Old World Charm in a Modern World
ByMusso & Frank Grill www.mussoandfrankgrill.com
6667 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028; Phone: 323-467-7788
My main squeeze and I are recent transplants to L.A. and have been on the hunt for some new treasure troves of deliciousness. Our 3rd anniversary fell on one of our first few days in our new home, so we decided to make it special and try Musso and Franks for some good old-fashioned meat and potatoes. In selecting the oldest restaurant in Hollywood to please our palates, we had high expectations, but M&F definitely did not disappoint.
Decorated with warm mahoganies and a buttressed ceiling, it feels like you slip a few decades into the past when you first walk in. We were greeted by a hearty man in a suit and promptly seated for our reservation. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, informative, prompt, and contributed largely to the overall pleasant dining experience. Not a single dirty plate stayed on our table for more than a few moments; no crumb was left astray on the table. They really focus on all the little details, which seems to be hard to find now-a-days in most places.
The food was equally impeccable; we started with the Hearts of Romaine salad, topped with a zesty red wine vinaigrette. For our entrees, my boyfriend opted for the filet mignon, I selected the Porterhouse and then we nibbled off bits of both. The filet mignon practically melted in my mouth. It was so tender and juicy, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a filet as melodic as this. The porterhouse was also tender, and gave me plenty of leftovers. Normally, I’d regale you with a number of pictures of the food I enjoyed so thoroughly. But, for this review, the pictures would never do the food proper justice.
As an added bonus, mid-way through our delicious taste experience, we looked up only to find that none-other than Mr. Gus Van Sant was seated in the booth next to us. Although tempted to scream, shout, and do a happy little jig around the restaurant in his honor, we played it cool and simply greeted him with a friendly smile. If M&F is good enough for Van Sant, it’s certainly more than good enough for me!
We were completely stuffed by the end of our entrees but our waiter convinced us to try the cheesecake, assuring us that we would not be disappointed. To me, a cheesecake is pretty much a cheesecake: heavy and overly sweet. M&F’s cheesecake, however, is beyond amazing. The cheese filling was delicate, flavorful, and light. It really helped to end our meal on just the right note.
It may seem silly to think that food has such an impact on the positive/negative experiences in our life, but M&F really did help to make our anniversary special and unforgettable. It’s good to know that impeccable service can still reach those of us in LA who are not gracing the covers of this month’s magazines.
