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Dining and Restaurants in Los
Angeles
Rock 'N Fish in Manhattan blends super seafood with a cool bar.
Restaurants come and go in Los Angeles
faster than a freeway chase. Yet there are certain places that are quintessentially
L.A.
While we've provided some key local spots in each city section, this
section provides those special places that make this city so L.A.
Upscale dining
Successful downtown businessmen have for years enjoyed Pacific Dining
Car (1310 W. 6th Street, just west of the Harbor Freeway). Built
around an old railroad car,it is L.A.'s oldest steakhouse. It's best
enjoyed on an expense account but regardless, this is one of the city's
finest restaurants. Open 24 hours, the breakfasts are sensational and
it gets a crowd at all hours of the morning and night. There's a second
location at 2700 Wilshire in Santa Monica, but it does not have the
tradition of the downtown location.
Dan Tana's (9071 Santa Monica Blvd.) is another highbrow steakhouse,
though more with a Hollywood feel. In fact, celebrities often like to
hide here in its darkness. The waiters are knowledgeable and the bartenders
pour a mean drink.
While on the subject of steaks, Lawry's The Prime Rib (100 N.
LaCienega Blvd., just up form Wilshire) is famous for not only its namesake,
but its spinning salad bowls. This is where teams playing in the New
Year's Day Rose Bowl go to chow down before the big game. Lawry's, by
the way, claims to be the first restaurant to serve salads ahead of
the main course.
The Ivy (113 N. Robertson) has long been one of Los Angeles'
premier upper-class restaurants. It has a very French countryside feel
to it, and the menu varies from pasta to steaks to seafood. Nancy Reagan
was known to favor it during her days in L.A. There's also a seaside
location across from the Santa Monica Pier, which is no less outstanding.
Many find the latter's ivy-covered patio preferable to the Beverly Hills
location.
Well, we had to include it. Le Dome (8720 Sunset Blvd.) is where
celebrities meet agents, where agents meet producers, where in fact,
the term "power lunch" was created. The menu is heavy on salads
– healthy looks are important in this town – and the
bar can be an interesting place for a drink early in the evening.
Only in L.A. would one go to the airport to eat. Yet the old control
tower in the signature arched building at LAX serves high-class cuisine
in what is basically a Jetson's theme park. Called Encounter,
its space-aged surroundings are a great way to encounter locals. Mike
Myers once rented it out for a private Austin Powers cast party.
Anything with Wolfgang Puck's name attached to it is a guaranteed good
meal. Spago, once housed on the Sunset Strip at Horn Ave. behind
Tower Records, is no longer open but anyone can eat the good fare at
the Wolfgang Puck Cafes scattered about town.
Chason's (246 N. Canyon Dr.) was originally located in Hollywood
but has relocated to Beverly Hills. Fortunately, it brought the cheese
toast, chili and chicken pot pie along with it.
Chaya Venice on Main Street in Santa Monica also rates high
on the list with its modern Asian cuisine. Down the street, Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Maria Shriver's Schatzi's on Main is nearly its equal at
more affordable prices in a more cozy atmosphere (Johnny Carson has
been known to lunch here frequently). The bar is a good place to drop
in for a cocktail and the tropical rainforest sound effects in the restrooms
are quite relaxing.
L' Ermitage (9121 Burton Way, Beverly Hills) features Mediterranean
food with an Asian flair. It's another favorite of the expense-account
crowd.
For atmosphere, it's hard to beat the Saddle Peak Lodge (419,
Cold Canyon Drive in Calabasas; better call for directions and certainly
reservations, 818-222-3888). This is an upscale, cozy game lodge, serving
venison, quail, buffalo and sautéed ostrich (high in flavor,
low in fat). Some prefer the lush back patio to the dining room.
Traditional L.A.
No place says "old L.A." like The Pantry. Located
a Kobe Bryant jump shot from the Staples Center, it's worth the trip
downtown. Meatloaf and gravy, eggs and ham and other basic but delicious
items are served in huge portions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Retaining the busy old charm of the traditional U.S. diner, it has operated
continuously for more than 50 years until closing for one day a couple
of years ago while the heath board made an inspection. It is owned by
former Mayor Richard Riordan.
Canter's Deli (on Fairfax, just north of Beverly) is as traditional
L.A. as it gets. Canter's gives a full plate food made by people who
know how to make deli-style sandwiches. Everyone in L.A. has been here
at least once, if not hundreds of times. If you want to taste a part
of the city, this is the place to do it.
Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City (Ventura Blvd., east of Coldwater
Canyon) in the Valley is a power lunch haven for Hollywood executives.
The restaurant has expanded to other locations, but none have the authentic
feel of the original.
One of the most recognizable landmarks is Carney's. It's in
an old railroad car overlooking the Sunset Strip. The menu is basic
– chili dogs and hamburgers – but it's a landmark for
tourists and locals alike. Go during the week between 4:30-7 and enjoy
beers for $1.50.
The most popular hot dog stand in L.A. is Pink's (LaBrea at
Melrose). Celebrities and locals have been coming here for years, dating
back to pre-Marlyn Monroe. It is especially popular after the bars close;
at 2 a.m., limos are lined up around the block.
The Best of the Rest
Not to be confused
with Shaq, The Shack in Playa del Rey is hamburger heaven.
Manhattan
Beach doesn't get much respect around Los Angeles
for dining – it's more of a surf and bar town – but Rock
'N Fish (120 Manhattan Beach Blvd., 310-379-9900) is one of L.A's
best seafood spots. Salmon, halibut, shrimp and other dishes are delicious.
The clam chowder might be the best in all of Southern California and
the gumbo gives New
Orleans veterans a flashback to The Big Easy. And
with its signature Navy Grog drinks leading the way, the bar area is
one of downtown Manhattan's top hot spots.
Paco's Tacos (Centinela and Washington Place in Culver City)
is one of the city's best Mexican restaurants, and that's saying something
in this town. Be prepared for a wait, but grab a beer and enjoy the
atmosphere. Park at the bank across the street.
The Reel Inn, (Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu) is good, casual
dining at its best. With picnic tables in an open, spacious room, it's
not fancy, but for affordable and tasty seafood it's hard to beat.
The Shack (Vista del Mar at Culver Blvd. in Playa del Rey) .
Not to be confused with Shaq the basketball player, the Shack restaurant
is the perfect burger-and-beer joint. It specializes in the "Shack
Burger" combining meat with spicy sausage. Tuesdays are "Shack
Attack" days, with $1 off all burgers. There's a second location
in Santa Monica, but it ranks well below Playa in atmosphere.
Still, the World's Best Burgers can be found at Ercoles,
a Manhattan Beach dive bar (1101 Manhattan Ave., 310-379-9917).
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