Rodman redux

Deepa Bharath

The new Josh Slocum’s is what happens when Michelangelo goes

Hollywood and Leonardo Da Vinci gets hooked on steroids.

A July 21 fire almost gutted the controversial restaurant that

former NBA star and West Newport party boy Dennis Rodman runs. It’s

back on its feet, this time with a look that would leave some

awestruck, others amused and a few scared.

Darren Grant, the Newport Beach artist and interior designer who

created the new look, said he has worked with Rodman for the last

five months to flesh out a work of art that would reflect “the soul

of Rodman” to those who walk in.

“It’s Victorian on the outside and the rise and fall of

Renaissance architecture on the inside,” Grant said. “This is no

ordinary restaurant. It’s an oil painting that has come to life. It’s

quite eccentric and sort of extreme.”

It’s hard not to notice.

The entrance is a mangle of wrought-iron frames with a plastic

coated wire mesh canopy. Step inside, and you’re looking at three of

Grant’s oil paintings and ornate, gilded wooden moldings on both

sides. The bar is built like a cavern with Hollywood-style faux stone

finish -- actually Styrofoam -- with elaborate carvings including

several disrobed Madonnas.

The “cave” is lighted with electric candles. Blue blown glass and

wrought-iron light fixtures that add to the eerie ambience.

The ceiling is painted blue like the sky with fluffy, white

clouds. There’s an ornate fireplace. No part of the wall is spared

from Grant’s art work.

“It’s what Dennis wanted,” he said. “I did what I did, and he just

asked me to keep going till every square inch here is covered in

detail.”

The project has given him several rare opportunities, he said.

Grant, who has worked on several restaurants and salons in Newport

Beach over the last five years, said this is one project that brought

out his real passion and his own style of art.

“This is the first time I’ve had complete artistic freedom,” he

said. “Dennis’ style is eccentric Gothic, and I used that to the

fullest. It’s a little out there, different from what’s normally

done.”

Of course, the furniture changes almost every week, when Rodman

snaps his fingers.

“It changes constantly with the seasons and Dennis’ moods,” Grant

said.

The restaurant unofficially opened last week, but it won’t start

advertising until next week, when Grant adds his final touches,

manager Mike Steppe said.

“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We have our head chef

now, who had been away for eight months. We’re going to have DJs,

dancing, music and an Americanized menu with traditional steaks and

seafood.”

The restaurant was the source of quite a bit of controversy when

the city sued Josh Slocum’s to force compliance with city codes.

Officials said the restaurant was hosting live music and dancing

without the required permits.

Rodman used to be a regular at the restaurant and gradually got

involved with its redesign and operation. Former owner Paul Finegold

at one point called the former rebounder for the Chicago Bulls and

Los Angeles Lakers his “interior designer.” Rodman also reportedly

lent money to Finegold.

The restaurant is now owned by a corporation with Pat Conners, a

manager at the restaurant who is listed as the principal, according

to the city’s Revenue Division.

Josh Slocum’s has also been named in several civil lawsuits,

including one from an Irvine man alleging that he was hurt by a

bouncer at the restaurant, and another from Finegold saying that

Rodman owed him money.

The restaurant has yet to obtain permits for live music and

dancing, Assistant City Atty. Dan Ohl said.

“We’re trying to resolve those issues,” he said. “I came up with

an agreement and sent it over to them. They are yet to respond. So

the whole issue is now in limbo.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].