The Golden Age of Hollywood is alive and well in some of the old school restaurants of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the most famous (some made infamous by I Love Lucy) are no longer around — restaurants like The Brown Derby, Chasen’s, The Villa Capri, and Cyrano’s closed long ago. However, a few still survive.
Miceli’s (1646 N. Las Palmas Avenue): Miceli’s opened in 1949 and is considered L.A.’s oldest Italian restaurant. Rumor has it that The Beatles ate here before their concert at The Hollywood Bowl. Always a fun night out, here you can hear singing waitresses, live jazz, and dine on the same spaghetti and meatballs J.F.K. once ate.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Boulevard): Opened in 1927, the Roosevelt has long been one of L.A.’s hotspots; its Blossom Room even hosted the first Academy Awards banquet. If you have a drink poolside, it’s easy to imagine what it was like to see Marilyn Monroe dancing here. In fact, some say she still does (many have reported seeing her ghost).
Yamashiro (1999 N. Sycamore Avenue): Built in 1914, Yamashiro was the first Hollywood hang-out. Today it is still a favorite due to its Japanese gardens and stunning views at night. Here you can enjoy a cocktail and something from their Japanese/Cal-Asian menu.
Musso and Frank (6667 Hollywood Boulevard): Also mentioned in one of my prior posts, “L.A.’s best martini bars,” Musso and Frank, established in 1919, will transport you back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. You can sit in a red booth once occupied by Charlie Chaplin or F. Scott Fitzgerald. Pair your martini with a great steak, and pretend it’s 1939.
All of these restaurants are either within walking distance or a short drive from most Hollywood Hotels.
– Lesley Bracker
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