In a city where the A-list patrons love to be pampered, dining is a Los Angeles event, and the food can’t disappoint. It doesn’t. In fact it’s so famous that you’ll find a few of the celebrities behind the kitchen door.
Pink's Hot Dogs
Pink’s Hot Dogs – a Hollywood legend since 1939—offers award winning chili dogs to tourists, celebrities, late-night bar hoppers, and local hot dog lovers. All wait in the famously long line that wraps around the Pinks’ stand at 709 N La Brea Avenue for any combination of hot dogs, burgers, onion rings and French fries. The Chili Dog is award winning, but our vote goes to the Ozzy Spice Dog, topped with both nacho and American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. Bring the antacids, Pink’s is worth the indigestion.
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
The list goes on for famous LA dives, including Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles (1514 N Glower St). Immortalized in Pulp Fiction and Swingers, this greasy landmark is heaven for breakfast lovers. Not for the cholesterol lowering crowd, Roscoe’s offers their breakfast-food menu around the clock. Try the chicken and waffles, of course, but we also recommend Big Mama’s Special. The scrambled eggs, cheese and onions are amazing, and if you’re lucky Big Mama will serve them to you herself!
Tip: Tight on space, this diner gets overcrowded during brunch and weekend nights. Try early evening during the week for less wait and more elbow room.
Dresden Room
Step back in time as you enter the Dresden Room (1760 N Vermont Ave), where the1960s are still alive and well. The last of the traditional swank of Coconut Grove remains in this restaurant and lounge. Choose the retro dining room for its white booths, tall ceilings and low lighting. You’ll find superb Italian cuisine for reasonable prices. After dinner, head over to the “dark side” where notes from within the cavernous, dimly lit bar will entice you. Sip dirty martinis or the favorite “Blood and Sand” drink while listening to entertainment provided by Marty and Elaine (catch them every night from 9-1am). These jazz singers, performing at the Dresden since 1982, are celebrities in their own right. The Dresden room is a place to see and be seen for a smaller bill than you’d expect.
Mastro's Steakhouse
The food at Mastro’s Steakhouse (246 N Canon Dr) may outweigh the retro ambiance, both in the masculine lower-level dining room and the swanky upper level piano bar. Think Rat Pack and steak and you’ve got the picture. The extensive wine list may impress some, but the most impressive to most diners will be the enormous entrée portions. From the porterhouse, to the bone-in filet and the Kansas City strip, you simply can’t make a bad choice. Try the shrimp cocktail appetizer, its dry ice presentation is sure to please the aesthetic eye.
Tip: To combine entertainment with your meal, request (or reserve) second floor seating where you’ll find the musicians and dining celebrities.
Dining for the Celebirty Obsessed
If you Tivo Entertainment Tonight, or E!, run to the mailbox every Friday for your latest copy of People, we’ve got a few restaurants that will satisfy the celebrity-stalker in you. Start your hunt early in the day with lunch at The Ivy (113 N Robertson Blvd). Chic country French décor gives off an eclectic energy inside the restaurant, but the real draw is the patio. We suggest you sit outside, where you’ll be in prime celebrity spotting range. Catch a glimpse of power lunching Hollywood’s A-listers from the comfort of your antique chair. Tip: Celebs congregate at the middle patio table. Request seating near there for a famous view. We’ve mentioned that the sights are great, but the food stands on its own as well. The upscale menu offers American cuisine and classic comfort dishes. We suggest the Cajun prime rib, fish and chips (shrimp, calamari and scallops accompany the cod) and the lobster ravioli. Top your meal off with a dessert created by the Ivy’s pastry chef. You know she’s good if she gets size 2 movie stars to gobble down her treats!
Hollywood’s Spago (176 N Canon Dr) is our choice for red carpet treatment. Vibrant color and cuisine, this is Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant. You’ll find him wandering table to table chatting with diners, celebrity status or not. The service is impeccable, and the food better than that. Masterfully blending western and eastern cuisine, the executive chef pleases with pan-roasted French Dover sole and caramelized cauliflower, capers and garlic. Each selection is better than the next.
Tip: For a true sampling of Spago’s menu, try the tasting menu, where you’ll receive an eight mini-course meal with wine pairings.
Prices do reflect the quality of the meal. For lower prices and just as many star sightings, try Spago for lunch.
For other top-notch dining experiences, try the famous sushi at Koi (760 N La Cienega Blvd) in West Hollywood, visit Mario Batali’s Pizzeria Mozza (641 N Highland Ave), and the three-course Mediterranean meals at Lucques (8474 Melrose Ave).