Since 1921, Pacific Dining Car, Los Angeles’ only 24-hour fine dining establishment (7 days a week) has been serving their loyal customers the best in steakhouse cuisine. Now on their fourth generation of family-ownership, and spearheaded by Chef Mark Kalenderian, PDC is breathing some new life into their menu, while maintaining all the favorites.

 

Pacific Dining Car
1310 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
http://pacificdiningcar.com
* Santa Monica location: 2700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

You may remember seeing PCD in many films and TV shows. Most notably, the 2001film Training Day. Denzel Washington’s character, Alonzo, tells Ethan Hawke’s Jake “Get yourself a Baseball Steak.”

Yes, cinephiles, the Baseball Steak is currently on the menu, you can dine like Denzel.

The second I stepped into this spacious, wood-paneled dining car, I felt like I had stepped into the pages of a vintage Los Angeles-based pulp novel. The lighting is dim, the seating is plush and the décor is old school- my kind of place.

There are 6 different rooms at PDC to dine in, I was arranged to taste their new specials in the Astor Room. I was immediately struck by the elegance of this room; everything from the velvet chairs, white linens, fine china and Wallace silverware. I felt a little guilty for not rocking one of my Unique Vintage dresses to dine but the maitre d’ didn’t flinch at my appearance.

Although this is a fine-dining, the dress code is flexible. All walks of life are welcome to dine at PDC- you could be Joe Schmoe and you’ll receive the same high-class treatment as Johnny Depp.

Although PDC is known for their breakfasts and steaks, they are offering a few new wallet-friendly specials that I know you’ll love.

MONDAY NIGHT SPECIAL – through May 2017 only (both DTLA and Santa Monica locations)

Every Monday in May, from 4 PM to 10 PM, PDC Chef Kalenderian will specially select a bottle red or white wine, which is included in the price of your purchase of 2 dinner entrees.

Get in while you can for this one, I cannot name another restaurant in LA offering an inclusive wine bottle at no additional charge!

COCKTAILS & CANAPÉS– beginning Monday May 15^th, 2017 (to be ordered in the Club Car Bars only, both DTLA and Santa Monica locations) and served Monday through Friday, 5 PM to 7 PM.

– Enjoy a complimentary caviar canapé with purchase of any two martinis. The caviar canapé is a truffled brioche topped with sea salt whipped cream and American caviar.

– Enjoy a complimentary Prime Rib canapé with a purchase of any Scotch from their house menu. The Prime Rib canapé is on toasted rye bread, with a whole grain mustard aioli, pickled mushrooms and topped with Prime Ribs bites.

The bites from the Cocktails & Canapés are rich, and delectable, especially with their beverage pairing. But I couldn’t dine at PDC without trying the famous dry-aged, corn-fed U.S.D.A steak. I didn’t go the Denzel route though, I went bigger.

After the Astor Room tasting, I bellied up to the Club Car Bar for a dirty martini and a Cowboy Steak. My bartender and server Raphael has worked at PDC for 30 years now, and he makes an incredible dirty martini.

All entrées come with complimentary bread and butter, as they should. But I have to take a moment to geek out with you over the curled butter and adorable vintage shell-shaped butter plate first. I need a set of these!

 

The Cowboy Steak is 16 oz. of bone-in rib eye steak with a roasted bone marrow, half garlic clove and sprig of rosemary. You’re welcome to order a complimentary sauce, options include French Truffle Butter, Bernaise Sauce, or Smothered Mushrooms but I prefer a plain steak. This way, I can appreciate each fatty, flavorful bite. Topping it with the roasted bone marrow makes it even more buttery and exquisite.

Every bite here hits the spot, but the historic atmosphere and service from long-time staff makes PDC a little extra special.

Pacific Dining Car is close to 100 years old but it feels timeless, because good food will never go out of style.