With the recent trend of celebrity-chef branded restaurants across the country... has anyone ever seen any of the celebrity chefs in their self-named restaurants (besides, at least, the opening day)?

Yes, quite often. Pierre Gagnaire came out and greeted every table one day when I was there. I've seen Charlie Trotter everytime I've ate at his restaurant in Chicago. I've seen Wolfgang Puck. There are more, but that's what I can think of off the top. Oh yeah, saw Joel Rubochon cooking in Paris, and Roxanne Klein was always at Roxanne's when I went.

Nobu in LA.

Gordon Ramsay - at Boxwood Café and his Royal Hospital Road restaurant. And he was friendly too! :p

Puck at Chinois in Santa Monica

Puck at Chinois in Santa Monica

Saw Puck twice, once at Chinois, and when he had the place in Malibu that shuttered.

For L.A. foodies, I've seen Nancy Silverton and Piero Selvaggio a couple of times.

Wolfgang Puck at Spagos. He's often there, milling around the restaurant. Short little guy!

Nobu Matsuhisa in Matsuhisa Aspen

Iron Chef Morimoto at his namesake in Philidelphia. He came over and sat with us, got his autograph and picture with him. Told us a little bit about what it was like to be on the show. It was a great experience.

Mario Batali at Babbo in NYC. Was in the back. Great food.

My problem is that I wouldn't recognize a celebrity chef if he or she sat down at the table. :( I think that the only two I'd recognize are Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsay.

Before Steven Starr opened Morimoto's new restaurant in NYC, he was at his restaurant in PHL all the time - you could go in on a weeknight, sit at the sushi bar and have him prepare sushi right in front of you. Super-friendly guy too.

I've spotted Puck at the flagship Beverly Hills.

Ones with multiple restaurants who I can clearly recall:

Wolfgang Puck at Spago.
Daniel Boulud at Daniel.

In LA, many of the locally well-known ones. Have seen Neal Fraser not only at Grace but also at BLD.

Saw Morimoto in NYC. Though the restaurant is a hugh disappointment.

I'd rather not see a chef in a restaurant in the same way that I don't want to see a Captain walking round a flight.
Get back where you belong,I say !

Rick Bayliss at Topolobampo in Chicago.
Joel Roubochon ( twice) once in Paris and also at Le Atelier de Roubochon in Las Vegas.
Wolfgan Puck at Spago, las Vegas.

And Mario Batali at his family's small but excellent little deli in Seattle - Salumi.

mike

Michael Mina at Michael Mina in Las Vegas. I didn't really know which one he was but he was pointed out in a group of a couple of fellows. So I know who he is among two or three!

Wolfgang Pucks at The Cut.

For L.A. foodies, I've seen Nancy Silverton and Piero Selvaggio a couple of times.I didn't see her specifically, however, a co-worker and I ate at Campanile on the first day that it was open to the public, so I assume that Ms. Silverton was there

At Spago on a Saturday night a while back Wolfgang Puck went to just a few tables to say hello and make sure everything was good. The only comment from the British couple next to us was something minor like they needed a fork or a water refill. :D They were surprised when we got his autograph and a picture (what the heck, right). When they asked why we did that and we explained who he was they looked kind of embarrassed but later the woman walked over and they got his autograph too. :p

I really really admire him for doing this unlike Planet Hollywood or Emeril's where I bet you rarely ever see the owners.