Classic So Cal Dining

People think California cuisine and its' restaurant culture is relatively new. Many think it started in the late Nineties or even in this century. It hasn't The area has had classic dishes and classic eateries for almost one hundred years. These have added to the landscape and history of the LA area.

Tejal Rao, the new Los Angeles restaurant critic for The New York Times wrote about this scene for the paper's Wednesday Food section. As a critic she felt she had to pay homage to the eateries that have endured for decades while trendier places have come and gone.Some attracted stars and still do.One of the oldest is Philippes; started in 1908. It's known for creating the iconic French dip sandwiches. It stats off with   thinly sliced lamb and roast beef on freshly made soft roll drenched with pan seared juices.Another LA classic is Cielito Lindo, a small stand that started when Hollywood was in its' heyday - 1934.They're responsible for the city's love of taquitos, tiny rolls of fried, shredded beef soaked in a thin avocado sauce.Another classic is Dan Tana's where you can eat old fashioned hearty Italian dishes with hearty prices.Ms. Rao had their hefty veal Parmesan with layers of molten cheese. She saw stars such as Alfred Molina and Eric McCormack along with the restaurant's classic Caesar salad that's made tableside.Another timeless eatery is Musso & Frank's, a popular hangout of Sinatra and Bacall.This place has everything from omelets to steaks along with soups and old fashioned salads like a wedge of iceberg lettuce with smoked bacon ,chives and tomatoes.

Another true LA classic is the Tamo' Shanter, a Scottish themed pub in Atwater Village. It has been open since 1922 and was a hangout of Walt Disney's. They offer six ounces of prime rib with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach - a typical old fashioned dinner that is still popular today. There is also a archaic kitsch that works with its' servers sporting tartan skirts and wool skirts. The restaurant also has a banquet room that shows off authentic artifacts of Scotland's Royal Guards. In addition there are  traditional UK favorites as Yorkshire pudding and cold smoked Scottish salmon.A relatively newer place is Langer's which opened in 1953 and is known for their hot pastrami sandwiches and deli sandwiches reminiscent of New York deli ones.There are some new classic eateries too , that Ms. Rao visited one that reflect's the city's new immigration.One such place is Beverly Soon Tofu, which has been in the same strip mall since the late 1980's It's Korean comfort food where diners can have bowls of soup, filled with tofu and any choice of ingredients. It's laced with a special hot sauce that the founder, Monica Lee makes herself.

Los Angeles has always  been known as the city of the new.Yet it has some of the oldest eateries in the US, What is great is that they are still thriving and popular as they were when they first opened.