De Niro Bids For New York Food Mecca

The Oscar winner owns more than 20 restaurants around the world, including the famed Nobu chain, and a further string of food meccas in his native Manhattan.

De Niro recently opened his latest acquisition Locanda Verde in the Tribeca neighbourhood, and he already has his eye on one of New York's most famous restaurants - Central Park's Tavern on the Green.

The star is a regular diner at the Tavern, which has appeared in movies such as Wall Street, The Out-of-Towners and Ghostbusters and is currently the second highest grossing restaurant in the U.S.

De Niro tells New York Magazine, "Ive always liked Tavern on the Green: I remember when I was a kid, I would see movies with it in it, and its just a great place. I think it could be terrific.

"You know I talked to somebody about it. It would have to be under such a good situation with no nonsense (to run it)."