(P-Z)
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Pacific Diner, 3821 S Pacific Ave, San Pedro (310)
831-5334 T
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The Pacific Diner is a quaint place with old and new
parts. Started out as a small diner under another name (which I
forgot to note down). I prefer the small counter out front. Good
place for breakfast. Friendly staff and lots of locals. San
Pedro is such a great town!
This old clock may be the only thing that saves LA metro if the one in the Yorkshire Grill ever stops! It may be the chronological equivalent of Los Angeles' "Picture of Dorian Grey" - why am I compelled to say silly stuff like this? UPDATE: The Yorkshire Grill clock is gone! So this is the one we have to depend on!!! |
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Pacific
Dining Car, 1310 West Sixth Street Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-483-6000, since 1921. Open 24 hours!
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The Pacific Dining Car is not an inexpensive restaurant, but
worth a splurge whenever you can go. I might not be an
expert, but man - the food is really good here. Exquisite! And
the coffee (about $3.86 more than Philippe's) beat's Starbucks
or any other place hands down (it may be the best there is for
any restaurant in my
humble opinion). I would recommend their
blueberry
pancakes,
made from scratch, and perhaps the best in the world ($9.95 I
believe and well worth it). I know I say "best in the
world a lot - but I really mean it - at least in the little bit
of the world I have experienced). A bit on the remodeled
side for a time machine (downtown location). Most of the
restaurant appears to be a new addition (although very beautifully
decorated in a sort of 1890s fashion). I assume the
room that looks like a dining car really was a train at some
point in time. This, with the Formosa Cafe, makes Los Angeles a
two dining car town. I haven’t been to the new Santa Monica
locale. Excellent for a "power" lunch. LA TIME MACHINES AWARD - BEST BLUEBERRY AND BANANA WALNUT PANCAKES IN THE WORLD. BEST "HOUSE" COFFEE FOR ANY LA RESTAURANT UPDATE: Recently had their Walnut and Banana Pancakes - my God! Heaven on earth. Just like the speed of light can never be exceeded (except for things that have no mass, such as the expansion of space after the big bang), it would be scientifically impossible to make better pancakes than the Pacific Dining Car. Perhaps if a better pancake could be made in some alternative universe that defies the laws of physics in our universe, you would probably die from the sheer pleasure of it. I don't think the Pacific Dining Car pancakes pose the same danger (but it's close!). The Pacific Dining Car Restaurant is not far from Yorkshire Grill Restaurant, Cole's Restaurant and bar, the Standard Hotel, the Original Pantry Cafe, Langer's Deli and Clifton's Cafeteria . |
| Pann's Coffee Shop, 6710 La Tijera
Boulevard, Westchester, 323 776 3770 ( since
1958 - Armet & Davis) T T T T T
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Ok folks, it doesn't get any better
than this. There could not be a better preserved Googie
California 1950s Coffee shop. Pann's makes you realize how
far off the fake 1950s coffee shops are. This was restored
(the way places should be restored - freshened up but not
changed) in 1991. The work of the greatest of California Coffee
Shop architects - Armet & Davis. The owner could
not be nicer, the service excellent and friendly, and the icing
on the cake is that the food is all made from scratch - great
biscuits, waffles, sausage - you name it. If you have not
been here, you are in for a real treat (I went for breakfast).
The movie "Triple X" was filmed here. Pulp Fiction was
apparently filmed at an affiliated restaurant on Hawthorne Blvd. that is no longer with us (a tragedy!).
Pann's Coffee Shop is not far from LAX's Encounter's Lounge and Restaurant and the Buggy Whip Restaurant, the Harbor Room bar and Dinah's Chicken Restaurant.
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| Papa Cristo's Greek
Taverna, 2771 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
90006 323 737-2970 T
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Papa Cristo's Greek Taverna is one of the very few old restaurants left in the West Adams area. Like Mexican restaurants, Greek decor is so easily changed that the time machine effect is easily lost. Lot's of very tasty food here however. Wonderful food market for Greek foods inside as well. |
| The Parasol Restaurant,
12241 Seal Beach Blvd, Seal Beach 562-598-3311 (since
1967)
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Fantastic Googie restaurant, still
in completely original condition. Someone who looked like the
owner said they are about to "refurbish" it, supposedly without
changing the basic appearance. Let's hope that is accurate,
because this is a very unique place. The food had a lot of
homemade touches as well. They don't make them like this
anymore. I'd advise checking it out before any changes are
made.
UPDATE: There were pitched battles to save this place. Then Mel's bought it and for whatever reason it did not last long as a Mel's. The rumors now are that it will become a Panera Bread. I imagine all traces of the original interior are gone. The Parasol can be seen on a beach tour of Sam's Seafood Restaurant (now reopened as a Don the Beachcomber), Ercoles bar and restaurant, the Mermaid Inn (Thelen's), the Bull Pen bar and restaurant, the Harbor Room bar, Uncle Bills Pancakes, the White House Restaurant and don't forget to get some sun at Los Angeles metro beaches. If you go to Laguna Beach, the local municipal code requires that your sunglasses cost over $300 (preferably Christian Dior). |
| Patsy D'Amore's Pizza,
inside the Farmer's Market off of Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA
since 1949
All of Farmer's Market: T T T T
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This famous Pizza place was
originated by Pasquale "Patsy" D'Amore who started in the
restaurant business in New York in the 20's and introduced Pizza
to Los Angeles (see Los Angeles Times, May 22, 1955 and 1-29-06,
p.12 if you don't believe me!) in his Casa D'Amore restaurant in Hollywood in
1939 with his brother Franklin. In 1949 the brothers split up
and Patsy opened Patsy D'Amores Italian Food (now called Patsy
D'Amores Pizza) in the historic Farmer's Market on 3rd. &
Fairfax. Some stars who have recently eaten there include
Nicolas Cage, Billy Zane and Vince Vaughn. Patsy also ran the famous Villa Capri (which was insanely torn down recently) in Hollywood on N. McCadden Place, a favorite hangout for Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra (who was a co-owner for a while) and James Dean. In fact, the Villa Capri was the last restaurant James Dean ate at before his crash. You can't get anymore historic than this! One of the main dishes at the Villa Capri was "Steak Sinatra". And you don't survive this long without having the best Pizza in Los Angeles. I can personally testify to that. Now run by Patsy's daughter, Filomena - the nicest person you'd ever want to meet! Near Canter's Deli, Tom Bergins bar and restaurant, the El Coyote Mexican Restaurant, the Miracle Mile and Molly Malone's pub. |
| Philippe The Original French
Dipped Sandwiches Restaurant, 1001 N. Alameda St.
(Chinatown), Los Angeles 90012, 213-628-3781, since
1908
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First opened by Philippe Mathieu.
It was originally called "Philippe's Original Sandwich Shops"
and was first located on Aliso St. Mathieu sold Philippe The
Original French Dipped Sandwiches to Harry, David and Frank
Martin in 1927. Frank Martin died at age 88. Their descendants
run the place today, although they had to move from their
original location when the Hollywood freeway was built in the
1950s, the "new" location is plenty old for time machine
purposes. Its location just off the 101 with plenty of free
parking, makes it a good stop coming in or leaving downtown Los Angeles.
Enjoy the sawdust on the floor, the communal tables, the
eclectic crowd, homemade biscuits, the French dipped sandwiches
and of course, it’s the only place in Los Angeles where you can
still get a cup of coffee for nine cents (update - the price is
now an outrageous 10 cents - more for decaf for some reason)! Very diverse crowd,
both in economic class and culture. Visit Union Station, not
far down the road (also a locale in Blade Runner), with its
great art deco interior. This is guaranteed to become one of
your favorite places if you check it out. Buy a bottle of their
trademark mustard. I don't know if Philippe's or Cole's has the oldest inception date in 1908. Philippe's has moved but is still owned by the family that bought in 1927. Cole's is in it's original location but with new owners and restored. I guess either place, depending on what criteria you use, can claim to be the oldest restaurant in the City of Los Angeles. They both are really nice places. There are also great art deco murals in the Postal Annex across the street. Also not far from the Quon Brothers Jazz club and Hop Louie's (the Golden Pagoda), and it's a short drive downtown to their arch rival Cole's PE Buffet Restaurant (now restored), as well as Casey's bar and restaurant, the Yorkshire Grill, Clifton's Cafeteria and the Biltmore Hotel. |
| Pie 'n Burger, 913 E
California Blvd Pasadena 626-795-1123 since
1963
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I visited the Pie 'n Burger restaurant on the
suggestion of some readers. Nice local hangout, primarily a
long counter. Good comfort food.
Another good stop on the Pasadena tour of Monty's Steak House (now closed), Gus's Barbeque Restaurant, the 35er bar, the Fair Oaks Pharmacy and the Rialto Theater, as well as Eagle Rock's the Bucket and Colombo's Italian Restaurant.
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| Pig ‘n Whistle Restaurant,
6714 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, 323 463 0000 (1927 -
the original interior was designed by Morgan, Walls, and
Clements - I'm not sure how much of the original is left)
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The Pig 'n Whistle Restaurant marks a rare example of the
resurrection of a long gone classic restaurant and most
significantly in the exact same address. Resurrected by
Chris Breed and Alan Hajjar to whom all of Hollywood should be
grateful. I believe it had been a
pizza place for years, but the owners have done a nice job of
recreating the feel of the place of the original Pig 'n Whistle.
The ceiling and ornamentation on the upper walls are all
from the Original Pig 'n Whistle. This is certainly a big step
in reviving Hollywood Blvd. The Pig n' Whistle is mentioned in
the movie Chinatown. As I mentioned in the Miceli section, most
of the original furnishings of the first Pig 'n Whistle
(actually there were many locations - see my extinct restaurant
page) were bought by Miceli's.
Wouldn't it be great if they would do this with other closed
restaurants that are still standing like Little Joes Italian Restaurant
in Chinatown.
Other locations for the original Pig 'n Whistle were: 712 S.
Broadway, 611 S. Spring St. (in the Hayward Hotel), 744 S. Hill
St., 1633 N. Vine, 5633 Wilshire Blvd., 412 E. Colorado Ave.
(Pasadena) and 6902 Hollywood Blvd.
The Pig 'n Whistle Restaurant is near Musso and Frank's Grill (Musso & Frank's), Boardner's bar, the Power House bar, the Chinese Theater movie palace, the Egyptian Theater (next door) and the El Capitan theater movie palace. |
Pink's Hot Dogs, 709 N La
Brea Ave Los Angeles, (323) 931-4223
(since 1946 in this building) |
Talk about the American dream,
Pink's Hot Dog's was originated by Paul Pink with ten cent chili dogs in a
cart in 1939. Many believe these are the best hot
dogs in the world. I certainly thought the chili dog I
recently purchased was pretty
darn
good. There is almost always a big line outside, often with a
few movie stars trying to look inconspicuous. It's an outdoor
stand, so I can't really speak of ambiance, but the place is so
famous, it deserves a mention. They are now serving these at
the Planet Hollywood buffet in Vegas.
Seen briefly in the film "Mulholland Drive" and the TV
show "Hell's Kitchen". As much a Los Angeles institution as
Musso and Frank's Grill. The Pink's Hot Dogs stand is near to the El Capitan theater movie palace, Musso and Frank's Restaurant (Musso & Frank Grill), Boardner's bar, Miceli's Italian Restaurant, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and the Frolic room bar. |
| Pizza Show Restaurant, 13344 Hawthorne
Blvd, Hawthorne, CA, 310-973-9066 T T T
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The Pizza Show Restaurant is a quirky old interior with a friendly
owner and staff. Easy place to pass by and not notice. Very
cheap prices and excellent pizza. In an area with very few time
machines. Hey, it ain't the Ritz (thank heavens!), but
definitely worth a stop by. Near Chips Coffee Shop and the Rustic Lite bar.
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| The Prince (The Windsor)
Restaurant, 3198 W. 7th St., Los Angeles (Koreatown) (213)
389-1586, (interior since 1942 or so)
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This is the "Chinatown" booth.
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The Prince
Restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants in the Los Angeles
metro area. Once one of the top ten most elegant restaurants in
Los Angeles
in the 1950s called the Windsor, the new owners (Korean) have
wisely changed nothing (other than perhaps the oil paintings on
the walls). Once owned by Ben Dimsdale and his cousins, who
owned the nearby Secret Harbor (HMS Bounty) and the Dales (as
well as the Windsor apartments the restaurant is housed in).
Beside the great interior, the juxtaposition of Korean culture,
food and music on the 1940s American ambiance makes this a
fascinating place. In Korean culture you are not supposed to
pour your own drink and when the drink is poured by another you
are supposed to keep a finger on the glass as a way of saying
thanks. Another wonderful aspect of Korean culture is that the
entire staff says hello and good bye to you in Korean, when you
come and go (it's ok if you do not respond - no one expects the
gringos to know Korean culture - if it's not busy - they are
happy to show you how to eat certain things with chop
sticks - it's not as easy as Chinese food). Friendly staff and reasonably good food (most dishes
are so large they should be shared), I highly recommend this
place. Good place to strike up a conversation at the bar with
Koreans or otherwise. Their most famous dish ironically is fried
chicken (it's big) and my favorite dish there. If you are the kind of person picky
about language and mistakes in orders - don't go here (there are
plenty of other places people can go to act snooty). English abilities vary here, but they
really try their best and the service is excellent. Be sure to
use the valet parking as this is not the best area of Koreatown. This restaurant mysteriously closed for a month or
so recently, but magically reopened unchanged (update - they
were filming "Thank you for smoking, which features "The Prince"
with a few added posters to Americanize it.
NEWSFLASH: For years I wondered where the scene in Chinatown was filmed were Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway are sitting in a restaurant that is supposed to be the Brown Derby. I just discovered it was here at the Prince (then the Windsor). If you walk in the restaurant down the stairs that turn and keep heading in this direction toward the back room, it is the first booth on the right (it has a plaque saying Drury Lane for some reason). One more reason to love this place! The place was also featured in "Thank you for Smoking". It can also be seen in Season one, episode two of "Mad Men" (a great series!) doubling as a filming location meant to be "Toots Shor's" Restaurant in Manhattan. You can see this place in a tour of Koreatown including Taylor's Steak House, the HMS Bounty Restaurant, the Brass Monkey bar, and Frank 'n Hank's bar. Not far from Langer's Delicatessen, Lowenbrau Keller German Restaurant (still open?), the Plaza hotel, and Bullock's Wilshire and the Wiltern movie palace. For a more extensive history of the Windsor Apartments, Windsor and Prince Restaurants, click here. UPDATE: There has been a change in ownership structure here. On a recent a trip here with my wife I noticed they have hired a new super-outgoing and friendly staff (including a gringo bartender if you can believe it). While this place was always great - you could never be a regular here before because the staff would never last more than a month or so. They remodeled the bathrooms (which is ok as long as they stop with that) and they have added a bar to the back room. If you liked the interior before but didn't like the service - now's the time to go back - you'll love the place! One of the best restaurants in LA. |
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Not far from Duke’s coffee shop, Mel’s Drive-in (Ben Frank’s), the Chateau Marmont, the Bel Age hotel, the Whiskey a Go Go club, the West Hollywood Standard Hotel, the Argyle (Sunset Towers) Hotel and the former sites of Scandia, the Trocadero (original), La Rue, the Mocambo, Players (Myagi’s), the Garden of ***** and all the other current Sunset Strip hot spots like the Mondrian/Skybar (which I guess has backed away from Mondrian’s style). The Marlboro Man sign (famous in the 60s and 70s has now become a woman with an Ipod). A walk down the entire Sunset Strip is a great quick and easy tour for anyone showing visiting relatives around Los Angeles and the Hollywoods. Dress to impress if only to not embarrass yourself in some of the trendy places (I always wear my Salvatore Ferragamo shoes I got for $5 in a garage sale!). However, no one seems impressed anyway.
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Near Snug Harbor Restaurant, Casa Escobar Mexican Restaurant, the Circle bar, Billingsley's, Dolores' Restaurant, the Gaslite and the Galley Restaurant.
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Interestingly enough, this place once had the same owners as Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet in downtown Los Angeles - Ted Mandekic and Edward Pagliano. During that period, the Red Lion Tavern was an English Pub! It took on its German theme in 1963 with a change in owners.
Not far from the Roost bar, Club Tee Gee Bar, the Astro Family Coffee Shop and the Tam O'Shanter restaurant.
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UPDATE: This place is in great danger of closing and becoming a parking lot. I hope preservation groups in the area do what they can to say this nice old coffee shop. We've already lost Van De Kamp's in this area. Unlike some other places - this great restaurant wants to stay open. Arcadia is trying to close it through eminent domain.
UPDATE II: While the city of Arcadia has put on the back burner its plan to take this great piece of history and wonderful restaurant away from us, the place is still not safe. Arcadia wants to use eminent domain to level this place and increase its tax base. Please look into what you can do to help Rod's Grill. You'll not only be saving a great restaurant, you'll be preserving your own rights to private property! Shame on the City of Arcadia.
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Not too far from Sam's Seafood restaurant and the Parasol Restaurant in Seal Beach (soon to be Mel's).
since 1975
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Michael L informs me that the original location is actually on Washington Blvd. and is quite old. I'll have to get over there to check it out. There are other locations, but I've only been to the Gower Street locale. Roscoe's is mentioned in the movie "Soul Plane" - not exactly a classic film but pretty darn funny! I think Snoop Dog frequents the Long Beach location so no wangster's allowed!
Close to Musso and Frank'& Frank Grill), the Pantages Theater, the Frolic Room, Boardner's Bar, the Powerhouse Bar, and Grauman's Chinese and Egyptian theaters.
(since 1947)
UPDATE: Dean "The Jab" C. tells me the original interior has been remodeled.
Laguna Beach
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It can be a bit hard finding their parking lot in back (you enter from the back). It's best to approach the place on Sepulveda going east. Take the right turn just before reaching the restaurant.
The bar: T T T
UPDATE! - According to Dean "The Jab" C. this place is closing on June 4th! Another devastating blow to Seal Beach pop culture and Tiki history. How could this place not have lines around the block!
UPDATE II: A reader of this site recently informed me that this place reopened and closed under one or two different incarnations and is now open as a wonderful blast from the past - Don the Beachcomber. Please support this place - there are so few true tiki places around and it now has historic and fun drinks and recipes from Don the Beachcomber.
Not far from the Riviera at Fireside restaurant and the Parasol restaurant (soon to be Panera Bread and substantially remodeled).
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Not far from the Fox Fire Room bar, Chili John's restaurant, Frank's Steak House restaurant, Genio's (now closed), the Blue Room bar, the Bella Vista Italian Restaurant and Tin Horn Flats bar.
UPDATE: I have not been in here since it fairly recently changed from Sitton's to Andrew's. Don't know if it still has all the Hollywood photos.
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Close to the Yorkshire Grill Restaurant, Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's French Dipped Sandwiches restaurant, the Original Pantry Cafe, Philippe The Original restaurant and Hank's Bar.
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Near Bob's Big Boy Restaurant, Frank's Steak house restaurant, Tin Horn Flats bar, the Bella Vista Italian Restaurant, the Blue Room bar, Dimples Restaurant and Genio's Restaurant (now closed).
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Near Casa Escobar Restaurant, Rae’s, The Galley restaurant, the Apple Pan restaurant, Billingsley's restaurant, Patrick’s Roadhouse restaurant, the Circle Bar, Dolores Restaurant and Chez Jay’s bar and restaurant.
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Not far from the Dal Rae restaurant and the Tamarack Inn bar and restaurant. Another "Golden Triangle" of restaurants.
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I believe scenes from "Swingers" were filmed here. What a coincidence! Also seen in the TV show "The Hills"
Almost across the street from the Magic Lamp restaurant.
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Not far from Millie's Restaurant, The Gold Room Bar, El Chavo Restaurant (remodeled), El Cid Dinner Theater, the Bright Spot restaurant, the Short Stop Bar and the Tiki Ti bar.
Also:
901 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 (818) 790-7668 (Don't know if they are owned by the same people)
since 1953.T T T T (Wilshire Center)
Wilshire Center:
The La Canada/Flintridge (one of my favorite names for a city) branch is completely remodeled, but still with an old fashioned feel. The food here is the big draw - the kind of food you want to close your eyes while eating, so as to not distract you from the taste. If you're on a tight budget, just stop by for a drink.
La Canada Flintridge location (if I ever founded a new city I might call it something like Rancho Cucamonga Saugus):
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Not too far from Canter's Deli, the Farmer's Market (Patsy's Pizza), El Coyote Mexican Restaurant, and Molly Malone's bar.
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Granted that my wife is known for not being picky about food, but she thought her fried rice dish here was the best thing she had ever eaten in her life on a recent visit. There is a great story about how the big Tiki in front of the restaurant had to be modified after it was uncrated from its trip from Polynesia where it was purchased, but due to the G-rated nature of this site, I'll have to let you look into it.
The drinks are still excellent (although it took a lot of explaining and two attempts to get a "virgin" Pina Colada), but the Tiki mugs are gone. It would be very easy to retikify this place. Have these places not caught on that the Tiki craze is back full swing!
UPDATE: Developers are threatening to take this place away from us as well. Check with the Los Angeles Conservancy to see if anything can be done about protecting this historic place. It's looking like a fait accomplis.
UPDATE II: The classic old place is gone, but they have reopened in the Beverly Hilton Pool Area. Let me know what it's like (hope they added some Tiki's!). A new Trader Vic's has also opened in downtown Los Angeles at LA Live but I haven't had the chance to go there yet.
Not far from Nate 'n Al's, the Brighton Coffee Shop & Cafe, Billingsley's Restaurant and the Apple Pan restaurant.
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There was once a chain of places called Uncle John's Pancakes. All of the LA one's are gone. Don't know if this place had any relationship to them.
See it on a beach tour of Don the Beachcomber, Ercoles bar, the Mermaid Inn (Thelen's) bar and restaurant (one of the true classics for a beach area!), the Harbor Room bar, the Bull Pen bar and restaurant, the Arches Restaurant (opps - now gone), the White House Restaurant and the former Parasol (soon to be a Panera Bread).
Recommended by Paul M.
Near the Golden Gopher Bar, where Mickey Cohen hung out, as well as Hank's Bar, the Yorkshire Grill, the Original Pantry Cafe, Philippe the Original French Dipped Sandwiches Restaurant, Cole's PE Buffet Restaurant and Clifton's Cafeteria. Downtown Los Angeles is the place to be!
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Fine place to eat on a tour of Hollywood including the Hollywoodland development, but drive extremely slowly and carefully around those narrow Hollywoodland streets. This is no place for aggressive people in a rush.
Not far from Musso and Frank's Grill (Musso & Frank's) , Micheli's Restaurant ( I occasionally misspell things for search engine purposes), Boardner's bar and restaurant, the Pig 'n Whistle, the Frolic Room, and the Power House.
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The view of the world's greatest city, Los Angeles, from Yamashiro's. It's even nicer at night.
Not far from Musso and Frank Grill (Musso's), the El Capitan Movie Palace, Boardner's bar and restaurant, the Power House, Miceli's Restaurant, the Frolic Room bar, and Grauman's Egyptian Movie Palace and Chinese Theater Movie Palace.