Mr. Chow claims his employees have been getting violent threats from a Mr. Chow impostor -- and it's all part of an alleged nation-wide conspiracy to steal business from the world famous Chinese food king.
Michael Chow -- the real Mr. Chow -- has filed a new lawsuit against a dude named Chak Yam Chau ... a former "food chopper"' who spent 25 years working at Chow's famous New York restaurant.
"Real" Chow claims "fake" Chau left Mr. Chow in 2005 to start his own restaurant in New York, which he named "Phillipe Chow" -- allegedly using the "Chow" name to dupe potential customers.
But now Chau is trying to open a restaurant in West Hollywood -- right near Chow's famous Beverly Hills location -- and Chow claims things are starting to get really nasty. "Real" Chow claims "fake" Chau's people have been waging an all out war to steal business, and suspects they have used the following tactics:
-- sending a spy -- disguised as a chef -- through a Mr. Chow kitchen to take photos -- making "large group reservations for no-shows" -- making "bogus calls purporting to place vast and expensive take-out orders which are never picked up" -- making harassing phone calls to Mr. Chow employees -- threatening Mr. Chow employees with violence -- trying to steal contracted employees by offering unfair compensation -- smashing the glass door at Chow's Beverly Hills restaurant -- defacing paint on a Mr. Chow sign
"Real" Chow is suing for more than $10 million -- and demanding that L.A. County Superior Court forces the "fake" Chau to stop implying that he is affiliated with Mr. Chow in any capacity.
There are times when it becomes overwhelmingly apparent that celebs are disconnected from reality -- enter Sharon Stone!
The legs-apart actress had trouble locating the key to her car, after it was dropped off by a valet -- trouble was, it was in the freaking ignition. And the car was running.
In this extremely rare video taken just last night, David Arquette embraced a concept that has eluded nearly every other celebrity on the planet -- he didn't drink and drive!
Too bad David wasn't patient enough to let his D.D. pull away from the curb -- he ended up scraping the car door on the pavement before squeezing into the passenger's side through a sliver of open space ... it all followed a night at Marix Tex Mex in West Hollywood, where he chowed down with Courteney and, presumably had a margarita or two.
Attention Jack Nicholson -- Pepsi don't cost $.35, and valets don't come cheap.
Nicholson blew in and out of Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills last night and gave the valet a five spot. The prob -- parking is seven bucks, not counting tip! In Jack's defense, he was driving himself last night -- something we haven't seen him do since "Cuckoo's Nest."
Singing/dancing/nipslip sensation Bai Ling ate at Mr. Chow, where some waiting "fans" were ecstatic to see someone famous -- they just didn't know why she is famous. For this, maybe?
Check out how Bai Ling dealt with her uninformed fans!
Rump rockin' Kim Kardasshian was spotted at nearly half a dozen clubs and restaurants in Los Angeles yesterday, but it was outside of Mr. Chow where things got a little unrumpfortable.
As The Tush was about to head over to Les Deux, a TMZ photog asked her, "What celebrities would you like to see in a sex tape?" This was a little awkward for the stylish Miss K, as she has her own sex tape, "Kim K. Superstar." Amazingly, Kim gives the thoughtful response: "Jennifer Lopez."
Paris Hilton loves children and clearly has a soft spot for adorability. (Add syrup here.) As the magnanimous heiress was Mr. Chow-ing down some dinner, an adorable, braces-filled fan was outside, hungry for a photo with everyone's favorite international humanitarian/socialite.
The surrounding photogs helped muster the tween's gumption, and she grabbed her dad's cell phone/camera and went inside. She emerged moments later with the money shot, saying Paris was "really sweet" and "really pretty." Just like her.
Paris Hilton, making everyone's day just a little brighter, one fan at a time. *sniff*
Former "Best Damn Sports Show Period" host Tom Arnold went for a bite at Mr Chow last night, and was frighteningly open about how often he has sex -- TMI for TMZ
Roseanne's ex yapped about how he doesn't do it anymore cuz he's married, but was optimistic about his chances inside the swanky restaurant. "I'm hoping to have sex in here," he mused. Happy endings for all! Except us.
Country legend and sometimes train wreck Tanya Tucker was a long way from Tuckerville last night. Our cameras caught the singer with her daughter Layla at Mr. Chow.
The 8-year-old songbird was encouraged by Mama Tucker to sing a little ditty. Like a good girl with refined Southern manners, she spit her gum into mama's hand and obliged. Ding dang, y'all!
Too bad Brit Brit wasn't there to see how it's done.
"Drumline" actor Nick Cannon had dinner at Mr. Chow last night, and when asked about the MTV VMAs, Nick said he didn't attend because, he "had too much Vegas." At least someone knows when to quit.
Slick Nick then hopped into the rear-facing back seat of his waiting SUV -- another lesson for young celebs: get a sick ride, and a driver! Whatever it takes!
Angie Everhart was quite the chatty supermodel when our cameras spotted her outside Mr. Chow on Saturday night. Angie just had to weigh in on Friday's Paris debacle, saying, "I think that her getting released and then getting sent back is bullsh*t." This meeting of Supermodels for Paris is now in session!
It turns out that Angie's mom is a big TMZ fan. Angie gave our guy the "Hi mom!" routine and proceeded to blow kisses, while cooing, "Kisses mother, I miss you, I love you!"
Perhaps she should try sending flowers next time -- moms love that.
In case the world hasn't seen enough of Britney Spears' private parts, the pop star went out of her way to show off her junk again -- but this time, it was definitely intentional.
After arriving in a skintight dress (that barely covered her nether region) for her 25th birthday party, Britney and a few pals settled in at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills -- right next to a giant glass window. Before she even sat down, Britney played to the salivating shutterbugs -- shaking her booty, and even bending over to give the crowd one hell of a view.
Britney returned to the window several times during the party, dancing, waving and making every effort to guarantee that the crowd noticed her butt.
She's still full of herself, but Star Jones is far from being full. Her former bigness hit the trendy Mr. Chow restaurant in Hollywood last night to treat herself to a high quality meal. They don't serve crow.
Although she has yet to land a new gig, it's good to see that the once larger-than-life lawyer has socked away enough dough to afford a few dumplings.
Our first stop was Il Sole, a popular restaurant to the stars, where we spotted Courteney Cox and hubby David Arquette. The couple made their way to their SUV with the usual paparazzi flashes and autograph seekers.
Second was celeb hot spot Mr Chow, where we ran into funny man Keenen Ivory Wayans and TMZ's number one fan Ben Stein.
From there we moved to Koi. Stacy Keibler and Kimberly Stewart enjoyed the scene, while Kevin Connolly showed up without girlfriend Nicky Hilton.
Our last stop of the night was Hyde, where Miss Jessica Simpson was seen trying to sneak in the back door. However, the pop diva did go out of her way to sign an autograph for one lucky fan. We also stumbled upon our favorite redhead Lindsay Lohan, who never got out of her car ... maybe she had a last minute change of heart.
Harvey Levin You're not the only one who thinks T.O. isn't doing that well this season... http://su.pr/5bNNfP
Joel Madden This kid stan is the truth http://bit.ly/3xWkpC i want him to move to america so i can hear him sing all the time
Joel Madden @petewentz Don't worry i'm not asleep either. Good job tonight
Kevin Smith Via @Bark4Soul "'unavoidable Dicks matter' isn't much of an explanation you tweeted" Wow: you sound like my 4th Grade teacher, Mrs. Veiling.
Kevin Smith Via @stl_ben "how come you never stop by st. Louis?" I don't pick the gigs, sir; they request me. Make some noise, and they'll bring me.
