Absolutely loved it for our anniversary dinner. The restaurant has such an intimate and romantic atmosphere, which made it perfect for this occasion. We ordered the corn agnolotti, scallops, sea bream, and their NY steak and short rib dishes. The sea bream stood out for me- cooked perfectly with its celery root purée and honey miso sauce. Our hostess and waiter were both so friendly and welcoming. We even received a complimentary glass of champagne for our celebration, which was very thoughtful. Definitely coming back here, especially on a date night or special occasion. read more

Backbone - NY Steak and Short Rib - New American Near Me - Glendale, California

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Everything we ordered was outstanding. The uni toast was so good we ordered it to start the meal... and then ordered it again after the ribeye. That's how good it was. The risotto was killer, the wine list is on point, and the service was top notch from start to finish. I live in La Cañada, and this is going to become a regular spot for me. A very intimate industrial setting. You feel like you're involve in the food preparation. The entire experience reminded me of Bestia, which is about the highest compliment I can give. A must-try. read more

SPEECHLESS!!! What an amazing experience all the way around!!! The food is outstanding. This husband and wife team are incredible!!! I'm almost at a loss for words .. which is rare. We tried the Uni waffle .. Beet salad & The New York Strip and Short Rib ~. Of course to finish off this experience ...for dessert we chose the Key Lime pie. The service .. The food and the atmosphere just blew me away ! I can't wait to come back ! Thank you for this 5 star experience ! Peace Love & Happiness. Until next time !!! # Kyle was our server and he was an absolute Doll !!! Top Tier read more

Happened to be in the area and found this place on a whim. The food was excellent - we ordered the uni, cheese plate, corn agnolotti, and sea bream. Our hostess and server were super nice. Perfect place for a date night! Parking was easily found (street parking in front of the restaurant. Can't wait to be back! read more

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Dined here for the first time last weekend and we had a lovely meal with delicious eats, attentive service and chill vibes. Backbone is a small restaurant (about 30 seats) and it fills up quickly. We wanted a booth table but were sat at the bar instead. This gave us front row seats to the wine/soju/beer counter and the kitchen and allowed us with more close proximity to the chef and team. Everyone was friendly and we appreciated the little dessert treats given to us at the end of our meal. Will be back for the Sunday night 4 course menu. Cute neighborhood gem located in Old Town Montrose. read more

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We really had a nice experience at Backbone. Open Kitchen place with a super cool vibe. Server, Elana, was outstanding and very patient and helpful with our myriad questions. It's one of those places that asks that you order everything all at once, which I usually hate because the pacing is awful, but Backbone did an excellent job of pacing. The food was all super creative and delicious. Uni Waffle was great, as were scallops, Agnolotti and Liver Pate. We got the cheese plate for dessert and, it was great, too, but needed more sides. Really nice wine list with fair prices. 100% recommended and looking forward to a return visit. read more

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Been twice. Exceptional both times. The corn agnolotti and the NY strip & short rib were standouts. Service and vibe are great. Highly recommend and look forward to coming back again soon. read more

The most delicious wagyu I've had in a long time. All of the food was beautifully presented and delicious. We loved our appetizers. My husband had the halibut special and it was cooked beautifully and complemented by the sauce! We went for our anniversary and were treated to a post dinner beverage - as I am a non-drinker I appreciated the non-alcoholic option they brought for me. The dessert deserves special attention: a deconstructed key lime pie that I am very eager to try again! This is a small location with room for about 20-30 guests including the bar. I liked the intimacy, and I liked that there weren't any children. (It was our 38th wedding anniversary dinner). I loved my experience and look forward to making this a special destination. read more

Backbone - Interior and bar - New American Near Me - Glendale, California

Been here twice and both experiences have been excellent. In our last visit we stopped for just a light bite to eat and ended up getting the crudo, scallops and soju cocktails. The food surprised us with how flavorful each bite was and the cocktail really paired well with the fish. We finished things off with the key lime pie and almond financier and even though we knew how good the desserts are we were blown away again. To top it all off the service and ambiance were great as always. A very intimate environment with attentive and courteous staff. Will be back again! read more

Backbone - August 2026 menu - New American Near Me - Glendale, California

The food was excellent. We were with old friends we hadn't seen in a long time. We were forced to choose entrees before the appetizers came by the waiter asking numerous times way to expensive to be rushed not going back read more

First and foremost, we loved it! We were greeted very warmly and they knew it was us immediately based on time and party size. It was my partner's birthday dinner, so everything went off the way it was supposed to! I don't quite remember our server's name but he was truly knowledgeable with everything he did. The Uni was bright. The Duck was amazing! The Short Rib was tender! everything we had was magical! The setting was a bit darker but on the romantic side. definitely will go back again! Oh, the chocolate dessert, chef's kiss!!! read more

This is my favorite restaurant, hands down. The food is always thoughtfully prepared and presented. (I am lobbying for the Coppa Steak and Corn Soup from their June Prix Fixe menu to be added to their regular menu.) As wonderful as the food is, it's their hospitality that takes Backbone to the next level and it's the reason I return. Chefs Nathan and Karen are lovely and warm. Kyle is a wonderful server who can answer questions and make suggestions. LA, the hostess and wine whisperer, is friendly and welcoming. The dining room is simple and comfortable. Pro tip: add an order of baguette toast to sop up any sauce lingering on the bottom of your plate. read more

Came here for my birthday, and it was a great meal. We started each with the "bites" and had the Uni waffle and the Tuna Tar Tar. The Uni was very good, but also extremely small for $18. I had previously saw pictures, so I knew what we were getting, but was still surprised how little it was. My wife and I each had 1 bite of it. The Tuna Tar Tar was really good. Refreshing and well flavored! For appetizers we had the Butternut Squash Agnolotti, as was recommended by our waiter. It was awesome. A good portion size, well balanced, and very flavorful. Mains were the Steak and Short Rib, that was cooked to perfection, and very tender. I found the short ribs to be a little salty, but they were really good. My wife had the duck, which she loved. I thought that it was a bit too chewy for me, but she was very happy with it. A nice surprise scoop of sorbet to round out my birthday, and an overall really good meal. Glad to have a nice resaurant in the neighborhood! read more

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My husband and I went on a Saturday night date night and we could not have asked for better. The service was amazing and the food was spectacular! Our servers for the evening we're extremely attentive and gave us the lay of the land and let us know what dishes they thought were the best when we asked for recommendations. I have a mustard allergy and they let me know what I could and could not eat and we're very accommodating in letting me dress my salad with just lemon and olive oil instead of the standard vinaigrette it came with. We cannot thank them enough for such a lovely evening and spectacular food. We cannot wait to go back. read more

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Amazing ambiance although it's a small place, but it is very welcoming! The staff is very attentive and courteous, and they accommodated us - we didn't have a reservation on a busy night but they moved stuff around for us. The food is fantastic! Everything we tried was delicious! I really appreciate the fact that the chef takes the time to come out of the kitchen and check on the customers. We will be coming back for sure! I highly recommend to everyone to try this gem! read more

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By far the best fine dining caliber food in the area. We started with the hamachi crudo and chicken pate appetizer. The yellowtail wasn't over seasoned, so they have to use high quality sashimi or the dish would fall apart. Chicken pate was amazing. Comforting and yet several elevated elements that tasted amazing when brought together. Very shareable. They give a lot of pate. For the main, we enjoyed the sea bream and duck. Both were 9/10. The forbidden rice under the duck was a tiny bit salty, but everything else was "divine" as my wife put it. Lastly for dessert we had the key lime pie and pistachio semifredo. Both delicious. The key lime was slightly sweet for my taste, but the presentation was beautiful. Service was 10/10. Both the lady at front of house and waiter/bartender were so friendly it felt like we knew them for years. The ambiance is quite casual. It's not stuffy, but elegant enough for a nice date night. Definitely coming back to try more dishes. I think we found a new date night spot. read more

This is the quintessential fine dining establishment, but with small town vibes and a welcoming staff. Don't come here if you expect the same old Montrose and La Canada price points with mediocre food. Yes, it's pricier than other local restaurants and YES, the quality and tastiness of their food is 10x better than any other mid range $$ restaurant around the area. It's a place to come for not only a special occasion, but for a glass or two of wine and apps with friends, or for a double date night. Go in, sit down, feel welcomed and eat the most delicious food you've had in a very long time! Every dish is perfectly seasoned - the fish dishes as well as the shrimp, risotto, and pate are standouts. The key lime pie is a must order - if you can grab one before they sellout! Enjoy and go often! read more

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THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE. Couldn't have asked for more. Intimate dining room with a completely open kitchen. Every person was taking pride in their work. Everyone. It was incredible to behold. I had my waiter's recommendations. Albacore bites, a MIND BLOWING small squash pasta dish (app), duck entree, my friend had the NY strip and rib. We both sampled 3 of 4 deserts. I cannot overstate the amount of detail that went into this experience. Food changed my perspective on reality. I would like to thank Backbone for that. YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE. I wish there were more stars. read more

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We celebrated our 32nd anniversary tonight at Backbone and had a wonderful time. Service was friendly, attentive, and efficient without being intrusive . The restaurant itself was very pretty although I don't love seeing the open kitchen - but that's just my personal preference . Food-wise, it was excellent. We started off with the three cheese appetizer, and the cheeses were beyond this world. They were fantastic, as was the accompanying baguette. The liver pate was the best I've ever had ! The mushroom risotto was excellent, with a great texture and a wonderful woodsy flavor. The wine selection was wonderful, and the waitress did a great job steering me in the right direction for wine to accompany my dinner . I had the steak and short rib dinner, and even though it's a small portion, it was too much for me by that point so I gave the short ribs to my husband. The steak was perfectly made, and he felt the same about the short ribs. The potato purée and broccolini were also made to perfection. My husband had the special - I think it was bass? I'm not usually a fish person, but I tried a little bit of it and I thought it was very delicious. We were too full to eat dessert, but the waitress very kindly offered us each a glass of Moscato to celebrate our anniversary - I don't normally like sweet drinks, but it was out of this world ! We will definitely be back. It's the best meal we've ever had in Montrose. read more

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Backbone is the perfect addition to the neighborhood - a standout among other restaurants in the area! Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and despite it being a busy night, we were frequently checked in on and felt welcomed (our server was Jason). "Must" orders include the uni waffle, scallops, chicken pate, and short ribs and steak! We'll for sure be back and, if you're looking for a nice restaurant for date night or just cause, I'd recommend checking it out. read more

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My husband and I went on a Saturday night date night and we could not have asked for better. The service was amazing and the food was spectacular! Our servers for the evening we're extremely attentive and gave us the lay of the land and let us know what dishes they thought were the best when we asked for recommendations. I have a mustard allergy and they let me know what I could and could not eat and we're very accommodating in letting me dress my salad with just lemon and olive oil instead of the standard vinaigrette it came with. We cannot thank them enough for such a lovely evening and spectacular food. We cannot wait to go back. read more

This is a classy place!! The service was excellent and the food was gorgeous!!! The key lime dessert made my mouth water. Thank you!!

I wish I could go higher than 5 stars. This restaurant is outstanding on every level. The food is outstanding, the staff wonderful, and the setting is perfect. La Renigen the manager was so welcoming. Our waitress Ines was the perfect server. Now let's get on to the food prepared by chef and owner Nathan and his charming wife Karen. We started out with appetizers which were delicious. One was a chicken liver pate that was to die for. So rich and creamy and fresh. Also perfectly seasoned. The second appetizer was a puff pastry with Uni. Really good and unique. For the main courses we had steak and short ribs, scallops, and my son had a hanger steak with french fries. All delicious and cooked to perfection. The fry's were the best I have ever had. Now to the deserts. Home made banana and chocolate sorbets, a key lime torte and also complementary lady finger pastry's. I cant praise Karen's pastry skills enough. Also being a cleanliness freak this restaurant was one of the cleanest I have ever been to. I cannot wait to go back. This is one of Glendales true gems. Steven Tyre CPA read more

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Excellent on all levels. High quality neighborhood restaurant. The short ribs are amazing. Server was knowledgeable and friendly.

Everything is always good, sometimes great... ever so close to being at the very top of LA dining.

Backbone: Pleasant, clean designed dining room that harks to a Case Study mid twentieth century modern through a first quarter of the 21st century filter. Owners ran McCall's Meat & Fish Company in Los Feliz for many years, which moved to Atwater Village, and are now ready to tackle the restaurant world. This haute cuisine outpost is a godsend for the Montrose-La Crescenta-La Cañada-Flintridge food desert since the disappearance of dearly beloved Bashan that had such accomplished food and service. Food here is French technique with Japanese and Euro-Mediterranean touches for a New American Cuisine approach. Due to mostly hard surfaces be prepared for noise when the restaurant fills up. 1) Uni Waffle: Nori Honey Butter with pieces of Ajitsukè Nori/sweet soy sauce flavoured black Japanese seaweed paper. Yuzu Cream seems more like thick Crème Fraîche infused with Japanese Yuzu citrus. Powdered Ao Nori/green seaweed & possibly Japanese Shichimi Tōgarashi mild red chile flake medley sprinkled around the plate. It's the size of an Amuse Gueule. 2) Octopus is grilled under high heat for blackened skin creating a more meaty texture. The interior is more close to raw to provide a soft, velvety feel. Chorizo sausage is cooked to a crisp to add a fatty porkiness. Touch of fennel for a lightly licorice accent. Arugula, Kaiwarè Daikon radish microgreens. Underlying the above ingredients is Romesco sauce which is roasted tomatoes & garlic, toasted almonds, pine nuts, and/or hazelnuts, olive or sunflower oil, and red chiles. 3) Vermillion fish is seared on one side for a chewy texture while the rest of the fish feels more plush. Grilled Mixed Baby Squash, Cauliflower Romanesco. Basque Verde Sauce is parsley, garlic, olive oil & white wine with a touch of gastrique. Small Manila clams decorate this dish. 1-3a) Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Blanco Hondarrabi San Sebastián España 2023 Very aromatic citrus, unripe pear, very dry acidic, cleansingly astringent. 4) N.Y. Strip Steak & Short Rib: Buttery, smooth, almost Joël Robuchon level Potato Purée. Grilled Broccolini. Pommes Maxim are thin disks of potato looking like Olympic rings symbol. Steak is medium rare with a nice, moist chaw and a pleasing fattiness that presents itself with every chew. Beef seems aged for a satisfying blood minerality that will sate any carnivore. Salted to bring out a touch of sweetness and Umami. The Short Rib is a tour de force of braising technique. Upon first impression it looks overcooked almost black and unappetizing. But the velvety yet sinewy beef soaked up the Sauce Bordelaise adding a Umami filled, caramelized, beefy richness that is alluring. This may be the sine qua non signature dish at Backbone. Our waiter was spot on with his wine pairing suggestions. 4a) Bonhomme Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir Maconnais France 2022: Lots of dark fruits like juicy blackberry, blueberry, light tannins & acidity, touch limestone minerality. Mellow, smooth, hint of dryness. 5) Gâteau Basque: Looks baked in a Timbale for a high, architectural look. Spiced, sweetened red wine poached pear, blackberry. Candied spiced, crunchy Almonds. Cake portion has a buttery vanilla lemon aroma with texture going from moist to bit crusty injected with a thick, viscous custard or Crème Pâtisserie. 5a) Mignardise: Strawberry Passion Fruit Jelly Backbone is still new and doesn't quite seem to have developed service that is on par with its cooking prowess. The service is adequate, but still lacks institutional knowledge of a well established restaurant and intimate feel for the food being served. As time goes on, when all employees have become more seasoned and more knowledgeable with the food and experience more customer interactions, there will be smoother instinctual harmony in the general overall service. Hopefully, there will be a seasonal menu to add more variety and to take advantage of produce at their peak of flavour. 4 stars read more

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A wonderful, intimate setting. Feels like a cross among some of my fave places in Portland, ME, Sonoma, and NYC. The service is warm, welcoming, and professional. Kyle and LA were fun to chat with & chef came over for a bit, which is always a treat! Truly tasty and well-thought out dishes. We had: the babajuan, the garden salad, duck, and steak/short rib combo & somehow saved room for the bouche de noel & espresso to finish. We'll be back! read more

What a lovely night. I took my Mama for a belated Mother's Day dinner. It's so close to our family home. The staff were so welcoming and the Hostess was so ! The servers are professional and on top of it! The food- every dish was delightful! The tastes and umami's and sauces were on point! Props to the chef and owners ! Every single dish was perfect! The best strawberry shortcake everrr! The best hot n fresh madeleines ! I don't even like madeleines! I loved these! They gave it to us as a free treat too! Homemade marshmallows!! Omg! The most excellent thing of sweet delight! The asparagus and beef and fois grois! Just wow! What a perfect addition to the neighborhood. Thank you Backbone! It was divine! read more

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Backbone has one of the tastiest and most thoughtfully put together dishes. The inside of the restaurant is beautifully decorated with the classiest wood chairs and tables, big mirrors on the wall, an open kitchen, and the perfect date night lighting. The servers are attentive, always refilling your water, and prepping you for your next course. What we tried: Uni. It's a perfect small bite with uni, yuzu cream, nori honey butter (with very small but crispy nori chips) over a two very cute waffles. The uni was amazing and fresh. The honey butter paired so well with the nori, and the yuzu cream was very smooth. A perfect bite. Barbajuan- the filling is heavenly, with potato and leek. The outer layer was nicely cooked with a slight crisp Butternut squash agnolotti- a perfect balance of sweetness from the freshness of the onions(?) and butternut squash, and the fried leeks and guanciale Octopus- the octopus was cooked to perfection. Tender on the inside, crispy/charred on the outside, in a fresh sauce romesco. I'm still dreaming about it. Lamb shoulder confit- someone previously posted this in the best they've ever had in their life and I can agree. The lamb is soft, the flavors come through nicely over a creamy polenta with some gremolata. Salmon- this has to be my favorite dish. The salmon is cooked very well and the flavors with the tomato jam, buckwheat, and vegetables were all so bright. It all came together to make an amazing dish. Must try if you love salmon and root vegetables! read more

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Hands down the best lamb dish I've ever had! Every plate was executed with incredible skill and creativity. The pickled albacore, uni waffle with yuzu cream, butternut squash agnolotti, and strip loin with short rib were all outstanding but the lamb shoulder confit was truly next level and unlike anything I've experienced before. Desserts could easily rival any 3-star spot in Paris absolutely flawless. The wine list was thoughtful, well curated, and full of hidden gems. Chefs Nate and Karen are doing something really special here, and it's even better knowing you're supporting such a talented husband and wife team. Service was excellent, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the entire experience felt world-class. Michelin recognition feels inevitable. Don't miss it. read more

Backbone - New American Near Me - Glendale, California

We had dinner at Backbone last night with another couple, and I want to start with the good before getting to the few things that were less ideal. In this case, the good was truly "you have to try it to believe it" great. I've made plenty of beef stock at home as an enthusiastic amateur, then turned it into wine reduction sauces to serve with short ribs for friends. I've always been proud of that dish. But after tasting Backbone's steak and short rib, I realized there is a huge gap between what I've picked up from chefs on YouTube and what a truly skilled kitchen can deliver. Every bite was a legitimate sensation. The sauce, the depth of flavor, the texture, the balance--just wow. "Forget about it" is the phrase that came to mind, along with whatever words you use for something genuinely special. After finishing my meal, I actually walked up to the kitchen, where Karen Yoo herself was working, just to compliment her on the food. She was kind enough to give me a quick explanation of the wine sauce. I won't attempt to repeat it here, but it was clear the process is far more thoughtful and elaborate than anything quick or simple. From now on, I'll be trying to move my home version a little closer to hers. The room itself is small and intimate, which I liked. On the downside, there was no air conditioning, liquor, or cappuccino, though I imagine the size of the building and the realities of running a restaurant may have a lot to do with that. I genuinely hope Backbone gets the chance to grow, because they deserve it--and honestly, so do we. This is the kind of place you want to see succeed. read more

Food and service excellent once again. You can tell that the chefs really care about the food and experience at this restaurant. read more

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Great place. The environment and the service were wonderful. The food was really interesting, very tasty a good balance between traditional and fancy cuisine. We tried sea bream, steak, some bites and risotto appetizer. Buche the Noel as a dessert = outstanding. Small menu very well curated. I love they cook over cast iron pans. Definitely a great and unique restaurant in the area. read more

The service was incredible. The ambiance cute and cozy and lively. The chef and pastry wife team is adorable and have a great story to bringing backbone to life. It is worth the trek to eat here. So do it. read more

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The food was excellent, fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, which made the whole visit feel relaxed and easy. The ambience is warm and inviting, perfect whether you're coming with family, friends, or just grabbing a quality meal. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. read more

Outstanding experience at Backbone. I was a McCalls devotee so anxious to try Nathan and Karen's new venture, it did not disappoint. I had the bass my sister had the lamb, both were beautifully and expertly prepared. We shared the agnolotti, I had the barbajuan and my sister had the uni, all were terrific. But that dessert, omg. Peanut butter buttercream and honeycomb, we wanted 9 to go. Service was great and yes we will for sure return. So great to have a terrific place to go nearby. read more

Backbone - Bass - New American Near Me - Glendale, California

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Backbone came highly recommended, we had a few very good dishes and some that were subpar. We tended to have no water in the carafe and did need to ask for water a few times. We loved the uni waffle and mushroom risotto. The butter squash dish was also so so good. The lamb was spoken so highly by the server that we decided to try it and I'd say we weren't a fan of it. The Raisins on top were so not fitting in our opinion. I expected a fall off the bone type of meat but had quite a bit of tendon pieces and overall it tasted very bland. I'm sure any other dish would be delicious but this was definitely not it. For an elevated dining experience we finished our entree but they left the lamb dish on the table. It was just a plate full of raisins and my husband ate the meat but they picked up all the plates except for that dish and it just sat with us for like 10 minutes. We ended the night with the lamb and decided not to order dessert because we felt like we ended our meal with a let down. The sent us with a little parting gift of a sort of jelly bite and my husband was like, you won't like this. I think the dessert menu seemed very underwhelming and we decided not to order anything. Every table ordered the apple streusel dish and it looked pretty. Overall I think they have a few lovely dishes and I would skip the lamb. I think we left the meal kind of hoping for a better ending and really didn't get that. It started strong but left rather disappointing. read more

Heard of backbone from a friend. I had an exceptional time, backbone had good service, good food and good ambience. Every dish was delicious. My favorite item was the short rib and mashed potato. read more

Showed up to Backbone tonight for our reservation with my wife, 2 year old daughter, and mom from out of town. They let us know when we walked in they don't have high chairs, and were quite rude about it. I told them we live around the corner, and we have clip on high chairs I can go grab that attach to the table. The hostess told us she preferred we didn't. We left fairly turned off by the rude staff. Then found out they had the audacity to tell Open Table we didn't show for our reservation and tried to charge us the no show fee... We've taken our daughter to Michelin-starred restaurants around the world with our clip-on high chair, and have been treated with courtesy at all of them. But apparently the staff at Backbone thinks they're better than that... News flash Backbone, your restaurant is in Montrose- the most family-friendly small town in greater LA. I hope you come down to earth or go out of business read more

I cannot rave enough about this restaurant. From the second we entered the restaurant, to the last bite of dessert we enjoyed, everything was fabulous. Each plate was crafted with care and intention. Each person we interacted with served with genuine attentiveness. I was 9 months pregnant and they were so accommodating in every way. Cannot wait to be back soon! read more