Musso & Frank Grill
Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hollywood6667 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 467-7788
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
93 reviews
Neighborhood: West Los Angeles
"I love this place. The prime rib and baked potato is sooooo good. Good horseradish too."
69 Reviews for Musso & Frank Grill
I went not knowing what to expect. When you step through the door it's like stepping back in time. I felt like I was in the 1920's. I ordered a turkey sandwich. I had no idea it was open faced, never had a sandwich open faced and it never said that on the menu. That's ok though. It was amazing and I'm now in love with the whole open faced sandwich with gravy on it deal.
My friend had some kind of lamb. It was in a cream sauce and she was not expecting that either. I thought it was amazing. She hated it. She's asian though and the thought of cream sauces are disgusting to her anyway. I loved the whole experience and would recommend it.
This place is so bad. SO bad. Its one of those places where its not worth it to them to have good food. They know that people will come here regardless because its a very touristy area and everyone knows Musso and Franks so they want to try it. I was in the same boat. I had heard about this place and the history, etc etc. Hell, I even saw it in an episode of Family Guy, so the place had to be great, right?!
The servers are horrible. We had three different people come to our table and ask what we'd like to order when our order had already been placed 10 minutes before.
I ordered my steak medium and it came out well done. It tasted like a really bad meatloaf.
My girlfriend had scallops that she couldn't even finish because they were so bad. The consistency was like rubber. You'd put your fork into it and a nice scallop offers no resistence and cuts in half. These would just bend, and you would almost need a knife to cut through them.
Who cares what celebrities from the 1920's came here? Who cares if Mick Jagger has his own booth here? The food sucks and that's that.
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I just knew there was something special about the booth that I slid into. My associate, who eats at Musso & Frank all the time said:
"You know, this was Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe's booth".
Ohhhh, be still my heart. I got all flustered! I mean, oh my!
My friend smiled at me and said "Yeah, she was so hot wasn't she?"
Oh! Get a clue hon. Clark Gable was just soooo dreamy. I mean, I wanted to lower my head and just snifffff that seat! Too bad the errant atoms that still floated amongst the leather molecules might have had some of that Kennedy semen. Gross! I'd rather lick John McCain's mole, hehe.
I composed myself, and had what I usually have when eating at this great establishment.
Chicken Caesar Salad. The best! They give you oh-so-much chicken, and the dressing - to die for girls!
I'll have to walk another few minutes on the treadmill. That Caesar dressing goes straight to my hips.
Oh how I yearn for the days of Clark Gable. If I was in that booth with him...well, the surgical techniques back then were a bit primitive, hehe. He might not have noticed my potential!
Oh how I love Musso Frank!
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This place has history. It's one of the oldest restaurants in Hollywood and you can tell that they have a low turn-over rate as I've never seen so many senior citizen waiters ever... I guess you can wait forever for that, "big break"...
Anyhow, The food is decent, if you like red meat..it's definitely prepared properly and the service is spot on. It's very old school service and the feel is old... it's not really my thing, but I appreciate it.
So, while there I ordered the prime rib having no idea that it would be bigger than my torso...it was embarrassing..my guy friend ordered the fillet mignon... which of course is this tiny piece of meat...it was an odd sight... so I just complained loudly that there was no way this was enough food while chewing with my mouth open and gnawing on beef fat... I felt so hot that night.
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If you desire old-school Hollywood? Come here. Please.
If you desire really good food? Not so much. But you usually can't go wrong with a steak or a chop a or a nice piece of fish. If you're expecting something modern, you're in for major dissapointment.
Virtually everyone who is a regular here requires a "Rascal" or a walker to get around. And frankly, I'm down with that. Stick with the program buddy. There isn't much time left. Enjoy yourself. Live it up. As much as is possible!
A date took me here because his dad was a long time regular. And the service was very good. But here's the kicker. Some poor old dude was having trouble making his way out. I immediately saw his difficulty and went to assist him. Did I know who he was? Hell no. But our meal was paid for by him. Turns out he was a long time Hollywood shaker and repaid kindness... in kind.
So while the food was passable. The experience was insurpassable. Let us now learn a lesson. There is such a thing as "instant karma". Praise John Lennon.
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I first clue should have been the fact that no one was there.
The free bread was so hard that I couldn't bite into it. I was hoping the main dishes would be okay.
We ordered Spaghetti and a Turkey Sandwich, but it was more like mush and desert.
The $14 spaghetti didn't even look nice. Please look at the picture I submitted and the $12 turkey sandwich was so dry that I felt like I was eating sand.
To top it off, there were no refills for soda.
Oldest Restaurant in Hollywood.... and should close down soon.
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The food at place is disgusting, some of the worst in Hollywood. The fact that it has 4 stars makes me lose my faith in Yelp. I am happy I ate at Musso & Frank only because now I can warn friends NOT to go there.
I ordered some a steak, I was delivered a mystery meat in a strange brown sauce that brought back memories of my high school cafeteria. $26.
My friend ordered Eggs Benedict. After 5 bites he decided it was so bad that he not only sent it back but refused a substitute entree.
If you check the reviews of the people before me who gave this place for stars I am guessing you will find 5 star ratings for Chin Chin and McDonalds. Don't believe the hype about this place being "old" and having "character". What it has is crap food at high prices. I would go back here to grab a martini, but trust me - do not, DO NOT eat at this restaurant. You will regret it.
I've been going here since I use to have to sit on the booster seats that they still keep in the same place. It was one of my father's favorite restaurants as well. He came for the ox tail. I come for the squab. It's not cheap but the experience is worth everything you pay.
The best thing to do here is to keep coming back. The more you come, the more you enjoy it. The waiters are great, and are not rude like some people say.
Watch the scene in "Ed Wood" where Ed meets Orson Wells and tell me you don't want to hang out here. The bar is also an option. Just keep coming back and you will get it. It took my wife a couple times and now she loves it.
Highlights of my many visits here have been George Lucas at the table across from us, having dinner with John Santucci of Crime Story, and the all time best when Huel Howser sat next to me at the counter and we chatted for 2 hours.
Park in the back and get validated. It's easy.
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Even after tunnels were punched under the earth for the trains and the corner of Hollywood and Highland was leveled to build the mall monstrosity on top of it, the venerable Musso stands stalwart agains the assault of bad taste and time. The interior looks like it hasnt been mussed with for at least half a century. Browing bucolic wall paper peels at the edges of walls lined with fine wood paneling. This is the most delicious example of fading glory in Los Angeles. I hope they never touch a thing. The filet mignon is pricey for what it is. Above average but they used to have a lot better about 10 years ago. If you can, sit in the bar area so you can watch them grill it up! Im not giving stars for the food, though it is still good. It is your duty to come here and keep this museum alive.
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It's worth checking out. I was underwhelmed by the service and the food, equally.
Service: Our waiter, who has been working there for 33 years, was snappy with us. At one point, he blatantly disregarded us trying to order a drink. He went off to do what he had to do and basically said "OK, now what do you want?" Instead, he could have acknowledged us and said "Be right there" or something. I guess some would see this as part of teh charm of this place, but I see it as unfriendly. Also, one of the people at our table had gum all over her martini glass. How does that get by a bartender and a waiter? To me, that is not right.
Food: This place tries to be and is very old school. I ordered a prime rib "sandwich" and what I got was a piece of prime rib on a piece of white bread. OK, I get it. Open-faced. But I wish the menu had said that, because I did not want a piece of prime rib on a piece of soggy bread. I wanted a sandwich to dip. It was OK. Also, the "hamburger" is a piece of ground beef steak. Again, I am sure it is fine, but the menu tries hard to be this type of old school joint instead of just being upfront with people.
All things considered, it was fine. Not worthy of 4 stars though.
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I was treated to a beautiful steak here and have been dying to come back with my husband. I am a big fan of historical buildings and Old Hollywood glamor. I mean, when in Rome, right?
Musso and Frank Grill do a wonderful job of keeping this place special. The lighting, decor, service and mean martinis all add up to an authentic Hollywood dining experience. Not the youthful, glitzy Hollywood of Reality TV, but the understated patina of something much more memorable.
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An institution - a Hollywood joint since the days of D. W (Griffith, that is), walking through the doors of Musso & Frank is a lot like walking through a time portal and its worth respecting that. Don't expect Fusion Cuisine; don't expect something from a young Culinary Academy graduate or someone who's recently come from Patina's kitchen. But expect a well cooked chop or fish. Stick with the classics: a nice fresh trout or a steak with fries, a dry martini straight up.
Take your grandmother there....if she grew up in L.A., she'll tell you stories about the place...probably stories her grandmother told her.
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Musso & Frank Grill has been around since 1919, so they say, and that's the charm. However, there is nothing else going for this place. When you enter the place, you can tell that there are long-time customers (like those who have been coming since 1919). Yeah, it's old school and all.
Unfortunately, I don't think they've changed their recipes to accomodate the changing palates of younger folks, who also come there to try the place out. I guess there is no reason for them to change anything considering their popularity among the geriatrics. I found my prime rib to be flavorless (although juicy). The mashed potatoes that I had as a side also lacked flavor (I've made better mashed at home). I also had a taste of their minute steak and that also was just an ordinary steak. No seasoning whatsoever. Everyone else in our group agreed that their food was just average. Considering the prices, you would think that they would have better food, but they don't.
Their service, however, was commendable. It's not the best, but it's also not the worst.
This place is an institution, so of course I had to come here when I visited L.A. recently. The scene is so retro, it is great! It even smells old in there. But the food is so good you forget about it! I had one of the best steaks I've ever had the pleasure of sinking my teeth into. And the menu has items on it that I didn't even know were still prepared.... so cool!
Me and my friend B had nothing to do so we got in the car and ended up in Hollywood, and first i suggest Miceli's, but had never been here so...
there was one couple next to us, and a few people in a back booth. i'm a sucker for these old Hollywood landmarks. We had a nice little booth, but I was kind of disappointed, it was just so empty and i felt like we were in the Twilight Zone. They had my Myer's Rum though, so that was good. So i ordered my drink, and I can't remember if i ordered the salmon or the steak... i think i did the salmon and mashed potatoes. it was good. B got a sandwich ?! i was like, you're getting a sandwich? it was served open faced and she was kinda surprised.
the servers were really nice and attentive. I would like to try it again though, maybe the steak next time.
Wow...talk about "Old Hollywood"...I loved it! I haven't been back in about 6 months, but, I will be there sooner than later.
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There is no point in giving Musso & Frank a bad review.
Because you will die, but Musso & Frank will live on.
You have to suspend your disbelief and your ironic detachment. If you can't do that for one meal, you can't ever enjoy Musso & Frank. Because it is not some hipster joke. It is the real deal.
This restaurant is the closest thing to time travel that we have in LA. The room is great (I prefer the west side). The waiters and maitre d' are great (though they only treat you as well as you treat them).
The food is great IF --- big if --- you are not foolish enough to be deceived by the menu. Many go to Musso & Frank and say "Oh gee, they have trout stroganoff? That sounds interesting, I'll try that." No, no, good lord no. This is not the night to expand your gastronomic horizons.
You want to stay in the sweet spot. So that's why you get a martini, steak, french fries, and creamed spinach. Because then you're guaranteed to have a good meal.
If you want to avoid tourists, go late.
If you want to cut costs, split a steak and the side dishes --- they're huge.
If you want to complain, there are many other restaurants in LA more deserving of your contempt. Musso & Frank is not all things to all people but it is a labor of love. In a city that can be short on sincerity, that's saying a lot.
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I REALLY don't want to say how good this place is and always
(in my lifetime) has been. Since 1981 (!) this place has provided the absolutely BEST food and SERVICE anywhere in California. The Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, etc. - eat your hearts out. The menu is lavishly varied, and each day they write a new menu, with their specials, as many places do now-a-days. Difference is - Musso and Frank have been doing this since 1919. It doesn't get any better than this place - please stay away so I can be seated quickly!
One word comes to mind: wallet. Do you have it? Well, even if you do, it'll probably be empty by the time you're done here. If you're looking to catch conversations between loaded movie industry folk, Musso & Frank Grill will hit the spot. If your stomach is the most dominant organ in your body, say nay.
Food: The meal comes with a great big hunk 'o bread and olives on toothpicks. Classsssy. Unfortunately, neither really did much for my tongue. I split the chicken pot pie special with a friend due to the crazy prices (I think the pot pie was something like $26 with a diameter of about 5-6 inches). The meat inside was dry and the sauce was pretty standard. I would have been equally satisfied with a frozen Marie Calendar's version. The salads are in the affordable range and come with generous portions. I didn't try any of them, but they looked tasty. The menu has items such as common vegetables priced around $5-7 .
Atmosphere: I came in pretty close to closing time so chances of seeing any famous people/ industry types were slim. It definitely looks ancient inside, but don't expect theme park-like decorations.
Service: Pretty slow and arguably somewhat snobby. I did like how they thought to serve the pot pie in two portions as it was being shared.
Parking: You can park at the Kodak center and easily walk to the restaurant. Parking is $2 for the first 4 hours then skyrockets to a max of $10 after only a couple 20 min intervals.
Synopsis: I don't regret coming here and checking it out, but I probably wouldn't come back unless I somehow got a higher paying job. For the price, I was expecting something mindblowing. Too bad that didn't happen. Like so many other places on Hollywood, this is a one time experience.
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What happens Saturday morning @ 11am?
Musso and Franks open their doors for business. There's a good chance this is where you will find me waiting EVERY time I am in California.
My father used to bring me to Musso's every weekend and after he passed away I feel him with me every time I am back there.
No joke but in the 20+ years I have been going here I have ALWAYS had the same thing. I get a Ham and Swiss Cheese Omelet and an order of Flannel Cakes. My dad used to tease me about where I could possibly fit that inside of me when I was a young boy. Nowadays I quietly wish I could get multiple orders of both.
I have only sat at the counter and I have seen many short order cooks come and go yet my dish has always remained the same. I'll never forget my fathers interactions with Bob and Charlie on the grill and the way that Manny and Raul could make you feel like the most important patron in the world.
I miss living in California knowing that Musso's is just a stone throw away. It is a place I will always hold close to my heart!!!
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It's been here for a long time... and I can see why the doors never closed. It's a lovely place, they have great wine, great food, awesome ambiance, great guest, awesome service, and it's worth every penny spent. If your in Hollywood, you shouldn't be able to say you've never eaten at Musso and Frank - you should definitely try it out, just go, do it.
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Be prepared for strange 40-50's style high-end cafeteria food, with over-worked waiters and you will not be as disappointed as we were. The atmosphere is awesome and as long as you remember that's why you're there, you'll be fine. I apologize to those who beg to differ, but they do not have great food or great wine. The cocktails are the main attraction, although they were out of Campari for my drink (how can you be old school without that?) Our check definitely made us think about the other great meals we could have had going somewhere else...Worth it for the one time experience, but we won't be going back.
You definitely need to know what to order here. One of my favorite places. Great bar and the tenders know their sh*t. My family has been coming here for decades and knows the head waiter. Also got to meet the owner, who was busing tables that night, how often does that happen? If you love anchovies, the Frank appetizer is just for you. Also, the Cesaer is the best I have EVER had.
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Thee, and i really mean thee oldest restaurant in Hollywood. This places deserves major respect for its old school standards. If you are looking for a trendy spot or a place to be seen or see some so-called famous people don't come here. I love the vibe and the no BS attitude this place will give you if you step out of line. When we used to live in Hollywood, we used to walk down and dine here once a month. Yes, its a splurge but worth it. The steaks are fantastic and so are the side dishes. As stephy said don't ask for subs cause if you do, you deserve a bitch slap. All the old timer waiters / servers know how to properly take an order and make suggestions - ladies are always taken care of 1st as it should be. The bartenders have it down when it comes to making a proper drink with a side caddy.
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Oh Boy. Hemmingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Thompson, and Bukowski. They were all immense talents, they all liked to drink and they all loved this place. You either get it or you don't. Standard protocol is two Beefeater martinis at the bar followed by a euphoric semi-stumble to my table. Reconnect with my Germanic heritage and eat a ton of bread and butter. Order the Hearts of Iceberg with Roquefort dressing, Lobster Thermador and an ice cold Beck's. It's good to be alive.
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I know it's the oldest restaurant in Hollywood...and I know it still happens to be open for some odd reason. I've been here twice and I am not going back a third time. Aside from the novelty of age and the novelty of all the aging people who still go to this place, it was unimpressive to say the least. I wish I could like it...or like something about it. American Bistro has to be pretty *damn* impressive to be evenly slightly good to begin with, so they weren't working with a lot to start. Either way, it's a Hollywood Landmark and I will take it as such.
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I was the youngest person in this restaurant by about 86 years. My buddy and I went there with one ambition in mind - to try the baked macaroni & cheese. It's served in an oval dish, about 600degrees too hot, but once you can eat it, it's by far the best thing you've eaten, and yes, better than sliced bread grandpa.
It's an old time place with lots of history. that adds to the feel. The waiters might smell like ben gay and the food a little pricey, but you're eating at a part of history.
Ate at the counter here last night and had a great time.
First, I started in the bar with a martini. Yes it was good, but it takes a lot to screw up a martini. The bar scene, however, was priceless. Two older women who could have been patrons the day it opened were at the bar totally trashed ......and loud. They were playfully picking on the bartender about how young he was [I am guessing he was well over 50]. I got hit on by two girls from the midwest.
After my appetite [and brain cells] were sufficiently lubricated from the gin, i wandered over to the counter for a pretty hefty cut of prime rib with spinach. The meat was flavorful, cooked exactly like I requested and accompanied with real horseradish. The spinach was pretty good but a bit too juicy. Washed all of this down with couple of glasses of serviceable Cabernet. I need to try other menu entrees to get a full food score.
I love the waitstaff. My waiter was an appropriately crusty old guy who, asked if I wanted the baked potato with my Prime Rib. When I replied I probably wouldn't eat it, he suggested a list of other options.....very nice. The busboy kept me entertained by presenting me with objects from behind the bar to see if I knew them in Spanish. I only missed 4 out of about 25. He was pretty funny about it too.
As others have said here, atmosphere is great and the decor really makes the experience.
In a self indulgent "shout out" to my SF roots, I used to hang out at Original Joe's on Taylor at least two nights a week before the fire. If you took OJs, gave it a Pac Heights room and moved it to the Mission, you would have something similar in feel to Musso and Frank. I could see this place being similar with the old school style. I also think being a regular at places like this is the key to getting good food and service. Cash tips don't hurt either.
Food 4
Service 5
Decor 5
other sitting at the coounter is cool 4
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You know when you're looking at pictures of old Hollywood Oscar ceremony banquets, and you realize how different food must have been back then? I mean, the non-gigantic portions, non-hormone injected meat, the long white gloves, Cary Grant...going to Musso & Frank is the closest we'll ever get to experiencing those grand olden days. (Though the portions are quite generous...but you get what i mean).
I went to Musso & Frank's for a "working" lunch with a friend a few weeks ago. Yes, it is one of the most old school steakhouses in LA, in both the ambiance and the clientele - my friend and I were a good 40-50 years younger than the average patron. No background music, except for silverware clanking on the old china and the whispers of Hollywood wheeling and dealing. There is natural light shining through a skylight, so even though it's a dark restaurant, it doesn't feel like it during the daytime...
Since we were celebrating a birthday and feeling old school, we ordered Bombay Sapphire martinis straight up with a twist - oh boy, were they GOOD, producing a nice buzz that lasted throughout the rest of my busy afternoon. (Thankfully I can hide a buzz well...) I ordered a delicious salad with crab, shrimp, veggies and avocado with their house dressing (delicious) and the waiter kindly brought some thousand island on the side as well (it's my most favorite salad dressing ever and happened to be AMAZING here). My friend ordered open faced corned beef plate with mashed potatoes and gravy - a carb fest if I ever saw one at lunch. And it was goood. And their homemade sourdough bread (you can order loaves of it a day in advance) was great.
It's so nice that there is one slice of Hollywood Blvd that hasn't been transformed into a skeezy or trendy place...Musso & Frank isn't going anywhere. Check it out. And bring your long white gloves.
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Where else are you going to get tongue cooked a hundred different ways, and a Sanka to wash it down? And where else will you be served a perfect drink by Manny, an Ecuadorian bartender whose been there 25 years (and who has seen it ALL)?
Ummmm, yeaaaah.
It's a tourist trap and I felt like a douche because I wasn't wearing a "Spiderman" t-shirt and shorts. When I'm at a "nice" restaurant with tuxedoed waiters who are 150 years old, I want the place to look half-nice and I would prefer not to see goofy t-shirts and sneakers.
Everyone raves about the martinis. Have you ever made a martini? Or looked at the recipe? It's 90% gin (or vodka) and it's cold and you really can't screw it up. What's the big deal about the martinis here?
The food was ok and not worth the crazy prices. After the LA Fire Department washes the place down and hoses the tourists out, I will return. Otherwise, it's RIP for this classic.
I have a hard on for landmark restaurants, especially LA ones. This was a big disappointment. Perhaps the ghosts of Gable and Mayer enjoy the food here, but I sure didn't. I am disappointed in the yelpers for giving props. Before people claim I am a snob, lets be real. The drink menu sucked. Old school? They barely had any scotch. Appetizers - limited and barely edible. Steaks - average at best and over priced for the quality. Atmosphere - historic (but fairly empty and it doesn't make up for busch league food. Go here and get the t-shirt. It isn't worth repeat visit. Sorry for my lack of respect, but it just didn't earn it.
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Other people maybe liked this place but I was very turn off by the IMPERSONAL service.. from the bartender to the waiter .. Most of the time I couldnt even find the waiter.. the bartender seemed like he had better things to do than help me out..
I knew about the pricey part but the food didn't live up to the price nor did the service..
a good one time type of place.. but not twice..
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This place has been around for 87 years and it's not because the food and service is bad. It has stood the test of time. The drinks are alone worth going in here. The bartender Rueben is a real bar keep as are the others. This is Old Hollywood and once in a while you will see a Star from the Golden Age. I once saw the remaining cast of the Wizard of Oz having dinner here. It really is a treasure.
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Although I had read other reviews and the name Musso and Frank is legend in Hollywood, still, I didn't know what to expect. Oh but I could smell the history the minute I walked in (or was that the fish?)
We were seated right away in a comfy two person booth and handed menus by a lovely maitre d'. Everyone spoke to us in hushed voices, like they were deferring to us and pretty soon I began to feel powerful and worldly as I sipped my perfect Grey Goose Dirty Martini (thanks for the heads up Steph, you were right, FABULOUS)
Too bad my pocketbook wasn't feeling the same way. Everything here is a la carte, including the dressings for the salads. No, really, you want dressing on your salad? That will be an extra four dollars and really the salads ain't cheap in the first place -- I wondered if the lettuce was gold in the salad that costs $26.00. Enh, well it was a special night, let's throw caution to the wind, shall we?
I selected the open faced prime rib sandwich and sis got the sea bass prepared mauinere (essentially fried in lemon butter). When our food arrived my eyes bulged - look at that hunk of meat on my plate! Where the devil am I going to put that? Are you kidding me with this?
Sis's portion of fish was no small sardine either. Thankfully she had fasted all day so she was able to eat most of hers but me, I had to take home a block of my prime rib - while good I could not finish that sucker. So yes, the entrees are a bit pricey but I hope you are hungry because you get much for that price.
The service is great (I find I like being defferred to, at least for one night) the food was excellent, not the most creative but hey, every now and then you just want simple food done right and this place does it just like that. I found everything cooked to perfection and obviously the choices in quality of the ingredients were top notch from the steak to the potatoes to the veggies, you could just tell when you took your first bite how it was going to be.
So now I know where to take someone when I want to impress. Or better yet now I know where they can take me --
I have visions of dirty-martini-contract-signing lunches in my future.
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This is almost a mythical place, the self-proclaimed oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Countless authors and notables have eaten here and, in the case of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, drunk to death here.
So when my friend Jonathan and I were looking for a place after work to go over poetry for submission to magazines and reviews, we decided to try Musso & Frank Grill. We figured some of the greatness would rub off on us.
We go inside--so far, so good. The interior is dark, very heavy on the wood. The booths have hat racks, which are an interesting, anachronistic touch. We were shown to our booth and given menus.
The menu is--how should I say--not contemporary. Welsh rarebit. Cold cut platters. Boiled vegetables. Boiled meats. All overpriced. But no matter. We were in the midst of greatness, right?
To start things off, Jon got a cup of coffee and I got a coke. We then decided on our meals. I decided to get the club sandwich and a side of fries. Jon wasn't especially hungry so he ordered a cup of soup.
Our server said no--he would have to order the bowl.
Jon, needless to say, was confused. "What? I don't want a bowl, I want a cup."
The server, pointing to some small print at the bottom of the menu, replied: "There is a $5.00 minimum. The cup is under $5.00. You need to get the bowl."
Me, sensing some trouble, ventured to the server that my friend Jon would get the side of fries instead of me.
"No, you can't do that," said the server.
"What do you mean? Our total bill is going to be more than $10.00."
And get this: the waiter had the audacity to say "No, you are trying to DECEIVE me. You said YOU wanted the fries, and now you're saying HE wants the fries."
Having worked as a server at a nice restaurant up in Berkeley, I am not in the practice of cussing at the wait staff. I cussed this guy out and said, "F*ck this, we're leaving."
And we left. F*ck Musso & Frank.
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Back when I was an 80 year old man
I would drink gin & tonics.
This was the greatest place to do it.
Steak and potatoes here are heavenly.
God I remember the days.
I would roll up in my old Royce.
Valet park that bitch.
Stroll in like my shit didn't stink
because it doesn't ---and never will.
Sit at the bar.
Order two drinks at once.
The bartender
was an old Mexican dude.
He asked me if I was expecting anyone.
No. I just drink fast.
He laughed.
And then I asked him how
long he worked there for.
38 years.
38 years!!!
Holy sheep shit, that is some long time in Hollyweird.
As I slammed the drinks he told some great stories.
About Bukowski.
Burt Reynolds.
Dean Martin.
Crazy times.
The energy at this location
is so special.
I want to die of a heart attack here
when I'm 96, and gently haunt the joint.
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The food here is terrible! I ok they are one of the oldest restaurants in Hollywood and they invented the cosmopolitan. But its no excuse to have cooks that don't know how to cook. I would never go there ever again. I didn't touch my dinner.
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Best martinis, best waiters, best way to escape the 21st century. Everything is done with such flair that even a vegetarian can eat really well here, and this place is essentially a steakhouse for old Hollywood types. Yes yes yes. Only comp