I've long wanted to visit Dal Rae. A friend recommended it to me, and everything I'd read about…read morethis historic restaurant had been positive. So when my wife and I were deciding where to celebrate our anniversary, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity.
Our son wanted to tag along, and honestly, we don't like leaving him at home when we can experience something together as a family. I love creating these memories with my wife and son, especially visiting classic establishments around Los Angeles and introducing our son to places that have been part of the city's dining history.
Unfortunately, Dal Rae was more of a letdown than the memorable anniversary experience I had hoped for.
The weekend ambiance is really something special. There's live music throughout the restaurant, and we were fortunate enough to get a nice booth adjacent to the piano bar. The music wasn't too loud, but it was easy to hear, and the smooth jazz was a lovely touch.
The staff were friendly and kind. When everything was working, Dal Rae had that classic old-school steakhouse atmosphere that is becoming harder and harder to find.
This is where things fell short.
The food quality was decent, but **everything was incredibly salty.** And I actually like salty food! The tableside salad was too salty, the baked potato was overly salty, and both of our steaks were too salty.
At one point, I joked that my tongue was still numb from all the salt and that I needed to grab a bottle of water.
The kitchen really needs to taste the food before it goes out. Seasoning should enhance the food, not overwhelm it.
Steven, the table side salad connoisseur, was one of the highlights of our visit. He was energetic, personable and clearly enjoyed what he was doing. Watching him prepare the salad table side was one of those little experiences that puts a smile on your face and creates a lasting memory.
I just wish I had the heart to tell him to go a little lighter on the salt!
Later, Steven was preparing the salad at a table a few booths down when the smoke alarm went off and began beeping. The dining room became extremely smoky, and several of us started coughing. Definitely not ideal during an anniversary dinner.
Our server was very nice and genuinely kindhearted. He appeared relatively new and made a few miscues, but he was trying his best, so I can't fault him too much.
I did notice that some larger parties and tables that appeared to be regulars seemed to receive more attention. The owner made his rounds and greeted a table right next to us but never came over to ours. I found that a little odd.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but every guest should feel equally welcomed. Whether you're a high roller or a small fry, **our money all spends the same.**
This was especially noticeable because we were celebrating our anniversary. I made the reservation through OpenTable and included a note mentioning the occasion. I wasn't expecting anything extravagant, but even a simple "Happy Anniversary" would have meant a lot.
Another thing that surprised me was the dress code. There's a sign outside indicating that Dal Rae has a strict dress code, yet during our visit I saw men in T-shirts and backwards hats, along with women in spaghetti straps and daisy dukes.
I understand times change and restaurants have to adapt, but it was still disappointing to see.
I didn't grow up going to Dal Rae, so I can't tell you whether the standards have declined from what they once were. I can only judge the experience I had.
I also wish there were a little more consideration for families with children.
I came across an old menu online that apparently included a free sundae with the kids' meal. That's exactly the kind of little gesture that can put a smile on a child's face and create a lasting memory. It's a shame that promotion is gone.
Last year, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary at another restaurant. The service was superb, they gave us complimentary sparkling wine, and they even had crayons and placemats for our son. Those little touches matter.
I really wanted to love Dal Rae. I was excited to finally visit a restaurant I'd heard about for years and even more excited to celebrate my anniversary there with my wife and son.
Unfortunately, the evening left me disappointed.
The ambiance, live music and old-school character are wonderful. Steven's tableside salad preparation was memorable, and there are clearly people here who care about what they do.
But the food was **way too salty**, the service felt uneven, our anniversary was never acknowledged, and some of the old-school standards seemed to have slipped.
I sincerely wish Dal Rae well and hope it continues for many more years. They certainly don't seem to need my help staying busy--the restaurant was bustling with patrons.
For me, though, this wasn't the memorable anniversary meal I had hoped for.
And if I ever return, I'll be asking the kitchen to go very, very light on the salt.