Tana's Restaurant

(310) 275-9444

9071 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90069 34.0818 -118.389

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Neighborhoods: West Hollywood, Central LA

DANTANASRESTAURANT.COM

Years in business

Established in 1964

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 6.04.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Celeb Hangout, People Watching, Business Dining, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Tana's Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Aging celebs, sports legends and a group of deeply tanned babes cram into Dan Tana's red leather booths. Charming and unpretentious despite its clientele, the tightly packed rooms swarm with high-pitched good cheer and the bustle of tuxedoed waiters. Taking its cue from '50s-era red-sauce joints, the simple Italian menu is loaded with garlic. Entrees include Italian classics like penne, spaghetti and gnocchi. For dessert, cheesecake is a perfect complement to the semi-permanent halo of garlic. – – –

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Clear sightlines--to the bustling bar and glitterati-packed booths--make sliding into table three's Naugahyde wraparound a wise move.
Know Before You Go:
Grease the palm that seats you. Even with reservations, you'll get a much better table if you add a little green in the right hand.
ambiance
80.0% positive
  1. “The food is consistently good, the service is very attentive, and the atmosphere is cozy and old Hollywoodish.”
  2. “its the perfect location, is small enough to be personal, yes there are celebs now and then, but not that you'd notice, unless you looked, then your rude.”
  3. “my recommendation from the menu, well its all good, but the lobster fra diavalo, sat at the bar at the end of a hectic or romantic day, is just the best way to feel good.”
  4. “If you don't love waiters making fun of you for picking up leftover sauce with bread, or saying that they are used to being annoyed because they too have a girlfriend, then this place might not be for you.”
  5. “Its a "price to pay," in more ways that one, but the unique atmosphere makes up for it.”
  6. “went recently with some work colleagues and while I really enjoyed the experience I thought it wasn't the best location to have a work discussion.”
  7. “The decor was classic Hollywood, and of course the food tastes amazing.”
  8. “It was a cozy yet exciting restaurant with all ages there.”
  9. “We've always had great food and great fun at Tana's.”
  10. “My out of town friends love the celeb sightings, our LA friends love the atmosphere, and my dad- who doesn't care about celebs or atmosphere- loves it for the food.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “We all enjoyed our meal and were really full after that and barely had room for desert!”
  2. “And don't miss out on the delish cappuccino ice cream.”
drinks
90.0% positive
  1. “my recommendation from the menu, well its all good, but the lobster fra diavalo, sat at the bar at the end of a hectic or romantic day, is just the best way to feel good.”
  2. “The doorman recommended Dan Tana's for a drink.”
  3. “The Eggplant Parmesan was delicious and the wine was decent and very affordable.”
  4. “Good food, good drink and charming service made this one of my favourite memories of the trip.”
  5. “The scallop saute was delicious, the chicken parm was everything I heard it was, the shrimp scampi was garlic heaven, and the drinks were stiff.”
food quality
86.11000061035156% positive
  1. “Bad food and customer service”
  2. “Rather order a pizza than going to that restaurant again.”
  3. “The decor was classic Hollywood, and of course the food tastes amazing.”
  4. “The scallop saute was delicious, the chicken parm was everything I heard it was, the shrimp scampi was garlic heaven, and the drinks were stiff.”
  5. “The chicken was great though.”
  6. “The menu was extensive and I thought the Caesar salad was the best I'd had in years.”
  7. “The food is consistently good, the service is very attentive, and the atmosphere is cozy and old Hollywoodish.”
  8. “The food is great - a real East Coast experience - and it's like being with family.”
  9. “If you don't love waiters making fun of you for picking up leftover sauce with bread, or saying that they are used to being annoyed because they too have a girlfriend, then this place might not be for you.”
  10. “The Eggplant Parmesan was delicious and the wine was decent and very affordable.”
  11. “Your not going to find Michelin Toques at DT's but the cuisine is truly excellent.”
  12. “My out of town friends love the celeb sightings, our LA friends love the atmosphere, and my dad- who doesn't care about celebs or atmosphere- loves it for the food.”
  13. “love historic restaurants, Hollywood history, and Italian food.”
  14. “The food is affordable.”
  15. “We all enjoyed our meal and were really full after that and barely had room for desert!”
  16. “It is now where I go after I have tried out the new hip restaurants and need some good food once again.”
  17. “Service is unfailingly excellent, and the food is (old school) fabulous.”
  18. “Very expensive poor quality food”
  19. “Good food, good drink and charming service made this one of my favourite memories of the trip.”
  20. “Did I have the best steak I've ever eaten?”
  21. “It's a tiny place that's always packed, they serve great food (one of the best steaks period!)”
  22. “We've always had great food and great fun at Tana's.”
  23. “Certainly unique, but thats some good italian food.”
  24. “The Service was great, food was great, prices a little pricey (we are in Bev Hills) but well worth it.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “my recommendation from the menu, well its all good, but the lobster fra diavalo, sat at the bar at the end of a hectic or romantic day, is just the best way to feel good.”
  2. “The menu was extensive and I thought the Caesar salad was the best I'd had in years.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is the best place in LA.”
service
64.28999900817871% positive
  1. “Bad food and customer service”
  2. “We were lucky enough to be seated in the front room thanks to Craig, the most awesome Maitre d' / manager.”
  3. “Place is extremely noisy with people who are overrated and too impressed to be polite.”
  4. “The place is quite small and it appeared people enjoyed hanging out there, so it's no wonder the wait is what it is.”
  5. “very rude employees”
  6. “Good food, good drink and charming service made this one of my favourite memories of the trip.”
  7. “Service was super friendly.”
  8. “Once at the table, our waiter, I thought, had an old school, fast talking way about him , that I liked as well, but my girlfriend wasn't a huge fan.”
  9. “The person who answered the phone gave me a "great" impression of what the staff is like--horrible!”
  10. “you are the one place good service and quailty still exists.”
  11. “What some people may consider rude and pretentious service, I found to be tongue-in-cheek and feisty.”
  12. “If you don't love waiters making fun of you for picking up leftover sauce with bread, or saying that they are used to being annoyed because they too have a girlfriend, then this place might not be for you.”
  13. “The food is consistently good, the service is very attentive, and the atmosphere is cozy and old Hollywoodish.”
  14. “The service was so good the waiter we had was really caring and the attention to everything was impeccable.”
  15. “The host was very nice to us as well as our waiter (who at first, we thought were the same person b/c they looked similar).”
  16. “The waiter was friendly and funny.”
  17. “Most of the staff has been there for a long time, and there's a great sense of excitement and humor there.”
  18. “its the perfect location, is small enough to be personal, yes there are celebs now and then, but not that you'd notice, unless you looked, then your rude.”
  19. “The service was excellent.”
  20. “do understand why people seem to "rave" about this place.”
  21. “The employees are very rude, especially on the phone.”
value
59.52000141143799% positive
  1. “The Eggplant Parmesan was delicious and the wine was decent and very affordable.”
  2. “Martinis are good & expensive, but watch out.”
  3. “The food is affordable.”
  4. “Very expensive poor quality food”
  5. “Once at the table, our waiter, I thought, had an old school, fast talking way about him , that I liked as well, but my girlfriend wasn't a huge fan.”
  6. “The Service was great, food was great, prices a little pricey (we are in Bev Hills) but well worth it.”
  7. “Its a "price to pay," in more ways that one, but the unique atmosphere makes up for it.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Most of the staff has been there for a long time, and there's a great sense of excitement and humor there.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/10/12

my favorite place

by Andrew Wilcox

This restaurant features great pizza, delicious pasta and a nice atmosphere. It's one of my favorite places to get Italian food.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/09/11

Dana Tana's

by Penny3858

The staff was great, but the food was just okay. They don't toss or cook the pasta with the sauce. My spaghetti with meatballs was plain pasta with the sauce thrown on top. It's a very noisy place, so if you want to have dinner conversation, that doesn't not entail you yelling, I suggest going somewhere else. Very over priced for what it is. I could have had a better spaghetti and meatballs a block from where I live at half the price.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/06/10

An LA MUST Do!!

by tvbill

You'll be sitting at the bar sipping your cocktail that Mike has just served you. Sitting to your right eating dinner at the bar is Sir Beh Kingsley. To your left is a ne'er-do-well who's so broke he can't pay attention. Gorgeous girls and floozies. Gamblers and businessmen. Look for regulars such as George Clooney, James Wood, Sean Penn, Ron Jeremy, Harry Dean Stanton, Dabney Coleman and MANY more. DT's (Dan Tana's is known as DT's in the inner circles) Chef Nano does a brilliant job. Your not going to find Michelin Toques at DT's but the cuisine is truly excellent. DT's is a bit 'cliquey'. But the moment you walk in, your now 'in' the inner circle. DT's is a private club open to everyone!

  • Pros: Like Elaine's in New York, you must experience DT's
  • Cons: Too small. Very busy. Reservation times are rarely respecte
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/20/09

as good as it gets

by dave m j

Ok....dan tanas....its the perfect location, is small enough to be personal, yes there are celebs now and then, but not that you'd notice, unless you looked, then your rude....you arrive, sit at the bar or a table, and are served by middle aged, experienced men, with a sense of humour and cockyness that makes you feel immediately at home....no bunny girls with tight tops...so you can take a beautiful girl or a wonderful wife to dinner without having an argument cause you couldn't help but notice, so no distractions....the food, well, i challenge anyone to find fault, even when its packed, the standard is still the same, its not cheap, but good things never are, they are special so have a special price, so dont look at the bill just enjoy....the bar....well, the bar is mike, not a bar, hes funny, rude but in a wonderfully polite way and always shares a drink and a laugh with you, he never asks if you need change, this place i so above that.....my recommendation from the menu, well its all good, but the lobster fra diavalo, sat at the bar at the end of a hectic or romantic day, is just the best way to feel good. i have been coming here for 25 years and never once have i had room to complain and am always congratulated by the people i bring with me on my choice.....thanks dan tanas....you are the one place good service and quailty still exists....dave

  • Pros: whatever you order your in for a suprise
  • Cons: sometimes its a little busy
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/03/09

Great place to celebrate an event!

by rsmorrow

This restaurant is much smaller than I expected. I went recently with some work colleagues and while I really enjoyed the experience I thought it wasn't the best location to have a work discussion. There were FIVE birthday celebrations (on a Sunday night!) so it's definitely the place for special events. The menu was extensive and I thought the Caesar salad was the best I'd had in years. The Eggplant Parmesan was delicious and the wine was decent and very affordable. I would definitely go back!

  • Pros: small and intimate, ambiance, food, fun
  • Cons: loud, small, crowded

The Details on Tana's Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great italian food
  • very attentive service
  • simply amazing place
  • rude customer service
  • funny waiter
  • overrated people
  • worst dining experience
  • expensive martinis
  • unique experience
  • rude employees
  • not best location
  • unique atmosphere
  • old hollywoodish
  • bad quality food
  • good diavalo
  • not that big dan tannas
  • delish cappuccino ice cream
  • great chicken
  • all enjoyed meal
  • love historic restaurants
  • great sense
  • obnoxious kids
  • horrible staff
  • very affordable wine
  • recommended doorman
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