Dear John’s used to be my favorite restaurant in all of LA. It’s where I loved taking people and sitting and eating at the bar. The food is absolutely excellent and the steak and drinks are amazing. That being said yesterday when I sat at the bar at dinner I had a bartender/ server that left a really bad experience with me and has in the past. He has served me in the past and always without fail will tell me I’m ordering too many sides. He says this in such a condescending way and will ask if we plan on taking leftovers home and says I should just choose 2 sides. it’s really annoying that he says it in such a way as if he knows we should order less. I would have appreciated it if he would’ve said it in a more professional way or mentioned the size of the container but he says it in a way of like “that’s enough sides for you”. In addition this last time the server spoke and pointed and was talking really unprofessionally about my partner and I. He didn’t realize I too spoke Spanish and could completely understand that he was talking about me and my partner right in front of us! While he was making our drinks! My partner does not speak Spanish but they were feeling uncomfortable because they could see the bartender and another server pointing at us and talking about us. I definitely heard and understood exactly what he said and it was appalling that he could think it was fine to say any of this especially because he spoke Spanish and assumed I didn’t. I did say something to him right after we paid the bill in Spanish and both my partner and I saw the total shock in his face. He asked if I spoke Spanish or was just practicing and I just stated that I was Mexican and I left after that. I’m not feeling great about returning but I may just have to make sure I get a different server next time.
Robert Maron
It’s a tough review. I wanted to go to Dear Johns for a long time. I love these old Hollywood style joints with red leather booths— but how do you go and not compare it to Dan Tana’s or Craig’s and when you do, how does it ever make sense? Yes, the steaks were great. Yes the sides were great. And we drink some good wine. But the joints that I mentioned above just simply do it better for the same price— or just a bit more! My biggest complaint with restaurants like this— and I would put Taylor’s Steakhouse in the same category, is that they don’t hire professional waiters! They don’t employ an absolute top notch Maitre D that understands that clients are paying for more than just good food. It’s imperative to have an employee that understands the true value of a diner willing to spend $200 per person and how to make them feel special as a result — Pro knows ! And a pro knows how to make each client feel like a celebrity or an insider — considering that’s part of the experience Dan Tana’s, Craig’s and The Polo Lounge—among select others understand this where others don’t! And that’s always disappointing and that’s always something missing from restaurants like this. To give you some specific examples, the maître D was a 20-something rather shy female who did her best to explain that we would have to wait because our table wasn’t ready and then offered us what she called the owners table at the end of the bar (a hightop) but when I asked to see it, she seen Brother try to take him into the restaurant and show it to me— so we simply walk to the table ourselves and sat down— it wasn’t the Booth experience, but it was actually a great table that overlooked the whole restaurant so we decided to sit. One issue was that a portable piano had been sat right next to this table and the table needed to be pulled out ever so slightly and turned so the two men could sit comfortably without their back to the restaurant. When we did that, the “Manager“ quickly showed up, push the table back where it was and turned it back 5° to make it awkward— and was rather adamant and repeatedly telling us “gentlemen the table cannot be moved!” You have to laugh because that’s so ludicrous to treat us like work children in the cafeteria rather than Guys about to shell out over $400 for dinner! When I tried to explain that the piano was in the way— he responded curtly, telling us “you’re welcome to wait for another table.” Honestly we had to laugh. Soon after ordering with the waiter who sort of showed up from nowhere asking if we were ready to order without introducing himself as our waiter or giving us any sense of comfort, could offer no advice as far as work basically responding with things like, “ it depends on what you like.” we asked the spinach or the corn could be made with oil and sautéed rather than cream and there was just a blanket “no.” That pretty much sums it up good food and terrible service in a beautiful setting. That’s not respected by the owners or the manager— not surprising as there’s no respect for the clients. This restaurant would benefit so much by simply hiring professional leaders and a solid maitre D and understanding that if people are going to drive to Culver City instead of Hollywood, West Hollywood Beverly Hills— you better be prepared to give him something extra and a reason to come back. I won’t be back. But let me tell you they make a mean Caesar salad.
Kevin Boylan
Everything was perfect
David Jowell
My first time there will not be my last. It was FABULOUS ! Great all around 5 star 5 diamond ! I have to say that the Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster Thermador,the Peanut butter bar, and my smoked cherry old fashion, and the Service ! Off The Planet ! Thank Y'all for a Great Experience
Douglas
Very enjoyable evening. Great atmosphere. Good service. Only mark down is the NY Steak. Although tasty, a bit too chewy. Everything else was very good, especially the table side Caesar Salad.
Peter
Superb food and atmosphere.... Our server was excellent Great experience as usual Thank you
Master 82575
Food is excellent 👍service athmosphere dear John the best legendary ,frank Sinatra love eat here,
Greg
Dear John's is wonderful! A great place for special events and out if town visitors looking for a unique experience.
stefanie betti
Wr had dinner with some friends at the bar. Our bartender was Elena and she was fantastic from the moment we sat down. She makes excellent martinis and Vespers, and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the history of the restaurant. We will definitely be back to see her again soon!
Opentable Diner
Jeffrey our server was amazing! Everything we ate was delicious and service was incredible. Next time I'd want to sit inside though however other than that it was amazing
It was very loud. To the point where we couldn't hear eaxhorher across the table. It took away from the great staff and food
Amy Sriwattananon
I am extremely disappointed with the service at Dear John’s. My friends and I were excited to visit for the first time, especially since I had spent time studying the menu and saving up for this special night. The restaurant’s prices are on the higher side, and I wanted to treat my friends to a memorable experience. However, the service was far from what we expected.
Upon arrival, we were not greeted by the waiter, and when he finally approached our table, he immediately started with rude remarks. His attitude remained disrespectful throughout the evening, making us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. I was honestly embarrassed that I had chosen this place for a special night out. It’s unfortunate that the poor service completely overshadowed what could have been an enjoyable experience. The waiter’s behavior single-handedly ruined the entire evening.
Brian Hurler
Literally every single thing we ordered hit so hard. Best meal of my life so far.
M S
Used to live in LA but have since moved back to FL. Just came back to visit and my best friend out here took me here for a surprise because I’ve been wanting to try it. Well I wasn’t disappointed. Old school vibes, old school service and old school quality. Everything was awesome. I know it’s a weird one for a steakhouse but try the pigs in a blanket made with Wagyu beef. And the Caesar salad is made table side fresh. Outstanding. Sooooo good. I could eat at this place every night. If you have a chance, get in there!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Pigs in a Blanket, Traditional Caesar Salad for Two
David Cochran
Although the food was above average, considering the price the experience is absolutely not worth it.
We sat outside and immediately regretted it. There is clearly little thought put into the outside area and considering that the place is mostly known for its atmosphere inside, sitting outside it utterly pointless and disappointing. The service is slow and disjointed and we were definitely forgotten about a few times.
The table side Caesar salad was very mediocre and it looked like the waiter didn’t bring out enough ingredients but just made it anyway (plus it’s just an anchovy paste, which removes all the fun of seeing it prepared by the table).
The stall in the men’s room is literally so small that I could barely fit. My knees were touching the door.
Basically, unless you want the dark inside vibe and are willing to pay top dollar for the old school reputation minus the quality, go elsewhere.
Dear John’s used to be my favorite restaurant in all of LA. It’s where I loved taking people and sitting and eating at the bar. The food is absolutely excellent and the steak and drinks are amazing.
That being said yesterday when I sat at the bar at dinner I had a bartender/ server that left a really bad experience with me and has in the past.
He has served me in the past and always without fail will tell me I’m ordering too many sides. He says this in such a condescending way and will ask if we plan on taking leftovers home and says I should just choose 2 sides. it’s really annoying that he says it in such a way as if he knows we should order less.
I would have appreciated it if he would’ve said it in a more professional way or mentioned the size of the container but he says it in a way of like “that’s enough sides for you”.
In addition this last time the server spoke and pointed and was talking really unprofessionally about my partner and I. He didn’t realize I too spoke Spanish and could completely understand that he was talking about me and my partner right in front of us! While he was making our drinks! My partner does not speak Spanish but they were feeling uncomfortable because they could see the bartender and another server pointing at us and talking about us. I definitely heard and understood exactly what he said and it was appalling that he could think it was fine to say any of this especially because he spoke Spanish and assumed I didn’t.
I did say something to him right after we paid the bill in Spanish and both my partner and I saw the total shock in his face. He asked if I spoke Spanish or was just practicing and I just stated that I was Mexican and I left after that. I’m not feeling great about returning but I may just have to make sure I get a different server next time.
It’s a tough review. I wanted to go to Dear Johns for a long time. I love these old Hollywood style joints with red leather booths— but how do you go and not compare it to Dan Tana’s or Craig’s and when you do, how does it ever make sense? Yes, the steaks were great. Yes the sides were great. And we drink some good wine. But the joints that I mentioned above just simply do it better for the same price— or just a bit more! My biggest complaint with restaurants like this— and I would put Taylor’s Steakhouse in the same category, is that they don’t hire professional waiters! They don’t employ an absolute top notch Maitre D that understands that clients are paying for more than just good food. It’s imperative to have an employee that understands the true value of a diner willing to spend $200 per person and how to make them feel special as a result — Pro knows ! And a pro knows how to make each client feel like a celebrity or an insider — considering that’s part of the experience Dan Tana’s, Craig’s and The Polo Lounge—among select others understand this where others don’t! And that’s always disappointing and that’s always something missing from restaurants like this. To give you some specific examples, the maître D was a 20-something rather shy female who did her best to explain that we would have to wait because our table wasn’t ready and then offered us what she called the owners table at the end of the bar (a hightop) but when I asked to see it, she seen Brother try to take him into the restaurant and show it to me— so we simply walk to the table ourselves and sat down— it wasn’t the Booth experience, but it was actually a great table that overlooked the whole restaurant so we decided to sit. One issue was that a portable piano had been sat right next to this table and the table needed to be pulled out ever so slightly and turned so the two men could sit comfortably without their back to the restaurant. When we did that, the “Manager“ quickly showed up, push the table back where it was and turned it back 5° to make it awkward— and was rather adamant and repeatedly telling us “gentlemen the table cannot be moved!” You have to laugh because that’s so ludicrous to treat us like work children in the cafeteria rather than Guys about to shell out over $400 for dinner! When I tried to explain that the piano was in the way— he responded curtly, telling us “you’re welcome to wait for another table.” Honestly we had to laugh. Soon after ordering with the waiter who sort of showed up from nowhere asking if we were ready to order without introducing himself as our waiter or giving us any sense of comfort, could offer no advice as far as work basically responding with things like, “ it depends on what you like.” we asked the spinach or the corn could be made with oil and sautéed rather than cream and there was just a blanket “no.” That pretty much sums it up good food and terrible service in a beautiful setting. That’s not respected by the owners or the manager— not surprising as there’s no respect for the clients. This restaurant would benefit so much by simply hiring professional leaders and a solid maitre D and understanding that if people are going to drive to Culver City instead of Hollywood, West Hollywood Beverly Hills— you better be prepared to give him something extra and a reason to come back. I won’t be back. But let me tell you they make a mean Caesar salad.
Everything was perfect
My first time there will not be my last. It was FABULOUS ! Great all around 5 star 5 diamond ! I have to say that the Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster Thermador,the Peanut butter bar, and my smoked cherry old fashion, and the Service ! Off The Planet ! Thank Y'all for a Great Experience
Very enjoyable evening. Great atmosphere. Good service. Only mark down is the NY Steak. Although tasty, a bit too chewy. Everything else was very good, especially the table side Caesar Salad.
Superb food and atmosphere.... Our server was excellent Great experience as usual Thank you
Food is excellent 👍service athmosphere dear John the best legendary ,frank Sinatra love eat here,
Dear John's is wonderful! A great place for special events and out if town visitors looking for a unique experience.
Wr had dinner with some friends at the bar. Our bartender was Elena and she was fantastic from the moment we sat down. She makes excellent martinis and Vespers, and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the history of the restaurant. We will definitely be back to see her again soon!
Jeffrey our server was amazing! Everything we ate was delicious and service was incredible. Next time I'd want to sit inside though however other than that it was amazing
Restaurantji Recommends
It was very loud. To the point where we couldn't hear eaxhorher across the table. It took away from the great staff and food
I am extremely disappointed with the service at Dear John’s. My friends and I were excited to visit for the first time, especially since I had spent time studying the menu and saving up for this special night. The restaurant’s prices are on the higher side, and I wanted to treat my friends to a memorable experience. However, the service was far from what we expected.
Upon arrival, we were not greeted by the waiter, and when he finally approached our table, he immediately started with rude remarks. His attitude remained disrespectful throughout the evening, making us feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. I was honestly embarrassed that I had chosen this place for a special night out. It’s unfortunate that the poor service completely overshadowed what could have been an enjoyable experience. The waiter’s behavior single-handedly ruined the entire evening.
Literally every single thing we ordered hit so hard. Best meal of my life so far.
Used to live in LA but have since moved back to FL. Just came back to visit and my best friend out here took me here for a surprise because I’ve been wanting to try it. Well I wasn’t disappointed. Old school vibes, old school service and old school quality. Everything was awesome. I know it’s a weird one for a steakhouse but try the pigs in a blanket made with Wagyu beef. And the Caesar salad is made table side fresh. Outstanding. Sooooo good. I could eat at this place every night. If you have a chance, get in there!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Pigs in a Blanket, Traditional Caesar Salad for Two
Although the food was above average, considering the price the experience is absolutely not worth it.
We sat outside and immediately regretted it. There is clearly little thought put into the outside area and considering that the place is mostly known for its atmosphere inside, sitting outside it utterly pointless and disappointing. The service is slow and disjointed and we were definitely forgotten about a few times.
The table side Caesar salad was very mediocre and it looked like the waiter didn’t bring out enough ingredients but just made it anyway (plus it’s just an anchovy paste, which removes all the fun of seeing it prepared by the table).
The stall in the men’s room is literally so small that I could barely fit. My knees were touching the door.
Basically, unless you want the dark inside vibe and are willing to pay top dollar for the old school reputation minus the quality, go elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 3
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