Musso & Frank Grill

Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, opened in 1919 and is regarded as the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. For more than a century it has been associated with the film industry and with writers and actors who treated its back room as a regular haunt. The interior has changed little: dark wood panelling, red leather banquettes, white-jacketed waiters and a long open kitchen visible from the dining room give it the feel of an old-Hollywood club. The menu is American grill cooking in the classic style, with steaks, chops, seafood and a long list of continental dishes. The flannel cakes, thin pancakes that are a house speciality and are served at breakfast hours when offered, have a following of their own, as does the Welsh rarebit, and the grilled steaks and lamb chops are consistent choices. Starters such as shrimp cocktail, oysters and a Caesar salad are served in traditional fashion. The bar is as important as the dining room, and the martini is the signature drink, served in the manner of mid-century cocktail bars alongside a wide range of classic cocktails and an established wine list. The atmosphere is dignified, convivial and moderately loud, and dress is smart casual, though many guests dress up. Reservations are accepted by website or phone and are advisable for dinner; the counter and bar are also popular seating choices. The restaurant is typically open Tuesday through Saturday. Prices are mid to high, with a meal usually costing about 45 to 90 US dollars per person. The restaurant sits near the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so it combines easily with sightseeing. Parking is typically handled through valet service.