Diner Dash

French Quarter                                       7985 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA                      www.frenchquarterwest.com

Ever since I moved to LA, I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of diners begging me to stop by.  Thankfully, I am a huge fan of diner fare, so I make it a point to try a new diner each outing, instead of just frequenting the same spots week in and week out.  This method has allowed me to further explore this wonderful city of dreams, try new places that I likely would have passed over otherwise, meet new and interesting people,  and give all of you some insight into the LA diner world.

After driving by at least 50 times, I finally decided to try the French Quarter restaurant.  Parking is a breeze, as they have a private lot right next to the restaurant.  I asked for a seat outside and was allowed to choose my own spot.  Inside, there are a number of small shops (although I stopped by after those stores closed, so I was unable to explore).  The outdoor seating proved wonderful for people-watching.  The restaurant clearly took the time and effort in making the outdoor patio as comfortable as the indoor seating, generously decorated in a French-kitchen style. 

I have to admit that the menu took me a little aback.  I expected more French-style offerings but was greeted with more traditional American fare, such as biscuits and gravy, hamburgers, and various meat sandwiches.  However, their menu is expansive and has something to offer everyone.  I chose the Prime Rib special: a big ol’ hunk of juicy prime rib, soup or salad, a veggie, and potato for $19.95. 

For diner-fare, the French Quarter proves itself worthy of repeat visits in the future.  The prime rib was tender, and well-portioned; the veggies were fresh, my salad crisp, and my potato fried.  My waiter was very attentive and never left a dirty dish on my table for more than a few seconds.  Even better, I spent a good hour and a half there, eating and people gazing, and didn’t feel rushed for even a second.  It’s good to know that I don’t have to spend $200 on a meal to get decent service.