By Hillary Atkin
It’s Never Too Late for a Great Meal Downtown or by the Beach
August 10, 2011
“I’m sorry, the kitchen is closed” is a refrain that’s often heard in LA’s finer restaurants, as it is in cities across America that are not New York or Las Vegas. And if you’ve ever slipped in just before closing time and experienced the barely- veiled exasperation of staff waiting to clean up and go home, that’s no picnic either.
Neither situation will ever confront you at either location of the Pacific Dining Car, a Southern California institution that is open 24 hours a day. So if you are feeling a USDA prime sirloin at midnight, PDC– not to be confused with another local institution, the Pacific Design Center–is the place.
The inception of the Dining Car goes back to the roaring 20s, and it’s been at the same downtown location since 1923. The Santa Monica branch on Wilshire Boulevard opened in 1990.
Both feature the sort of old-school period luxury where everyone from movie stars to hard-core foodies to hipsters and the nightlife crowd feel right at home.
Although the classic steakhouse menu doesn’t change much, there is a breath of fresh air in the kitchen with the recent hiring of executive Chef Michael Rosen, from previous perches at Reign, the dearly-departed Maple Drive and Les Anges and his own Zeke’s Smokehouse.
“After sitting down with Michael on a few separate occasions and talking about the company vision, his and mine, I felt confident that we were on the same page,” says PDC owner Wesley Idol, part of the fourth generation of family members that has owned the Dining Car. “Michael’s not only a phenomenal chef, he’s a businessman who understands what it takes to maintain a fine dining establishment and provide customers with excellent service. As well, he understands all the hard work that goes into sustaining success in the restaurant industry.”
Just like everything else that’s been around for a while, it’s time for a bit of a makeover. There are now weekly specials, like free corkage every Wednesday, wine tastings Fridays, Date Night—where couples get a complimentary dessert– and happy hours Monday through Friday from 6PM-9PM, plus a variety of musical entertainment on Saturday nights.
The new late-night menu, starting at11 PM, features all your favorite steaks and sides, plus a selection of salads and the ever-popular chocolate chip pancakes, along with drink specials under $15.
Obviously, liquor laws have to be followed, so you won’t be able to drink past normal closing hours. But hey, nice try.
And speaking of pancakes, the Dining Car’s Sunday breakfast/brunch features a special deal for kids under 12 years old. They can build their own brunch by choosing an egg, turkey, bacon, and a side for $10. And we would be neglectful not to mention the friendly, professional service that accompanies every meal.
We’ll see you there, 24/7.
Pacific Dining Car, Santa Monica: 2700 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 453-4000
Downtown Los Angeles: 1310 W. 6th Street, (213) 483-6000
Follow Hillary on Twitter @HillaryAtkin/the-atkin-report
