Dining - Classic LA Recommendations
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Dining - Classic LA Recommendations
Honestly, i am looking more for atmosphere than I am food quality, although it does need to be edible. I would like to find a classic 50's style/themed restaurant, on the lines of Tam o Shanter or Lawrys. A few challenges, though:
Preferably I want to do a Saturday lunch, though I can do an early dinner (arriving before 6, say).
I will be dining alone
I probably won't be able to dress up - will be more like cargo pants and a polo, if that knocks out a few choices.
I have also thought about Clifton's, I don't know if that still has any character and how crowded it gets.
Like I said, needs to be edible, but atmosphere trumps taste this time.
Preferably I want to do a Saturday lunch, though I can do an early dinner (arriving before 6, say).
I will be dining alone
I probably won't be able to dress up - will be more like cargo pants and a polo, if that knocks out a few choices.
I have also thought about Clifton's, I don't know if that still has any character and how crowded it gets.
Like I said, needs to be edible, but atmosphere trumps taste this time.
#2
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Honestly, i am looking more for atmosphere than I am food quality, although it does need to be edible. I would like to find a classic 50's style/themed restaurant, on the lines of Tam o Shanter or Lawrys. A few challenges, though:
Preferably I want to do a Saturday lunch, though I can do an early dinner (arriving before 6, say).
I will be dining alone
I probably won't be able to dress up - will be more like cargo pants and a polo, if that knocks out a few choices.
I have also thought about Clifton's, I don't know if that still has any character and how crowded it gets.
Like I said, needs to be edible, but atmosphere trumps taste this time.
Preferably I want to do a Saturday lunch, though I can do an early dinner (arriving before 6, say).
I will be dining alone
I probably won't be able to dress up - will be more like cargo pants and a polo, if that knocks out a few choices.
I have also thought about Clifton's, I don't know if that still has any character and how crowded it gets.
Like I said, needs to be edible, but atmosphere trumps taste this time.
<snip>
Musso's may be the last restaurant in America still operating in basic pre-Prohibition mode, and its menu of steaks, chops and sand dabs; chiffonade salads and turkey la king; sweetbreads jardinire and lamb kidneys with bacon; apple cobbler and diplomat pudding, is one that any country club regular would have recognized in 1919. The waiters are still resplendent in their smoking jackets and ties. Do I sometimes mourn the disappearance of finnan haddie from the menu, that the jellied consomm is served plain instead of in iced metal bowls and that for rice pudding I now have to go to the Grill down the street?
<snip>
Musso's may be the last restaurant in America still operating in basic pre-Prohibition mode, and its menu of steaks, chops and sand dabs; chiffonade salads and turkey la king; sweetbreads jardinire and lamb kidneys with bacon; apple cobbler and diplomat pudding, is one that any country club regular would have recognized in 1919. The waiters are still resplendent in their smoking jackets and ties. Do I sometimes mourn the disappearance of finnan haddie from the menu, that the jellied consomm is served plain instead of in iced metal bowls and that for rice pudding I now have to go to the Grill down the street?
<snip>
#3
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There are additional ideas on this list:
Dan Tana's, Pacific Dining Car, TAIX French Restaurant, El Cholo and Taylor's Prime Steak House, to name a few.
Yes, both Tam O'Shanter's and Lawry's are also listed. However, my first pick of the quintessential classic Los Angeles / Hollywood restaurant remains Musso & Frank's.
Dan Tana's, Pacific Dining Car, TAIX French Restaurant, El Cholo and Taylor's Prime Steak House, to name a few.
Yes, both Tam O'Shanter's and Lawry's are also listed. However, my first pick of the quintessential classic Los Angeles / Hollywood restaurant remains Musso & Frank's.
#4
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Taylor's is a great choice, centrally located, reasonably priced, and they open at 4pm on Saturday. If you want to "start" out a bit earlier, go to El Cholo for adult beverages and chips, then head over to Taylors for a steak. The places are exactly a mile apart.
#8
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Agreed I go there a lot too. Though, I don't really consider it classic LA. Heck for that matter I am not sure how far removed from McDonalds it really is. Just ask them to toast the bun a little longer and it seems pretty close. Fries are better though.
#9
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I love the Pacific Dining Car. The inside makes me feel like I'm in a 1950's mob movie with its muted lighting, plush seating and paint colors. Plus the steaks and cocktails are great. Just be ready for a large bill.
#12
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Here is an article with some additional recommendations, The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Dal Rae and Yamashiro:
#14
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I'm sure that there will be those who disagree, however, when I think of classic Los Angeles dining what comes to mind are places with historical sense that have been around seemingly forever with the faded glory of Hollywood's golden age, leather booths, classical food and great martinis, a regular clientele and staff that know their names and warmly welcomes them back.