Dal Rae

LOVe this place!! Take me back, take me back ..now!!

Pros: Best Steak!

Cons: n/a

Posted 10/07/09

Its the best "politico" place to go in the area, where deals get done. As a kid, I would pass Dal Rae regularly. Just a year ago, my friend invited me to dinner there and I've returned twice. Piano music adds to the ambiance. I haven't had a dish I didn't like and the cocktails are excellent.

Pros: Service, Classic Ambiance, Old Fashion

Cons: No Healthy Appetizers

Posted 08/12/09

Went there recently because of he reviews. The waiting room was small but it opened up to the bar where my family sat down a had a drink prior to seating.
(but who goes to a restaurant for the waiting room)

The atmosphere was a mix of older and middle aged couples/ families.

The curbside cesear salad was an eye opener since I have never experienced this before. It was pretty good. As a main course I had the pepper steak. It was amazing, one of the best. (and I've been to ever steakhouse in california) It was cooked perfectly. My wife had the seabass which she loved as well. My whole family loved the food.

Positive overall experience.

Pros: great food, nostalgic atmosphere, prices

Cons: none during my experience....maybe waiting room,

Posted 03/24/09

When me and my friend and two ladies ate there, it was quite an experience - an area where our girls said "no way" to going there again. Then we had to pay valet for parking, because this is the only way to park here, or go far down the street, also watch out for door dings, they park the cars very close. Then this place has about a 8' by 8' waiting area - and can get pretty incomfortable if you are not seated right away. Its an OLD place, but the service was nice and the food, I'd rate it a 6 (1 to 10 scale, 10 being best). It is mostly steak, and some seafood, with a bar area. The prices are TERRIBLE, too high for what you get. You'll mostly see the OVER 60 AGE CROWD HERE, so if you fit into this, it might be ok for you.

Pros: Old but Clean place inside with a nice interior

Cons: Average quality & expensive prices, A Senior Citizen Place, Must pay for Parking

Posted 04/28/08

I went due to all the great reviews I read on here but was really disappointed. Food was ok but not great. Maybe it was the rude service from our waitress, having to pay for vallet parking "probably the only place in pico that has vallet LOL" or the snobby atmosphere "snobs who dine in PICO RIVERA???" that made the experiance unjoyable for me. Maybe it was a case of wrong place at the wrong time but wasnt that good to try it again.

Posted 02/25/08

Have not had any problems in getting seated, service and with the quality of the food since going there about 10 years now. Maybe a little crowded but expected for saturdays. Make reservations for early dinner around 5:30-6pm. Have had most of the appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts on the menu and all tasted good. But ,still miss Del Conte in Torrance for their Prime Rib , King Crab legs and their salad with the Green Goddess Dressing. Can't find another place like that in the South Bay area.

Pros: Good Food and service-never had a problem

Cons: May get crowd on saturdays- a little wait sometimes

Posted 02/16/08

Table side Ceaser salad for 2 was the best tasting salad I have ever had in my life, Simply the best hands down.

Pros: best f'n salad ever

Cons: it has to be table side in order for it to taste good because take out is not the same

Posted 08/21/07

This place was amazing! I would go back in a second. It looks like a steakhouse from the outside, but everything was delicious. The ceasar salad made table side was a treat that I haven't experienced for a long while. There aren't many restaurants these days that do table side, and you could taste the difference because of it. The service was impecable - This family owned restaurant is not one to miss! I recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic atmosphere, live music, and fabulous surf AND turf.

Pros: Unique restaurant. The way restaurants used to be!

Cons: A little bit out of the way

Posted 07/14/07

I really wanted a classy yet comfortable dining experience a couple nights ago and I found it all at the Dal Rae! The steaks are great along with the martinis and desserts:) I suggest this meal to anyone looking for a little dinner escape. Great date place!

Pros: The staff was so attentive and the food was delicious

Posted 07/09/07

I'm originally from New York and have been looking for a great restaurant for a long time. I went to the Dal Rae on a recommendation from a friend. My experience was great the wait was minimal maybe 10 minutes thats pretty good for a busy Friday night. The food was outstanding! For appetizers we had the Alaskan King crab that tasted like they just grabbed it out of the ocean, and shrimp scampi, which was also great. The caesar salad was made table side which was enjoyable to watch. Then came the main course....Filet Mignon. It was butter in my mouth! I've been to Peter Lugars and this takes the cake! It was hard but I saved room for dessert. The table shared Banana Flambe made table side topped the dinner off.

If your looking for a great steakhouse/seafood to make your mouth water this is it.

Pros: The Food! service was good too and good wine list

Posted 07/09/07

Great customer service, amazing variety of food, nice intimate classic setting... I would recommend it to anyone :)

Pros: ambience, parking, service, food, employees, decor

Posted 07/09/07

Amazing! Love it! Great steak, great apps and best bar. Great atmosphere. Family ran. Good for large parties and small. Love the music and great for a weakend getaway or buisness trip! Enjoyed my experience. Would for sure go back. Try it. You'll love it!!!

Pros: Thumbs up Ambience and food

Cons: NOne

Posted 07/09/07

i recently went to Dal Rae on a recommendation from a friend. i was looking forward to an excellent dinner but instead got seated late, then had to sit there for two hours before we even got our salads. it was crowded and i understand things can back up but not one person came by to explain or checkin with our party. drinks, water and bread also came late after repeated requests. once the food did come, my steak was very dry and lacked any flavor. i took three bites and completely lost my appetite. this has never happened at other steak houses such as mortons, nick & stef's, delmonico's, ruth christe, and mastro's. it's very apparent why those places are better know for atmosphere, great food, and awesome service. dal rae is not close. even if they are trying to be a local neighboorhood place and more low key then the other places it still falls quite short.

Pros: none

Cons: poor service, long waits, too expensive for it's poor atmosphere and quality.

Posted 05/19/07

This was my second time at this restaurant. The service was great, the crab cakes & the chilean sea bass were superb. The restaurant was packed and it's only Tuesday! The prices are a bit steep but the food is well worth the price. The service was good.

Pros: great food

Cons: noisey, mandatory valet parking

Posted 02/19/07

I have lived in Pico and the presence of Mercedes and Rolls Royce in this hidden, non-showy restaurant was always in question...I mean the restaurant is right next to a Jack In the Box so I really thought nothing of it....well the wait was a bit long but the food was great, pricey but great...it can get pretty loud in there but just to feel as if you are in some ritzy place feels awesome, only to walk out and realize that you are in this little town with nothing speacial...the restaurant is great to dine and impress....

Cons: long wait

Posted 02/04/07

Dal Rae exhibited the basic textbook lesson on "how not to treat a customer" Despite making a reservation and arriving well before the reservation time, my party of (7) were not seated until 50 minutes later. This is after we volunteered to seat at the bar area. Once seated it took another 25 minutes and for me to go to the manager to get any attention from the wait person. The busboy placed butter on the table but it took another 15 minutes for the bread to arrive and again after repeated request from the manager and the wait person. When my party was finally given the attention, the attitude from an unkept [hair was all over the place, it did not look very professional or sanitary] wait person was unfriendly and full of attitude. The food was poor quality the the shrimp scampi was not fresh, the meat even though it was requested at medium well arrive medium rare. The garlic bread was soggy and greasy. The Ceasar salad [prepared at the table] was parked for 15 minutes prior to anyone preparing and serving it to our party. We were not even offered drinks, just water, even that took a long time. Unfortunately for a party of 7 tip was already included, Dal Rae staff did not deserve any gratuity --they have no idea what it means to offer good customer service. It was the worst dining experience we all have experienced. Consumers beware with all the positive reviews of this restaurant that is currently on file.

Pros: None

Cons: Service, Food, Managers-- no follow up to the customers, Wait person with attitude

Posted 01/01/07

We had a dinner reservation for 2 people early on a Friday evening. When we arrived we were told by the Hostess it would be a 30 minute wait. After an hour we were still not seated evne though we spotted an empty booth; after some discussion and receiving some attitude from the Hostess, she finally agreed to seat us. The wait was attitude was a bit a big disappointment, but the service in the dining room was great and the food was very good. Sea Bass and Steak was very good. Dal Rae was nicely decorated for the Hoildays and it is a nice place to take a date, but don't make any other plans for the evening.

Pros: Great food

Cons: Long wait ( 1 hours) even with reservations and some attitude from Hostess

Posted 12/27/06

The atmosphere and service are excellent at this restaurant. My family and I have been going for more than 10 years! The food is always delicious and never a disappointment! I highly recommend the Chilean Sea Bass, baked! The staff goes out of their way to please. You cant experience it without having your cesar salad prepared tableside in front of you or the bananas flambee or cherries jubilee!

Pros: Service, Great Food, Ambiance

Cons: Reservations Needed

Posted 10/08/06

Grat steaks and big entrees. I love their appetizers and their big booths. I would eat here everyday if i could afford it. the staff is very nice.

Posted 08/30/06

WAITERS SPINNING WOODEN BOWLS ON ICE W/CHOCOLATE ICECREAM, RASBERRY SORBET AND ORANGE LIQUOR TOPPED OFF WITH FRESH RASBERRIES. HOW ABOUT CHERRIES JUBILEE? tHEY'RE ALL HERE - ALL PREPARED BEFORE YOU AND YOUR GUESTS!

Pros: EVERYTHING ON THE MENU IS A "WORK OF ART". ASK FOR A TOUR OF THR KITCHEN

Cons: BE SURE TO HAVE RESERVATIONS!

Posted 07/06/06

On top of the ambience, this restaurant has some of the best meals I've had in LA. Instead of going to the trendy movie-star owned restaurants where the plates are decorated more with garnish than actual food, I prefer to eat at the Dal Rae every night of the week! It's consistantly delicious with so many options that I've never gotten sick of eating there. Definitely a place I could eat (and DO eat) several times a week! Try the whitefish a-la-ben (prepared with grilled onions) or the roasted duck (in an orange sauce).

Pros: mood and vibe, large menu w/specials, value- portion size

Cons: need reservations?

Posted 03/02/06

The Steaks, Fresh Fish and Flambeed deserts are special and difficult to find at other restaurants. Good place for special occasions.

Posted 08/08/05

I am constantly looking for a restaurant in LA that has a real vibe- a place that hasn't sold out to the Hollywood scene of small portions and loud music. The Dal Rae IS that place! It feels like a 50s mob movie set, with dark wood, a piano bar, and red leather booths. The food is exquisite and classic, with generous portions. My personal favorites include the Ahi on Toast appetizer, the fresh fish menu, and bananas flambee served tableside for dessert. In how many restaurants does the owner still walk the dining room, checking on tables and preparing Ceasar Salad or Cherry's Jubilee in front of you? It's a perfect place for a romantic dinner or an impressive business lunch. I highly recommend it.

Pros: amazing food, generous portions, good ambience w/live music

Cons: crowded on weekends, (make reservations)

Posted 05/22/05

It is a surprised to find such a wonderful restaurant in this area. Will definitely return

Posted 04/08/05

The Dal Rae is a fabulous restaurant with a glamorous retro vibe. If you are a small party (4 or less) and want a more casual experience, make reservations in the bar area. You can order dinner, cocktails and watch the lounge act. Otherwise, reserve a table a bit earlier - or later - on a Friday or Saturday.
There's even a private outdoor smoking patio, with a 50s-modern fireplace, where after dinner drinks and cigars can be enjoyed. It's worth the drive if you are looking for good food, great service and a little indulgence.

Posted 03/08/05

The decor is elegant, the service was very good by Awhny, a Jennifer Garner look alike,Lots of women in black walking around, reminded me of the apprentice episode. Mixed drinks were pitiful at best. I was dissapointed by the Famous pepper steak, I was not wowed!! The dessert was good Apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream . I felt like sardine, they pack as many people as they can. It was a Saturday though, so I understand they were busy.

Pros: elegant setting, Good desserts, special occasion

Cons: , Poor mixed drinks, too noisey

Posted 10/18/04

I discovered this restaurant about 5 years ago, and on my first visit there the multiple Rolls Royces in the parking lot screamed, "you're not in Pico Rivera anymore", and if you know the area, you know that's really something. I now request Dal Rae for my birthday meal, you should too. You won't be disappointed.

Pros: Everything

Posted 05/27/04

I've seen this place for a long time driving by and never paid much attention other than the fact it looks like a cool old 50s style building. I noticed all the nice cars and valets one day and thought it was strange for Pico Rivera, so I looked it up on the net and it seemed pretty cool. Wife and I went for dinner one night and though its not cheap the food was REALLY good (pepper steak is recommended) and the bar has a cool old-style vibe to it. HIGHLY reccomended.

Pros: everything but price

Cons: expensive

Posted 05/14/03

For many years Ive read about the Dal Rae, finally for our anniversary my husband & I decided to check out this place. Nice ambience even if your business casual. 1st came the relish tray, nice crisp veggies & the breadbasket. Next was the oysters Rockefeller, then salad and the hot garlic cheese bread. We had the Lobster Thermidor and pepper steak. We were stuffed from our previous courses but we did manage to taste both of these dishes. The thermidor was excellent just the right balance of mushrooms, cream & lobster. The pepper steak filet was so tender, the black pepper is a bit overwhelming at first but it is a good balance. For desert we had the best chocolate souffle. Go and enjoy. Our average cost was $63.00 per person.

Pros: valet parking, Excellent menu, lots of regulars

Cons: a bit expensive

Posted 08/04/02