Dining with Dills
Food News: Issue No. 09
Peter Dills
KABC 790 AM
KABC 790 AM
This Weeks Restaurant Review
The Pacific Dining Car
Old School Steak meets Urban Young Professional.
If you have been following my columns in the newspaper and watching my segments on CNN, you know that I haven't given into the trends, and you also know that I love a great steak. The given names of these steaks seem populate many of the best area restaurants in Los Angeles: The Baseball Steak, The Kansas City Cut, and the Cowboy Steak, are all found as menu items at various locations. There are many restaurants that I have written about as well that come to mind when discussing great steak, Taylor's in La Canada and Morton's in Burbank are two. Both offer delicious cuts of beef with Old Style service and a real expertise for the craft. But one restaurant that deserves to be in this manager's starting line up is the Pacific Dining Car in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. This fourth generation owned restaurant has all the swagger and homerun power of all the very best in our city. It doesn't hurt
that they serve an incredible Maker's Mark Manhattan as well. You are definitely taking a trip back in time here as you lounge upon Red Leather Booths, the same ones that generations have come to enjoy in comfort.
Most of us Angelinos in the know have been frequenting this fine establishment for years. Enjoying its family style atmosphere, vast menu and availability - 24/7! However, just like everything and everyone in this town, sometimes it's necessary for a little nip and tuck and that's exactly what owner, Wes Idol III, decided to do. Wes told me on my last visit that you could add the Pacific Dining Car to your list of "hot spots." Wes has implemented specials enticements, such as free corkage every Wednesday, wine tasting (check website for scheduling) Fridays, Date Night (couples receive a complimentary dessert), REALLY??? And a grand Happy Hour, every Monday through Friday from 6PM-9PM. With a variety of entertainment including live music on Saturday nights. The late night menu, now available every night beginning at 10PM, will still include all your favorites from a great steak; to the health conscience salad, or the extravagant chocolate chip pancakes and unbelievable drink specials for under ($15). A "What's Happening" section will be added to the website and shared through Facebook as well.
A favorite for everyone in the family, Sunday breakfast still remains a must at the PDC. There are so many delicious dishes to satisfy every palette, whether you're indulging or counting calories. Kids 12 and under can build their own brunch by choosing one egg, turkey or regular bacon, and one crab. It's the perfect balance for a nutritious meal, and only ($10).
Back to ordering, here are of few of my selections that my guest April, "The Queen of Maker's Mark Manhattans" and I sampled. First we both agreed to share the Crab Cakes made with fresh blue crab meat and the heirloom tomato salad from the great beginnings portion of the menu. For the neophytes in the group, that is an appetizer.
I couldn't wait any longer, so I ordered the Cowboy Steak, and it was delicious, the closer I nuzzled to the bone, the more flavor greeted me. A Steak that John Wayne would have said, put'er here pilgrim. My partner in this downtown journey apparently didn't get enough of the crab as she was talking about ordering more. She moved along to the Filet of Oscar, describing its tenderness to me in each bite. The dish is coupled with Dungeness crab, fresh asparagus and a Béarnaise sauce. All steaks are prime beef, with the burgers using the same prime label as well. For salad lovers, there is a fantastic grilled Shrimp Salad that I will try on my diet days. As far as the Wine List goes, Wine Spectator Magazine gave them very high marks! I shall return!
1310 W. 6th St. Los Angeles (213) 483-6000
www.pacificdiningcar.com
