Welcome to the Scene Report, a brand new column through which Eater captures the ambiance of a notable Los Angeles restaurant at a particular second in time. Learn Eater LA's first scene report right here.
Los Angeles won’t be a steakhouse city like Chicago or New York, however the purple meat-loving Angelo has loads of choices within the Southland, together with David LeFevre's Arthur J in Manhattan Seashore, Koreatown all-you-can-eat H&H Brazilian Steakhouse, and luxurious. minimize from Nancy Silverton's traditional Chi Spacca. For a lot of diners, a steakhouse meal is considered one of life's most satisfying pleasures. Sipping on a frozen martini, diving into plates of contemporary oysters, and ordering a aspect of creamed corn to pair with a seared rib eye—it's good.
Steakhouses are a vibrant a part of American culinary tradition. Nevertheless, the excessive prices of opening a beef-fed operation in an already costly Southern California market, together with issues concerning the environmental harm of livestock manufacturing and consumption, have contributed to a steakhouse slowdown in recent times. Among the area's most notable openings of late embody Steak 48 in Beverly Hills, Pendry Newport Seashore's formidable Set Steak & Sushi, and the glitzy Catch Steak in West Hollywood.
In Sherman Oaks, BLVD Steak debuted final November from the identical restaurant group that launched Japanese robata restaurant Taisho in 2021 and Mexican spot Casita in 2022; the 2 eating places are situated a couple of blocks aside. BLVD Steak is a dimly lit place that seats 235 diners in 7,000 sq. toes, with an oblong bar and again patios that replenish rapidly on weekends with regulars who reside on or round Ventura Boulevard. Behind the range and white-hot grill is Progressive Eating Group veteran chef Adam Titze. Right here's the scene at BLVD Steak on Saturday, March 9, 2024 round 6pm
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The logistics: With out a reservation, planning a go to to BLVD Steak from Thursday to Sunday might yield unsuccessful outcomes. On my Saturday night time go to, the bar was heaving with drinkers as the gang waited by the door for a free desk or barstool. Though weekends could be busy, tax season is a notoriously gradual time for many LA eating places. Operators even have some respiratory room given Coachella and spring break. Parking could be scarce on Ventura Boulevard after 6 pm, so valet makes life simpler; simply search for the intense white facade with a daring black signal on the nook of Matilija Avenue.
The ambiance: BLVD Steak is in style with established celebrities within the San Fernando Valley. Relying on the night time, acquainted faces might embody music producers, recording artists (Dr. Dre, mannequin Sommer Ray, and NBA legend Jerry West and his spouse Karen are buyers), actors and leisure executives who could also be pop in for a fast chunk or linger over an extended meal. I spied 4 heavyweights on my go to and plenty of extra that instantly made me assume, “I do know I noticed that in X film or TV present.”
For many who dined there throughout Te'Kila's tenure, no remnants of the shuttered Mexican restaurant stay. The rear parking zone has been transformed right into a 100-person coated patio wrapped in white with customized tile. The inside combines LA model with East Coast aesthetics with its emerald counters and black partitions. The primary eating room will get darkish after sundown; wi-fi lights above every desk assist illuminate the blackest partitions.
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The menu: BLVD Steak will get huge factors for a well-organized menu the place the steak is entrance and middle, accurately. The usual petit filet could be simply as satisfying because the dry-aged 42-ounce tomahawk steak, whereas the wagyu part has three decadent choices. Teams marvel on the seafood towers whereas sipping wine. Most tables ordered the lobster skewers with soy, garlic and Fresno chiles. Pescatarians simply discover one thing grilled and attractive, whereas the spaghetti and wagyu meatballs are preferrred for individuals who will not be in a giant meat kind of temper. The servers are these you will have met within the metropolis in different high-end locations, the kind of seasoned professionals who can suggest the right dish to accompany their protein of selection.
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Drinks: The cocktail menu doesn't reinvent the wheel, however the drinks are well-made and vary from $17 to $23. Strive classics like a martini, a lemon drop, a white negroni and a watermelon margarita, or stray to the wild aspect for a caprese-inspired martini shaken with Grey Goose, Campari, tomato easy syrup and sherry vinegar, and topped with contemporary mozzarella. The wine listing hits each worth level and varietal, with 18 pours obtainable by the glass or half bottle. A lot of the wines are from Northern California and Paso Robles, with a handful from New Zealand and Italy, and a big selection of Champagne. The homeowners put a fairly priced rosé from Domaine De Cala on the menu for $40.
The decision: Be ready for a little bit of sticker shock, as you possibly can't go away BLVD Steak for lower than $150 per individual – that's a conservative estimate for a drink, an appetizer and an entree. However so far as splurges go, a meal right here seems hit after hit with service, taste and vibe.
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