Restaurants are where our communities come together. They are the place we share experiences with family and friends and our connection to them spans generations. Beyond fulfilling the necessary function of satiating our hunger, we go to restaurants to be pampered, to be transported, to spend time in a place where someone else is solving our problems.
With the recent losses of so many iconic legacy restaurants, from the Pacific Dining Car to the Original Pantry, to the impending closure of Downtown’s 116-year-old iconic Cole’s, it’s important to recognize and support L.A.’s remaining classic dining spots. Some of the below are total time machines, some have wonderful stories and delicious food, and others are iconic names that may have jumped around a bit but still enjoy a rich history.
Starting today, and for the next two weeks, nearly 400 restaurants all over Los Angeles County are participating in the “Dine L.A.” promotion, adding special menus and special deals, some starting as low as $15 per meal. Some of the institutions participating this year have been around more than a century and we encourage you to go explore the wonderful world of historic restaurants L.A. has to offer. Here are some of our favorites participating this year that have stood the test of time, each serving up delicious favorites for more than 40 years.
Benihana, EncinoDon’t write off this chain just because they have 100 locations around the world. The showy chef performers cooking up your meal in front of you are still as fun and exciting as they were 55 years ago when L.A.’s first location arrived in Encino 55 years ago.
Carousel, Hollywood Founded in 1983 by immigrants escaping the Lebanese Civil War, this spot, tucked into a mini mall on Hollywood Boulevard, serves up small plate mezzes and family-style feasts of classic Middle Eastern fare.
The Ivy, Beverly Hills A celebrity (and paparazzi) favorite since 1980, the original location in Beverly Hills has a flower-filled patio serving up pizza, fried chicken, and a variety of salads.
Clearman’s North Woods Inn How can you resist a cool and fantastical sprawling log cabin with snow on the roof on a 90-degree L.A. day? Steak, salmon and their famous red cabbage and bleu cheese salads and atomic orange cheese bread are on the prix fixe menu…