Los Angeles History - Historic Restaurants MUSSO AND FRANK'S TO THE ORIGINAL PANTRY CAFE (M-O)

LOS ANGELES HISTORIC RESTAURANTS & CAFES - MUSSO AND FRANK'S ( MUSSO AND FRANK GRILL ) TO THE ORIGINAL PANTRY CAFE (M-O)

Magic Lamp Restaurant (The), 8189 Foothill Blvd, Rancho Cucamonga 909 981-8659 since 1955

T T T T T - the exterior (I don't remember the interior at present).

The Magic Lamp restaurant has a fabulous exterior. It's in one of those locations that I pass only during hours when it is closed. I did eat at the Magic Lamp about 15 years ago, but I can only remember that my son (to no fault of the restaurant) just hated the squash, which I was trying to get him to eat for the first time. He still hates squash! I've got to visit here again and give you an update. Incidentally, I believe the word "Cucamonga" was a favorite for jokes by 1930s comedians. It comes from the original native American tribe in the area There's not a whole lot left of interest in this stretch of Rt. 66, so the Magic Lamp Restaurant is a must see.

The Magic Lamp Restaurant is almost across the street from the historic Sycamore Inn Restaurant and next to a newer branch of Vince's Spaghetti Restaurant.

Malibu Inn Bar & Restaurant, 22969 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu 310-456-6106

I didn't get a chance to eat at the Malibu Inn, but I did walk around inside. It still has a lot of interesting elements of an old interior. I'll definitely have to go back. Right across the street from the Malibu Pier. There's a reason why movie stars like to live in Malibu - it's paradise on earth!

McDonald's Restaurant, 10207 Lakewood Blvd. (at Florence Ave.) Downey, (562) 622-9248

This is the oldest surviving one in the chain. No one can dispute that Southern California is the hamburger capitol of the world and the first McDonald's restaurants, such as the one in Downey were true Googie designs. T

Not far from what's left of Johnie's Broiler, Dal Rae's Restaurant, the Tamarack Inn bar and restaurant and Clearman's Steak and Stein Restaurant. When traffic isn't bad - not a long drive to the Alpine Inn in Torrance.

Mariposa Coffee Shop (in the Hacienda Hotel), 525 N Sepulveda Blvd El Segundo, CA 90245. Phones:, (310) 615-0015

This place is pretty remodeled but has a nice terrazzo floor and a mildly old fashion feel. The place dates from the '50s. Food is good.

(Thelen's) Mermaid Restaurant, 11 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 310-374-9344 (since 1954)

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Q.L. "Boots" Thelen has been the owner of the Mermaid Restaurant for over 50 years and the place is a complete throwback. Black vinyl booths, rectangular bar and the best prime rib for the money in the South Bay. The owner is well over 80 and "Boots" still goes down every morning to open up. The restaurant was built in 1954 using the back wall of the recently burned original Mermaid as the front wall of the new place. It was supposed be a temporary structure, but the original was never rebuilt. Boots was a City Councilman and Mayor of Hermosa Beach during the sixties and has literally seen the modern Pier Avenue nightlife scene grow up around him. Despite lucrative offers to sell, the Mermaid just goes on, and is now managed by his stepdaughter, Diana A.

The Mermaid Restaurant, being right on the beach, is a big plus. Friendly locals and fun, eccentric waitresses. Good breakfasts and free parking! The light at sundown cast a great glow in the bar. An attempt by employees to clear a nice 50 year patina of grease from the bar "overhang" was meet by the owner's demand - "Not to change anything". Now that's the attitude we need in all time machines. This is an excellent place to check out.

UPDATE: Sadly, Quentin “Boots” Thelen died July 24, 2007 at age 85. I hope the family can keep this time machine going. It's one of the best in LA metro! Thanks to Stephan B. for this info!

Good stop on a beach tour of the Harbor Room bar, Ercoles bar and restaurant, the Bull Pen bar and restaurant, Sam's Seafood, Uncle John's Pancakes and the Parasol (being restored to be a Mel's).

AWARD: Los Angeles Time Machines award for best beach bar and time machine!

Miceli’s Italian Restaurant (pronounced Micheli's), 1646 N. Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood (323) 466-3438 (one block off of Hollywood Blvd.), since 1949.

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Note the Pig 'n Whistle figure on the seat.

Originally called Miceli's Pizza House. Great old Italian restaurant from 1949 (the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood). Even ignoring Miceli's history, this has got to be one of the best Los Angeles family restaurants (Italian or otherwise) if you take into consideration ambiance, food, prices, history and convenient location. One of the nicest aspects of Miceli's is that it contains the furnishings from the Original (first) Pig n’ Whistle. You can see other Pig n' Whistle remnants at the new Pig n' Whistle. I highly recommend the food as well, with delicious homemade rolls (using Pizza dough) and their Caprese Salad cannot be beat anywhere (this is a verified fact). The Beatles once ate here at the time of their Hollywood Bowl concert (or so the story goes). I’ve never been to Miceli's other location near Universal City. Live music at their piano many nights (and the musicians have great taste in music - Sinatra would have, and probably did, love this place). Sometimes your waiter may sing an old standard. Another real treat is that the owners, both father Carmen Miceli and son Frank Miceli are present most nights and very amiable - making sure the best traditions of the Miceli name are carried on in the restaurant. Not only will you feel at home, but you will become convinced that you have a long lost Italian ancestor. This place is often misspelled " Micheli's " since that's how it's pronounced. This is a must see. Validated parking further down the block.

Miceli's Italian restaurant is close to Boardner's bar, Musso and Frank Grill, the Frolic Room bar, the Pantages theater, the El Capitan theater, Grauman's Egyptian theater and Chinese theaters, the Power House bar and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Millie's Restaurant, 3524 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, 323-664-0404

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In the 1940s this location was the Charochka Russian Restaurant. I don't know when it became Millie's Restaurant. Old and small sort of Cafe.

I've tried to eat here recently, but every time I go by the place is packed!!! The food must be good.

The Tiki Ti bar, El Chavo Mexican restaurant, the Brite Spot Restaurant, the El Cid restaurant and Taix French restaurant are not far away. Hipster heaven.

Mission Family Restaurant, 888 West Mission Boulevard, Pomona, CA 91766-1443 (909) 629-6412

T T T (dates from the 40's)

Mission Family Restaurant was a nice tip from a reader named Gail (who helped out on Nick's as well). This is a classic California Coffee Shop in an area starved for Time Machines. Very affable Hispanic staff and good food. Everything you would want in a good old coffee shop. The Mission Family Restaurant is a good place to stop going or coming from points East of Los Angeles.

Mitla Cafe, 602 N Mount Vernon Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92411
(909) 888-0460

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Really great old Mexican restaurant rich in Rt. 66 history. Home made food in massive portions at 1960's prices. Top it off with sincere service and a hands on owner, and you've got quite a unique place in the heart of the San Bernardino Hispanic community. You've really got to support this place, it's a cultural and historic landmark.

Monte Carlo Delicatessen & Pinocchio's Restaurant, 3103 W Magnolia Blvd Burbank, CA 91505 (818) 845-3517

T T T (for the room pictured below).

Established by Mark Brankovich whose first endeavor in Los Angeles was the Gaslight Club on La Cienega. Nice looking restaurant and Deli. I'm not sure how old it is, but the neon sign and one of the rooms that's not remodeled much put it into the Time Machine category. Just about across the street from Tony's Bella Vista Italian Restaurant for an old Italian splurge.

You can have an easy tour of Time Machines just driving down Magnolia Blvd. from North Hollywood to Burbank passing the Fire Fox Room, Sitton's North Hollywood Diner (under new ownership and name), Tony's Bella Vista Restaurant, the Monte Carlo Delicatessen and Pinocchio's Restaurant and finally Tin Horn Flats bar (and I've probably missed a few on the way!).

Monty's Steak House, 592 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, 626-792-7776 since 1947

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I discovered Monty's Steak House restaurant in trying to reach the 110 from the 210. I could tell from the old neon sign out front it was going to be a good place. Well preserved. The bartender, when I was there, had been working at Monty's for over 50 years. He has served drinks there to J. Edgar Hoover and Howard Hughes. Seemed to have a nice group of regulars. Nice red semicircular booths. This place was first called Perry's and in 1947 changed to Monty's. Monty's has it's origins in 1941 when husband and wife Monty and Libby Levine started their first place in Pasadena. Nice fresh baked muffins.

There were/are other Monty's branches - someone will have to clue me in as to whether they still exist. Monty's Steak House, 17016 Ventura Blvd. Encino, Monty's "Talk of the Town", 3730 East Foothill Blvd., Arcadia, Monty's Steak House, 1100 Glendon Ave., Westwood (in one of Westwood's first skyscrapers built in the 60's) and Monty's Los Robles Inn Conejo Lodge (opened 1965).

Check out Gus's Barbeque Restaurant, Freddie's 35er bar, the Rialto Theater, the Pie 'n Burger Restaurant, El Cholo Restaurant, the Rialto Movie Palace and the Fair Oaks Pharmacy while you are out here.

UPDATE: Sadly, this place has recently closed. See my bar page.

Mort's Deli and Restaurant, 18452 Clark St. Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 345-3700

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A classic Jewish Deli in look and cuisine. I've never understood why portions are so huge in Deli's, but it seems to be a tradition. A little hidden in an unassuming location, this place goes well with all of the Jewish culture found in Tarzana. While I'm a mongrel with a dizzying mix of ancestors and nationalities in my past, perhaps the most obvious remnants of any distinct culture in my family are the remnants of Yiddish my grandmother spoke. I grew up being called a "shane kindt" and being admonished not to wear a "schmata". Mort's will bring back lots of great memories if you had a similar childhood.

Check out Bea's Bakery while you are there. I dare you to try to resist buying a ton of things there.

Musso and Frank Grill ( Musso and Frank's ), 6667 Hollywood Blvd. 323-467-7788. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 11 pm (since 1919)

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This is the Musso and Frank Grill signature flannel cakes - a cross between a pancake and a crepe I guess. They are definitely yummy! Available 11am to 3 pm.

If you visit Musso and Frank's (Musso and Frank Grill), you simply must stop by the bar and have Manuel "Manny" Aguirre serve you a drink. He has received countless awards and accolades for his Martini's and Cosmos (and he makes a great "O'Doul's" for me!). Manny is "living history" for Hollywood and Musso's. If you come in before he get's real busy (he's there from about 1:00PM to 7:30PM Tuesday-Saturday) he will regale you with some great Hollywood anecdotes and the best cocktails in all of Los Angeles Metro! He should be Hollywood's #1 attraction for "living history". Manny Aguirre and his usual bartending partner Ruben Rueda are considered by many to be Los Angeles' best bartenders.

Ad for opening night of Frank's Cafe in 1919 (later to become Musso and Frank's (Musso and Frank Grill). This website is the only place in the world you will find this (other than the original source), If you use this information - how about being nice and giving latimemachines.com credit for having found it! (Click to expand).

Interior wise, the Musso and Frank Grill may be the best time machine in Los Angeles, Southern California or perhaps anywhere. In my eyes at least, the Musso and Frank 's has taken over the reign from the Brown Derby Restaurant as Los Angeles's greatest (or certainly most classic) restaurant still in existence. The owners of Musso and Frank's have wisely not changed a single thing (that you would notice). I'm so compulsive about this place, I was upset when they remodeled the bathroom! This is probably the greatest remaining living history "time capsule" of the Hollywood's golden age, as well a literary history site of enormous proportions. Given that the "oldest" restaurants in town have all remodeled or moved once, Musso and Frank's qualifies as the oldest unremodeled restaurant in it's original location (for all intents and purposes at least) in Los Angeles and Southern California as a whole.

The origins of Musso and Frank's can be traced to several events. One root of the restaurant started in Portland, Oregon, the first venture of Joseph Musso and Joseph Carissimi. Musso then moved to Los Angeles and eventually teamed up with Firmin "Frank" Toulet and Helene Prachacq Toulet. The present Musso and Frank's started out as "Frank's Cafe" , which opened on September 27, 1919 at 5:00PM with a "Special French Dinner". Frank's cafe was owned by Firmin" Frank" Toulet and Robert (perhaps also known as Prosper) Prachacq (Helene's father). At some point before 1925, Joseph Musso joined Firmin Toulet to make the place "Musso and Franks Grill." In 1926 they sold out to Musso's old friend Joseph Carissimi and John Mosso (not to be confused with Musso). Apparently Joseph Musso lingered on in some capacity for a few years. Relatives of Mosso (the Jones family) and Carissimi have carried on since, including Charles Carissimi, Joseph's son, Jesse Chavez (not a relative but someone who worked his way up to the top, unless I'm mistaken), Edith Carissimi, daughter-in-law of Joseph Carissimi and Rose Keegel, daughter of John Mosso. Joseph Musso went on the run another restaurant called Musso's at 6300 Wilshire. For a while this caused some confusion as to whether there were two Musso and Frank Grills or one. This was cleared up by large disclaimers in the newspaper making it clear there was only one Musso and Frank Grill. Musso's was independent. For more information on Joseph Musso, Firmin "Frank" Toulet and all of the other restaurateurs behind Musso and Frank's, see my "Great Restaurateur" page.

The most famous chef of the Musso and Frank Grill was Jean Rue who worked here for 53 years. He died in 1976 at the age of 78, when John Helman took over and then later Michel Bourger (who had been trained by Rue).

Musso & Frank's moved next door on or about April, 1934 (where the "old room" is now located - this is a date you will not find accurately anywhere else - except the Los Angeles Times April 4, 1934). They moved on that occasion from 6669 Hollywood Blvd. to 6667 Hollywood Blvd. The "new room" I believe dates from 1954 and contains the bar from the famous "back room" (sans the bar's "roof" or top), now closed. The "new room" was once the Stanley Rose Bookstore, a hang out of some of America's greatest writers, which leads us to the story of the back room.

The back room of Musso and Frank's is where great writers and other famous creative people like F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Saroyan, William Faulkner , Raymond Chandler (who is rumored to have written some of "The Big Sleep" here), John O'hara, Christopher Isherwood, Erskine Caldwell, Lilian Hellman, Thomas Wolfe, Thomas and Heinrich Mann, Dorothy Parker, Dashiell Hammett and Budd Schulberg hung out. Even the great composer Igor Stravinsky was known to visit. The Back Room of Musso and Frank's was leased from the Vogue Theater on or about May, 1935 (another figure you will not find accurately anywhere else - except the LA Times May 5, 1935). The backroom was apparently lost around 1954, when they lost their lease to it. Thus, the need to move into Stanley Rose's Bookstore for the new room. Long time maitre d' for the back room of the Musso and Frank Grill was Daniel Ilich who so jealously guarded the spaces for the writers that he was fired when the owner discovered the room empty, even though there was a long line. The writers apparently were late in arriving from a horse race. The space still exists and is rumored to have some of the original wallpaper (although it may soon be converted into yet another Hollywood "club"). If you are facing the back of Musso's, the old room is on the right side. They say that Hemingway ate here, but if so, it was only once or twice. I believe he only made one or two trips to Hollywood (incidentally Hemingway hated every single movie based on his writings). Hemingway might have been upset that they don't make Mojitos at Musso and Franks (update - I could swear I saw someone drinking a mojito last time I was there). The bar is strictly "old school" and even though Mojitos are "old school" Cuban - they didn't become a fad until recently.

The food at Musso & Frank's is excellent. Parking in the back is cheap with validation. While the place can be pricey if you order carelessly, you can almost fill up on the free sourdough bread. If you order a la carte dishes like the incredible hot turkey sandwich – it’s quite affordable (but don't be too cheap - we want this place to do great business forever). There is also a vegetable plate for vegetarians. Also famous are the ultra thin flannel cakes. There is also a counter that's considered a great place to eat alone or with friends. Charlie Chaplin’s favorite table was the first one when walking in the old room from Hollywood Boulevard. Raymond Burr's long time table is in the back of the "new room" closest to the bar. The bar is always guaranteed to have very interesting people to strike up a conversation with (I've made some great friends there!!).

In the Raymond Chandler story "The Long Goodbye" Philip Marlowe and Terry Lennox eat at Musso's. Musso and Frank's is also one of the few places where Bukowski definitely did hang out (as opposed to the many places he is rumored to have imbibed). He was a friend of Ruben Rueda, the longest running bartender at Mussos.

When my son was still small, they used to make a tuna sandwich for him with a face on the top made out of a pickle and olives. He really loved that. They would also occasionally bring him a small glass of maraschino cherries. Don't know if they do any of that anymore. My all time favorite here is the hot turkey sandwich. My mother loves the smelts. The French onion soup is also to die for and well as their signature flannel cakes. Did I mention the the steaks that will evoke pleasant dreams for years to come?

Over the years, I've made a habit of ensuring that everyone I cared about in my life had dinner with me at least once at Musso and Frank's (Musso and Frank Grill). It so reassuring to always walk into a place that never changes and has so many wonderful memories. I may not be able to find my way around the place I grew up in Maryland anymore, but I know I will always be able to go to Musso's and sit at the same both and order my favorite meals with the people I care about.

AWARD: Los Angeles Time Machines has given Musso and Frank's its top award - "Best Restaurant in the World". This is really not subject to debate - where else in the world can you find a place that combines so much history of the movies and TV, and Hollywood, including the history of many of the world's greatest musicians, directors, actors and writers. This in conjunction with great service (taking into account the unique and unparalleled personalities of the staff), a perfect "time machine" interior, nice and enlightened owners, and fantastic food. A totally non-controversial decision!

UPDATE: Musso's is prominently featured (both the bar and old room and rather properly the Martini's in Season One, Episode 7 of the Mad Men TV Drama on AMC - what a combination! It also substitutes for Sardi's in New York in Season 2, Episode 5 ("The New Girl"). The best TV show ever combined with the best Restaurant ever (though I wish they would use the real waiters and bartenders rather than actors)! Incidentally, Hollywood Boulevard had it's own branch of Sardi's in the 1930s. It burnt down and then was briefly reborn as Zardi's for some strange reason.

UPDATE II: Musso and Frank's recently has had it's biggest change since the New Room opened! Under the new consolidated leadership of the Jones/Mosso family (especially Jordan Jones ), the lighting in the bar area (New Room) has been much improved at night (it's dark and mysterious!). The bar now stays open to 2AM on Friday and Saturday nights providing a great alternative to the superficial clubs that abound in Hollywood and Los Angeles in General. In addition - there is now ambiance music appropriate to the Musso's style during the late night hours. You've got to check it out and support the best restaurant and bar in town or anywhere for that matter!

Musso and Frank's is near to Miceli's Italian Restaurant, Boardner's bar and restaurant, the Powerhouse bar, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the Chinese Theater, the Egyptian Theater, the Pantages Theater and the El Capitan theater. Quite a tour!

My Brother’s Bar BQ, 21150 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 818 348-2020

(since 1957)

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Nice old barbeque place toward the West of the Valley where time machines seem to be rare. Conveniently right on Ventura Blvd. which is good for a time machine tour if you start from the Cahuenga Pass . Friendly staff and good food.

Take the Ventura Blvd. tour of Art's Deli, Dupars Restaurant, Sportsman's Lodge, Corwin Bowl and Casa Vega Mexican Restaurant.

Nate ‘n Al’s Deli, 414 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-274-0101, Daily 7am-9pm, since 1945

Nat 'n Al's is a great deli if you’re stuck in the Rodeo drive rich people’s ghetto (especially now that Romanoff’s and the Rodeo Drive Brown Derby Restaurant are gone). Old favorite of Danny Thomas, Rita Hayworth and Groucho Marx. The daughter of a recent president who was a cigar fan also ate here along with half of the Secret Service. Last time I was at Nate 'n Al's, the waitress would not let me order one brand of lox, insisting it was too salty. My mother almost passed out here from too liberal a dose of horse radish (it should come with a warning!). Nate 'n Al's Deli appears to be completely remodeled (sort of a 1960s feel) but the general ambiance and the food are so "old fashioned", I'll keep it in the time machine category. Don't be discouraged if there is a big line for tables - it goes fast and it's a good opportunity to strike up a conversation. Free 2 hour parking very close by. Celebrity sightings are common here.

AWARD: Los Angeles Time Machine awards Nate 'n Al's as the Best time machine for running into someone famous (including stars of course).

Nate 'n Al's Deli is near Trader Vic's (now poolside at the Beverly Hilton) and Dan Tana's restaurant and the former site of the Beverly Hills Brown Derby.

Nick's Cafe, 1300 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 323-222-1450

Mon-Fri 5:30am to 2 p.m.

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Don't get this place mixed up with Nick's Coffee Shop & Deli on Pico (see below). Apparently there is sometimes a bit of confusion regarding take out orders! I had driven by Nick's Cafe several times (not knowing the hours it was open - please note them to the left) and had gotten the impression that the place was permanently closed. Thanks to Gail, a reader, she informed me I was just passing at the wrong time and despite the appearance of the exterior (they seem to have given up their battle against graffiti), the place was still going strong. This place definitely has a nice old feel to it and is apparently an LAPD hangout, which gives it character. It would be a great place to film a movie. Friendly staff and lot's of Los Angeles character and history here. In a sort of industrial area East of Chinatown. Perhaps best for braver, non-picky types of people.

Nick's Coffee Shop & Deli, 8536 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, (310) 652-3567 (not to be confused with Nick's Cafe).

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Very nice little place in an area that seems to have some other potential time machines I still need to check out. The people who work here really go out of their way to be friendly and provide good service. Much of the food seemed to be “home made” and tasty. This coffee shop reminded me of the Hemingway story “A clean, well lighted place”, where a lonely person can be consoled late at night (although this place is obviously great to visit with friends as well). This place is too cheerful to make any allusions to Edward Hopper’s painting of a café - perhaps Millie’s or Rae’s is closer (although there is nothing inherently uncheerful about those places either – it just depends on the crowd and time of day).

Near Label's Table and not too far from the Apple Pan restaurant.

Norms Restaurant, 470 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, 323 655-0167

(since 1957)

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This Norms Restaurant older (perhaps oldest existing? - someone let me know) locale of the large chain famous for its breakfast specials. The Coffee Shop chain was started in 1949 (or 1950) by Norman Roybark. The first restaurant was located at Sunset Blvd. at Morningside in Hollywood. Norm's already had nine locations in 1962. This is definitely Googie on the outside. The interior of Norms Restaurant is still interesting and wisely the sprucing up they have done is with Mid-Century Modern fixtures. Located in a congested area of town, but it has its own free parking, which is a big plus. Many Norms now have given up all traces of the great Googie signs that this place still has.

(Clearman's) North Woods Inn, 7247 Rosemead Blvd., San Gabriel, (626) 286-8284

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This is the oldest of the various North Woods Inns, but even this one was moved from another location. Nice unique ambiance and friendly staff. The sawdust on the floor gives you the right to throw your peanut shells there as well. There were some worries that the North Woods Inn was in danger of being torn down, but current plans are to incorporate it into an upgraded shopping area. Who says it doesn't snow in the City of San Gabriel?

The North Woods Inn is near Bahooka's Restaurant, Goody's Restaurant, Petrillo's Italian Restaurant and Edward's Steak House restaurant, and not too far from Dal Rae's Restaurant, the Tamarack Inn bar and restaurant, and Clearman's Steak and Stein restaurant.

Nino's Italian Restaurant, 3853 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807 562-427-1003

Suggested by Sumeet L.

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Nino's is a beautiful Italian restaurant carefully supervised by its owner who camps out at one of the tables. Great food and ambiance must be the secret to this place's longevity. A black light painting by the owner is my friend Sumeet's personal favorite. Huge place with banquet facilities. Autographs by Sinatra and Dean Martin on the wall attest to the authenticity of the cooking.

Tony's on the Pier (aka "Old Tony's Bar and Restaurant), 210 Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (310) 374-1442

since 1952

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If you get any closer to the ocean while eating, you better know how to swim. This great beach "time machine" has wonderful views of the ocean, being out on the Redondo Beach pier. The food is good and the waitresses reflect the best of California beach culture - warm and with a great smile. If you need a place to take visitors from out of town, this place will not fail to impress (unless they are the type of people that like to be unhappy and don't appreciate sincerity). See my bar page about Old Tony's wonderful bar with 360 degree views. Los Angeles beaches are truly "sacred ground". It's so easy to forget how wonderful the beach is and not go there (even when you live within an hour of these paradises). Get your butt over there!

AWARD: Los Angeles Time Machines awards Tony's on the Pier (as well as "Old Tony's Bar) above as the most relaxing place to eat and drink.

Olsen’s Restaurant, 589 W. 9th Street, San Pedro, (310) 832-7437

The room with the bar: T T T T

Haven’t been there in years (I don’t go to San Pedro much – although it is a good time machine city). Olsen’s Restaurant has a wonderful 1940s interior (especially the bar) and great fried chicken.

UPDATE: Sadly, on my first visit to San Pedro in 15 years, Olsen's is gone. It has been replaced by the the Copper Room Restaurant and Lounge, 310-831-6200. It wasn't open when I was there. Can someone tell me if they kept the great 1940's bar decor? I saw a number of other very promising looking bars but I don't like to walk into places cold without first researching what I'm getting myself into. The places I need to check out are the Indian Room, Rebels and C&G Cocktails (or was it C &Q? Something like that). Can anyone tell me anything about these places? San Pedro seems to be frozen in time (a good thing to me). San Pedro was authentic enough for Charles Hank Bukowski, who bought his first home there after becoming "famous".

Not far from the Queen Mary, and maybe you can catch Joe's Joust on the same trip.

Original Pantry Café, 877 So. Figueroa St. Los Angeles 90017 , 213-972-9279 (24 hours) cheap validated parking across the street, since 1924

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In my opinion, the Original Pantry Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. An incredible value and open 24 hours. The Original Pantry Cafe claims that they have not closed since 1924 (during a move in location in the 1950s when one meal was served in the old locale and the next in the new). With humble origins, this joint began life with 15 counter stools. It is rumored that they do not have the keys to the front door in any event. The ambiance is absolute time machine (at least at the counter), including the waiters. The Original Pantry Cafe can be packed at 3:00AM. Wonderful and extremely filling breakfast (make sure to order their Sourdough bread - the buckwheat pancakes are also to die for). I believe the place is owned by former Mayor Richard Riordan. Former owners were Paul Leuenberger and founder Dewey Logan . Please – don’t change this place!!! When they have them, make sure to buy one of their mugs - it will really enhance your home coffee .

The Original Pantry Cafe is ot far from Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's French Dipped Sandwiches, the Standard Hotel, the Redwood Grill (now reopened as a Pirate bar), Casey's bar, the Pacific Dining Car restaurant, Philippe the Original French Dipped Sandwiches Restaurant and the Yorkshire Grill restaurant.

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