Steakhouses in LA
 

I'm going to be in LA at the end of the month and my friends and whenever we travel, my friends and I are always looking to find the best steak in the area. Any recommendations?

Vague question. LA metro area is vast, there are countless upscale restaurants that all serve good steak, and there are also all those mediocre national chains to weed out.

Lawry's Prime Rib on La Cienega is still an LA institution, for one. But without a bit more info, it's hard to settle on a list. Do you have a target price range, for example?

Price range is open-ended, we want to stay away from the national chains, and we're staying in West Hollywood (but we will have a car so location isn't too much of an issue)

Damon's Steak House in Glendale is fun and the Mai Tai's can't be beat. About a 20 minute drive from West Hollywood if you stay away from rush hour or go on the weekend.

There's a place up on Mulholland near Malibu called Old Place Steak and Clams. That's all they serve, Steak and Clams and Bread. Been around for 30 years and only open Thu Fri Sat. Dinner starts around 8pm or whenever they feel like firing up the grill.

Although it is a chain, The Palm is considered one of the best. There is a very nice one on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. I think it feels more "intimate" than most of the bigger bustling places like Morton's of Chicago and Ruth Cris.

Although I haven't been there, Zagat's gives the rather new Mastro's on Wilshire in Beverly Hills raves, including a 25 for food, 24 for decor, and 23 for service!! And a friend told me it was the BEST steakhouse he'd ever been to.

Celestino (by the owner of Drago) is an excellent Italian steakhouse on Beverly.

Musso & Frank's Grill on Hollywood Blvd. Very "old Hollywood." An L.A. legend.

I second the Palm in West Hollywood. Isn't this the original?

I had one of my best steaks ever (and I'm from the midwest). It was a blackened NY w/side of creamed spinach.

Also try JAR on Melrose. Same owners as Campanile. They have an outstanding filet. Try it with a side of lobster sauce. They have flavored butters to go with your steak, REALLY good, but a bit rich in flavor.

If you are interested I am heading to Peppone's in Brentwood for dinner tonight. It's Northern Italian and a VERY popular hangout for the west side. Let me know if you are interested and I will post with info tomorrow. Happy Eats!!

We were disappointed in Celestino. We waited a long time for our steaks and then they were undercooked and we had to wait longer.

KristyS,
So how was Peppones?
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. When we go on vacation my friends and I always like splurge on good food since when we're home it's all about the mac & cheese and PB&J!

Hi Kubes

I know you were really looking for steak joints, but I would highly recommend Peppone. We had a wonderful meal. I had scallops with a lobster sauce (delicious)This was not on the menu, but the waiter suggested it. My husband had an antipasta salad and Calamari that was possibly the BEST I have ever tasted.

The restaurant is "old school" Italian, like Tony Soprano should be seated next to you. Dark, red booths, lots of color and pictures on the wall. Not overly fancy, but good service and fun environment. Prices are a bit high, average entree is $24.50 plus and lobster tail was $68.00 bucks, YIKES...I can get a great lobster DINNER in Mexico for $12.00 and that includes two margaritas, but I guess Brentwood is not exactly Mexico...if you want the address let me know.

Have fun in LA!

Try the Pacific Dining Car near Downtown -- great steaks in a very old school LA location. Very cool old building, great bar and you'll feel like you stepped back in time 60 years. The food's excellent too.

It's on 6th Street just West of downtown. Check out their website: http://www.pacificdiningcar.com/

Another place is the Hillmont on Hollywood Blvd. in the Los Feliz area. I've never been (anyone?) but I hear it's pretty good and definitely turning into a hip and trendy place.

One other suggestion is to check out the restaurant section in Citysearch.com. I just did after posting and they've got tons of steak places listed (Pacific Dining Car got one of the highest scores incidentally).

I third the suggestion for the Pacific Dining Car, the one on the outskirts of downtown not Santa Monica (better ambiance). My brother and I had a great meal there last month.

Haven't been there, but the latest issue of "Los Angeles" magazine voted
"The Buggywhip" in Westchester as the best steakhouse in L.A.