LA’s Haute 5 Steakhouses: For Carnivores Only

There’s nothing quite like a good steak, maybe with some spinach or mashed potatoes on the side.  Unless you’re a vegetarian, in which case, enjoy your tofu.  Los Angeles is home to many a worthy steakhouse serving up choice cuts of meat with just the right amount of smoky flavor and juicy tenderness.  Salivating yet? Good, here’s a tres haute list of LA’s top steakhouses.

Mastro’s

Just walk through the famous blue doors at Mastro’s in Beverly Hills and try to resist craving a steak.  Known far and wide for their lip-smacking steaks and chops, the delicious appetizers are arguably just there to distract you.  With lush surroundings, dark leather chairs, and equally as enticing people watching, Mastro’s is one of the best and most classic places to have a seat, order a Vodka Martini (three olives, please) and a New York Strip, and talk about what makes a man a man.

Mastro’s Beverly Hills is located at 246 N. Canon Drive Beverly Hills.  (310) 888-8782

CUT

Sampling Wolfgang Puck’s cuisine in Los Angeles is easier than counting fedoras on Larchmont.  His CUT at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, however, is meant to be savored.  His sleek dining room set with black chairs and light wood floors doesn’t scream steakhouse, but the menu definitely does. Mr. Puck has created a menu for any modern steak lover by playing on steakhouse classics.  The Kobe Steak Sashimi and Bone Marrow Flan start you off before experiencing a Grilled Porterhouse for Two or perhaps a Rib Eye Steak from Japan.

CUT is located in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel at 9500 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.

Wolfgang

Wolfgang Puck has a monopoly on Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills seems to have a monopoly on steak.  When the “other” Wolfgang opened his Wolfgang Steakhouse in Beverly Hills last year down the street from Mr. Puck’s iconic Spago, the locals let out a little gasp.  The steakhouse has staying power, though, and its classic wooden chairs and white tablecloths make the perfect canvas for a Wolfgang Salad, a Filet Mignon, and perhaps an Apple Strudel.  Their menu isn’t necessarily creative, but then a good steakhouse doesn’t have to be.

Wolfgang is located at 445 North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills. (310) 385-0640

Palm

Since 1975, the Palm has been playing host to a venerable who’s who from Beverly Hills to Hollywood.  It could be there old-fashioned booths, the painted faces on the walls, or the classic bar, but we have a feeling it’s largely due to their genuine love for and focus on the art of the steak.  Their Double Cut New York Strip, Filet Mignon, and their ever popular Surf’n’Turf have all garnered the acclaim of foodies, locals, visitors, and so on for years.  Their selection of red wines is nothing to shake a stick at either.

The Palm is located at 9001 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. (310) 550-8811

STK

The tiny name speaks volumes, really.  STK is a steakhouse through and through, but instead of the red leather banquettes and mirrored walls, they’ve gone the more urban, sleek, black and white route for their enormous, two floor space. It makes for the feel of a nightclub or lounge as you tuck into fresh Hamachi or some Jumbo Lump Crab followed by a Skirt Steak or maybe a Bone-In Rib Steak.  Having played host to Grammy and Oscar parties and with Coco de Ville next door, you can be sure of a see-and-be-scene at STK, so don’t bring your bib.

STK is located at 755 N. La Cienega in West Hollywood. (310) 659-3535.