Days of Our Lives fan favorite Martha Madison (Belle Black) and her real-life husband, restaurateur AJ Gilbert, are embarking on an exciting new business chapter! The couple recently announced that they are the proud owners of a brand-new dining spot called Spaghetti Western Restaurant & Bar, located in Santa Clarita Valley.
Taking to the restaurant’s official Instagram page, the team behind the new venue shared a warm post introducing themselves to the community:
“If you’ve heard he’s a dedicated #BarnDad (📢 👋 @treadway_stables) and she’s a longtime soap opera actress, also true. If you haven’t heard anything about any of it, then today is your lucky day! We are AJ, Martha and Charley (with our trusty steed, Galini 🐎) – the team behind Spaghetti Western. It’s a family thing.”
A Wealth of Hospitality Experience Meets Local Roots
This isn’t the couple’s first experience in the hospitality business.
Madison and Gilbert moved to Santa Clarita Valley in 2021 after spending years living and working in Los Angeles. Gilbert previously founded the Luna Park Restaurant Group, while Madison co-owned and managed Luna Park locations and Henry’s Hat in Studio City.
Their experience working together in restaurants gives them a strong foundation as they take on this latest project.
Designed as a welcoming space for family dinners, date nights, casual meals, and special celebrations, Spaghetti Western will feature a menu filled with pizzas, fresh pastas, salads, grilled meats, and playful desserts, prioritizing local and fresh ingredients whenever possible. The venue plans to offer dinner service, a full bar, and weekend brunch.
Visually, the restaurant’s aesthetic takes inspiration from 1960s Italian style combined with Santa Clarita’s rich filmmaking heritage.
A Love Story Built on Hospitality and Family
Martha moved to Los Angeles in 2003 and met AJ shortly after during the opening of Luna Park LA. The couple tied the knot on August 25, 2007, and have run multiple hospitality ventures together ever since. On November 3, 2013, they welcomed their daughter, Charley.
In addition to her work in the restaurant industry, Madison serves as the Director of Recruitment for One-Haus Hospitality while continuing her beloved portrayal of Belle Black on Days of Our Lives—a role she has played since 2004.
Daytime Co-Stars Rally Behind the Announcement
It didn’t take long for Madison’s daytime television family to jump into the comment section and flood the announcement with love and support!
- Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans): “My darling girl. If there is anything you do as well as light up a screen, it’s creating a fabulous restaurant. So proud of you today, as always. D — Who owns this place? — If you’ve heard the owners are a married couple who’ve owned and operated restaurants together since the early 2000’s, then you heard right.”
- Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson): “Congratulations, We’re there!”
- Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera): “Fantastic! Congratulations!”
- Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady): “Amazing ! Many Congratulations”
Would you visit Spaghetti Western? Tell us in the comments: would you go for the fresh pasta, the pizza, weekend brunch, or the restaurant’s Italian-meets-Hollywood atmosphere?
Photo Credit: JPI Studios.
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