Buggy Whip
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: (310) 645-7131
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- 74th Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat 4pm-10pm, Sun 4pm-9pm
Editorial Review for Buggy Whip – by Martha Burr
The Scene
The atmosphere is as thick and nostalgic as the steaks. Shady-looking suits rub elbows with ageless blond regulars, a spattering of martini-sipping hipsters and a relentless piano player ready for his close up. Red vinyl booths, old-time waiters and Currier and Ives lithographs round out this surreal, decades-old L.A. "coach house."
The Food
The classic American fare includes fantastically tender, plump and glistening shrimp cocktail. Equally celebrated is the Green Goddess dressing, the highlight of an exuberantly tableside-tossed salad--and remarkably addictive despite its unearthly hue. Prime rib is generous, fatty and running with juices, but the steak is the center of this universe. Filet comes thick and tender, outclassed only by the deep-flavored N.Y. sirloin, beautifully peppered and perfectly aged. A creamy, old-fashioned cheesecake adds the final cholesterol boost.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyEarly-bird dinners run from 4pm to 6:30pm and offer main courses like meat loaf or pork roast with soup and salad. The concurrent bar-side happy hour features complimentary hors d'oeuvres.
Where to SitFor music with your meal, sit in the front room. Peter Wagner has played and sung for 15 years and draws a crowd. For quiet conversation, sit in the larger rear room with gorgeous beamed ceilings.
User Reviews for Buggy Whip
01/18/2008 Posted by thumpertherott
Tuesday night my girlfriend and I had dinner at the Buggy Whip. We showed up after 9pm and the restaurant was very busy. We were seated promptly by the hostess in a nice table by the piano. Our waitress was very punctual and helpful to the menu suggestions. The waitress noticed a large party was seated minutes before us and wanted to make sure we were taken care of and not neglected. She immediately had drinks and bread brought to our table. She made it a point to make sure our order was in before the large parties order went in. The waitress was very knowledgeable with the menu and had very helpful suggestions to help our dinning experience. I haven’t been to the Buggy Whip in years just because we live too far from, but now I remember why this place has been around for so long. The excellent service, great food and more then fair pricing will allow this L.A. landmark to keep providing a quality dinning experience.
Pros: GREAT FOOD GREAT PRICES GREAT SERVICE
Cons: NONE
12/27/2007 Posted by lisaluisa
I've given this place two chances and will not be back. During both visits the hostess -- Joy, a misnomer -- was rude while we waited for a table more than 30 minutes past the time of our reservation. The drinks are overpriced. The kitchen help needs more help. During both visits at least one member of our party received his entree more than 15 minutes after others were served. This kind of service is unacceptable. Although the waitress did her best to serve the party of six, there was little she could do when the kitchen did not provide her with the food. Ah, the food. On both visits the prime rib was delivered with glistening globs of fat that encouraged the diner to push away the plate. The waitress apologized, saying the cut of meat was not appetizing. Joy, on the other had, was snippy, saying, "Prime rib has fat on it!" One of our diners, a retired butcher, shook his head in disbelief. Steak and chop houses usually get higher grades of beef than grocery stores. The quality of this prime rib -- and the inexcusable attitude of the hostile hostess -- made us want to run to Carrows. Save your money. Save your time. Save your sanity. Don't even think about visiting the Buggy Whip unless you are slipping int othe bar to hear the Jazz musician.
Pros: music
Cons: food, service
