The site in its broken condition will remain online for a while and I will be transferring the articles I wrote about various old restaurants to my main website, www.newsfromme.com. Jul 19, 2016 at 11:50 am. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Exuding Rat Pack cool, Pier 66 Restaurant & Lounge was a swinging place in the 1950s and '60s, man. Be prepared for a plentiful supply of wood paneling, tiny televisions, and gaudy . Open since 1936, Tom Bergin's Public House has been gracing us with their exceptional Irish coffee and all around excellence for nearly 80 years, serving as a gathering place for the neighborhoodeven back when stars like Bing Crosby and Cary Grant would frequent the bar. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Strip was "pretty dead, really," singer Johnny Rivers would remember to Vanity Fair. From the elegant Italian spot Alba Osteria & Enoteca to the legendary Zefiro . In order to get approval to sell food on Olvera Street, the Guerrero sisters were told they had to sell something different from what the other restaurants were selling, so they came up with their own special recipe for taquitos with a thin guacamole sauce and opened Cielito Lindo. From dark dive bars to a steakhouse with killer martinis, these classic haunts housed celluloid stars such as Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe, along with literary luminaries, sportsicons, famous musicians and more. About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. The restaurant moved to Echo Park in 1962, where it continues to be run by the Taix family. 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA. The dinner menu is true to its roots, but the two bars, including the backroom Varnish, add appeal for the younger crowd. Tiki restaurants and bars have been popular in American culture since the 1930s. The Pang family also ran Fung Lum restaurants in Campbell, CA, Malaysia and Taiwan, all of which are no longer operating. The HMS Bounty is located at 3357 Wilshire Boulevard in what is now known as Koreatown. In 1974, the venue hosted the first American run of the Rocky Horror Show on its stage. Todays Hollywood bears little resemblance to the glitz and glamor of the past. There are two rooms inside with completely different dcor, and a patio opens onto Olvera Street. LAWeekly Instagram: Featuring the culture of LA since 1978 , Relationship with the Victim* Even after his studio moved to the Valley, he remained a regular, andhis favorite booth (#31, near the fireplace) is still designated in his honor. Why it made the list. Mobster Mickey Cohen was hanging out at Sherry's, his favorite after-hours haunt at 9039 Sunset Boulevard. In fact, MGM executive Billy Grady conducted so much business at Chasen's that he had his own booth built to ensure a table each time he visited the restaurant. The bar within El Paseo Inn is a historic landmark as well. Opened in the late 1950s, the interiors haven't . Reservations not available. With its world-famous food and martinis, diners have included William Faulkner, Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Charlie Chaplin who lunched there daily. Try another? In February 2022, the James Beard Foundation honored Casa Vega with the America's Classics Award, which recognizes locally owned restaurants that have a timeless appeal. blank. West Hollywood's nightlife started in the 1920sand it's still going strong. 6667 Hollywood Blvd. In the '50s and '60s, Tiki culture found its way into the mainstream in a big way and influenced music, movies, food, and even theme parks. What better place to do this than Little Ethiopias oldest restaurant, Rosalind. I want to thank everyone who contributed over the years and I hope you enjoyed . Still in the hands of the original Canter family, Canter's Deli has been a Los Angeles institution since 1931, when it opened in Boyle Heights. A staggering list of great writers, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, T.S. After a few name changes, it eventually became The Comedy Store in 1972. It was forced to move in 1951 to make room for the 101 freeway. While there, try to snag a mesob, a traditional Ethiopian table, and order their legendary Doro Wota rich, cozy spicy chicken stew, and scoop it up with spongy injera bread.How to book: Walk-ins accepted or call the restaurant at 323-936-2486 for reservations. Customers donated many of the items filling the restaurant's walls. They welcomed new generations of their families all while being employed at the restaurant. It has also changed owners, with former LA mayor Richard Riordan as current proprietor. The Melody Room opened in 1951 as an intimate jazz club, but back in the 40s, mobsters Siegel and Cohen used it as a gambling den. We were at the top of our game and felt it was the perfect time to leave, Curiel remembered. The Pantry Cafe opened in 1924 in another Downtown LA location, but like Philippe's, was forced to move to make room for a freeway. The food is really goodand very pricey, but it's the only place you'll find fine dining at 3 a.m. when you're hungry after clubbing. The as-of-yet undiscovered Judy Garland and Jackie Gleason toured here for Amateur Hour, and high rollers played their hands at poker in the back room. See also:Bahooka Closing in March: One Last Meal At Bahooka Family Restaurant, Fung Lum Restaurant Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608; Credit: Jared Cowan. Subscribe for WeHo special offers, event info and more. That and, of course, the garish, colorful and festive decorations. Many of the El Conquistador staff had grown up while working there. Nearby Micelis (micelisrestaurant.com), Hollywoods oldest family-run Italian restaurant, purchased much of the interior furniture and decor, which is still visible in the restaurant today. Lemon . Beverly GroveIt feels like everyone in LA has a story of stumbling into Swingers after a late night. He even shared screen time with Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, when Bahooka was used as a film location. View Website. Eventually, it fell into disrepair and was fixed by The Los Angeles Parks Department, but . Its menu offers original French country cuisine favorites like ratatouille, escargot, moules marinire, trout almandine and frog legs Provenales. Philippe's also opened in 1908, but at a different location. The current owners are against this move, which means the buildings future remains unclear and is all the more reason to get to Taix as soon as possible to support this piece of LA history. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers. Currently, a 500-room hotel is apparently slated for Fung Lum's location. The hotel housed many a star, but the lounge, opened in 1941, was where celebs likeWarren Beaty, Walt Disney and studio exec Darryl Zanuck held court. Colonial Philadelphia's inns and taverns gave way to specialized restaurants in the nineteenth century. Rubin passed away in 2010, but his son, Sam Rubin, has plans for the property. This tomb of a once-thriving establishment rests maybe appropriately next to Universal's Frankenstein parking structure. It has live music or comedy almost every night, but unlike the restaurant, closes at 2 a.m. (no entry after 1:40 a.m.). Its current location is across from Union Station at the edge of Chinatown. More than a pretty face, the place is serving up Chinese-American style food like sweet and tangy orange chicken and delicious cocktails. As for the closure of this Silver Lake institution, Curiel said that the building had been sold, causing the rent to double and reinventing the restaurant was not something he or Pinto wanted to do. Since 1945, Micelis has been known in Hollywood for its authentic Italian food, singing waitstaff and celebrity guests. From Downtown Los Angeles bars to bars in Hollywood and beyond, these places will let you step back in time just a bit. Here are some places of memory lost to time. The interior is vibrant and lively, decorated with Ethiopian art, and the walls have thatched roofs above the tables. Ciro's (later known as Ciro's Le Disc) was a nightclub on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California owned by William Wilkerson. Take a deeper dive into Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Los Angeles in the 1960s. [, Rubins Red Hot 15318 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; Credit: Jared Cowan. To this day . 10 Classic Menus From Historic L.A. For your sweet tooth, there's cake by the slice. Musso and Frank Grill. West HollywoodIf youre looking for a taste of old-school Hollywood, look no further than the iconic Dan Tanas, which has been welcoming celebs and civilians alike since the 1960s. Just ask the countless customers whove been downing the classic American fare since 1975. Posts about Los Angeles written by Jan Whitaker. Classic 1960s restaurant architecture and an amazing vintage sign. It's unfortunate that we sometimes lose our most beloved and most frequented neighborhood restaurants. It has been at its current location on Figueroa since 1950. KLR1255.E. Billy Wilkerson of the Hollywood Reporter opened Ciros, a red-hot club frequented by Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Benny and Ava Gardner. Neighborhood: Hollywood Address and phone: 6667 Hollywood Blvd (323-467-7788) Website: mussoandfrank.com Established in 1919, Musso and Frank's is L.A,'s oldest restaurant and perhaps its most iconica long line of Hollywood stars have reclined in its red leather booths and propped up its polished wood bar. Though Rubin's changed tenants a few times, the Rubin family kept ownership of the property. El Conquistador opened on Dec. 7, 1973, by Jesus Pinto, who owned the restaurant along with Salvador Barajas who passed away about 10 years ago until its closing. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Given its location, you'll find more tourists than locals dining on the house-made tortillas and traditional Mexican fare. Mr. Paul sold the Whip in 2012, and from that point on, business declined. Your donation supports our high-quality, inspiring and commercial-free programming. Many of the items on the SFO airport menu use original Fung Lum recipes. He didn't change the "greasy spoon"menu, which is written on the wall. Several popular West Hollywood venues opened on The Strip in the 1940s. They were among numerous chains that included Morrison's Cafeteria, S&S Cafeteria, Duff's, and . For late-night libations, the bar serves up a hefty cocktail list to a dressed-up crowdyou'll be sure to spot some more modern famous faces herelistening to the live piano. With such an eye-catching exterior, its natural that Carneys is also in demand for brand events with the likes of Nickelodeon and Coach. Dan Tanas doesnt know her. The food is OK, but it's the ambiance that makes it worth a visit. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. 03 of 14. Tam OShanter is one of those pubs that has been around forever (more than 90 years, in fact; it opened in 1922), and with good reason. Phillipe's also laid claim to creating the first French Dip sandwich, and in a KCET poll, Philippe's French Dip won out over Cole's as being the most "iconic" LA dish, and won out over most other Los Angeles foods for LA icon status, with the exception of the strawberry donut from the Donut Man, which was voted most iconic. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Albert Curiel, another co-owner of El Conquistador, said, the potent and killer margaritas were the main attraction. This is the story of the Pink family who started out with a simple chili dog recipe and pursued their dream of someday selling thousands of hot dogs a day . The freeway widening and the limited parking due to the construction did not help attract a customer base for the hot dog stand. Tam O'Shanter was opened in 1922 by the same folks who later opened Lawry's Prime Rib. Los Angeles has a storied history filled with larger-than-life celebrities. Today, its still a prime destination for swish music, entertainment and partying, plus superb dining and ultra-stylish shopping. Around the end of 2020, this page will go away completely. As one of few restaurants open all night on the west side, Canter's has been popular with TV and movie industry types, as well as rockers coming off performances on the Sunset Strip. Bugsy Siegels ground floor apartment is now the Tower Bar, a glamorous spot to enjoy a cocktail and relive old Hollywood. Elvis Costello and Keith Richards have been known to frequent the hotel bar. Today, Skybar remains a popular destination for anyone who wants to spot celebrities. The Sunset Strip is a party destination like no otherhome to gangsters in the roaring 1920s, playground of Hollywood royalty then and now, and the origin of many famous brands. A seat at the counter is my favorite spot to feel part of history. The History: Founder James Herbert Tolfree began dishing up coffee, steak and eggs to Saugus Eating House patrons from the north end . Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook. Gino's Hamburgers. An art deco masterpiece by famed architect Leland A. Bryant, The Argyle Hotel now known as Sunset Tower Hotel opened in 1931. Just opt in below. Restaurants & Chefs. This famous Hollywood hotspot was erected in 1927 and lays claim to being the first ever host of the Academy Awards in 1929. The dark, carved wood dcor, red-checked tablecloths and Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling are classic. Canter's added a bar next door in 1961 called the Kibitz Room. In 1950 in Hong Kong, Mr. Shing Kee Pang built his first restaurant: Fung Lum meaning maple grove. The original restaurant was so successful that Pang started other locations in Asia and a few in California, including the location at Universal City. That same year, the club was the site of River Phoenixs tragic drug overdose on Halloween night. Five floors with intricate detail, from vignettes of famous L.A. sites to taxidermy to a massive tree that shoots up through the building. Bahooka's mascot, Rufus, a 38-year-old Pacu fish was the pride and joy of the place. West Hollywood, California. It was recently announced that a local man's voluminous personal collection of menus and programs from years past is being donated to the library -- I know that I am joined by my fellow food nerds in excitement about this. El Paseo Inn opened in 1930 at the other end of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site at Olvera Street (W-23) from its current location. Here are five of their stories. While delivery will always have a sweet spot in our hearts, there is just a certain je ne sais quoi that can only be obtained by getting food For here. It means getting reasonably dressed up, catching up with friends over memorable plates and one too many drinks, and appreciating the warm hospitality as we take a break from our home kitchens. Tourists often confuse the Vine Street location with the original Brown Derby restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard opened in 1926 by Herbert Somborn. Taix's original location opened in downtown Los Angeles, as part of the Champ d'Or Hotel in 1927. The classic decor can be seen as a backdrop for a scene in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. As much a part of the Hollywood landscape as the Hollywood sign, Chasens was filled with celebrities and movie studio executives every night during its peak. It is a little on the cheesy side (spotless white tablecloths and live jazz music), but the history alone is worth a visit. Then in the '60s, it became a hangout for L.A.'s slew of famed and ill-fated musicians like Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin (whose favorite booth was #34). Spago. Like other Hollywood restaurants of its time, Musso & Franks attracted its fair share of on-screen celebrities, including Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin and Bette Davis. It was called, P.J.'s. It paved the way for new dance clubs such as Gazzarri's and the Whisky A Go Go which opened up on the famous Sunset Strip. In 1982, John Belushi ate his last meal (of lentil soup) here just before overdosing at his Chateau Marmont bungalow. Although the restaurants location has changed, the original Musso & Frank Grill (mussoandfrank.com) has been operating since 1919 and holds the distinction of being Hollywoods oldest family-run restaurant. Fliegel said the family closed the 37-year-old-restaurant because they were ready to retire, and the next generation of family wanted to do other things. This list may not reflect recent changes. Next time you're feeling nostalgic, head over for a pint and read the names of regulars on shamrocks plastered to the walls and ceiling; Cary Grant's shamrock sits in a frame above one of the booths. Dapper and dangerous, Cohen was holding . It's also known for its reasonable breakfast prices. If youre going for the food, youll find their menu filled with classics like prime rib and rack of lamb. The restaurant's popularity peaked during the 1980s and 90s when, drawing on the restaurant's popularity, Puck opened another Spago in nearby Beverly Hills in 1997. Here are the most historically iconic LA restaurants in order of when they were established. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. If you want a stiff drink, they have a wall of big-name and hard-to-find Scotches for you to choose from.How to book: via the restaurants website. Check out the slideshow:Great Shuttered Restaurants of Los Angeles. Stop by a few of the oldest bars in L.A., which have been around long enough that theyre practically essential museums of local culture. The restaurant was originally built in 1948 as an addition to the Gaylord Apartments and named after Gaylord Wilshire without his prior consent. It can be seen in the classic LA film Chinatown and more contemporary examples like the TV show New Girl. It was long known as a favored spot of literary luminaries such asCharles Bukowski and L.A. noir writer John Fante, who used the bar as a model for the dive in his novel Ask the Dust. Try Franks Spaghetti and Clams that were sure Sinatra would sign off on. Phone +1 202-347-4800. (702 . The Trocadero closed in 1947. Step inside and let yourself be enveloped by the cafes vintage interiors, red decor, and moody lighting. The dishes are cheesy, saucey, carby Italian-American fare. Costello and Keith Richards have been known in Hollywood follow us on Twitter or like on... 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