On opening Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House in 1993, Richard Chamberlain, took to heart the staple cuisine of his native state. The specialty of the house, prime steak, has the bold flavors for which Chamberlain’s reputation has been built. Shortly after opening, Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House was named one of the country’s top new restaurants by Bon Appetite magazine. Texas Monthly named Chamberlain’s one of the “Top 10 Steakhouses” in the state and “Best Steakhouse for Epicures”. Gourmet Magazine rated them “One of America’s Top Tables”. Zagat published them as one of “America’s Top Restaurants”. Chamberlain’s has been a “D-Best” in D Magazine.
Prior to opening his own place, Chamberlain spent three years as the executive chef of the exclusive Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, Colorado where he received national attention for pioneering American Alpine Cooking. The Little Nell restaurant was ranked among the top ten in the United States. Because of his deliciously innovative combinations of traditional European alpine cooking with American tastes of today, the James Beard Foundation nominated Chamberlain in 1992 for “The Best Chef in the Northwest” award. During August 1999-2001, he was consulting Culinary Director for the newly remodeled Little Nell restaurant Montagna.
From 1986-1989 Chamberlain served as executive chef of San Simeon Restaurant in Dallas. During his tenure at San Simeon, his refinement of American Regional Cuisine earned him the distinction of being selected as one of the “Rising Stars to Watch” by Food & Wine Magazine. In addition, Chamberlain also served as executive chef at Rattcliff’s in Dallas, as executive sous chef at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, and worked under Dean Fearing at the critically acclaimed Mansion on Turtle Creek.
In June of 2006, he was named a Texas winner of the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Award for his extensive charity involvement, including the restaurant’s main project, Bryan’s House. The National Restaurant Association and founding partner American Express developed the Restaurant Neighbor Award to recognize outstanding community programs across the country and to inspire other restaurant operators and owners to do what they can in their communities.
Richard Chamberlain Consulting assisted in the opening of Envy Steakhouse in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. In August 2006, Envy was named “Best New Off-Strip Restaurant in Las Vegas” by Las Vegas Life. Richard was featured on NBC’s Today Show with his Healthy Beef Cookbook on July 11, 2006.
Chamberlain attended the culinary arts program at El Centro College in Dallas while simultaneously working at The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Currently he serves on the board of the Dallas chapter of the American Heart Association. His favorite things include welcoming guest to his restaurants, volunteer work, travel and spending time with his wife Lisa, daughter Victoria and son Stephen.