Considered the home of fast food, Los Angeles is also the home of fantastic steakhouses. From old school porterhouses to Japanese Wagyu, Italian cuts, Argentine grilling, and everything in between, the region offers a variety of ways to enjoy a steak. And the best options are those that understand that great beef doesn't need a lot of gimmicks, and instead relies on confident cooking, some thought in the sides, and a decent atmosphere.
Offering Pasadena’s first taste of steak with a refined Japanese twist, Alexander's Steakhouse is also the only spot in the country that offers premium Japanese Wagyu, as well as a standout New York strip. The attention to detail carries through to the rest of the meal, where guests will encounter sea urchin chawanmushi, and foie gras, a very delicious butter, and even playful marshmallow treats as a gift from the chef. This is a great option for a first date, or for wining and dining someone important.
Arroyo Chop House is Pasadena's classic American steakhouse. It has stayed in business by keeping the focus on three things: quality steak, familiar side dishes, and good martinis. The porterhouse is ideal for a large group, as it suits three or four diners for a whopping $89. If you're looking for a straightforward steakhouse with no frills, then look no further.
In Brentwood, Baltaire reinvents the steakhouse format with a modern Italian style. With its bright dining room, courtyard with greenery, retractable roof, and L-shaped bar, the space seems ideal for leisurely business lunches and more casual dinners. Prime cuts, as well as wagyu beef, are offered. Distinctive options include house sauces with dry-aged sirloin and a bone-in rib steak. For the individual and shared dining options, the Prime filet and porterhouse are provided. Additionally, the menu is more than capable with the seafood and other offerings, while the Bloody Mary also deserves special mention.
Bourbon Steak at The Americana at Brand in Glendale is a refined choice for turning an afternoon of shopping into dinner. Coming from chef Michael Mina's group, the restaurant features upscale interiors and live piano music. An ideal start includes duck-fat fries with three dipping sauces. Move on to steak that is cooked with pecan-wood smoke. Rather than distracting, the sauces are restrained so the meat is at the forefront. The herb-roasted bone marrow is a must for those who want to indulge. Additionally, the selection of Japanese whiskey is another excuse to stay longer.
Carlitos Gardel is apparently an Argentine steakhouse that deserves a visit if you're looking for a Melrose Avenue restaurant that will make you want to skip a traditional American steakhouse and spend even more money on a steak elsewhere. The meat will justify your visit, while the garlic fries and the South American wine complete the experience. After browsing Melrose Avenue, it is an affordable and practical choice for steak lovers who don't want to spend too much money on a meal at a restaurant.
If you want to experience one of the few places in the U.S. that serves authentic bistecca alla Fiorentina (a Tuscan-style T-bone steak served rare and from Chianina cattle), you will have to head to Long Beach to visit Chianina Steakhouse. This steakhouse serves large cuts of meat that are quite juicy and soft, and is not recommended for anyone who likes well-done steaks, but for anybody who appreciates good quality beef, this will be an excellent choice.
Carnivores and large groups are the target audience at Chi Spacca on Melrose. While the name may sound like a butcher, it is actually a very sophisticated restaurant, and when the night begins, the smell and sound of seared meat will fill the room because of the wood fire grill. The 42-ounce tomahawk pork chop and 50-ounce Florentine steak are intended to be shared dishes. These oversized, simply seasoned, and self-saucing cuts of meat are designed for the opposite of a restrained meal.
CUT by Wolfgang Puck in Beverly Hills proves that American steakhouses can be both refined and powerful. The restaurant's menu features such offerings as Angus beef from the United States and Australia, Japanese Wagyu, and A5 Kobe beef from the Hyogo Prefecture, which is grilled over hardwood and charcoal. This variety of beef is complemented by fresh veggies and creative sides. The wine cellar and décor add to the lengthening of the check and occasion. The restaurant is a sight for sore eyes in celebration for a special occasion, but its formality may not be for everyone.
At Mastro's Ocean Club in Malibu, it is steak and scenery in concert as opposed to competition. The coastal location incentivizes a window table. The restaurant's wet-aged steaks are designed to achieve a balance of flavor concentration and tender and juicy texture. Good options are the bone-in ribeye and New York strip. Desserts and sides are strongly encouraged;
the lobster mashed potatoes are indulgent and the butter cake is rich. The leave-behind is memorable. For a romantic dinner with the ocean view, it is hard to find better.
Steakhouses are evolving, providing customers with modern updates to classic dining experiences. Nick & Stef's Steakhouse has conveniently taken the traditional steakhouse experience and given it a refresh by introducing new innovations to the space and overall atmosphere. Guests receive elevated experiences with private dining rooms, tableside service, and a massive wine selection containing over 500 labels to choose from. Additionally, Chef Andreas Roller further improves the overall experience by making American cuisine transcendent with European influences. Guests seeking an experience more cognitively demanding than simply indulging and eating steak are invited to try the tableside salad and Tomahawk steak, while patrons looking to sample the restaurant's specialty are encouraged to order the 28-ounce dry-aged prime ribeye.
When it comes to Los Angeles' steakhouses, different venues serve different purposes. Depending on the mood of the meal, guests can choose from Alexander's and CUT for refined dining experiences, Arroyo Chop House for classic comfort, Chi Spacca for meat-driven gatherings, Mastro's for more intimate romantic dining, and Carlitos Gardel for affordable romantic dining. In Los Angeles, where there is a heavy focus on fast casual dining, these restaurants defy the odds by offering a more unique dining experience by focusing on steak and inviting guests to slow down.
