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 [[HIGHLIGHT]]Man, it was dark inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]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[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]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![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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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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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Of course the ambience is perfect, with the dark and cozy old school vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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

This is not based on the food as I've dined many times and had a good meal. I want to address the lackluster person who answers the phone. For a restaurant that claims to be bougie maybe they should hire staff that didn't just perhaps leave working at a sizzler. I get that there are policies but as someone who has dined there a bit - retention would seem to be something more important and easily spends almost $1000 each time. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I had two immune compromised people dining with me and called ahead as it was cold and raining so I asked if f I could move us inside the answer was no.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Then I called to cancel as I couldn't chance it - charged $25 a person for the cancelation. Things happen people have to cancel a $50 charge maybe ok but $25 a person for a party of 5 plus for an unwavering host - who tells me I can book another night to avoid the fee and so I asked what if I have to cancel that with 4 days notice and (this is not in writing anywhere) tells me well then we will charge you for a second cancelation. I've dined at some of the finest restaurants in the world - Dear Johns. You're not worthy of this behavior and making up rules for the second cancelation that are not written anywhere - my money will happily go somewhere else and you can count on my word traveling far for those that I have recommended after premiers and more. read more

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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]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.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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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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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They gave us a corner table so that we could sit next to each other and look out over the restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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

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

Went for DineLA where we had a wonderful dinner and service. Our server, Eric, didn't rush us to order as we finished our cocktails. After that the pacing of the Caesar, Steak Diane, and sides was well timed. The Caesar was spot on with cold crisp romaine and perfectly dressed. DineLA sides (truffle Mac and cheese and broccolini) were the perfect compliment to the steak. We were so full we asked for the dessert to go and that was packed to go promptly. Everything about this experience was stellar, that goes for all our visits here! read more

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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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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! [[HIGHLIGHT]]What a classic vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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

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! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience remains the same-old school Rat Pack vibes with cozy banquettes and tables that are way too close together.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is one place that consistently delivers good, food, good service, and good fun![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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

2 friends and I planned this visit back in 2025 and finally made the reservation and went in May (2026). [[HIGHLIGHT]]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![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]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.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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

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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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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[[HIGHLIGHT]]I can't comment on the presentation of the food, because I couldn't see it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The single candle on the table was the only source of light.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I literally couldn't see what I was eating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

I was definitely disappointed with this place. The food was super overpriced. They squeeze as much money out of customers as possible by selling all of the entrée sides separately. And I've had better food for much less in LA (that comes with more on the plate). Their famous ceasar salad ($35 for two people) that they make in front of the table is just pre cut lettuce tossed with pre made dressing and didn't even include fresh parm (it was powder parm too lol). The bread was mid, the steak was mid, the lobster was mid. This place gets 2 stars because the service was pretty good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat on the patio and a bird pooped in the food (I can't make this up) so staff brought us a piece of cheesecake.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Some say we should've been comp'd for the food but i don't know if i agree since staff can't control nature. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I wouldn't recommend sitting on the patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I do think the novelty of this being an old Hollywood spot is highly capitalized by current owners but is lacking quality to make this place great on its own. read more

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

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Very beautiful old school restaurant. A whole vibe with crooners singing on the background.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]What a lovely place to celebrate or perfect date night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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

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 (; [[HIGHLIGHT]]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.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]very dark and dimly lit place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] 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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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

Excellent food and service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The old school feel is amazing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Highly recommend the rack of lamb

The hostess was beyond rude. I can not believe they would allow someone so rude to be the one first meeting customers in person or on phone. We had a mix up in reservations and ended up with 2. The first was something I had booked by calling in. Was told they only had a high top table at 530pm but would notify me if a standard seat became available. Few hours later I got a ping from open table that a standard table was open at 545. Perfect! I booked that. I didn't see anything on my open table account for the 530pm table so I assumed it was modified. I even called the restaurant to double check but the didn't answer and I didn't feel like listening to a weird message from Jamie Lee Curtis so I never left a message. The next afternoon I get a text confirming my 530pm - I responded to the text saying I thought it was moved to 545 for the seating change but we would be there. The hostess then called and legit tried to scold me for the error. Threatened a cc charge but said she would make an exception and hung up. Wow. At this point I'm not even wanting to go but it was too late to change the groups plans. We traveled from the Arcadia/Sierra Madre and gave ourselves over an hour to get there. Well the 405 happens and we got caught in traffic, we still made it to the valet a few min before 6. Gave the keys and walked in. Gave the hostess my name and she literally rolled her eyes in front of us and said she had just cancelled our table. Then she proceeded to give us back our table but said we had to be done by 745. At this point I wanted to say "don't worry I have no desire to linger at this business " [[HIGHLIGHT]]We walked into what felt like pitch black room. My goodness how is that not one giant fall risk for the elderly or those with bad vision. Eyes eventually adjusted but a few more lights wouldn't go amiss.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter ended up becoming warmer and laughed a bit with us. The food was very good but nothing so overwhelming amazing that you would need to go back over and over for. The prices are way too high considering the rude service, there are many places with great food and exceptional service in LA that I would rather give my business and loyalty to read more

French onion soup and fish were 5/5! Decent food at decent prices for a birthday dinner. 3 of us shared the ribeye steak, fish main, wedge salad, French onion soup and garlic bread. French onion soup and fish main were the stand outs for me. The steak wasn't amazing but might be your preference if you enjoy non aged classic steak with not much of a crust. Service was on point and it's your classic steakhouse environment with dimly lit surroundings. read more

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Came here on a weeknight. The ambience was on point and so was the food. Their old fashions are super delicious. Highly recommend this steakhouse if you're into vintage nostalgia. read more

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

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Food was decent, service was professional, [[HIGHLIGHT]]ambience was nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Absolutely not worth the price. Nothing to write home about. $600 for a dinner for two is absolutely ridiculous for what we got, some things were decent and others I would straight up not eat again, and I absolutely will not be returning, very low value for your money. read more

We've been here a couple times now and it's never disappoints. We made a reservation, but got there early and sat at the bar. I ordered what may have been the best martini I've ever had and the blue cheese olives were amazing. The place is small and tables are fairly close together, but we were able to get a high top table in the corner which was cozy and romantic because we didn't feel crammed like you might in the dining room. They offer some great menu items on but I opted for the sand dabs for the second timeand he got the filet. We ordered the creamed corn and mashed potatoes as sides to share. Generous portions and the sand dabs were cooked perfectly, practically melts in your mouth. On some nights, they have live music. read more