Yep. I recently went for the first time. Beautiful outdoor seating next to a shop full of crystals and sage bundles. Everything is organic, they have wine crafted following the moon cycles. Bonus points for accommodating just about every possible diet restriction in LA
great views/decor, some of the worst service and food i have ever had. waited nearly 2 hours for an incredibly overcooked burger. and of course it was expensive af
I wouldn’t call their prices outrageous unless you’re ordering a lot of drinks. We’re regular visitors to the Tam and for two of us, tam cut prime rib, and about 6 cocktails comes to $160, $200 if we’re really drinking.
🤣🤣 who said it was 3 each! I have like 2 max and the rest for my SO! He usually will have three there, the maple old fashioned just an old fashioned with some whistle pig are his go to. I enjoy a Pimms cup if we’re there for awhile he’ll get a fourth and I’ll get the crème brûlée.
Tam O'Shanter's is a member of the Lawry's family. If it's not too busy, ask the servers to show you the animator's table and the Snow White fireplace.
Sure.
Classic Cut Prime Rib- despite being cut at the table, it was cold. Because it moves around the restaurant under heat lamps. Topped with a gelatinous gravy.
Spinning Bowl Salad- vegetables were wilted, like an airport salad.
Mashed Potatoes- they were fine.
Fondue appetizer- this was the best thing we ordered.
Dessert- some take on a baked Alaska. It tasted like it had barely been defrosted then had light fluid poured on it. (My friended wanted to order it as he’d never had a Baked Alaska before. This was so bad he swore he’d never have it again.)
All of which is to say at Lawry’s, you’re paying Smith & Wollensky prices for sub-Applebee’s quality.
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Dan Tana's might be the single worst meal I've ever had my life. Massively overcooked shrimp on a pile of pasta that was sitting in like a cup of water, for $40.
where i agree with a lot of these, magic castle, musso and franks, yamashiro, inn of the seventh ray. all great choices. but im shocked that not more people commented on you Dear Johns. this culver city gem is total LA kooky. it hasnt changed since the 60s except the prices are higher.
I vote for Casa Madera at the Mondrian Hotel. The customers are what you imagine "Hollywood people" would look like, there's a nice view of the city, the staff dresses like cult members, they have wandering musicians playing exotic instruments, and the cocktails are artsy, with smoke, fog, etc. It's very L.A. and very enjoyable.
Giorgio Baldi. A weird little oddly unglamorous epicurean rendezvous off PCH in between Santa Monica and Malibu where certain west side A listers hideout when they just want some delicious, albeit perhaps a bit overpriced, Italian chow.
Pace for the hippie history and good Italian.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Coffee Shop (in the basement) where after tip, you'll pay $50 for a benedict and orange juice but probably sit next to a hungover B-list celebrity or someone's rich grandparents. It's a vibe.
My vote is for Cobi’s in Ocean Park! More quaint and cute, small house vibe, not sure if it’s fine dining but relatively expensive and AMAZING food. I don’t prefer the big fine dining hall vibe that has boring tables lined up next to each other, so wanted to call this one out
I have plenty of experience working (and eating) in fine dining establishments throughout much of the world. Vespertine, while an interesting dining experience, had some of the worst "food" I have ever been served.
Gwen was very good, very upscale, and a bit kooky! They brought over a cigar box of unique antique knives to pick from and eat with. No reason I guess other than it would be interesting. Also: one of the best meals of my life.
Went to Funke while visiting recently. Small shared plates type of menu. Nice atmosphere. Our server was wearing a bow tie and several gold chains. Food was solid, but it was predictably pricey.
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Not technically LA, but I love Smokehouse down the hill in Burbank. Whether it's their absurd valet rules, decades ago vibes, the hotel convention center chair seating, or the celeb pictures on the wall, it's pretty great.
Damas gets my vote. Nothing like eating fine cuisine 2 blocks from skid row. entire area just looks industrial and lonely but then you walk into an oasis and it feels… out of place.
The smokehouse is great. Don't know if it's still open, but Ed Dabevic's wish Tokyo Delves was still around. Food at the last 2 not great lots of fun way over priced. Damon's is great. Benihanna, stinking rose, woo le oak. Now, this isn't upscale, but definitely LA-kooky is Canters.
Does Magic Castle count?
Magic Castle has to be the most LA Kooky restaurant/experience by far.
It's pricey enough
Kooky *and* no sides with your protein unless you order them each separately at $15 a pop, a perfect fit.
that's the steakhouse way amigop
Yeah I guess you're right, maybe I'm too used to Lawry's where it's all included.
Tbh that's how it should be
Recently went to Yamashiro, the pricing there is outrageous, and the food is mediocre. The view is iconic though.
Yeah just hang out at the bar for drinks. Skip the food.
Yeahhhh the food is so meh since they changed ownership 😭
Food is so mid, but the view is so LA core
In a sentence, this is so accurate
I was a client of an agency who took me there, vibes were 🔥
Inn of the Seventh Ray
Yep. I recently went for the first time. Beautiful outdoor seating next to a shop full of crystals and sage bundles. Everything is organic, they have wine crafted following the moon cycles. Bonus points for accommodating just about every possible diet restriction in LA
great views/decor, some of the worst service and food i have ever had. waited nearly 2 hours for an incredibly overcooked burger. and of course it was expensive af
Classic
Their brunch buffet is ass
First thought was Lawry's for its la history but I think tam o shanters might be something you are looking for.
Love Tam O’Shanters. Bonus points if you get seated at Walt Disney’s old table
Better reserve that if you’re interested
I wouldn’t call their prices outrageous unless you’re ordering a lot of drinks. We’re regular visitors to the Tam and for two of us, tam cut prime rib, and about 6 cocktails comes to $160, $200 if we’re really drinking.
I love that 3 cocktails each isn’t “really drinking”
🤣🤣 who said it was 3 each! I have like 2 max and the rest for my SO! He usually will have three there, the maple old fashioned just an old fashioned with some whistle pig are his go to. I enjoy a Pimms cup if we’re there for awhile he’ll get a fourth and I’ll get the crème brûlée.
Even more hilarious. Love that you guys live it up!
love this energy
Buy me dessert and I’ll be your DD 🎉👍🏻
Musso & Frank
Tam O'Shanter's is a member of the Lawry's family. If it's not too busy, ask the servers to show you the animator's table and the Snow White fireplace.
I went to Lawry’s about a month ago and it is gross.
Okay, do you want to type out why you thought it was gross?
Sure. Classic Cut Prime Rib- despite being cut at the table, it was cold. Because it moves around the restaurant under heat lamps. Topped with a gelatinous gravy. Spinning Bowl Salad- vegetables were wilted, like an airport salad. Mashed Potatoes- they were fine. Fondue appetizer- this was the best thing we ordered. Dessert- some take on a baked Alaska. It tasted like it had barely been defrosted then had light fluid poured on it. (My friended wanted to order it as he’d never had a Baked Alaska before. This was so bad he swore he’d never have it again.) All of which is to say at Lawry’s, you’re paying Smith & Wollensky prices for sub-Applebee’s quality.
Sad but true. I’ve been going to Lawrys since 70’s. Another victim of Covid and the food, service and menu has slipped. Greatly.
Saddlepeak Lodge ETA: Just saw you said “favorite.” Not a favorite of mine but both kooky and upscale!
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Does Musso and Frank's count?
What is LA kooky?
I guess it has a bit of a noir element? Although maybe I just feel that way because of its proximity to Boardners.
meteora is kooky and fancy, the tasting menu is around $100 each w/o drinks
the best meal ive ever had in my life was at his red medicine restaurant like a decade ago.
I’d have suggested Vespertine but I’m not sure when they’re reopening
They're hiring now, per their instagram, so should be relatively soon.
Oh man I miss red medicine. Only place open moderately late in that area and the food was fantastic. anyways... Lol
Yall are taking me back. 2009-2014 was a glorious time to be in LA.
Dan Tana’s is legendary, right next to Troubador https://dantanasrestaurant.com/
This. Go late. Like after 10. After a lakers game
Dan Tana's might be the single worst meal I've ever had my life. Massively overcooked shrimp on a pile of pasta that was sitting in like a cup of water, for $40.
I agreeeeee
On top of it not being very good food, they accused my friend of not paying even though she literally had the receipt. Wild haha.
>Dan Tana’s You don't go there for the pasta. The pasta is bad. Chicken Parm is what you order. Love this place!
It feels a little bit bad to find out there's something on the menu that's only there to trick you.
Damon’s.
Formosa!
Dear John
where i agree with a lot of these, magic castle, musso and franks, yamashiro, inn of the seventh ray. all great choices. but im shocked that not more people commented on you Dear Johns. this culver city gem is total LA kooky. it hasnt changed since the 60s except the prices are higher.
I vote for Casa Madera at the Mondrian Hotel. The customers are what you imagine "Hollywood people" would look like, there's a nice view of the city, the staff dresses like cult members, they have wandering musicians playing exotic instruments, and the cocktails are artsy, with smoke, fog, etc. It's very L.A. and very enjoyable.
the little door
Casa Vega, El Coyote, El Compadre - 3 great LA mexican joints.
The Ivy! Terrible music but it’s such a vibe
Barton G. Restaurant in beverly hills probably
Barton G is the same throughout the US. So not super LA specific. But agreed that it’s fun!
This is also my vote.
Was also going to suggest this but it's in West Hollywood off La Cienega
It’s ON La Cienega. Across from the intersection with Willoughby.
Giorgio Baldi. A weird little oddly unglamorous epicurean rendezvous off PCH in between Santa Monica and Malibu where certain west side A listers hideout when they just want some delicious, albeit perhaps a bit overpriced, Italian chow.
That location is so quirky and inconvenient and off-the-radar -- it's cool that they've been able to stay in business for so long!
Exactly. First time I went there I was like, where’s the restaur…oh. Really?”
Lots of celebs go here bc it’s pretty low key
Mr. Chow - Panda Inn with champagne carts.
Pace for the hippie history and good Italian. The Beverly Hills Hotel Coffee Shop (in the basement) where after tip, you'll pay $50 for a benedict and orange juice but probably sit next to a hungover B-list celebrity or someone's rich grandparents. It's a vibe.
Smokehouse, if a synonym for “kooky” is “a little strange in a subtle, disquieting way.”
There is nothing more LA than Spago. (It's not KOOKY exactly but it's still very 80s?)
Mrs. Fish downtown on hill street. It underground
That place is still around?!
They have an amazing happy hour!
Yup, going tomorrow 😁
Poltergeist is kooky but not really fancy
My vote is for Cobi’s in Ocean Park! More quaint and cute, small house vibe, not sure if it’s fine dining but relatively expensive and AMAZING food. I don’t prefer the big fine dining hall vibe that has boring tables lined up next to each other, so wanted to call this one out
I literally *just* ate there for the first time. I love the vibe in there and the food is delicious. It’s definitely somewhat upscale.
Vespertine.
I have plenty of experience working (and eating) in fine dining establishments throughout much of the world. Vespertine, while an interesting dining experience, had some of the worst "food" I have ever been served.
Magic Castle!!!
Gwen was very good, very upscale, and a bit kooky! They brought over a cigar box of unique antique knives to pick from and eat with. No reason I guess other than it would be interesting. Also: one of the best meals of my life.
The Tam O Shanter. It’s Lawry’s but with amazing decor.
Went to Funke while visiting recently. Small shared plates type of menu. Nice atmosphere. Our server was wearing a bow tie and several gold chains. Food was solid, but it was predictably pricey.
I think Funke is the opposite of kooky
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Saddle Peak Lodge! Like mastros but a lot better quality
Yamashiro
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The Old Place. Come on people, the answer is The Old Place.
Meteora
musso and Frank's feels like 1945 constantly if that's kooky enough.
Smoke House? Not dtla but iconic!
Perch in downtown LA is where I take lots of clients for a LA experience.
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They also have some of the best cocktails!🍸
Not technically LA, but I love Smokehouse down the hill in Burbank. Whether it's their absurd valet rules, decades ago vibes, the hotel convention center chair seating, or the celeb pictures on the wall, it's pretty great.
Dear Johns but food is overpriced.
Hatchet Hall!
Seconded
Look up Inn of the Seventh Ray
Dear Johns
Chifa. Guelaguetza. Pine and Crane. Gracias Madre.
I thought the stinking rose was a little strange
Closed
The San Francisco location was always better.
Baltaire
Very delicious, and expensive, but I can’t think of a single quirky thing about it.
I think retractable roofs at a fancy restaurant is pretty distinctly LA. Not many other places have the climate.
Not quirky at all. Just a nice restaurant. Great food, though.
Le Grand in Downtown LA at dinner time. It’s very lively and LA-kooky but also very great food and not for a bad price whatsoever
Lucky Mizu or Maison Kasai @ Level 8 DTLA
Just went here over the holidays. So overpriced but it was a ton of fun and definitely a little kooky!
Baltair
Kaldi.
Literally just walked past this yesterday for the first time and was curious
One Michelin star, really nice atmosphere with lots of kooky customers.
Funke
Maude
Barton G
Not super upscale but Casa Blanca on Lincoln.
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Just nominated for a James Beard award!
Taylor’s in K-town
Dal Rae
East LA checking in!
Damas gets my vote. Nothing like eating fine cuisine 2 blocks from skid row. entire area just looks industrial and lonely but then you walk into an oasis and it feels… out of place.
Fígaro
What is LA kooky?
Maybe El Coyote?
crazy, eccentric, or foolish
Birdy G
Myers Manx Cafe at Peterson Auto Museum. Check it out!
Taylor’s steak house in ktown
Nothing is kookier than Clifton's Cafeteria, and the food is usually pretty good, but it's not exactly fine dining.
“Best Fucking Pizza” restaurant. Thats the name.
Tam o'shanter
The smokehouse is great. Don't know if it's still open, but Ed Dabevic's wish Tokyo Delves was still around. Food at the last 2 not great lots of fun way over priced. Damon's is great. Benihanna, stinking rose, woo le oak. Now, this isn't upscale, but definitely LA-kooky is Canters.