Can't believe I never made it to Dear John's until last night. From the outside, it's basically an unassuming, windowless box on Culver Boulevard. Step inside, though, and it's a subtly updated throwback to the old-school, Rat Pack-era steakhouse and bar. Service was extremely attentive, and the food was nearly flawless. The New York strip and filet were both cooked perfectly medium rare. The Italian chopped salad tasted fresh, with an excellent dressing that we wisely got on the side. The creamed spinach and broccolini were on point as well. The steak fries were good, though perhaps cooked just a smidge too long. Even the bread deserves a mention: a warm boule with a crunchy crust, soft interior, and delicious butter. The bar also turned out some excellent drinks. Only other quibble was the tiramisu, which was good - maybe not exceptional - and felt a little small for the price. Dear John's is definitely on the pricey side, but the atmosphere, service, drinks, and quality of the food made it feel worth it. I'm mostly wondering how I managed to live in LA this long without going. read more

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I went here for dinner with a friend for DineLA. We booked the week before and were surprised that there were very few reservations available for a Thursday evening. We were seated pretty quickly after our reservation time. The restaurant itself is quite small and it's very dark inside! Had to use the small candle light to see the menu. We also were sitting very close to our neighbors and could hear their conversations, which in turn made us talk a bit louder than normal but it felt like the restaurant was loud overall. We did the DineLA deal and both started with Cesar salad. We ordered the steak Diane and chicken Parmesan to share and it comes with broccolini and Mac and cheese. The steak was cooked perfectly medium rare and tasted great. The chicken parm was interesting as it was a circular piece chicken and I think had some marinara inside as well as on the side. We tried both desserts but we both loved the peanut butter chocolate cake way better than the cheesecake, next time would get two of those instead! Overall good was delicious and filling for the price! Not the biggest fan of the darkness and the atmosphere but I can see it appealing to others. Valet parking available. We both ended up doing street parking on Sepulveda, free after 6 pm I think. read more

Dear John’s - Steak Diane - DineLA - American Near Me - Culver City, California

Went for DineLA and the menu was a "good deal", but the food was pretty lackluster. Ordered the Oysters Rockefeller, Steak Diane and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. Highlights were the cake and side of Mac & Cheese. You could tell the steak was a cheap cut, and honestly nothing was that great (aside from possibly the dessert). I would definitely be annoyed to pay full price here. Cool vibes read more

This is the kind of old‑school steak house that doesn't just serve dinner, it sets a whole mood. Think dim lights, deep leather booths, a bar that looks like it's seen some stories, and live piano music drifting through the room like it's trying to seduce your cocktail. It's classic, it's nostalgic, and it's got that "your grandparents probably flirted here" energy, respectfully.this probably includes me too? The staff operates with that polished, old‑school confidence, the kind where they know exactly when to check in and when to let you sink into the booth and pretend you're in a 1960s movie. They're warm, quick, and know the menu like they wrote it. You feel taken care of without ever feeling hovered over. The bar is a highlight all on its own. * The Old Fashioned comes out strong, smooth, and ready to make you rethink every watered‑down version you've had elsewhere. * The Filthy Dirty Martini..Wow! extra olives, of course, is briny, bold, and just classy enough to make you sit up straighter. It's the kind of martini that pairs perfectly with dim lighting and piano keys. "This is where this place flexes." * The Oysters, chilled, fresh, and dressed just right. They're the kind of oysters that make you feel fancy even if you showed up in jeans. * Boogie Tots with caviar, salmon roe, and crème fraîche, listen... these are dangerous. Crispy, salty, luxurious, and playful all at once. It's like comfort food that went to finishing school. * Steak Tartare, silky, seasoned, and beautifully balanced. A classic done right. * New York Steak, so delicious, the star of the show. Perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and exactly what an old‑school steak house should deliver. It's the kind of steak that makes you nod to yourself mid‑bite. This place absolutely nails that dark‑light, vintage steak house vibe. Shadows, soft glows, clinking glasses, and piano music that makes the whole room feel like a scene. It's intimate without being stuffy, nostalgic without feeling dated, and classy without trying too hard. Dear John's is a timeless Classy gem, a place where the food is rich, the drinks are bold, the service is sharp, and the piano bar keeps the night smooth. It's old‑school in the best way, with just enough playful touches (looking at you, Boogie Tots) to keep things fun. A perfect spot for a memorable dinner, a strong cocktail, and a little taste of classic LA charm. "Good positive energy, brings you beautiful energy in return! " Miguel C. read more

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My five star review remains unchanged. Another outstanding dinner starting with cocktails at the bar. We enjoyed another night of DineLA deliciousness starting at the bar and then moving on to a roomy corner table. The Caesar was cold and crisp with the right amount of dressing. And we asked for and were brought the pepper grinder that we got use during the rest of the meal. The second course of Steak Diane was exactly as ordered, charred medium rare and had such a rich beef flavor. The broccolini and truffle mac and cheese were the right pairings in the right amounts. And then there was the cheesecake closer. Food was well paced and service was in just the right amount. It was another great night at one of our favorite classic steakhouses. read more

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THIS IS AN LA GEM. I can see why this place has passed the test of time. INCREDIBLE FOOD and INCREDIBLE ATMOSPHERE/AMBIANCE here. Do your life a favor and come here if you haven't already. Read about this place being one of the oldest steakhouses in LA so I knew I had to come check it out and I'm so glad that I did. Meal did cost me $120 for two people but absolutely worth it. We started with a round of cocktails which by the way were incredible. We ordered a wedge salad, French onion soup, 8 oz filet mignon, and a side of Potato's Au Gratin and Mushroomd and shared it all and it was all a 10/10z. Star of the show was the steak, and at $68 bucks I would gladly pay that for how incredible it was. Truly I can't reccoemnd this place enough. The decor and lighting is what sealed the deal for me here. Great vibe here and you can just feel the history that has taken place there. To top it off, the service was also PHENOMENAL. Thank you dear John for the hospitality. We will be back very soon! Till next time. read more

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Father's Day is around the corner, and I still haven't written a review of my Mother's Day outing. For Mother's Day, I treated my older sister to dinner at Dear John's, a classic steakhouse in Culver City with a rich Hollywood history. (I just love places with history!) SERVICE - 5 Stars The service was professional and efficient--nothing particularly warm or engaging, but courteous and effective. That's particularly commendable because they were packed that night. AMBIANCE - 4 Stars Man, it was dark inside. At first, I thought the heavy curtains separating the small entrance from the dining room were simply for dramatic effect. It turned out they served a practical purpose: keeping outside light from entering the restaurant as you walk in. And yes, Dear John's was very dark. You have to use your smartphone's flashlight to read the menu. Our server also carried a flashlight, haha! FOOD and DRINKS It's been over a month, so bear with me as I try to remember the details. APPETIZERS and DRINKS - 3 Stars We had the Garlic Bread which was so, so. And I believe we had the Steak Tartare. I vaguely recall that we preferred Musso-&-Frank's Steak Tartare but I don't remember for what reason. For context, we love Musso's steak tartare. I had my usual Chardonnay and it was quite good and reasonably priced. MAIN COURSES - 4 Stars For my entrée, I ordered Frank's Spaghetti with Clams ($36), and I loved it. My sister ordered a steak and declared it delicious. Unfortunately, my niece was not as lucky--her Shrimp Scampi Pasta was pedestrian. (It was one of their specials.) SIDE - We ordered the Chopped Salad but it also was just so-so. I understand that it's a salad and one shouldn't expect much from it. But I enjoyed Maggiano's Chopped Salad. (Dear John's salad is listed as one of their appetizers.) DESSERT - 5 Stars Our meals ended on a high note with an exceptional dessert -- their Peanut-Butter-Chocolate-Crunch Bar à la Mode. My niece and I loved it! We also ordered a Tiramisu and my sister preferred that. I've never cared for tiramisu, and Dear John's version didn't change my mind --but I'm glad my sister enjoyed it. A Little History - 5 Stars Dear John's was opened in 1962 by Johnny Harlowe, a Hollywood actor-turned-restaurateur. Located near what was then MGM Studios (now Sony Pictures Studios), the restaurant quickly became a gathering place for Hollywood insiders. According to the restaurant's history, Frank Sinatra encouraged Harlowe to open the restaurant after enjoying his cooking. (The "Frank" in my pasta dish--Frank's Spaghetti with Clams--is indeed a reference to Sinatra.) In 2019, Dear John's was revived by Hans Röckenwagner, Patti Röckenwagner, and Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin. They restored much of the restaurant's Old Hollywood atmosphere while updating the menu for modern diners. The restaurant narrowly avoided closure and demolition and ultimately secured a lease extension in 2023. For those who appreciate classic steakhouses, Hollywood nostalgia, and a bit of local history, Dear John's is worth a visit. P.S. Parking (5 Stars) -- A shout-out to the dedicated valet attendant, who was both pleasant and patient. read more

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The room was darkly lit. After the eyes adjusted the vintage decor came into focus. Our waitress Rylie was upbeat and authentic. After a double jack and diet the New York strip and steak frites came. A side of creamy horseradish and peppercorn sauce were a nice accoutrement to a perfectly cooked and super juicy steak. Each fry was crispy and deliciously outstanding. In our tour of classic Los Angeles steakhouses, this establishment eclipsed Taylor's and the smokehouse. read more

Dear John’s - Supremely crispy double fried steak frites - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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We love this spot! It is family friendly and we have brought our daughter here, but I think it's better suited for an intimate and cozy date night. Reservations are recommended if you want a table but we sometimes just walk in and grab a seat at the bar! read more

Top 3 favorite places in all of LA is my beloved Dear John's. It doesn't look like much from the outside looking in, but once you step inside you are transported back to what feels like the Frank Sinatra era. The dark colors, vibe, food, music and service are all impeccable. A great place to celebrate all kinds of milestones. Will always have a special place in my heart. Parking is easy. read more

This place is amazing! A friend of mine who used to live in the area said he used to go here all the time and highly recommended it. I noticed that it was on the list for restaurant week and got my friend to go with me. We didn't make a reservation, but we showed up right at 5:30 so that we could sit at the bar. When you walk in it's so dark. It kind of reminded me of golden steer in Las vegas, which is my favorite restaurant in Las vegas. It has that old school rat pack Marilyn Monroe feel. Surrounded by red and old photos. Service was great even when it got busy. They custom made my friends drink, but I already forgot what she ordered. We both had the dine LA menu for restaurant week. We both got the sirloin steak, which was great, I got the cheesecake for dessert while she got the peanut butter chocolate for dessert, both were great. The sides were broccoli, which was OK, and mac & cheese. I did think it was strange that for two people, you got the same amount of sides as the person next to us was by themself and they got the same amount of sides. Weird. We like our leftovers. Anyway, I had to try the Caesar salad since everyone was talking about it for the appetizer but next time I go, I want to try the oysters. Dirty martinis were great and strong! I thoroughly enjoyed dinner here and highly recommend this place and to make reservations! read more

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Such a cool local Culver City icon. The branding feels like a charming relic from the era of Sinatra and the Rat Pack. The lights were dim, the decadent mashed potatoes had just enough butter and then they added more, and the creamed spinach was similarly sinful and delicious. We loved that they made the Caesar salad old school at the table, the garlic bread was cheesy with just the right tang, and my filet served medium rare with my choice of horseradish sauce was ridiculously good. I don't have a lot of meat these days so this was a cheat night for me. As Frank once said about life, "You only go around once, but if you play your cards right, once is enough." Not for Dear John's. Will need to return. Great place. read more

Dear John’s - Garlic Bread - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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March 2026 review: We have been looking forward to dining at the iconic Dear John's for years but left with a lot to be desired. Of course the ambience is perfect, with the dark and cozy old school vibe. The service was fine. However, we were disappointed with the overall taste and flavor of our meal. The proteins lacked flavor and at the price point, we were unimpressed. We ordered: tableside Caesar salad, Shrimp cocktail, two Ribeyes (one medium and one medium rare), chicken parmesan, creamed spinach, broccolini, & steak fries. In addition we ordered the following sauces: Cafe de Paris butter, three peppers on brandy. read more

This place is such a little gem! Our hostess Vanessa greeted us with the warmest welcome, the food is spectacular, our server (whose name I unfortunately forgot) was very nice and helpful, and the ambiance is so cozy, romantic, and unique! Would highly recommend this spot! read more

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Came by on a Friday night after making reservations just a few hours before. Everything was delicious! We got the cesar salad, sourdough, garlic cheese bread, French onion soup, steak, and lobster thermador. For dessert we got the peanut butter crunch bar, which tasted like a mars bar. It was definitely way too much food but we knew that going into our order. We opted out of doing valet parking and did street parking, which was free after 6 pm. As a heads up there are no more free refills for the Shirley temple, it's now $2 a refill. We sat on the patio, which was really nice since it was easier to have a conversation and it was a warm night for January in LA. Our server was great. Would definitely come back! read more

Dear John’s - French onion soup - American Near Me - Culver City, California

First time here on 1/15/26. Service was nice everyone was very professional. We were sat outside in their patio area .. they have heaters which was a nice touch because it was night time and slightly cold. The cocktails are on the smaller side but taste delicious. Food was very good but the prices are on the more expensive side. The one thing I absolutely loved was this salted caramel chocolate ice cream!!!! That was the star of the night :-) We had 6 people in our group and paid about $350 per couple ( 2 people) including tip... but please be mindful this also included alcoholic beverages read more

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You walk through these double doors, and in darkness you are greeted by a curtain. A host shows up to see if you are going to the bar, or if you had reservations. You walk pass these theater curtains into a room that is so dark that if I were to tell you, that the business didn't pay the electric bill and had to light a 30x40 room with onlu 14 candles, you'd believe me. It's roughly the lighting you'd get if you were camping, lit a stick, and then brought it with you. The scent of burnt palo santo wood fills the air. The chatter of people all around you is so pervasice that it almost feels like your ears are being stimulated left and right, with two different stimulants. I've watched this place change across 20 years, and I can see why the Michelin star chef fell in love with this place. Unfortunately, the place he fell in love with, and what this place end up being morphing more and more away from what caused me to love it. In the earlier times, I recall how things were dim, but not THIS dim, the fireplace was lit, and in the corner, a grand piano, with space for a Frank Sinatra singer, Sinatra will fill the space, both visually and audibly. Before the Citrin took over this place, the food was nowhere as good. There was a period where the food was mind-blowing, mainly, the New York steak. I NEVER order New York steak anywhere, I always order Ribeye, but CItrin showed me how when done right, New York steak can easily trump Rib-eye. Unfortunately, on my most recent visit, the New York steak's quality dropped, It's still a great steak, but it's no longer that bar setting steak I fell in love with. The gray line of the steak, used to be dinner, and the red of the steak used to be more uniform, the flavors on the outside was more pronounced, there was not hint of burnt. This time around, the I tasted burnt cheese and garlic on the outside of the steak, the meat was slightly more tough and less juicy. Do note, it's still an amazing steak here, and we're picking at the most minor of details, but at the levels it was before, it makes perfect sense. At this level, it's the difference between soft-boil and runny, if you get my drift. I am open to revisiting this place and revising my review, but they charged near 90 dollars for this steak, and it's going to take me some time for me to be willing to splurge that sort of money only to be let down. I hope the steak goes back to how it used to be, frankly, the New York steak prepped here at it's heights is better than other Citrin restaurants. Each time I eat this steak, I draw so much inspiration on how to make my own steaks better, and my own steaks have already reached a level that trumps most restaurants. read more

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Had the 18oz ribeye at Dear John's and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The kitchen nailed the medium-rare temp perfectly, and it had a phenomenal, deeply seasoned crust on the outside. Every bite was incredibly tender, juicy, and rich. It's definitely a splurge, but eating a top-tier steak in that dark, retro booths-and-jazz environment makes it totally worth it. read more

Fantastic food presented in a campy lounge with an old school vibe! My veal shank was the most tender piece I'd ever eaten! Melted in my mouth! The masala mushroom sauce made it perfect. My son had the rib eye and he said "the best steak he had ever eaten!" Better than Steak 48 & Musso's. My 2 other boys had the 18 oz NY Strip. Both barely spoke a word until completion. The steak tartar and wedge salad were spot on. Special note of the "special" scalloped potatoes... yum! The waiting staff were very friendly and personable. Even the bus and valet took candid pictures of us at our request. Loved it and I'm already locked into next Saturday night with friends and my GF! She's going to love it! read more

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The restaurant is lovely, very ambient, and intimate and the food was top notch. The reasons I'm leaving it 4 stars are for the following: 1. When I made the reservation, I told them it would be celebrating my engagement. At no point was that mentioned nor did our waiter ever ask us if we were celebrating anything this evening 2. Their AC was down. Which is out of their control however it definitely affected the experience and I felt some sort of discount was in order. Be it 5% or 10% off the bill read more

I had the bone in New York steak and oh my gosh the flavor was unreal! It was juicy and so tender! Adding sauce to it would've been an insult! The juices of the steak gave the mash a perfect gravy. I can't wait to go back! Jeff was our server and he was so knowledgeable and great overall. We didn't have a reservation; inside was full but such a cool aesthetic. We sat and ate in the patio area and it's a nice quiet vibe. We will definitely have to come again, this time with a res to experience dear John's inside! read more

Dear John’s - Oklahoma bone in New York strip, mash potato's, broccolini & ribeye - American Near Me - Culver City, California

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DineLA 2025 A friend asked me if I was available to go to Dear John's and as I've never been, and I gotta eat ... it's how I ended up dining here. As for parking, I opted for street parking on Sepulveda. Metered but only until 6PM. On that evening, the restaurant opened at 5:30 so it was less than $1 for parking. My friend parked on the residential street across the way for free. Valet parking is offered too - for $12. There are a 2/3 spaces that Dear John's shares with the gym next door. If someone tells you it's dimly lit or dark, believe them. You might be able to tell with my pics. The lighting, to me, gives off an old school vibe, especially when you add the music from generations past. There's a bar but no happy hour. The service was excellent. Attentive. Friendly. Nice. It was great. The team was like a well oiled machine. Call me spoiled but I do appreciate when the staff boxes up any leftover you might have as opposed to just handing you the to go containers. Then there was the food. Went with the DineLA menu but upgraded to the Prime Ribeye. The Oysters Rockefeller served nice and hot as it should be. The crust was crisp and though you can't tell in the pic, the topping was creamy and moist, not runny or watery. It was balanced with the oyster being briny and a nice sea fresh taste. I'll get some hate for this but to me, the Mac & Cheese was standard and I only took a few small bites. But I enjoyed the Broccolini, Loved the Chili Lemon and Breadcrumbs on top. I inhaled the entire serving. Then there was the Ribeye. Rare. See pic. I'd come back just for the steak. Before the steak was served, I was given a steak knife. Didn't need it. So tender and juicy. The servers missed the accompanying sauce but I didn't need and probably wouldn't have used it because the steak itself was enough. I'm still dreaming of that Ribeye right now as I write about it. For dessert, I went with the Marscarpone Cheesecake. I'll just say though I cleared the dish, I'm not a fan. I'm glad I got to finally dine here. With this place's history and with other establishments dropping like flies - never know if it'll be around. However, being not too far from home, and with the experience I had the other evening, I'm sure I'll be back. read more

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At first I thought great an old hole in the wall with limited seating. But man was I pleasantly surprised ! Small menu but solid execution on all the dishes that we ordered. The wedge was both light and rich. The chicken parm was such a fun surprise. The oyster Rockefeller, delicious! Service was on par. Would absolutely go back knowing each dish will be a hit and not a miss. That's what you want these days. read more

A romantic, classy steakhouse on Culver Blvd next to the 405. Everything from the appetizers to the dessert is delectable. Their specials are always a good idea! Here's what I ordered: - Bread for the table (can skip) - Caesar salad for two - 8 oz filet of beef - A few of their sides: broccolini, mushrooms, truffle mac and cheese (WOW), potatoes au gratin (skip) - Peanut chocolate cake - this was a special so it might not available. Like a KitKat in cake form. read more

Delicious food and one of the best ambiances I've experienced. First impression: it's dark. Like, really dark. The only light comes from the glowing bar and a candle at each table. On paper that might sound like a problem, but it actually sets the perfect mood and makes the place stand out from the usual bright-and-busy restaurants. Add in some classic Italian music playing at just the right volume, and the vibe is spot-on. Our waitress was super friendly and fun to chat with... though we could barely see her face the entire meal because, again, it was that dark. Mysterious service, great food, and a unique atmosphere--I loved it. read more

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Great food and service. Patio dining with Frank Sinatra music was very nice. Inside you feel like the Rat Pack would be coming in any moment. A nice trip to the old days. read more

Absolute hidden gem. Don't be deceived by the outside because once you step inside you're in the coolest environment ever. Super moody lighting, gorgeous bar, great service. Filet and salmon were absolutely delicious. Garlic bread and mashed potatoes were also top tier. A great choice for a nice steak dinner and drinks! read more

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We are from OC but originally from Culver City. Dear John's has been there forever and I have heard it has some great drinks so we decided to stop by. They opened at 5:30 and we arrived at opening with others there waiting. We sat at the bar and enjoyed our quick visit. We went with two old fashions and the onion soup and shrimp cocktail. Pricing was on par with a Mastro's. Drinks were good and we enjoyed them along with the quick bits to eat. The contrast from how dark it is inside to outside was a lot but not a deal breaker. Beautiful ambiance. Parking is valet only unless you score parking on the street. We opted for that. Overall, we will be back. read more

Dear John’s - American Near Me - Culver City, California

Finally got across town to Dear John's. It's everything I was hoping for. We snagged some nearby street parking rather paying than $12 for the lot. The restaurant is dark and cozy inside, but it works as part of the vibe. The tableside Caesar was fantastic with lots of anchovy flavor; given how rare tableside prep is, everybody who visits here should take advantage! My mezcal based cocktail was smoky and delicious. For mains, the sand dabs were as good as people say, although for me they could have gone easier on the capers. I had heard mixed reviews of the steaks, but my ribeye was on point, perfectly cooked and seasoned. The only miss of the night was the not terrible but also kinda boring bread pudding. Next time I'll spend the calories on a dessert cocktail. read more

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This was my first visit to Dear John's, although I have visited its seafood-forward sister restaurant, Dear Jane's in Marina del Rey. Dear John's was opened in 1962 by actor John Harlowe, a friend of Frank Sinatra's. It has been run by chefs Josiah Citrin and Hans Rockenwagner and his wife Patti since 2019. It was slated for demolition in 2021, and its lease was set to expire in 2023, but got a last minute 5-year extension of life until 2028. It's a pretty small restaurant, and the darkest dining room I've been in in recent memory. Although there are candles, your phone flashlight is needed to read the menu. There is an outdoor patio. The decor is very old-school, with red tablecloths and an active bar. I ordered dished I had read about or that were recommended by my waiter. I started with the Bougie Tots, tater tots topped with caviar, salmon roe, creme fraiche and chives. Very decadent, but why cheapen the experience by serving it in a plastic bowl? I wanted to try mains from land and sea, so I got the chicken parmesan, which I had read about, and the sand dabs, which my waiter recommended over my first choice, the lobster thermidor. The sand dabs were indeed delish, served classically with a lemon butter sauce with capers. I finished the whole dish before tackling the chicken parm. John's version is an airline chicken (breast and drumette) stuffed with mozzarella, marinara and pesto, served with additional marinara. It has a crispy coating and is oozy-gooey when sliced. Unique and also delish. My go-to sides at a steakhouse are always creamed spinach and creamed corn if available. Dear John's had both. The spinach was stellar because it was unencumbered with cheese, bacon or excess garlic; you mostly tasted the spinach itself. The corn was also good, but I think the corn was frozen. There were just a few dessert options, recited orally by the waiter. I skipped, because none were fruit-forward. Service was quite good and attentive, despite it being quite busy. Worth a visit before it disappears forever. read more

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We have been eating at Dear John's forever, which is amazing because it's been slated to close since 2019 but keeps getting revived! Lucky us! The ambience remains the same-old school Rat Pack vibes with cozy banquettes and tables that are way too close together. But no one seems to care about the proximity of you and your neighboring diners because the hype is real here. Our server was very efficient though he could have used a bit of attitude adjustment. We started with cocktails and moved on to the table side Caesar Salad which is always exciting to see! We followed up with yummy Onion Soup with the perfect amount of saltiness and cheese. For entrees we had the 16 oz New York Strip and the House Special Scampi. The steak, of course was outstanding, but the scampi...OMG-one of the best I've tasted! Tons of perfectly cooked shrimp with linguini in a sauce that I'd drink straight from the bowl if I was at home. We also enjoyed the Potatoes au Gratin and the Creamed Spinach. For dessert we loved the tiramisu. This is one place that consistently delivers good, food, good service, and good fun! read more

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Super delicious. Also super expensive. The vibes however-- immaculate. It feels like you've gone back in time to an old Hollywood steakhouse. The service is great, ambience is perfection, and everything from the art to the music is on theme. Garlic bread is super cheesy, The mashed potato's are smooth like butter. German potatoes were just okay to me (a bit oily). Table-side Caesar was easy to share with 4. Not my favorite Caesar but worth trying! I'd probably try the chopped salad if I went back. Our table had lobster, sand fish (?), and 2 versions of steak. All delicious and perfectly cooked!! Each main is $40-80, sauces are an additional $5 (creamy horseradish was divine), and sides are about $15-20. You'll want at least one main and side per person + an app or two to share, which makes dining here fairly pricy. I'd love to go back for the tiramisu with bananas. read more

We pulled into the parking spot that said "Parking for Dear John's" against the Six Pack Gym wall. Then we walked up to the entrance and the valet attendant tried to charge us money for parking in that spot. He wouldn't let us stay in that spot and then said HE had to move our car--note that he did not have our keys and we had not taken a valet ticket from him. Let me get this straight, you want to charge me for parking my own car in a spot that does not say valet parking only? Sounds like a super sus money grab to me. This is incredibly disappointing for our first time dining here. And before you ask...this other stantion that said "valet only" was added after we drove out and found street parking. Do your job, valet attendant! Here's the thing, if the valet was smart about how to give top notch service, he would have just waived the valet fee and we would have given him a fat tip when we left. We spent over $250 on dinner for two at this restaurant, so it's not about the money at all but rather entirely about the principle and the service. Speaking of the food, I'm giving them 2 stars back because the food was absolutely delicious and our server was fantastic. The hostess not so much (she was def phoning it in) but the server, the food runners, the service at the table and the food were chef's kiss. One additional note, the music choices were meh if not just plain odd. Guns and Roses and Led Zeppelin definitely killed the romantic vibe. Overall we enjoyed our experience AFTER we recovered from the crap service from the valet. I wish the service from start to finish was as consistent. read more

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Do NOT come here and select outdoor seating. Given that it's a higher end restaurant, I thought the outdoor patio would be well decorated and cute. A lot of restaurants took advantage of COVID times and created fairly elaborate outdoor settings. Dear Johns, however, did the absolute bare minimum for its outdoor seating. You feel like you're eating in an alleyway and it's borderline criminal that they charge the same prices as they do inside. We made the mistake of coming here on a date night and booking outdoor seating. We were all dressed up and quite frankly we could have come in our pajamas. Maybe it's better inside but I won't be back to find out. Such a disappointment. read more

We had the best experience here for our wedding anniversary. I made the reservation via OpenTable and self-consciously noted that we were celebrating our anniversary. They gave us a corner table so that we could sit next to each other and look out over the restaurant. We ordered the warm sourdough bread and the shared caesar salad, prepared tableside, as well as the Ribeye and the chicken parm with the mushrooms and creamed corn as sides. We also got cocktails and the new york cheesecake. Everything was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and our server and other team members were perfectly attentive but not hovering. We were able to linger and enjoy everything. Thanks for such a great meal! read more

Very beautiful old school restaurant. A whole vibe with crooners singing on the background. Steak was well seasoned and cooked to perfection (the way I asked). Lamb was tender and delicious. Broccolini and German style potatoes were perfectly cooked. I actually loved the old fashion I ordered, the alcohol was not over bearing and had the right amount of taste. Waiters were tentative and were not pushy or rude. What a lovely place to celebrate or perfect date night. read more

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Restaurant in West LA/ Culver City that has an old-timey LA vibe. The place has been around for a long time and has that institution feel to it. The service was fantastic and the food was very, very good. I've been wanting to come here for years, but for some reason or another, just haven't been able to. Finally, I had something to celebrate and dragged a few friends along for the ride. I would say the menu for the most part is similar to other steakhouses, but there are a few classics that I definitely wanted to order because they were 'old-timey' food items. So of course, we ordered the Oysters Rockefeller, table side Caesar Salad, some scalloped potatoes, etc. We also got the rib eye and chicken parm to kinda share among the table. Oh and we ordered some martinis to wash all this down. I got mine slightly dirty with blue cheese olives. Just great service and well executed, delicious food, and a classy atmosphere. Note: we sat in the outside area which is great, but the inside area looked amazing when I caught a glimpse while using the restroom. It was a weeknight and I was able to easily find street parking nearby. read more

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The food is definitely worth it! Our drinks, steak and salad were definitely pleasing. The wait wasn't very long either which was nice. Service was very decent as well. It is cramped and dark (not dim, DARK) in there though so if you're looking for something with more privacy or wiggle room then this may not be the spot for you. Otherwise, I'd definitely recommend Dear John's. read more

Dear John’s - Augie's Medicina Latina - American Near Me - Culver City, California

Classic and cosy steakhouse, with attentive wait staff, well crafted cocktails and a nicely curated wine list offering many choices by the glass. Boule bread service paired with tableside Caesar salad adds to the subtle flair of a special occasion restaurant. Steaks arrived at perfect temperature, the chicken Parmesan was tasty and lovely to look at too. Potatoes Au gratin and Mac and cheese were solid. Both the cheesecake and the chocolate toffee bar (Kit Kat) with toffee ice cream were a perfect way to end our meal. read more

Five stars for bar service, drinks and ambiance. The steaks aren't aged and at that price we just got a few appetizers at the bar. If you want old school vibe bar and drinks this is your place. read more

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