"Dear John's still draws in a captive audience nightly, no end to the party immediately in sight (almost: its lease runs through at least 2028). The restaurant that used to be a Rat Pack haunt in the 1960s lives up to its reputation as somewhere locals can go to vanish within its dark corners and nooks. Sinatra's here in spirit (his music wafts in the background), but the modern Italian steakhouse classics landing on red-cloth-draped tables make repeat visits worth it."
"Don't hem and haw about the $49 Bougie Tots, just order them: a pile of crisp tots speckled with bubbly ikura, caviar, and egg yolk shavings lands on the table and, if your dining party is anything like mine, gets devoured in less than three minutes. Chicken Parmesan takes a cue from cordon bleu: Stuffed with cheese; breaded; pan-fried until a coarse, craggy crust forms; then smothered in red sauce that would make any nonna nod in pleasure."
"Dark, not dimly lit; your eyes will need a moment to adjust. The room is jewel-box small but somehow manages to not feel claustrophobic when full (which seems to be always). Boomers are on double dates at four-tops; younger couples grab filthy martinis at the bar. Add at least two or three of Dear John's side sauces ($5 each) to any chop; the creamy horseradish feels particularly worth the investment."
Dear John's opened in 2019 and remains a popular modern Italian steakhouse drawing nightly crowds, with a lease extending through at least 2028. The venue occupies a former Rat Pack haunt and offers a dim, jewel-box dining room where Sinatra's music plays and patrons vanish into dark corners. Signature dishes include $49 Bougie Tots with ikura and caviar and a cordon-bleu-style Chicken Parmesan stuffed with cheese and smothered in red sauce. Gluten-sensitive diners can choose red meat cuts, buttery sand dabs, or lobster Thermidor. Salads and sides, including wedge salad and creamed spinach, complement richer entrées.
Read at Eater LA
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