Celebrity Restaurant Rumors: Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, Rascal Flatts

Rumor has it Gwyneth Paltrow is opening a restaurant in Los Angeles with longtime chef pal Mario Batali. We also hear that country music stars Rascal Flatts are opening a chain of restaurants by the same name. What are we to believe?

Several sources, from Eater to The Braiser, have questioned the supposed opening of the Gwyneth Paltrow/Mario Batali restaurant since it was first reported in the tabloid Star magazine. But the enterprise between the foodie actress and celebrity chef makes sense. Gwyneth is a cookbook author and will play a chef in an upcoming movie. She has also collaborated with Batali in the past, filming videos of their food travels in the series Spain, On the Road Again.

However, the rumor has been squashed by the website Gossip Cop, which says that Gwyneth's rep denied she is entering the restaurant business. What is not false is news that country group Rascal Flatts will be opening a chain of themed-restaurants throughout the United States.

Foodista reports the band's first restaurant will open in Phoenix. It is yet unclear what type of cuisine will be served  in the 14,000 square foot restaurant. All we know is that the restaurant will offer ''great food at attractive price points'' and will feature a state-of-the-art sound stage, an elevated bar, additional indoor/outdoor bars and retail space. 

Rascal Flatts plans to open restaurants in Pittsburgh, Long Island, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Columbus, OH and Raleigh, NC in 2013.