Apr 2018

The Dal Rae – Los Angeles (Pico Rivera)

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

Continuing my streak of dining in Los Angeles’ finest institutions, my colleagues and I lunched at The Dal Rae in Pico Rivera. Opened in 1958, the restaurant is renowned for its menu of American steakhouse classics served with table-side flourishes, a marker of midcentury luxe Continental dining.

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

The restaurant wasn’t particularly hoppin’ during our lunchtime excursion, so we slid into a booth fit for four and soaked up the wood-paneled ambiance. Ah, the 1950s…

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

We happened to dine during restaurant week, so everyone in our party partook in the ever-so-slightly discounted menu. For $25, we were treated to a two-course lunch.

To start, a bread basket filled with pita crisps, sesame bread sticks, French bread, and sourdough. On the side was a pat of butter that was a touch too cool for maximum spreadability.

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

One of my colleagues is a tremendous fan of baked brie, so we split an order for the table ($10.95). Dal Rae’s rendition featured roasted elephant garlic, pesto, pinenuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and crostini. The garlic was abundant and irresistible; breath mints were a must before tending to our post-lunch commitments.

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

For my first course, I selected the “Wedge of Iceberg” with bacon, tomato, onion, and bleu cheese dressing. Crisp and cool, the salad was simple and well executed.

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

For my main course, I settled on the restaurant’s signature “Poor Man’s Pepper Steak.” The dish consisted of a thick patty of fresh-ground sirloin topped with a heap of “pepper sauce” (green onions, bacon, and peppercorn). Served on the side were asparagus spears and mashed potatoes.

The Dal Rae - Pico Rivera - Los Angeles

The steak was even more peppery than billed, which turned out to be too overpowering for my taste. The bacon-scallion mixture was intriguing, but it was hard to really get a sense of it when the peppercorn dominated every bite. The Astronomer, a peppercorn enthusiast, quite enjoyed both my leftovers and my colleague’s (thanks, Juliam!), so take my feedback with a grain of salt pepper.

Lunch at The Dal Rae was a fine blast from the past, but not one that I’m in a rush to experience again soon. If lunch had been stronger on the food and service front, I would’ve certainly come in for dinner to experience the restaurant’s table-side service. Even though I’m an old person and want to support old restaurants, I must admit that they’re not all for me.

Dal Rae
9023 Washington Boulevard
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: 562-949-2444

One year ago: Mint Leaf Cuisine – Pasadena
Two years ago: 
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Three years ago: 
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Four year ago: 
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Five years ago: 
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Six years ago: Braised Rabbit with Pappardelle
Seven years ago: Le Bon Garçon Gourmet Caramels
Eight years ago: Just Married!
Nine years ago: The French Laundry Garden & Young Inglewood Wineries
Ten years ago: Bánh Hỏi Thịt Nướng
Eleven years ago: Ajia Japanese Fusion – Philadelphia

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