Keith Gilabert: Dan Tana's Offers Old Hollywood Charm and Great Food!

[Keith Gilabert]

Dan Tana’s is a popular celebrity hangout that serves up one of my favorite steaks in LA, along with a great atmosphere and old Hollywood charm. I saw Paris Hilton (I would say she is more of socialite heiress than a celebrity though…) last year with her parents dining and she is actually prettier in person.

The service was good--very unique to the setting and refreshing in that sense! The appetizers we had were all great, but I think the veal a-la George Clooney was my absolute favorite dish of the evening. Portion was pretty large but delicious nonetheless! I passed up dessert since I was barely able to finish the entre, but my meal was great.

[Tom P]

I love Dan Tana's. A wonderful caesar, and the Dabney Coleman strip, which I've had three times, is about the best steak you can get in town. I love the spicy red pasta that comes on the side. Good martinis as well. I'll have to try the veal!

[BSW6490]

Try the Chicken Beckerman. Just be sure to order it with all dark meat. Its one of their best dishes. Huge portion.

[Dogbite Williams]

We had our holiday office party there again this year. The food was even blander this time. I long for the good old days when our company was riding high and held the holiday office party at Spago's.

[BSW6490]

Up on the hill? That was great. That said, up there was similar to Dan Tana in many ways.

[magiccat]

Anyone remember high school?

If you are part of the restaurant's regular crowd (celeb and otherwise), you are likely to have a nice meal and as much service and attention as you want.

if you aren't part of the crowd, you will get what you are dealt, food-wise, depending on how busy it is and your luck. You can ogle the celebs. If sitting on the sidelines and watching while waiting for your dinner is desirable to you, this will be heaven.

[Keith Gilabert]

Hey Magiccat, I agree totally with what you're saying. Dan Tana's is a place people go to be "seen". But at the same time, what makes Dan Tana's so great is that it doesn't matter if you're a celebrity or Joe Blow....they treat everyone with the same respect.

Cheers,

Keith

[BSW6490]

Totally agree. Dan Tanas treats everyone well unless you are rude or difficult, in which case the waiters can dish it out. Part of the fun to watch occasionally. Sorry Magiccat wasn't happy with high school. A tme of angst for many.

[latindancer]

"Dan Tana's is a place people go to be seen".

Nope. Not this people....quite the contrary. Lots of people go 'to not be seen' and they're protected from those creepy scumbags with the cameras.
Is that what you got from the post you're responding to? I couldn't quite figure it out, actually.
Dan Tana's is a great old landmark restaurant and they'd better do well for a long, long time. We're counting on it.

[BSW6490]

You are absolutely right. In 30 years I have never seen a single poperatsi nor a place where a "celeb" could be more comfortable. Maybe that's why some go.

[foodiemahoodie]

There are good things to be had at Dan Tana's, but not a lot. The steak is one of the best (if not THE best in town), the lamb chops are up there too. But then they give you a side of red sauced spagetti, or alfredo - and both are pretty insipid. I go to Dan Tana's way too often, but I always enjoy because I get one of the above, or the veal parmigiano (good, hits the spot but not great). The place has a great feel and a great diverse but unquestionably odd mix of hip and aging hipsters. Got stories to tell...like how Phil Spector licked a woman's face and someone went out to pummel him - but he'd left. Or another time some girl flirted with a friend, joined our table and then her BF (who knew she had a BF?) came over to attack my friend, but he was so drunk and moved so slow we didn't see it was an attack. And I tried to jump up to help (once the guy's hand were around my friends throat, but my back went out - weird angle - but the guy was so tipsy he feel to the side and and was whisked), or how an old GF was sitting at the bar with a friend and....oh I could go on and on. But it just ain't about the food.

[J.L.]

OK, foodiemahoodie pretty much conveyed the feel of my previous visits to Dan Tana's.

Thank you for your eloquence, foodiemahoodie.

[flowergirl]

It used to be one of my favorites but now the food is mediocre. I am still searching for Great Italian in L A !

[Servorg]

Is there anything you like at Osteria Angelini?

[cdub]

passing up the cappuccino ice cream was a mistake.

i agree with bsw6490. you either get it or you don't. i like the place a lot. love everything about it. it's become the go to spot for a guy's night out with stiff drinks and lots of garlic.

[yogachik]

The food has gone way downhill since Danny sold. Almost inedible now, and incredibly expensive.

[BSW6490]

Disagree. The chef and menu are unchanged. Prices are up.

[BSW6490]

Absolutely love Dan Tanas. One of a kind. Chicken Beckerman is fantastic (order with dark meat). Steak and Peppers is another winner. Same with whitefish. Sit in the bar area which is where the action is. Love it.