Arroyo Chop House

08/24/09

Amazing steak

by owencev at Citysearch

The New York Strip steak that was aged for 40 days was one of the best steaks that I have ever had. The sides were typical chop house style sides, but their deserts were outstanding. I recommend starting with the Bibb salad, New York Strip for the entrée with sweet corn and wild mushrooms as sides, and ending with the Grand Marnier soufflé.

06/04/09

Wonderful early dining experience

by netter1 at Citysearch

Dining at ACH for the first time last night, I had few expectations, but many hopes. Celebrating my husband's birthday, I hoped the experience was pleasant, tasty, and memorable. They were on target for all three.

Due to oddly and amazingly swift traffic in the LA area, we actually arrived at our after-work reservation an hour before we were expected. The hostess took the switch in stride, and without skipping a beat she immediately got assistance to set a table (complete with our special seating request). We were perusing the special drink menu within 5 minutes of walking through the door.

The Chop House Lemonade was yummy (that's a technical term) and if I didn't have to work today, I would have enjoyed more than one. Our starters (mine -- sea scallops wrapped in pancetta, his -- the house chili) were perfect openings to a more than pleasant evening. Since we arrived so early, we had the smaller dining room all to ourselves for the first hour. As more diners arrived the room got a little noisy, but as an "old married couple" whispering sweet nothings was not on our agenda.

Main courses consisted of a ribeye (16 oz...and that's the regular...not the Cowboy Ribeye) and a porterhouse. Both of which were enjoyed with samplings of the three house sauces (peppercorn, Bearnaise, and a blue cheese/bacon/wine reduction) We shared sides of sauteed mountain mushrooms, gourmet mac & cheese, and caramelized sweet corn. The corn and mushrooms where the side highlights and the steaks were definitely the stars.

As VIP members of Lawry's, we've often dined at the Tam O' Shanter and are devotees of the chocolate souffle they make. However, I can speak for my husband and say that we are true converts and now bow to the better, more decadent, divine chocolate souffle at ACH. Don't get me wrong, their special Grand Marnier souffle was delicious as well, but next time I'll be enjoying the chocolate one without sharing.

Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience we will hopefully enjoy for years to come. We definitely recommend giving the Arroyo Chop House a try.

• Pros: excellent service

02/01/09

Excellent service. Food good

by buckwheat22 at Citysearch

First time at restaurant. Best thing about the evening was the service! Mark the waiter was terrific. Some have complained about the management in the past reviews,but the new Manager Raul is top notch. He stopped by the table to assure that everyone was enjoying their evening which was nice. This restaurant truly did seem to care if you are satisfied or not. My husband had the Prime rib. Perfectly cooked to medium rare but it didn't seem like it was 32 oz as described..smaller. The 24 oz we get in Phillipe's in SD is much bigger. I had the ribeye. That was good but again, overcooked for medium rare. Meat was a little tough. Reviewers raved about the Mac N Cheese. It was tasty, but a little too greasy for my liking. Would I come back again? To celebrate special events, Yes..the service was great and for a nice evening out, it was worth it.

• Pros: Excellent service
• Cons: Portions did not seem accurate as described. Steak overcooked.

01/12/09

I would rather go to GYENARI!

by comedyman21 at Citysearch

HONESTLY! over all way better

10/17/08

Very Disappointed

by shasta29 at Citysearch

This was the most disappointing experience in the area. Having had a chance to eat at many great restaurants in the area, this was the worst.

The staff is very arrogant and unpleasant, starting with the valet staff. The food was too salty and the meat was cooked completetly opposite of that we ordered, asked for well done and received rare/rare.

Not worth the trip from Beverly Hlls.

09/22/08

Great Friendly Service, Excellent Food.

by godfathernyc at Citysearch

I'm not sure why the last few reviews are so negative. We had a very good

experience here last night. Our greeting was a little cold from the manager

(or Maitre d'.) We had a reservation, and there were many open tables,

and they did not seem busy, yet he said curtly: "We'll be with you in a few

minutes." So we stood there awkwardly for about 45 seconds and then the

hostess said "This way, please," and took us to a table a few feet away.

It all just felt kinda strange...

From then on, everything was just about perfect. Our server, Brooksley,

was very friendly, and knowledgeable. The appetizers took about 15 minutes

to arrive. Kind of long for a (cold) Bibb Lettuce Salad and Shrimp Cocktail.

But they were good. Then our Petit Filets came out, each cooked perfectly

medium, and each of them VERY delicious. Not the best Steak I've ever had,

but RIGHT up there with very good ones. The sides of Lobster Potatoes Gratin,

and French Green Beans were also both excellent. We ordered Chocolate

Souffle before the meal, and when it came out for Dessert, it was outstanding!!!

So, it was a quite positive, very pleasant meal, in a very nice setting. It's a pretty

old-fashioned style place, and I found the food to be pretty traditional. In a good

way. It is basically a pretty classic Steakhouse, and quite a good one.

We'll be back!

• Pros: Stately, Clean, Classic Ambience, Great Service
• Cons: None Significant

04/23/08

Could be better

by ochibi at Citysearch

Located conveniently in Pasadena, two blocks from the Gold Line Fillmore stop, Arroyo Chop House is a decent dinner rendezvous. I remember the first time I visited, the steak I ordered was exactly how I wanted it.

However, I went back recently and had their salmon dish, and was sadly disappointed. Maybe my standards were higher, but the fish was cooked too dry and was too weak on the seasonings. I should have just stuck with the steak. But my two friends had ordered the steak, and the chef either made them too red or overcooked it. Their wine selection is minimal, but was as expected. Not too many out of state vintages, and Californian wines are vastly pinot noir or chardonnay. For those who want a little more variety, say a Syrrah or even perhaps a Riesling, it would be prudent of you to find yourself another restaurant that does stock such "exotic" wine types.

I would have to say for it's price range, the food is rather ordinary and would reveal little surprise to those of higher palatable demands.

03/04/08

Next time will go to 750ml in South Pas

by parentsnightout at Citysearch

Went to Arroyo Chop House on a rainy night and were seated on the patio. The hostess assured us it would be warm and cozy by the fire. The "patio" leaked like a colander. We changed tables three times. Although there were 6 or 8 empty tables inside, they were all supposedly reserved. As we were running late for the theater we stuck it out which I regret. We had the heirloom tomato salad. Unripe tomatos were pretty but not very good. The Caesar salad was low average. My husband's "fresh" fish was overcooked and not fresh. My Tbone was good. Our steamed spinach was OK. No drinks, no dessert, and a leaky, cold, room for $98. I wrote a letter to the management and have never even received a courtesy reply.

There are too many good restaurants in L.A. to waste our money there again.

• Pros: my steak was good, but nothing else was.
• Cons: everything else

03/04/08

my goodness, this place is nice.

by atourya at Citysearch

Best Souffle in los angeles, hands down. Excellent service. Steaks are great. The souffles are just amazing.

the decor is dated.... but the bar is beautiful, and the bartenders make great drinks. They have a very good wine list too, with very reasonable prices on good wine.

02/27/08

Didn't like the staff

by thedoublem at Citysearch

Not the best location in Pasadena, if you ask me. I was looking forward to the whole experience but it was ruined by the staff.