Hope to see you at The Red Lion Tavern tomorrow evening!

Click here for the details!

Okay, here we go again. My plan is to revive Classic Eats this coming Saturday, November 19th. Please join me, and hopefully others, at The Red Lion Tavern in Silver Lake.

The Red Lion Tavern in Silver Lake is a German Gasthaus and Beer Garden that was established in 1959 as an English pub. When the ownership changed in 1963, it took on its German theme. There’s food, lots of beer, and atmosphere at the Red Lion. Come out this Saturday, November 19th at 6:30pm to have a bite to eat, a drink, and hang out with writers and readers of Blogging.la. If you missed a chance to celebrate Oktoberfest, now you can!

Classic Eats #15
Saturday, November 19th at 6:30pm

Red Lion Tavern
2366 Glendale Blvd 
Los Angeles, CA 90039-3209

The Red Lion Tavern is about 5 miles north of downtown L.A. It’s located just south of Silver Lake Boulevard. Limited parking is available in lots on either side of the building. There is also plenty of street parking in the vicinity. Leave a comment or drop me a line if you plan to attend so I know how many seats to snag.

Due to the overwhelming response from people who are unable to attend, tonight’s Classic Eats will be postponed until further notice. Basically, I don’t want to be eating sausages alone. Look for more details soon!

In the spirit of the season of things coming back to life, I thought it was time to bring back Classic Eats and continue our enjoyment of L.A. restaurants and bars that have been around longer than most of us have lived here. From my calculations, this will be Classic Eats #15 and it’s going to be a fast and simple one. By that, I mean it’s happening later this week and there’s no voting because I already decided on the location.

The Red Lion Tavern in Silver Lake is a German Gasthaus and Beer Garden that was established in 1959 as an English pub. When the ownership changed in 1963, it took on its German theme. There’s food, lots of beer, and atmosphere at the Red Lion. Come out this Friday, November 4th at 7pm to have a bite to eat, a drink, and hang out with writers and readers of Blogging.la. If you missed a chance to celebrate Oktoberfest, now you can!

Classic Eats #15
Friday, November 4th at 7pm

Red Lion Tavern
2366 Glendale Blvd 
Los Angeles, CA 90039-3209

The Red Lion Tavern is about 5 miles north of downtown L.A. It’s located just south of Silver Lake Boulevard. Limited parking is available in lots on either side of the building. There is also plenty of street parking in the vicinity. Leave a comment or drop me a line if you plan to attend.

It was a dark and stormy night, but that didn’t stop Classic Eats #14 from being a fun gathering of classic eaters!

The evening started with cocktails at Traxx at Union Station and while the bachelor party that was also there was a bit, uh, loud, their theme shirts were sort of amusing. Luckily their train was called and we had some quieter time to chat about cigars, whiskey and guns.

Soon it was time to eat and we slogged through the pouring rain to Phillipes to partake of the yummy dipped sandwiches. Comfort food on a rainy night — who could ask for more?

I had to try the pickled eggs. They are delicious!

The gang enjoying their feast.

CLOWNS!

Thanks to all who joined in the Classic Eats fun.

As to the farewell part of this blog post — This will be my last Classic Eats as I am stepping down from Blogging.LA and moving on to other things. I have loved my three and a half years of blogging here, the highlight being Hot Dot Death March. I have gotten to know my beloved LA even better than expected and have also gained wonderful friends here at BLA. Thank you for all the fun!

Rain or Shine – we’ll be at Traxx and Phillipe’s! looking forward to seeing you there.

Classic Eats #14 – Downtown Delights
Saturday February 19
5:30 at Traxx inside Union Station
7:00 (ish) at Phillipe’s

Union Station – Traxx – Classic cocktails in a classic location. All your train travel fantasies come true.

Phillipe‘s - They claim to be the original french dip sandwich place! Their mustard is pretty damn good too. I should know.

Classic Eats #14 is on Saturday February 19!

And while normally I set up a voting system and give you options to choose from, I’m going to make it so much easier for all of us. (And by “all of us” I mean me.) Classic Eats #14 is going to be a reprise of Classic Eats #2: Downtown Delights – Union Station and Phillipe’s.

It was two years ago (how time flies) that we had a great gang of folks come down to Traxx at Union Station for a cocktail before walking the two blocks to Phillipe’s where we all had some classic LA nosh and a star sighting to boot! (Adam Arkin)

I want to relive that awesome night and I want you to join in.

Classic Eats #14 – Downtown Delights
Saturday February 19
5:30 at Traxx inside Union Station
7:00 (ish) at Phillipe’s

Union Station – Traxx – Classic cocktails in a classic location. All your train travel fantasies come true.

Phillipe‘s - They claim to be the original french dip sandwich place! Their mustard is pretty damn good too. I should know.

Classic Eats!

Last Saturday night was Classic Eats #13 and for a few minutes there, I thought it was going to be just me. But a few minutes later Vampiress joined me and it was a twosome for the evening. And I would like to say, you all missed OUT!

Pann’s is a classic 50′s diner with all the details you love, long counter, big vinyl booths and a menu full of milkshakes. Also classic? The owner, Jim Poulos, son of the original owner George Panagopoulos, who opened the place in 1958. Jim was incredibly friendly, telling us great stories, including one about how his father went to court to legally change their last name to Pann, but was shot down in front of the judge by his wife who said they might have a son named Peter and she would NOT accept the name Peter Pann. The choice became Poulos and the restaurant name is history.

The food goes beyond what you think of as “just diner food.” Every weekend they smoke their own beef and pork for ribs and brisket. They make most of their own breads and biscuits and did I mention the milkshakes? HEAVEN!

The palm trees and neon sign greet you from the parking lot.

The door itself is, um, uh….well I’m not sure what it is (art?) but I know I like it.

Here is the awesome interior taken by Vampiress:

Vampiress has a full flickr set here, check it out!

She ordered the Saturday night special of Brisket and kindly gave me a bite. The BBQ sauce is yummy and the brisket required no knife at all.

I went with the classic Dreamburger and fries. The fries arrived just the way I like them — extra crunchy! The burger was perfectly cooked and oh so juicy. Mmmmmm.

Then we went wild and ordered milkshakes. Somehow we were so drunk on the creamy dairy goodness we never took a photo! The shakes arrived in the classic tall shake glass with the silver sidecar still half full of milkshake! Lactose intolerant? Wow, stay clear of these! There are about 20 different flavors to choose from. There lots of other fountain desserts as well, but that will have to be another visit.

Then it was time to head over to the Buggy Whip, but as were were both FULL we simply had a soft drink, soaked up the interior and called it a night. The Buggy Whip has some classic signage:

I especially love this sign for the piano player “Fabulous and Talented.” AND talented?? Dude, I’m there. Sadly, we were too early for the musical piano stylings of Peter Wagner. So much to come back for.

Tomorrow night is it! Classic Eats #13 at Pann’s and The Buggy Whip.

5PM at Pann’s then after some classic diner yumminess, we will have dessert or post dinner cocktails at The Buggy Whip at 6:30. As ever I’ll have my big sign out.

Please let me know if you are coming so I can save enough space. Over 35 people voted but only two people confirmed. Easier to get a table that way but not nearly as much fun!

See you tomorrow night!

Pann’s
6710 La Tijera Blvd
LA 90045
323-776-3770

The Buggy Whip
7420 La Tijera Blvd.
LA 90045
(310) 645-7131

Thanks to all who voted for their candidate for Classic Eats 13!

The Winner with 50% of the vote is: LAX Adjacent – Pann’s and The Buggy Whip!

We will meet at 5:00pm this Saturday night (11/6) at Pann’s for classic Googie signage and awesome diner nosh, then traipse on over for an after dinner cocktail at The Buggy Whip around 6:30pm. As ever, look for me with the Classic Eats sign at both places.

If you are going to come this Classic Eats, please comment and let me know so I can save enough space at each place.

Thanks for voting and I look forward to seeing you there!

Pann’s
6710 La Tijera Blvd
LA 90045
323-776-3770

The Buggy Whip
7420 La Tijera Blvd.
LA 90045
(310) 645-7131

As of this very moment (the moment in which I’m writing, not the moment in which you are reading) The LAX Adjacent option is leading the polls! Bahooka is a sorta close second and also participating: Traxx/Philippe’s.

If you haven’t voted – DO IT! If you have voted, thank you and please coerce all your regular friends and lizard friends to join in.

Classic Eats #13 is Saturday, November 6 and our theme is: Post Election Comfort Eating. No matter who or what you voted for on November 2, let’s all get together and celebrate with or cry into some comforting classic LA eats.

The evening will begin at approximately 5-5:30pm (depending on where we go) You have three candidates/propositions to choose from (see below) and when you have decided, please click here to vote!

No matter where we go, I look forward to seeing you there! Vote Vote Vote!

Downtown Delights

I’m pulling up a classic night from the Classic Eats archive: Classic Eats #2 from January 2009. This was such a great combo, I want to do it again! We will start at that awesome LA Landmark: Union Station and have a lovely cocktail at Traxx Bar while admiring the fab spanish/deco train station. Many of you ride the rails in LA so you have probably been to/through Union Station a few times. It’s like stepping back in time. And Phillipe’s is over 100 years old, which is OLD for LA, so let’s go dipping!

Union Station (Traxx)
Phillipe’s

Off The Hook: Bahooka

This might be a trek for some of you, but hey, it’s going to be so worth it! This place is INSANE! Born in 1967, full of fish tanks and fish of every color and type and size, wacky giant sized tikis and even crazier flaming drinks. I’d never heard about it until recently, but dang, it looks worth the trip! I can’t do it justice. Click that link!

Bahooka
4501 N. Rosemead Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 285-1241 -or- (626) 285-7514

LAX Adjacent: Pann’s and The Buggy Whip

If you’ve raced to catch a plane, speeding along La Tijera from mid-city, you’ve seen both Pann’s and The Buggy Whip. Maybe you’ve promised yourself “One of these days I’ll leave enough time to stop in.” Now’s your chance! Pann’s has been a Googie landmark and family owned since 1958. They’ve got excellent, classic diner food, served in an excellent, classic diner. It’s so classic that movies shoot there often. You may recall Pulp Fiction’s diner scene…?? That was Pann’s. Just look at all that Googie Goodness! The Buggy Whip is a classic red velvet booth, live piano player, bar/lounge/restaurant/banquet room all in one. It’s been named one of the best steak places in LA and is a bit pricey to prove it. I thought it best to start at Pann’s then mosey over to the ‘Whip for a post dinner cocktail or dessert in the lounge. I’m hoping there is a giant brandy snifter on the piano for tips…

Pann’s
6710 La Tijera Blvd
LA 90045
323-776-3770

The Buggy Whip
7420 La Tijera Blvd.
LA 90045
(310) 645-7131

Saturday, November 6 is Classic Eats #13 and our theme is: Post Election Comfort Eating. No matter who or what you voted for on November 2, let’s all get together and celebrate with or cry into some comforting classic LA eats.

The evening will begin at approximately 5-5:30pm (depending on where we go) to give you plenty of time to come and share in the history of LA eateries then move on to more modern Saturday endeavors. But then again, you may never leave as some Classic Eats Evenings have been known to hit midnight!

You have three candidates/propositions to choose from and they are:

Downtown Delights (Classic Eats Reprise): Traxx and Philippe’s
Off The Hook: Bahooka
LAX Adjacent: Pann’s and The Buggy Whip

Scroll down to read about them all in greater detail. When you have decided, please click here to vote!

No matter where we go, I look forward to seeing you there! Vote Vote Vote!

Downtown Delights

I’m pulling up a classic night from the Classic Eats archive: Classic Eats #2 from January 2009. This was such a great combo, I want to do it again! We will start at that awesome LA Landmark: Union Station and have a lovely cocktail at Traxx Bar while admiring the fab spanish/deco train station. Many of you ride the rails in LA so you have probably been to/through Union Station a few times. It’s like stepping back in time. And Phillipe’s is over 100 years old, which is OLD for LA, so let’s go dipping!

Union Station (Traxx)
Phillipe’s

Off The Hook: Bahooka

This might be a trek for some of you, but hey, it’s going to be so worth it! This place is INSANE! Born in 1967, full of fish tanks and fish of every color and type and size, wacky giant sized tikis and even crazier flaming drinks. I’d never heard about it until recently, but dang, it looks worth the trip! I can’t do it justice. Click that link!

Bahooka
4501 N. Rosemead Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 285-1241 -or- (626) 285-7514

LAX Adjacent: Pann’s and The Buggy Whip

If you’ve raced to catch a plane, speeding along La Tijera from mid-city, you’ve seen both Pann’s and The Buggy Whip. Maybe you’ve promised yourself “One of these days I’ll leave enough time to stop in.” Now’s your chance! Pann’s has been a Googie landmark and family owned since 1958. They’ve got excellent, classic diner food, served in an excellent, classic diner. It’s so classic that movies shoot there often. You may recall Pulp Fiction’s diner scene…?? That was Pann’s. Just look at all that Googie Goodness! The Buggy Whip is a classic red velvet booth, live piano player, bar/lounge/restaurant/banquet room all in one. It’s been named one of the best steak places in LA and is a bit pricey to prove it. I thought it best to start at Pann’s then mosey over to the ‘Whip for a post dinner cocktail or dessert in the lounge. I’m hoping there is a giant brandy snifter on the piano for tips…

Pann’s
6710 La Tijera Blvd
LA 90045
323-776-3770

The Buggy Whip
7420 La Tijera Blvd.
LA 90045
(310) 645-7131

Classic Eats #12 was a great time, thanks to everyone who came out – regulars and newbies! There were a lucky 13 of us all together and much delicious discounted dinner was eaten and photographed.

Fellow B.LA blogger Jodi was there with her S.O. Eric, they ate and hung out with plenty of time to spare before their evening at the Hollywood Bowl. Janna, another B.LAer also came, holding court at the other end of the table. New Classic Eaters (and former lurkers) Donielle and Tony were also there. Hooray for bringing the people out from the shadows! I also loved all the awesome regulars coming again, though we missed Jeff and Donna and Mr. Hooks!

We were seated at a large table beyond the bar (not in the main dining room). Some of us got to sit in a classic red booth, which of course, made the evening that much more awesome. You would have found us by going past this fab sign:

Photo by Donielle (New To Classic Eats!)

Most everyone had MEAT as this was The Smokehouse after all. (Remember this is “Classic Eats” not “Healthy Eats”.) The proportions were all hefty with many a doggy bag leaving with us. We were all really pleased with the amazing 25% discount on any dinner menu item if you order before 6.

Two of our party ordered the Chateaubriand and it was served in style, tableside.

Photo by Shana Hagan

The finished presentation. I had a bite and it was tasty.

Photo by Shana Hagan

Old school cocktail service

A photographer came around wanting to sell us a group photo. (She seemed perplexed when she asked what the occasion was and the best we could do was “It’s August 21st!”) We got this multi imaged one for free and had the option of buying a 5×7 for $16/each or $11/each if we purchased more than one. We politely declined.  We waited for the Captain to come by, but he never did…

Hey, are we on a cruise ship?

The signage at the Smokehouse is great.

Photo by Donielle

Thanks for another great Classic Eats Evening! Cheers to all who came and cheers to those we’ll see next time. Watch this space for news on Classic Eats 13!

Photo by Shana Hagan

See Donielle’s full flickr set here. Non labeled photos by moi.