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FOXBORO - Television and sports personalities - from New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady to Neil Patrick Harris from "How I Met Your Mother" - turned out Saturday night to celebrate the grand opening of CBS Scene, a restaurant and entertainment venue at Patriot Place.

And while football was clearly on the minds of members of the New England Patriots, who face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in today's home opener, they were happy to stop by the gala event, hosted by Patriots owner Robert Kraft and CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves.

"This is a just a little detour on our way to the hotel,'' said linebacker Tedy Bruschi. "Anything we can do to support Mr. Kraft, we'll do."

Quarterback Tom Brady said that even though he and his teammates who were on hand at Saturday night's opening were focused on today's game, they didn't mind making an appearance.

"This is great," he said, looking around at the high-tech steel and glass structure. "It's a great addition to everything else that's here." Coach Bill Belichick and players Rodney Harrison, Larry Izzo, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel, Vince Wilfork, Matt Light and Randy Moss were also on hand before scooting out to make the 7 p.m. team meeting at a nearby hotel, where the team stays the night before home games.

The three-story, CBS-themed restaurant and entertainment venue boasts jumbo screens and more than 130 high-definition monitors broadcasting past and present CBS shows - ranging from "I Love Lucy" to college football games.

Located adjacent to the main entrance to Gillette Stadium, CBS Scene is a joint partnership between Kraft and the CBS corporation. While ESPN and Fox networks operate restaurant chains, this is the network's first foray into the restaurant industry.

"I'm very excited that this day has arrived," Kraft said from the red carpet prior to the kickoff of the evening's festivities. "I call this the three 'Ps': The opening of the Patriots season, the expansion of Patriot Place, and the partnership with CBS."

Kraft said that CBS Scene occupies the "most prominent" location at Patriot Place. "It is certainly one of the most unique restaurants in New England, and I believe it will be one of the most popular," he said.

CBS Scene, just a stone's throw from and within view of the field at Gillette Stadium, includes a restaurant, two bars, private meeting space, a retail outlet selling CBS merchandise, and broadcasting facilities.

The more than 600 guests at Saturday night's invitation-only soiree didn't appear to mind the steady downpour outside. They gathered around the two large bars, mingled on the wide circular staircase located in the center of the venue, and sat in comfortable booths where they watched clips of CBS television shows and sporting events on individual flat screen televisions. Several guests commented on the state-of-the-art LED lighting, impressive-sounding audio system, and huge multi-layered video projection screens.

"This is amazing," said Jonathan Seals, 42, an accountant from Fall River. "I am definitely going to come here again. The scene is cool and the food is great...and if you're a CBS fan, you're all set for yourself."

Sushi, three-cheese white truffle pizza, filet medallions, and mashed potatoes with stir-ins were just some of the offerings from stations set up around the restaurant and at the bars.

At the red carpet reception, several actors from CBS programs talked about everything from football to acting to the upcoming presidential election. Harris, 35, known widely for his role as Doogie Howser, M.D. from the late 1980s/early 1990s, said it isn't difficult to play the role of a cad in his current program, "How I Met Your Mother."

"It's not hard for a guy to play a jerk," he said with a laugh. "I think it's more difficult to play a nice, sensitive guy."

When asked if he was a New England Patriots' fan, Harris took the diplomatic route, saying "I'm a fan of watching pro football - all pro football."

Jeff Probst, host of the upcoming "Survivor: Gabon," said that being in the wilds of Africa is rather daunting.

"You're in really remote areas and when the elephants see you and scatter, it's surreal," he said. "You feel like you're in a Spielberg movie."

Emily Procter from "CSI: Miami" said she was "a little bit upset" when she saw the Patriots' 2004 Super Bowl Trophy on display at Gillette Stadium in a pre-event gathering. "I'm a Carolina Panthers fan, so you can understand," she said.

But anti-New England Patriots sentiment aside, Procter said she was "so looking forward" to seeing - and possibly meeting - Brady. "I just want to see someone who is that genetically gifted up close."

The Raleigh, N.C., native said this was her first trip to Boston. "I was late getting here because I wanted to look around Boston. It's such a cute city."

Also on hand were Julie Chen, of "Big Brother" and "The Early Show" fame (and wife of Moonves), James Brown, Shannon Sharpe, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Dan Marino of "NFL Today," Dan Dierdorf and Greg Gumbel of the "NFL on CBS," and Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports.

The 15,000-square-foot facility is the latest addition to the 1.3-million-square-foot Patriot Place development that includes a 14-screen movie theater, a 500-seat live entertainment venue, and numerous retail and dining options. When completed, it will also include a hotel and a sports medicine center.