Steak - Jar, Dal Rae, or The Derby?

[javabean116]

I lost a bet and am taking my bf for a steak dinner... we've been to the usual (Mastro's, Ruth Chris, Parkway Grill...) steak houses, but I wanted to try something new. I've heard good things about all of these places, any particular preferences?

We will most likely bring our own wine, so the wine list doesn't matter. Just good food :)

thanks in advance!

[anvali]

I would vote for the Jar over and over again. The special the night I went to the Jar was the bone-in filet-which was amazing. My friend got the diver scallops with the red curry sauce which was very good as well. Of the appetizers, the lobster salad was a bit bland but deviled eggs were quite tasty.

[javabean116]

Jar it is! thanks for all the feedback :)

I know they are legendary for the pot roast... any recs for the steaks (or other entrees, apps, dessert)?

[a213b]

As I said upthread, their Kansas City was outstanding. We also very much enjoyed their Japanese Purple Yams, but while many rave about the Duck Fried Rice we found it to just be ok.

[Jack Flash]

They do a tomato and onion salad that is simply divine, and since this is the peak of the tomato season, it would be a sin not to order it. I'm not seeing it on the online menu, but I don't know how often that is updated. I would definitely ask about it. Best tomato salad I've had, anywhere. For dessert, the ice cream sundae.

[Burger Boy]

That salad is still on the menu. www.dalrae.com

[Jack Flash]

I was referring to a salad at Jar, not Dal Rae. :-)

[rickym13]

been to jar many times and their steaks are good but my wife order Chopped Sirloin, fried egg, green peppercorn sauce last time and it was better than steaks!

[ipsedixit]

Neither Dal Rae nor the Derby are in the same league as Jar. Not that either are all that bad, but Jar is just better.

[David Kahn]

The Dal Rae is fun, mostly because it's like a trip back in time. The cesar salad aside (which is truly excellent), the food is good but not great. Don't get me wrong, I love the Dal Rae, but I recognize that for me, my affection for the place derives at least in part from nostalgia.

In contrast, Jar is just excellent. Modern, stylish, and the food is absolutely top notch. The steaks, amazing pot roast, and the sides are all superb. (If you like brussels sprouts, the Jar version is not to be missed.) It gets a bit loud when they're busy, but the food is so damn good, I'm willing to tolerate a little buzzing in the ears for a couple of hours after eating. (I think it's all the hard wood panelling, which is chic, but is suboptimal from a sonic perspective.)

Haven't tried the Derby, so don't know about that one. Btw, you might consider adding BLT to your list. The steak is excellent, and those friggin' popovers they serve are the stuff of dreams.

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Jar Restaurant
8225 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048

Dal Rae
9023 E. Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA 90660

Derby
4500 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Blt Steak
8720 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

[a213b]

Jar is spectacular ... especially the Kansas City. Go, you'll love it.

[carter]

And the Derby being alluded to is around the Santa Anita Racetrack, not on Los Feliz Blvd., which used to be a bar below Louise's, and I am not even sure if it is still even open, but definitely not a food place, for sure.

[Burger Boy]

I beg to differ about the Dal Rae, the Pepper Steak is great and the Tomato & Onion salad with grated blue cheese dressing is so F'n great. Dal Rae also has a great potato dish that has jalapenos and onions, the grilled artichoke is also very good. Taylors is also a great choice.

[Baron]

Have you considered the Palm? Also, a restaurant which is one of my favorites is the Grill on the Alley in BH. Great food, service and the type of place you LOVE to go when someone else is picking up the check.

[Jack Flash]

I've yet to visit Dal Rae, so I can't comment. I like both Jar and The Derby, but they are as different as can be. Derby is very old school. It's near the Santa Anita race track, and horse racing memorabilia is the theme. Jar is contemporary, stylish without being trendy. The food at Jar is flat-out better, and more varied. From what I understand, Dal Rae is much more like the Derby than Jar. Take a look at the web sites for each of them to get a better feel for the differences. Also, they're not exactly all in the same neighborhood. If you're considering the Derby, I'd urge you to check out Taylor's (either in La Canada or Koreatown), which is similar to the Derby but better, and a few bucks less in my experience.