Restaurant Owner Tells The Truth About Rob Reiner’s Quiet Dinner Before Tragedy Struck

Less than two days before violence would destroy their lives. Rob Reiner and his wife Michele shared a modest dinner close to home.

The evening passed quietly among friends, staff and familiar dishes.

Now, as investigators piece together what happened next, the restaurant owner who served them reveals what he witnessed before the unforgettable night that changed everything for them forever.

Rob Reiner’s Last Evening Felt Comfortingly Normal

On Friday, December 12, Rob and Michele walked into the familiar Brentwood restaurant with their longtime friend Maria Shriver. Nothing about the visit suggested the atrocities to come.

According to the restaurant owner, the couple behaved as they always did during their regular visits, being relaxed and courteous towards the staff who knew them well.

In an interview with Daily Mailowner Tancredi DeLuca described a couple who seemed down-to-earth and warm despite their public profile.

“They were very nice people, always very friendly and very kind to all the staff,” he said.

DeLuca added, “We’re all in complete shock. We’re all heartbroken about what happened. They’re such nice people, so friendly, and they’ve always been so nice to everyone here.”

Reiners conveniently ordered, choosing familiar favorites as well as the restaurant’s winter special. There was talk, laughter, and the quiet rhythm of a normal night out.

A Tidy Desk and Familiar Comforts

In terms of staff, the Reiners were not novelty guests but part of the fabric of the restaurant. They often returned to the same dishes, especially their favorite artichoke salad, and were known for forming warm relationships with their servers. This consistency made the tragedy difficult to process.

The trio enjoyed Sogliola Alla Mugnaia, imported Dover sole served with lemon caper sauce, broccoli, roasted potatoes and pasta. It was a seasonal indulgence shared without ceremony. Staff did not remember anything unusual about the couple’s demeanor; There was no visible sense of tension or urgency.

What made the night particularly memorable was its proximity to the events unfolding just across the street. The restaurant is located near the Sinclair gas station, which would later become part of the investigation timeline.

Surveillance footage would eventually capture Nick Reiner late Saturday night, just hours before his parents were found dead.

Rob Reiner and the Nearby Shadow

Although the dinner was quiet, the staff at the neighboring gas station had noticed subtle but disturbing changes in Nick’s behavior in the days leading up to the murders. Staff described him as “exhausted” and “abnormal”; This was in stark contrast to the friendly, talkative presence they remembered from the months before. The difference was disturbing precisely because it was unexpected.

Nick had previously created an easy familiarity by chatting during visits. That warmth seemed to vanish in the days before the murders. Still, workers emphasized that he did not appear to be disabled or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Just a few hours after dinner, Rob and Michele attended a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien and brought Nick along. Guests later reported that the couple expressed fear, saying they were “afraid” of what they might do if left alone.

The party ended suddenly as the argument between father and son escalated.

Public Hope and Private Fears

Just months ago, Rob spoke openly about his confidence in his son’s recovery. “It’s been great,” she assured in an interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” in September, adding that Nick “hasn’t done drugs in over six years.” “He’s in a really good place,” he concluded optimistically.

These words now echo painfully in the events that followed. Investigators believe the murders occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. Rob and Michele were found that afternoon at their Brentwood mansion, their bodies already dead.

Nick, who lived in a guesthouse on the property and had a long history of addiction, was arrested within hours. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held on suicide watch without bail.

Investigation Closed Against Rob Reiner’s Family After Tragedy

After the bodies were discovered by Romy Reiner, Rob and Michele’s daughter, authorities quickly focused on Nick. He reportedly told police that his brother was “dangerous” and “must be suspicious.”

Law enforcement sources later revealed that the couple may have been asleep in bed when they were attacked.

As the case progresses, the quiet dinner at Amici takes on devastating significance. What was once a routine evening now stands as the last shot of calm before unimaginable violence.