogers family is devastated by the loss of the California ranch and the overwhelming loss of the community. Our hearts go out to all those [neighbors] who have lost their homes.' 

'California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,' said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. 

In the mid-1930s, Will Rogers was one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.

From his start in vaudeville theaters with a trick roping act, he rose to worldwide fame as a columnist, 'cowboy philosopher,' aviation enthusiast, philanthropist, radio personality and movie star.

During the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica where he developed a ranch. 

Eventually, Will Rogers owned about 359 acres in what is now known as Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

At the time of his death in a plane crash in 1935, his ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house with neighboring guest housing, a stable, corrals, golf course and riding trails.

His widow, Betty, donated the ranch to State Parks in 1944 and it became a historic park.

Cafe Vida  

This restaurant at Rick Caruso's Palisades Village shopping center is gone. 

Café Vida provided a one-of-a-kind combination of 'low-fat California and Latin dishes that bring together a variety of unique and delicious flavors,' it says online.

They were known for salads and stuffed sandwiches. 

It opened in 2002 and was a favorite with locals like Anthony Hopkins. 

 Casa Nostra

This Italian restaurant, also at Rick Caruso's Palisades Village shopping center, is in ashes.

The cozy spot know for authentic food had an incredible pumpkin tortellini and salmon with lemon capers. 

Fans of the restaurant included Tobey Maguire's ex Jennifer Meyer and model turned actress Molls Sims. 

There is another one in Westlake Village, which is fine.

Also destroyed nearby was Caffe Luxxe Pacific Palisades. 

Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio

A rep for the tasting room off PCH, confirmed that the wine bar fell victim to the fires. 

Rosenthal - The Malibu Estate Tasting Room is located Just across from the beach in Malibu, CA. 

'The Rosenthal Tasting Room offers a casual atmosphere in which to discover and enjoy our full selection of Rosenthal and Surfrider wines,' it says online.

'Come and enjoy the Food Trucks Saturdays and Sundays at Rosenthal with an ocean view from our exquisite garden patio.'

The venue hosted live bands and could fit 300 people. 

Topanga Ranch Motel

The Topanga Ranch Motel, which was on the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, is gone.

It was located across from Topanga Beach in Malibu. 

The old-fashioned hotel was charming as it had small casitas in white and maroon and an Old West feel.

There were small white picket fences in front of the rooms that had eucalyptus trees hovering over them. 

Built in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst, the bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel had 30 rooms that once housed Pacific Coast Highway construction workers. 

The motel provided an inexpensive seaside holiday vacation retreat for families and writers and was a popular film and television location. State Parks acquired the motel in 2001 and in recent years, plans had been in the works to restore about 20 of the cabins for public use. 

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Vittorio Ristorante

Located in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, it was a gem that stood out among the crowd.

Sadly, the venue burned up in the fire. 

Vittorio Ristorante & Pizzeria catered to the locals who appreciated the friendly staff and great quality of food.

The menu was old-fashioned with lasagna, fettucine alfredo, Caesar salad and various meats. The wine menu was impressive.

And the room looked like it was plucked out of Sicily in Italy. 

Tom Hanks had been spotted there with his wife Rita Wilson. Ted McGinley of the show Shrinking was seen at a New Year's Eve party there last week. 

Vittorio was established in 1984 and was family owned. 

Giorgio Baldi

The iconic Giorgio Baldi, a family-owned Italian restaurant on the border of Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, is now under threat from the ongoing wildfires. 

Known for its celebrity clientele, Giorgio Baldi has become a go-to dining spot for the A-list crowd. 

Rihanna is a regular, reportedly ordering her favorites like the ricotta ravioli, gnocchi, and spaghetti pomodoro with basil. 

Kim Kardashian even took Pete Davidson there for a date.

Duke's Malibu

Duke's Malibu, the laid-back, oceanfront restaurant, is in danger.

Stars like Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, along with many others, have been spotted enjoying Duke's famous fish tacos and tropical cocktails. 

Moonshadows

The iconic Moonshadows, a beloved restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway, has been completely destroyed in the LA fires. 

A video reposted by the restaurant shows a reporter standing in front of the charred remnants of what was once a popular celebrity hotspot, known for its stunning, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean.

In the wake of the loss, Moonshadows' social media shared several heartfelt tributes, with patrons posting photos and memories.

Mastro's Ocean Club

Mastro's Ocean Club in Malibu, a go-to spot for upscale seafood and steaks, is now at risk from the wildfires. 

With stunning ocean views and a chic atmosphere, it's been a favorite among celebrities looking for a classy dining experience. 

Celebs like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber are often spotted enjoying its famous dishes, like the butter cake and fresh oysters. 

Malibu Pier

The Malibu Pier, another cherished landmark, is also facing the threat of destruction from the wildfires currently ravaging the area. 

Built in 1905, the pier has been a symbol of Malibu's laid-back coastal lifestyle for over a century. 

After undergoing significant restoration in recent years, it's once again a bustling spot for locals and tourists, with its picturesque views and popular restaurants like the Malibu Farm Café.   

Celebrities flock to the pier for a relaxed afternoon, whether they're enjoying a meal or just taking in the stunning ocean vistas

Cholada Thai

The Reel Inn's neighbor, the popular Thai restaurant Cholada Thai, has also reportedly been destroyed in the wildfire. 

Known for its relaxed beachside atmosphere and delicious Asian cuisine, Cholada Thai was a favorite among locals and celebrities alike. 

LeAnn Rimes, Cindy Crawford, and Rande Gerber were among the famous faces who regularly dined there, enjoying its signature dishes and oceanfront views. 

The loss of this beloved spot adds to the devastation sweeping through Malibu.  

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier, a beloved landmark and one of California's most iconic attractions, is now threatened by the wildfires sweeping through the area. 

Originally opened in 1909, the pier has long been a symbol of nostalgia and fun, with its historic Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and vibrant boardwalk. 

Over the years, it's undergone several restorations to maintain its charm while keeping up with the times, making it a popular spot for both tourists and celebrities. 

Celebs often stop by to take in the views, grab a bite at one of the nearby restaurants, or enjoy the pier's classic rides.

Getty Villa

The Getty Villa, a historic museum in Malibu, is now at risk from the ongoing wildfires. 

Known for its amazing collection of ancient art and beautiful gardens, it's a favorite spot for both tourists and celebrities looking to soak in some culture. 

Losing the Getty Villa would be a huge loss, not just for the community, but for the cultural scene in Los Angeles.