Is Kevin Costner Michael Roberts’ Trump Card?

First there was “Twin Peaks.” Then there was “Wild Palms.” Now get ready for Twin Palms, the Trumps sequel that’s been in pre-production since Michael Roberts closed his trendy Melrose restaurant early this year. Located on the corner of De Lacey Avenue and Green Street in Pasadena, the space gets its name from the two, 200-year-old palm trees on the lot. Roberts’ menu will be a combination of French and West Indian food. And, he adds, it will probably be the largest outdoor restaurant in the Southland.

According to sources, actor Kevin Costner, who owns a giant gambling and dining complex in Deadwood, S.D., will be putting up the money for the 450-seat restaurant, which is planned to open by year’s end.

Roberts would not comment on Costner’s involvement. “I can tell you we are walling in the whole thing and are going to build the most amazing terrace,” he says. “It’s going to be like a village in the south of France, but not the Riviera. Not that south of France.”

A STAKE IN L.A.: Los Angeles may be the birthplace of duck sausage pizza, but our best steakhouses come from elsewhere. New Orleans gave us Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Chicago gave us Arnie Morton’s. And from New York we got the Palm. Now we’ve got a new New Yorker: Kenny’s Steak House has opened in Santa Monica in the revolving-door-space next to Ivy at the Shore. In the past three years, Opera on Ocean, Regatta and Coral Reef have all come to that space--and gone.

BOY FOOD: Raimund Hofmeister, former chef at La Chaumiere in Century City and current president of the Los Angeles Culinary Institute, is consulting chef at Caribou, the restaurant that opened just last week in the landmark Sportsmen’s Lodge. The Studio City restaurant features log beams, fireplaces and . . . lodge cuisine.

HAWG HEAVEN: Who owns Southern California’s top Harley-Davidson? Who cares? Apparently many Roxbury regulars own expensive Harley-Davidson motorcycles so every Sunday, management at the Orange County supper club will select three to compete in the finals in September. At that time, the owner of the best-looking Harley will receive a vacation for two to La Paz, Mexico. There will not be a bathing suit competition.

OPENINGS: Finally. Zenzero, by former Chinois chef Kazuto Matsusaka on the site of the former Fennel in Santa Monica. . . . Babylon, a Middle Eastern/Moroccan restaurant (executive chef is David Wilhelm of Roxbury, Diva, Bistro 201, Topaz, etc. etc.) located in a former carpet factory. Co-owner Brent Bolthouse, an impresario, wants the unlisted West Hollywood restaurant to be a clubhouse for only his close pals. . . . Olive Sweet’s Bakery in downtown’s Hotel Inter Continental.

BARGAINS: A year ago Restaurant Muse stopped serving lunch. Since then customers have been begging owner Ron Braun to reconsider. Now the Los Angeles restaurant has reopened with a healthier attitude and lower prices. During lunch, the most expensive item on chef Jeff Tapert’s regional American menu is $6.95. . . . Indigo on Third Street now offers a $19.93 prix - fixe dinner daily. The special includes a glass of house wine, appetizer, an entree such as, say, chicken and spinach potstickers, grilled free range chicken or ahi tuna, and dessert. . . .The Chronicle in Pasadena has reduced its Champagne and sparkling wine prices by 25% to 40%--for the time being. The sale ends in August.