Hollywood’s Famous Musso & Frank Grill (Update for 2024)
2024 Update
The iconic Musso & Frank Grill has been around since 1919, so it clearly has an enthusiastic following. I have been there more times that I can count but Harriet had actually never been. We were taking our daughters to see Mama Mia (also on repeat but who doesn’t love Mama Mia) at The Pantages Theatre just down Hollywood Boulevard. We decided that Musso & Frank was the perfect place for a pre-theatre dinner. I am definitely not deleting the previous post as it seems to be of interest to some of you, but thought we would just add some new food selections.
See below for some new additions (all in italics in case you have previously read the post)
The History of the Grill
Musso & Frank Grill has been a Los Angeles landmark since 1919 and was the first restaurant in Hollywood to serve all-day breakfast. It's seen some of the biggest stars, including Humphrey Bogart, Charles Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and more. With its classic atmosphere and original recipes, Musso & Frank Grill has remained an eternal testament to the Golden Era of movie magic. And the magic continues today. Although Musso & Frank’s celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2019, it is still a spot for the famous to dine. More recent sightings have included Jack Nicholson, Paul Dano, Mila Kunis and Joseph-Gordon Levitt just to name a few. If you happened to catch Quintin Tarantino’s film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Musso & Frank Grill was prominently featured. It’s must visit for Hollywood visitors and Southern California locals alike!
A Few New Appetizers We Loved
Harriet and the girls are big oyster fans so we started with an amazing presentation of fresh oysters. Even I tried a few and I must admit they were very tasty!
Oysters on the Half Shell
$26.00
Just in case oysters aren’t your thing, the shrimp cocktail is sure to be a winner. When you read this blog it almost seems that everything on the menu is pretty fabulous. It’s true..at least the dishes we have tried have been so yummy. I know it’s rather”old school” but isn’t that the point?
Shrimp Cocktail
$23.00
Adding Some Entrees We Hadn’t Tried
Not to be redundant, but as we keep adding dishes are we making it seem as though everything is great? Actually the food will not disappoint no matter what you choose. Here are some of the new dishes we tried for the first time.
Rib Eye Steak
$53.00
Swordfish
$39.00
Chicken Parmigiana
$32.00
Justa few comments about the entrees… The Rib Eye is huge so it was easily shared between Harriet and her daughter Lindsay. The Swordfish is served two ways: Saute” Meuniere or Grilled. I chose grilled but added a sauce. The Chicken Parm is huge and it’s also made to order. So if you are in a hurry, it’s probably better not to order. And, of course, we needed sides to go with our entrees. Here they are..
A Couple of Sides
Potatoes Au Gratin
$15.00
Creamed Spinach
$15.00
If you chose a simple entre like steak or swordfish, there is always the option of adding a sauce. The choices (Hollandaise, Bearnaise, Musso & Frank Sauce or Green Peppercorn)are all $9.00 and certainly worth it!
Our dinner was perfection. We love the whole “rat pack” vibe of Musso & Frank. The food is delicious, the staff is so accommodating and the ambiance will take you back to another era. It is certainly not inexpensive, but it is definitely worth the price. If you want to read about my birthday experience at Musso & Frank, continue on. Harriet loved her first visit and I love it no matter how many times I visit. It was such a wonderful evening that we missed the entire first act of Mama Mia!
Apps, Cocktails, and Entrees You Don’t Want to Miss
If you’re looking for a very eclectic menu, one that pays homage to retro dishes served years ago as well as fantastic steaks and seafood, look no further than Musso & Frank. It is impossible to put a label on the offerings. The menu is extensive. Rather than trying to categorize Musso & Frank menu, let’s just peruse some of the dishes.
Let’s begin with the appetizers. When was the last time you saw stuffed celery on a menu? To prove how diverse the menu is, you can also select baked escargot or steak tartare. Can you say “eclectic”?
Welsh Rarebit
Another dish that is certainly not popular on typical LA menus, Welsh Rarebit is one of the Classic Dishes
Daily Features
Check out the daily offerings at Musso & Frank. Another obvious example of menu diversity!
There is also a large Italian section of the menu. Probably the most famous dish is the Original Fettuccine Alfredo but the Spaghetti and Meatballs look amazing. One of my favorite dishes, Rigatoni with Vodka, is also available. It’s much too difficult to pick!
Of course there is a large selection of meats…after all it is named Musso & Frank Grill! From steaks to chops to lamb kidney, there is something for everyone. But more on that in a sec..
Muss & Frank offer a very large selection of wine and spirits. The wine list is notable; they have been awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for years including 2022. However, the classic cocktails is likely what they are known best, especially the martini. There description of the martini is definitely worth reading
‘Our bar is notorious for classic cocktails, especially our Martini. We serve our Martini stirred and NEVER shaken to preserve the texture of your liquor of choice. We use a smaller martini cup and pour the rest of your drink a small glass decanter placed in a special ice bucket filled with crushed ice where it will rest at the right temperature.’
My Birthday Celebration
Although my birthday was a few months ago, it’s been hard to connect with my dear friend Lourdes. Finally we were able to come up with a date and when she asked where I wanted to dine, I said Musso & Frank Grill. It was uch a fun evening. I have already talked about how great this Hollywood institution is, so I will simply relay our food and fun for the evening!
The food at Musso & Frank is to die for. Lourdes’ Menu: New York Steak, Mac and Cheese, and her very first Martini!
My Menu Selections: Wedge Salad, Garlic Chicken from the Classics Menu, Dirty Martini and a special birthday dessert selected by our waiter!
The service at Muss & Frank is impeccable. Our waiter was charming: attentive but not hovering. Once he found out it was my birthday celebration, I got a lovely birthday card from the front desk, and a fabulous brownie with ice cream for dessert. If you are yearning for Hollywood nostalgia and a throwback to previous times, I cannot recommend this restaurant more highly. It is an institution that has lasted over 100 years (and that never happens in LA) It is one of my favorite places to dine. It’s always packed so be sure to make a reservation. You will not be disappointed as you are transported to another time and place!
