Step out of the tourist trap–laden, frat-boy noise of Hollywood Boulevard in 2013, and step into what is basically a time capsule — Los Angeles circa 1948. Musso & Frank is famous as the hangout of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Chandler and William Faulkner, and it still delivers the same vibe, the same style of service and the same completely outdated food that it has been serving for 94 years. There are things worth eating on this menu, things you simply don't see anymore — lobster thermidor, mushrooms on toast, liver and onions — and there's a lot worth skipping. But there are countless places in Los Angeles to get a decent meal, and only a handful that act as a living museum to the food and dining culture of the past. Musso & Frank is the granddaddy of these spots, and also the most charming and the most fun. If nothing else, a martini or Manhattan at the bar, served by one of the gruff, red-uniformed bartenders (some have been serving here for 60-plus years), is one of the most essential of all essential L.A. experiences. 6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; (323) 467-7788, mussoandfrank.com. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Entrees $24-$43. Full bar.

 

Besha Rodell's Introduction

Anne Fishbein's Photography

The Google Map

 

The 99 Essential Restaurants List:

A-Frame
Alma
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Animal
Attari Sandwich Shop
Bäco Mercat
Bar Amá
The Bazaar
Bestia
BierBeisl
Bludso's
Cacao Mexicatessen
Canelé
La Casita Mexicana
Cemitas Poblanas Elviritas
Chichen Itza
Chung King
Cole's
Coni'Seafood
Cube Cafe & Marketplace
Din Tai Fung
Eva
Father's Office
Fred 62
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Go's Mart
Il Grano
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Hatfield's
Ha Tien Quan
Hawkins House of Burgers
Hayat's Kitchen
El Huarache Azteca
Huckleberry
The Hungry Cat
ink.
Jar
Jitlada
JTYH Heavy Noodle II
Kang Ho Dong Baekjong
Kiriko
Kiyokawa
Kogi Truck
Krua Siri
L&E Oyster Bar
Langer's
Little Dom's
Lucques
Ludo Truck
Lukshon
Mariscos Jalisco
Matsuhisa
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Milo and Olive
Mo-Chica
Musso & Frank
Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa
Nickel Diner
Night + Market
Oinkster
Osteria Mozza
Pann's
Pa-Ord Noodle
El Parian
Park's BBQ
Philippe the Original
Picca
Pink's
Pizzeria Mozza
Playa
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
R&R Soul Food
Ración
Red Medicine
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Rivera
Rocio's Moles de los Dioses
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Savoy Kitchen
Sea Harbour
Shanghai No. 1 Village Seafood
Soban
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
The Spice Table
Superba Snack Bar
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The Tasting Kitchen
Tavern
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Vincenti Ristorante
Wurstküche
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