This is the kind of old‑school steak house that doesn't just serve dinner, it sets a whole mood. Think dim lights, deep leather booths, a bar that looks like it's seen some stories, and live piano music drifting through the room like it's trying to seduce your cocktail. It's classic, it's nostalgic, and it's got that "your grandparents probably flirted here" energy, respectfully.this probably includes me too? The staff operates with that polished, old‑school confidence, the kind where they know exactly when to check in and when to let you sink into the booth and pretend you're in a 1960s movie. They're warm, quick, and know the menu like they wrote it. You feel taken care of without ever feeling hovered over. The bar is a highlight all on its own. * The Old Fashioned comes out strong, smooth, and ready to make you rethink every watered‑down version you've had elsewhere. * The Filthy Dirty Martini..Wow! extra olives, of course, is briny, bold, and just classy enough to make you sit up straighter. It's the kind of martini that pairs perfectly with dim lighting and piano keys. "This is where this place flexes." * The Oysters, chilled, fresh, and dressed just right. They're the kind of oysters that make you feel fancy even if you showed up in jeans. * Boogie Tots with caviar, salmon roe, and crème fraîche, listen... these are dangerous. Crispy, salty, luxurious, and playful all at once. It's like comfort food that went to finishing school. * Steak Tartare, silky, seasoned, and beautifully balanced. A classic done right. * New York Steak, so delicious, the star of the show. Perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and exactly what an old‑school steak house should deliver. It's the kind of steak that makes you nod to yourself mid‑bite. This place absolutely nails that dark‑light, vintage steak house vibe. Shadows, soft glows, clinking glasses, and piano music that makes the whole room feel like a scene. It's intimate without being stuffy, nostalgic without feeling dated, and classy without trying too hard. Dear John's is a timeless Classy gem, a place where the food is rich, the drinks are bold, the service is sharp, and the piano bar keeps the night smooth. It's old‑school in the best way, with just enough playful touches (looking at you, Boogie Tots) to keep things fun. A perfect spot for a memorable dinner, a strong cocktail, and a little taste of classic LA charm. "Good positive energy, brings you beautiful energy in return! " Miguel C. read more

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My five star review remains unchanged. Another outstanding dinner starting with cocktails at the bar. We enjoyed another night of DineLA deliciousness starting at the bar and then moving on to a roomy corner table. The Caesar was cold and crisp with the right amount of dressing. And we asked for and were brought the pepper grinder that we got use during the rest of the meal. The second course of Steak Diane was exactly as ordered, charred medium rare and had such a rich beef flavor. The broccolini and truffle mac and cheese were the right pairings in the right amounts. And then there was the cheesecake closer. Food was well paced and service was in just the right amount. It was another great night at one of our favorite classic steakhouses. read more

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THIS IS AN LA GEM. I can see why this place has passed the test of time. INCREDIBLE FOOD and INCREDIBLE ATMOSPHERE/AMBIANCE here. Do your life a favor and come here if you haven't already. Read about this place being one of the oldest steakhouses in LA so I knew I had to come check it out and I'm so glad that I did. Meal did cost me $120 for two people but absolutely worth it. We started with a round of cocktails which by the way were incredible. We ordered a wedge salad, French onion soup, 8 oz filet mignon, and a side of Potato's Au Gratin and Mushroomd and shared it all and it was all a 10/10z. Star of the show was the steak, and at $68 bucks I would gladly pay that for how incredible it was. Truly I can't reccoemnd this place enough. The decor and lighting is what sealed the deal for me here. Great vibe here and you can just feel the history that has taken place there. To top it off, the service was also PHENOMENAL. Thank you dear John for the hospitality. We will be back very soon! Till next time. read more

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The room was darkly lit. After the eyes adjusted the vintage decor came into focus. Our waitress Rylie was upbeat and authentic. After a double jack and diet the New York strip and steak frites came. A side of creamy horseradish and peppercorn sauce were a nice accoutrement to a perfectly cooked and super juicy steak. Each fry was crispy and deliciously outstanding. In our tour of classic Los Angeles steakhouses, this establishment eclipsed Taylor's and the smokehouse. read more

Dear John’s - Supremely crispy double fried steak frites - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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Father's Day is around the corner, and I still haven't written a review of my Mother's Day outing. For Mother's Day, I treated my older sister to dinner at Dear John's, a classic steakhouse in Culver City with a rich Hollywood history. (I just love places with history!) SERVICE - 5 Stars The service was professional and efficient--nothing particularly warm or engaging, but courteous and effective. That's particularly commendable because they were packed that night. AMBIANCE - 4 Stars Man, it was dark inside. At first, I thought the heavy curtains separating the small entrance from the dining room were simply for dramatic effect. It turned out they served a practical purpose: keeping outside light from entering the restaurant as you walk in. And yes, Dear John's was very dark. You have to use your smartphone's flashlight to read the menu. Our server also carried a flashlight, haha! FOOD and DRINKS It's been over a month, so bear with me as I try to remember the details. APPETIZERS and DRINKS - 3 Stars We had the Garlic Bread which was so, so. And I believe we had the Steak Tartare. I vaguely recall that we preferred Musso-&-Frank's Steak Tartare but I don't remember for what reason. For context, we love Musso's steak tartare. I had my usual Chardonnay and it was quite good and reasonably priced. MAIN COURSES - 4 Stars For my entrée, I ordered Frank's Spaghetti with Clams ($36), and I loved it. My sister ordered a steak and declared it delicious. Unfortunately, my niece was not as lucky--her Shrimp Scampi Pasta was pedestrian. (It was one of their specials.) SIDE - We ordered the Chopped Salad but it also was just so-so. I understand that it's a salad and one shouldn't expect much from it. But I enjoyed Maggiano's Chopped Salad. (Dear John's salad is listed as one of their appetizers.) DESSERT - 5 Stars Our meals ended on a high note with an exceptional dessert -- their Peanut-Butter-Chocolate-Crunch Bar à la Mode. My niece and I loved it! We also ordered a Tiramisu and my sister preferred that. I've never cared for tiramisu, and Dear John's version didn't change my mind --but I'm glad my sister enjoyed it. A Little History - 5 Stars Dear John's was opened in 1962 by Johnny Harlowe, a Hollywood actor-turned-restaurateur. Located near what was then MGM Studios (now Sony Pictures Studios), the restaurant quickly became a gathering place for Hollywood insiders. According to the restaurant's history, Frank Sinatra encouraged Harlowe to open the restaurant after enjoying his cooking. (The "Frank" in my pasta dish--Frank's Spaghetti with Clams--is indeed a reference to Sinatra.) In 2019, Dear John's was revived by Hans Röckenwagner, Patti Röckenwagner, and Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin. They restored much of the restaurant's Old Hollywood atmosphere while updating the menu for modern diners. The restaurant narrowly avoided closure and demolition and ultimately secured a lease extension in 2023. For those who appreciate classic steakhouses, Hollywood nostalgia, and a bit of local history, Dear John's is worth a visit. P.S. Parking (5 Stars) -- A shout-out to the dedicated valet attendant, who was both pleasant and patient. read more

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Such a cool local Culver City icon. The branding feels like a charming relic from the era of Sinatra and the Rat Pack. The lights were dim, the decadent mashed potatoes had just enough butter and then they added more, and the creamed spinach was similarly sinful and delicious. We loved that they made the Caesar salad old school at the table, the garlic bread was cheesy with just the right tang, and my filet served medium rare with my choice of horseradish sauce was ridiculously good. I don't have a lot of meat these days so this was a cheat night for me. As Frank once said about life, "You only go around once, but if you play your cards right, once is enough." Not for Dear John's. Will need to return. Great place. read more

Dear John’s - Garlic Bread - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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The best. What a little gem of a place. Looking from the outside you'd never guess the inside is literally such a vibe. We love sitting at the bar, food and drink are always elite. read more

Had the 18oz ribeye at Dear John's and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The kitchen nailed the medium-rare temp perfectly, and it had a phenomenal, deeply seasoned crust on the outside. Every bite was incredibly tender, juicy, and rich. It's definitely a splurge, but eating a top-tier steak in that dark, retro booths-and-jazz environment makes it totally worth it. read more

March 2026 review: We have been looking forward to dining at the iconic Dear John's for years but left with a lot to be desired. Of course the ambience is perfect, with the dark and cozy old school vibe. The service was fine. However, we were disappointed with the overall taste and flavor of our meal. The proteins lacked flavor and at the price point, we were unimpressed. We ordered: tableside Caesar salad, Shrimp cocktail, two Ribeyes (one medium and one medium rare), chicken parmesan, creamed spinach, broccolini, & steak fries. In addition we ordered the following sauces: Cafe de Paris butter, three peppers on brandy. read more

I had the bone in New York steak and oh my gosh the flavor was unreal! It was juicy and so tender! Adding sauce to it would've been an insult! The juices of the steak gave the mash a perfect gravy. I can't wait to go back! Jeff was our server and he was so knowledgeable and great overall. We didn't have a reservation; inside was full but such a cool aesthetic. We sat and ate in the patio area and it's a nice quiet vibe. We will definitely have to come again, this time with a res to experience dear John's inside! read more

Dear John’s - Oklahoma bone in New York strip, mash potato's, broccolini & ribeye - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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Came by on a Friday night after making reservations just a few hours before. Everything was delicious! We got the cesar salad, sourdough, garlic cheese bread, French onion soup, steak, and lobster thermador. For dessert we got the peanut butter crunch bar, which tasted like a mars bar. It was definitely way too much food but we knew that going into our order. We opted out of doing valet parking and did street parking, which was free after 6 pm. As a heads up there are no more free refills for the Shirley temple, it's now $2 a refill. We sat on the patio, which was really nice since it was easier to have a conversation and it was a warm night for January in LA. Our server was great. Would definitely come back! read more

Dear John’s - French onion soup - American Near Me - Culver City, California

First time here on 1/15/26. Service was nice everyone was very professional. We were sat outside in their patio area .. they have heaters which was a nice touch because it was night time and slightly cold. The cocktails are on the smaller side but taste delicious. Food was very good but the prices are on the more expensive side. The one thing I absolutely loved was this salted caramel chocolate ice cream!!!! That was the star of the night :-) We had 6 people in our group and paid about $350 per couple ( 2 people) including tip... but please be mindful this also included alcoholic beverages read more

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You walk through these double doors, and in darkness you are greeted by a curtain. A host shows up to see if you are going to the bar, or if you had reservations. You walk pass these theater curtains into a room that is so dark that if I were to tell you, that the business didn't pay the electric bill and had to light a 30x40 room with onlu 14 candles, you'd believe me. It's roughly the lighting you'd get if you were camping, lit a stick, and then brought it with you. The scent of burnt palo santo wood fills the air. The chatter of people all around you is so pervasice that it almost feels like your ears are being stimulated left and right, with two different stimulants. I've watched this place change across 20 years, and I can see why the Michelin star chef fell in love with this place. Unfortunately, the place he fell in love with, and what this place end up being morphing more and more away from what caused me to love it. In the earlier times, I recall how things were dim, but not THIS dim, the fireplace was lit, and in the corner, a grand piano, with space for a Frank Sinatra singer, Sinatra will fill the space, both visually and audibly. Before the Citrin took over this place, the food was nowhere as good. There was a period where the food was mind-blowing, mainly, the New York steak. I NEVER order New York steak anywhere, I always order Ribeye, but CItrin showed me how when done right, New York steak can easily trump Rib-eye. Unfortunately, on my most recent visit, the New York steak's quality dropped, It's still a great steak, but it's no longer that bar setting steak I fell in love with. The gray line of the steak, used to be dinner, and the red of the steak used to be more uniform, the flavors on the outside was more pronounced, there was not hint of burnt. This time around, the I tasted burnt cheese and garlic on the outside of the steak, the meat was slightly more tough and less juicy. Do note, it's still an amazing steak here, and we're picking at the most minor of details, but at the levels it was before, it makes perfect sense. At this level, it's the difference between soft-boil and runny, if you get my drift. I am open to revisiting this place and revising my review, but they charged near 90 dollars for this steak, and it's going to take me some time for me to be willing to splurge that sort of money only to be let down. I hope the steak goes back to how it used to be, frankly, the New York steak prepped here at it's heights is better than other Citrin restaurants. Each time I eat this steak, I draw so much inspiration on how to make my own steaks better, and my own steaks have already reached a level that trumps most restaurants. read more

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Fantastic food presented in a campy lounge with an old school vibe! My veal shank was the most tender piece I'd ever eaten! Melted in my mouth! The masala mushroom sauce made it perfect. My son had the rib eye and he said "the best steak he had ever eaten!" Better than Steak 48 & Musso's. My 2 other boys had the 18 oz NY Strip. Both barely spoke a word until completion. The steak tartar and wedge salad were spot on. Special note of the "special" scalloped potatoes... yum! The waiting staff were very friendly and personable. Even the bus and valet took candid pictures of us at our request. Loved it and I'm already locked into next Saturday night with friends and my GF! She's going to love it! read more

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DineLA 2025 A friend asked me if I was available to go to Dear John's and as I've never been, and I gotta eat ... it's how I ended up dining here. As for parking, I opted for street parking on Sepulveda. Metered but only until 6PM. On that evening, the restaurant opened at 5:30 so it was less than $1 for parking. My friend parked on the residential street across the way for free. Valet parking is offered too - for $12. There are a 2/3 spaces that Dear John's shares with the gym next door. If someone tells you it's dimly lit or dark, believe them. You might be able to tell with my pics. The lighting, to me, gives off an old school vibe, especially when you add the music from generations past. There's a bar but no happy hour. The service was excellent. Attentive. Friendly. Nice. It was great. The team was like a well oiled machine. Call me spoiled but I do appreciate when the staff boxes up any leftover you might have as opposed to just handing you the to go containers. Then there was the food. Went with the DineLA menu but upgraded to the Prime Ribeye. The Oysters Rockefeller served nice and hot as it should be. The crust was crisp and though you can't tell in the pic, the topping was creamy and moist, not runny or watery. It was balanced with the oyster being briny and a nice sea fresh taste. I'll get some hate for this but to me, the Mac & Cheese was standard and I only took a few small bites. But I enjoyed the Broccolini, Loved the Chili Lemon and Breadcrumbs on top. I inhaled the entire serving. Then there was the Ribeye. Rare. See pic. I'd come back just for the steak. Before the steak was served, I was given a steak knife. Didn't need it. So tender and juicy. The servers missed the accompanying sauce but I didn't need and probably wouldn't have used it because the steak itself was enough. I'm still dreaming of that Ribeye right now as I write about it. For dessert, I went with the Marscarpone Cheesecake. I'll just say though I cleared the dish, I'm not a fan. I'm glad I got to finally dine here. With this place's history and with other establishments dropping like flies - never know if it'll be around. However, being not too far from home, and with the experience I had the other evening, I'm sure I'll be back. read more

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A romantic, classy steakhouse on Culver Blvd next to the 405. Everything from the appetizers to the dessert is delectable. Their specials are always a good idea! Here's what I ordered: - Bread for the table (can skip) - Caesar salad for two - 8 oz filet of beef - A few of their sides: broccolini, mushrooms, truffle mac and cheese (WOW), potatoes au gratin (skip) - Peanut chocolate cake - this was a special so it might not available. Like a KitKat in cake form. read more

Delicious food and one of the best ambiances I've experienced. First impression: it's dark. Like, really dark. The only light comes from the glowing bar and a candle at each table. On paper that might sound like a problem, but it actually sets the perfect mood and makes the place stand out from the usual bright-and-busy restaurants. Add in some classic Italian music playing at just the right volume, and the vibe is spot-on. Our waitress was super friendly and fun to chat with... though we could barely see her face the entire meal because, again, it was that dark. Mysterious service, great food, and a unique atmosphere--I loved it. read more

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Absolute hidden gem. Don't be deceived by the outside because once you step inside you're in the coolest environment ever. Super moody lighting, gorgeous bar, great service. Filet and salmon were absolutely delicious. Garlic bread and mashed potatoes were also top tier. A great choice for a nice steak dinner and drinks! read more

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We are from OC but originally from Culver City. Dear John's has been there forever and I have heard it has some great drinks so we decided to stop by. They opened at 5:30 and we arrived at opening with others there waiting. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our quick visit. We went with two old fashions and the onion soup and shrimp cocktail. Pricing was on par with a Mastro's. Drinks were good and we enjoyed them along with the quick bits to eat. The contrast from how dark it is inside to outside was a lot but not a deal breaker. Beautiful ambiance. Parking is valet only unless you score parking on the street. We opted for that. Overall, we will be back. read more

Dear John’s - American Near Me - Culver City, California

We have been eating at Dear John's forever, which is amazing because it's been slated to close since 2019 but keeps getting revived! Lucky us! The ambience remains the same-old school Rat Pack vibes with cozy banquettes and tables that are way too close together. But no one seems to care about the proximity of you and your neighboring diners because the hype is real here. Our server was very efficient though he could have used a bit of attitude adjustment. We started with cocktails and moved on to the table side Caesar Salad which is always exciting to see! We followed up with yummy Onion Soup with the perfect amount of saltiness and cheese. For entrees we had the 16 oz New York Strip and the House Special Scampi. The steak, of course was outstanding, but the scampi...OMG-one of the best I've tasted! Tons of perfectly cooked shrimp with linguini in a sauce that I'd drink straight from the bowl if I was at home. We also enjoyed the Potatoes au Gratin and the Creamed Spinach. For dessert we loved the tiramisu. This is one place that consistently delivers good, food, good service, and good fun! read more

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Finally got across town to Dear John's. It's everything I was hoping for. We snagged some nearby street parking rather paying than $12 for the lot. The restaurant is dark and cozy inside, but it works as part of the vibe. The tableside Caesar was fantastic with lots of anchovy flavor; given how rare tableside prep is, everybody who visits here should take advantage! My mezcal based cocktail was smoky and delicious. For mains, the sand dabs were as good as people say, although for me they could have gone easier on the capers. I had heard mixed reviews of the steaks, but my ribeye was on point, perfectly cooked and seasoned. The only miss of the night was the not terrible but also kinda boring bread pudding. Next time I'll spend the calories on a dessert cocktail. read more

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We had the best experience here for our wedding anniversary. I made the reservation via OpenTable and self-consciously noted that we were celebrating our anniversary. They gave us a corner table so that we could sit next to each other and look out over the restaurant. We ordered the warm sourdough bread and the shared caesar salad, prepared tableside, as well as the Ribeye and the chicken parm with the mushrooms and creamed corn as sides. We also got cocktails and the new york cheesecake. Everything was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and our server and other team members were perfectly attentive but not hovering. We were able to linger and enjoy everything. Thanks for such a great meal! read more

This was my first visit to Dear John's, although I have visited its seafood-forward sister restaurant, Dear Jane's in Marina del Rey. Dear John's was opened in 1962 by actor John Harlowe, a friend of Frank Sinatra's. It has been run by chefs Josiah Citrin and Hans Rockenwagner and his wife Patti since 2019. It was slated for demolition in 2021, and its lease was set to expire in 2023, but got a last minute 5-year extension of life until 2028. It's a pretty small restaurant, and the darkest dining room I've been in in recent memory. Although there are candles, your phone flashlight is needed to read the menu. There is an outdoor patio. The decor is very old-school, with red tablecloths and an active bar. I ordered dished I had read about or that were recommended by my waiter. I started with the Bougie Tots, tater tots topped with caviar, salmon roe, creme fraiche and chives. Very decadent, but why cheapen the experience by serving it in a plastic bowl? I wanted to try mains from land and sea, so I got the chicken parmesan, which I had read about, and the sand dabs, which my waiter recommended over my first choice, the lobster thermidor. The sand dabs were indeed delish, served classically with a lemon butter sauce with capers. I finished the whole dish before tackling the chicken parm. John's version is an airline chicken (breast and drumette) stuffed with mozzarella, marinara and pesto, served with additional marinara. It has a crispy coating and is oozy-gooey when sliced. Unique and also delish. My go-to sides at a steakhouse are always creamed spinach and creamed corn if available. Dear John's had both. The spinach was stellar because it was unencumbered with cheese, bacon or excess garlic; you mostly tasted the spinach itself. The corn was also good, but I think the corn was frozen. There were just a few dessert options, recited orally by the waiter. I skipped, because none were fruit-forward. Service was quite good and attentive, despite it being quite busy. Worth a visit before it disappears forever. read more

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Super delicious. Also super expensive. The vibes however-- immaculate. It feels like you've gone back in time to an old Hollywood steakhouse. The service is great, ambience is perfection, and everything from the art to the music is on theme. Garlic bread is super cheesy, The mashed potato's are smooth like butter. German potatoes were just okay to me (a bit oily). Table-side Caesar was easy to share with 4. Not my favorite Caesar but worth trying! I'd probably try the chopped salad if I went back. Our table had lobster, sand fish (?), and 2 versions of steak. All delicious and perfectly cooked!! Each main is $40-80, sauces are an additional $5 (creamy horseradish was divine), and sides are about $15-20. You'll want at least one main and side per person + an app or two to share, which makes dining here fairly pricy. I'd love to go back for the tiramisu with bananas. read more

We pulled into the parking spot that said "Parking for Dear John's" against the Six Pack Gym wall. Then we walked up to the entrance and the valet attendant tried to charge us money for parking in that spot. He wouldn't let us stay in that spot and then said HE had to move our car--note that he did not have our keys and we had not taken a valet ticket from him. Let me get this straight, you want to charge me for parking my own car in a spot that does not say valet parking only? Sounds like a super sus money grab to me. This is incredibly disappointing for our first time dining here. And before you ask...this other stantion that said "valet only" was added after we drove out and found street parking. Do your job, valet attendant! Here's the thing, if the valet was smart about how to give top notch service, he would have just waived the valet fee and we would have given him a fat tip when we left. We spent over $250 on dinner for two at this restaurant, so it's not about the money at all but rather entirely about the principle and the service. Speaking of the food, I'm giving them 2 stars back because the food was absolutely delicious and our server was fantastic. The hostess not so much (she was def phoning it in) but the server, the food runners, the service at the table and the food were chef's kiss. One additional note, the music choices were meh if not just plain odd. Guns and Roses and Led Zeppelin definitely killed the romantic vibe. Overall we enjoyed our experience AFTER we recovered from the crap service from the valet. I wish the service from start to finish was as consistent. read more

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Do NOT come here and select outdoor seating. Given that it's a higher end restaurant, I thought the outdoor patio would be well decorated and cute. A lot of restaurants took advantage of COVID times and created fairly elaborate outdoor settings. Dear Johns, however, did the absolute bare minimum for its outdoor seating. You feel like you're eating in an alleyway and it's borderline criminal that they charge the same prices as they do inside. We made the mistake of coming here on a date night and booking outdoor seating. We were all dressed up and quite frankly we could have come in our pajamas. Maybe it's better inside but I won't be back to find out. Such a disappointment. read more

My medium rare 16oz New York could not have been more perfect. The quality of the beef, the skill of the kitchen, the excellence of the staff and the wonderful ambiance makes Dear John's my steak go to. read more

I've lived in Culver City for 34 years. Had never been to Dear John's. So glad I took the time to check out this place! What a classic vibe. I came here for Restaurant week and I loved the prefix meal! Everything was fantastic. The place was packed for a Tuesday. So good to see. Long live Dear John's!!! read more

2 friends and I planned this visit back in 2025 and finally made the reservation and went in May (2026). Everything from the valet person to our waiter and waitress to our food to the decor to the atmosphere was like a slice of heaven! Your eyes will need to adjust when you first walk in and it could be the lighting or it could be the fact that you are stepping back in 1962 and you half expect Frank Sinatra to walk by. The food and its presentation are second to none. The cocktails are to die for. We each got different meats and tried some of each. All simply amazing. We ordered 3 different sides. All 3 were amazing. And after all that we topped the evening off with a tiramisu for dessert. Off the damn hook!!!! Now, this place ain't cheap so be ready for that check cause it ain't no joke. But to us it was worth every penny. We set aside money to have this experience at Dear John's and we left there with zero regrets. If there are any special people in your life and you want a truly unique and memorable meal experience, I recommend this Culver City piece of culinary history. read more

Very beautiful old school restaurant. A whole vibe with crooners singing on the background. Steak was well seasoned and cooked to perfection (the way I asked). Lamb was tender and delicious. Broccolini and German style potatoes were perfectly cooked. I actually loved the old fashion I ordered, the alcohol was not over bearing and had the right amount of taste. Waiters were tentative and were not pushy or rude. What a lovely place to celebrate or perfect date night. read more

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Restaurant in West LA/ Culver City that has an old-timey LA vibe. The place has been around for a long time and has that institution feel to it. The service was fantastic and the food was very, very good. I've been wanting to come here for years, but for some reason or another, just haven't been able to. Finally, I had something to celebrate and dragged a few friends along for the ride. I would say the menu for the most part is similar to other steakhouses, but there are a few classics that I definitely wanted to order because they were 'old-timey' food items. So of course, we ordered the Oysters Rockefeller, table side Caesar Salad, some scalloped potatoes, etc. We also got the rib eye and chicken parm to kinda share among the table. Oh and we ordered some martinis to wash all this down. I got mine slightly dirty with blue cheese olives. Just great service and well executed, delicious food, and a classy atmosphere. Note: we sat in the outside area which is great, but the inside area looked amazing when I caught a glimpse while using the restroom. It was a weeknight and I was able to easily find street parking nearby. read more

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The food is definitely worth it! Our drinks, steak and salad were definitely pleasing. The wait wasn't very long either which was nice. Service was very decent as well. It is cramped and dark (not dim, DARK) in there though so if you're looking for something with more privacy or wiggle room then this may not be the spot for you. Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend Dear John's. read more

Dear John’s - Augie's Medicina Latina - American Near Me - Culver City, California

Five stars for bar service, drinks and ambiance. The steaks aren't aged and at that price we just got a few appetizers at the bar. If you want old school vibe bar and drinks this is your place. read more

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Classic and cosy steakhouse, with attentive wait staff, well crafted cocktails and a nicely curated wine list offering many choices by the glass. Boule bread service paired with tableside Caesar salad adds to the subtle flair of a special occasion restaurant. Steaks arrived at perfect temperature, the chicken Parmesan was tasty and lovely to look at too. Potatoes Au gratin and Mac and cheese were solid. Both the cheesecake and the chocolate toffee bar (Kit Kat) with toffee ice cream were a perfect way to end our meal. read more

This place is an institution not unlike Musso or the Smokehouse. I hadn't been into DJ's in well over 10 years and I remember telling my friend who had never been there that it was considered maybe the Smokehouse of the west side. Not quite as cool as Musso or as good but like the Smokehouse. After we ate there though I didn't remember it being this good!! It's as good as Musso easily and the vibe is just as cool. It is the Musso of theWest side!! Our server was obviously a long time employee and knew everything about the menu and made service exceptional. read more

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came here for my birthday dinner as a part of Dine LA. really delicious food. steak was perfectly cooked with a sultry mushroom sauce all around it. it was crisp on the outside and perfectly medium rare. good bite to it. also was in love with the charred broccolini, which had lemon, breadcrumbs, and some other stuff on it. i never had broccolini like that before and it taught me a new way to cook it at home lol. the mac and cheese was aight, not amazing but not terrible. the tuna tartare tower was aight as well, would not order that here. it was a bit too watery though the fish was pretty fresh. caesar salad was aight. the dessert was aight as well, did not like the peanut butter cake. all in all, steak great, broccolini bomb, everything else meh (; it was a bit loud inside for being a tiny place, and i wish the waiter came around a bit more frequently as we were thirsty. very dark and dimly lit place. read more

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Based on the reviews here, we wondered about eating on the patio and found it was so much fun. Loved the music, the service was great, and the food delicious. What a great place to have a well-prepared steak, a delicious dessert and coffee. Really enjoyed ourselves. read more

This place is incredible and very much worth the Uber ride. Culver City itself was very interesting to see along the way. Once again, LA brought with it great, friendly service and amazing food and drinks. I loved this old timey place and the decor. I don't know if I was sold on the pigs in a blanket and I still find it an odd menu item, but my friends liked them so I will defer to them. The oysters were bomb, and Sean and I split the shrimp scampi. We had a peanut butter wafer thingy for desert that was perfect with the best ice cream ever. read more

Dear John’s - Great ambiance and lighting at Dear John's. - American Near Me - Culver City, California

Went for a birthday dinner the day after Thanksgiving. Thought it wouldn't be crowded, but actually the restaurant was filled to my surprise. Our server was very friendly and took her time with us. Never rushed us and made it a very enjoyable birthday celebration for my friend. read more

Dear John’s - Birthday Martinis! - American Near Me - Culver City, California

We had high hopes for this restaurant. We were seated outside and the patio needs some maintenance. We ordered the Caesar salad, garlic bread, chicken Parmesan, pigs in a blanket and potatoes au gratin. All were very disappointing. My husband and I both felt the quality and taste of the food was like a crappy diner. The service was good but that doesn't make up for the food. Won't be going back. read more