The Palm - West Hollywood
9001 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90069In a city where restaurants vie for celebrity patronage and flashy presentations sometimes precede flavor, The Palm Steakhouse in West Hollywood remains the unpretentious favorite of locals and celebrities alike. Since its opening in 1975, The Palm has been garnering a crowd of devoted followers with its simple, stunning presentations of high quality meat, seafood, and favorite Italian classics, like Veal Scallopine and Linguini with Clam Sauce. Its lively atmosphere, generous portions, and highly attentive service make The Palm an ideal destination for a special occasion dinner, even as the relaxed bar scene invites old friends to re-connect over a great glass of wine.
A Taste of the Old World in West Hollywood
Review by TableAgent
From the outside, the Palm is relatively nondescript, with a green and white façade and only a small sign donning the signature palm tree to announce its presence. Inside, the walls are dark wood paneling and lined with matching wood booths that include dark green leather seats. To the left of the entry, a large television hangs over a polished wood bar where patrons can chat amicably among one another, and this is exactly what they did as we arrived, and continued to do as we left a few hours later.
We were greeted quite warmly by The Palm’s staff and led to a quaint table for two at the far end of the restaurant. The restaurant offers booths as well as round tables, all tastefully topped with uncomplicated white linens. Though there was no music playing, the room hummed with conversation and the lights were dim over tables populated by content diners. Our server, Alessandro, greeted us within seconds with his charming Italian accent. After a quick hello, we were brought a basket containing large slices of sourdough bread and a few pieces of dense, sweet panettone. Two glasses of deep, complex Malbec were poured into our beautiful stemware as we glanced over our menus.
The Palm’s menu is divided into several small parts: appetizer, salads, vegetable and potatoes, house specialties, Italian specialties like Chicken Parmesan, selections of fish and, of course, high-quality beef and chops. In addition, there is ever-changing seasonal menu highlighting the freshest local ingredients of each season.
Executive Chef Brent Jaegar shops at local farmers markets and uses local purveyors for his specials, and based on Alessandro’s recommendation, we began our meal with one of these: Steamed West Coast Mussels. They arrive already split into two shallow bowls, and swimming in a pale yellow beurre blanc. The mussels are tender and the beurre blanc is light enough not to overwhelm the true flavor of the mussels. The dish was simply garnished with fresh thyme and micro greens. As a result of this simplicity, the flavors remained clean and were just enough to highlight the shellfish.
Some time before our mussels arrived, Alessandro brought out the raw version of our New York Strip Steak in order for us to inspect the firm texture, fine marbling, and dark coloring that is the result of The Palm’s rigorous aging process. Steaks are aged by The Palm’s own national meat wholesale company, which specializes in high-quality, Midwestern, corn-fed beef. When the cooked version of our steak arrived, the simplicity of the presentation astonished us- just the twelve ounce steak, alone and centered on a large round plate, dotted only by finely chopped parsley. It was a subtle statement about the quality of the beef.
When we cut into the strip steak, we were delighted to see that it was evenly cooked, with a rich, crispy brown crust on the outside, and possessed the essential transition from pink to red on the inside. Aside from melting in our mouth, our steak was full of character, tender but still retaining enough texture to let us linger over the time-developed flavor.
For our other entrée, we selected The Palm’s Three Pound Lobster, a behemoth of a crustacean, steamed, cut in half and then lightly charred under the broiler before being served on a large silver platter accompanied by lemon wedges and melted sweet butter. The lobster, too, was simple but well-done, lacking a flashy presentation that might distract from the beautifully sweet meat.
To accompany the selections of fish and meat, The Palm offers a variety of vegetable and potato side dishes from which we ordered one of the seasonal specials, a side of sautéed corn. A generous portion of corn arrived on a small, oblong dish accompanying our steak. The combination of lightly charred sweet corn, generous cubes of fatty, crisp pancetta, meltingly soft cipollini onions, roasted garlic, and parsley was truly outstanding. It was a delicious, colorful and complex contrast to the simplicity of our steak and lobster.
The Palm offers guests a dessert tray from which to choose. In this way, guests are deviously tempted not just by descriptions, but by the sight of rustic Italian tiramisu or a colorful bowl of fresh berries. We entrusted Alessandro, who had not yet led us astray, with our dessert choice and we were presented with the Cheesecake. Alessandro brought it to our table and set it down with the quick comment that he had garnished it, “as if it were for myself,” with a pile of berries and a spritz of Chantilly cream. The tall triangle of creamy cheesecake is topped with a layer of sweetened sour cream and lined with a thick graham cracker crust on the edges and bottom. In line with the rest of our meal, this cheesecake is the real thing, sourced directly from a company in New Jersey that specializes in New York cheesecakes. We also indulged in a cup of espresso which was small and strong, and proved to be a nice end to our meal, served in true Italian style with a sliver of lemon peel to twist and toss into the cup.
By the end of our meal, we felt sure we had figured out why so many people, including celebrities, love The Palm. It isn’t because it is a trendy, overpriced steakhouse or not even because the service is outstanding and devoted. It’s because The Palm has character and it has class. It stays true to the original ideals of excellent food in an elegant yet approachable atmosphere, and doesn’t pretend to be something else. It is unpretentious, fun and lively. The dishes are simple, classy, and extremely well-executed. If you’re looking for a classic place to celebrate a special occasion, or even just to relax with friends over a great glass of wine and a steak, you’ve found it at The Palm.
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Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 9001 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90069
- Cross Street: Doheny Drive
- Location: Central / Downtown LA | West Hollywood
- Cuisine: American | Steak |
- Cost: | Moderate
- Category: Fine Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Business Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street | Valet Parking |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Diners Club |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
-
Staff:
Brent Jaeger
| Executive Chef
- Website: http://www.thepalm.com/sitemain.cfm?site_id=5
- Phone: (310) 550-8811
- Features: Full Bar, Winning Wine List, Lounge / Bar,
- Occasion: Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Celebrity Spotting,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Lunch - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Dinner - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Tuesday
- Lunch - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Lunch - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Wednesday
- Lunch - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Dinner - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Thursday
- Lunch - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Dinner - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Friday
- Lunch - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Dinner - Main Dining Room 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday
- Dinner - Main Dining Room 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
F.A.Q.s
Frequently Asked Questions- Will I see anyone famous?
- The Palm Steakhouse is ideally situated in the heart of West Hollywood, a hotspot for celebrity guests. Even on quiet days, though, you may dine in the company of the Palm’s iconic caricatures of famous patrons.
- Is this a new restaurant?
- No, The Palm West Hollywood opened in 1975.
- Do you serve lobster?
- Yes. In addition to a number of seafood dishes on the menu, the Jumbo Nova Scotia 3lb Lobster specialty is a favorite.
- Where do you get your steaks from?
- The Palm runs its own meat wholesale company so the restaurant can ensure the quality of its steaks.
Menus
Lunch Menu
Soups and Starters
- Colossal Lump Crabmeat Cocktail 23.90
- Carpaccio of Beef Tenderloin 17.40
- Arugula, lemon, black pepper, olive oil, shaved parmigiano reggiano
- Crispy Calamari Fritti 11.90
- Point Judith calamari tossed with preserved lemon and marinated cherry peppers
- Chef’s Soup of the Day 8.90
- Jumbo Shrimp Bruno 16.90
- three jumbo shrimp française sautéed in a dijon mustard sauce
- Lobster Bisque 13.90
- Fresh lobster meat, cream and sherry
- Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail 20.90
- with atomic horseradish
- Mixed Green Salad 12.30
- romaine, iceberg, baby greens, cucumber, carrots, radish, scallions and cherry tomatoes tossed in a garlic vinaigrette/ Slightly Smaller $7.90
Palm Salads & Sandwiches
- Classic Caesar Salad 12.90
- Add: Grilled Chicken Breast: $3 / Grilled Shrimp: $5 / Sliced New York Strip: $7
- Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad 16.90
- Louis “Gigi” Delmaestro Salad 15.90
- Shrimp, haricot verts, tomato, onion, bacon, iceberg lettuce, roasted pepper, egg and avocado tossed in a garlic vinaigrette
- Nova Scotia Lobster Salad 20.90
- Baby greens, tomatoes, onions and avocado in a cilantro lime vinaigrette
- Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna Salad 19.90
- with baby greens, peppers, tomatoes, toasted almonds, oranges, fried wontons and soy vinaigrette
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich 15.90
- with bacon, lettuce, tomato, aged cheddar cheese and avocado mayonnaise
- Nova Scotia Lobster Roll 20.90
- Sliced New York Steak Sandwich 20.90
- caramelized onions and peppers, aged cheddar cheese and horseradish aioli
Luncheon Specialties
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes 24.90
- chipotle tartar sauce
- Wasabi and Panko Crusted Ahi Tuna Steak 22.90
- Sesame cucumber salad and soy dressing
- Chef's Fresh Fish Special of the Day 0.00
Palm Steak Burgers
- 837 Club Burger 16.90
- prosciutto di Parma, roasted red peppers, pesto aioli, and fontina cheese
- Second Avenue Burger 16.90
- Danish bleu cheese, and smoked bacon
- Bozzi Burger 16.90
- aged gouda, smokey barbecue sauce, and crispy fried onions
- Bunless Burger 16.90
- wild mushrooms, asparagus and fontina cheese
- Classic Burger 14.90
- cheddar cheese
House Specialty
- Broiled Jumbo Nova Scotia Lobster (3 pounds) 0.00
- 4 pounds, pounds and larger are also available. Ask your server for details.***Add a half lobster to any order from the Steaks & Chops menu at half the whole lobster price.***
Steaks & Chops
- Prime New York Strip 16 ounce 49.90
- Prime Bone-In Rib-Eye Steak 24 ounce 54.90
- Double Cut Lamb Rib Chops 18 ounce 48.90
- Served with fresh mint sauce
- Prime Bone-In Rib-Eye Steak 24 ounce 49.00
- Double Cut Lamb Rib Chops 44.50
- 18 ounce fresh mint sauce
- Filet Mignon 9 ounce 44.90
- Double Cut Filet Mignon 14 ounce 48.90
- Boneless Rib-Eye Steak 18 ounce 41.90
Vegetables & Potatoes
- Leaf Spinach 11.90
- Green Beans 11.90
- pancetta, pepper flakes and pine nuts
- Brussels Sprouts 11.90
- lemon brown butter
- Wild Mushrooms 11.90
- Creamed Spinach 11.90
- Asparagus Fritti 11.90
- lemon garlic butter
- Three Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin 11.90
- Hash Brown Potatoes 11.90
- Hand Cut French Fries 11.90
- parmesan and garlic
- Goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes 11.90
- Half & Half 11.90
- cottage fries and fried onions
Business Lunch Menu
$25.90
per person
First Course
- Mixed Green Salad 0.00
- Caesar Salad 0.00
- garlic croutons and parmigiano reggiano
- Soup of the Day 0.00
Second Course
- Chef’s Fresh Fish Special of the Day 0.00
- Chicken Parmigiana 0.00
- Atlantic Salmon Fillet 0.00
- Roasted red pepper sauce
- Filet Mignon Medallions 0.00
- A la stone with bordelaise sauce. Crabmeat Oscar- additional $5
- Palm Burger 0.00
- aged cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and French Fries
Single Portion Side
- Half & Half 0.00
- cottage fries and fried onions
- Vegetable of the Day 0.00
- Linguine Marinara 0.00
Third Course
- Flourless Chocolate Cake 0.00
- New York Style Cheesecake 0.00
Dinner Menu
Appetizers
- Colossal Lump Crabmeat Cocktail 23.90
- Carpaccio of Beef Tenderloin 17.40
- Arugula, lemon, black pepper, olive oil, and shaved parmigiano reggiano
- Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna 19.30
- sliced with seaweed salad, pickled ginger, wasabi and soy vinaigrette
- Lobster Bisque 13.90
- fresh lobster meat, cream and sherry
- Baked Clams Casino or Oreganata 13.90
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cake 13.90
- Chipotle tartar sauce
- Crispy Calamari Fritti 11.90
- Point Judith calamari, cornmeal dusted and tossed with lemon and marinated peppers
- Chef’s Soup of the Day 8.90
- Jumbo Shrimp Bruno 15.90
- three jumbo shrimp française sautéed in a dijon mustard sauce
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops 16.40
- Served with balsamic and basil reduction
- Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail 18.90
- with atomic horseradish
Salads
- Louis “Gigi” Delmaestro Salad 15.90
- shrimp, green beans, tomato, onion, bacon, iceberg lettuce, roasted pepper, egg & avocado tossed in a garlic vinaigrette
- Mixed Green Salad 11.90
- Romaine, iceberg, baby greens, cucumber, carrots, radish, scallions and cherry tomatoes tossed in a garlic vinaigrette/ Slightly Smaller $7.90
- Classic Caesar Salad 12.90
- Slightly Smaller $8.90
- Beefsteak Tomato Capri 13.90
- sliced tomatoes, basil and imported mozzarella di bufala
- Iceberg Lettuce Wedge 13.80
- Danish blue cheese, toasted walnuts, bacon, cherry tomatoes, chives and fried onions
- Monday Night Salad 12.90
- finely chopped romaine, iceberg, tomato, onion, roasted pepper, radish, scallion, and anchovy
Classic Italian
- Veal Marsala 31.90
- Veal Martini 33.90
- Shallots, mushrooms, fresh and sun dried tomatoes, white wine, marsala wine and basil
- Veal Parmigiana 33.90
- Veal Milanese 31.90
- Chicken Piccata 30.90
- Chicken Parmigiana 32.90
- Linguine and Clams Sauce 24.90
- fresh pasta, chopped clams, white wine and basil
Steak & Chops
- Prime New York Strip 16 ounce 49.90
- Prime Bone-In Rib-Eye Steak 24 ounce 54.90
- Double Cut Lamb Rib Chops 18 ounce 48.90
- Fresh mint sauce
- Bozzi "Prime" Steak Burger 12 ounce 18.00
- Aged gouda, barbecue sauce, and crispy fried onions
- Filet Mignon 9 ounce 44.90
- Double Cut Filet Mignon 14 ounce 48.90
- Boneless Rib-Eye Steak 18 ounce 41.90
- Prime Double Cut New York Strip 32 ounce 99.80
- 2-3 person sliced table side
House Specialty
- Broiled Jumbo Nova Scotia Lobster (3 pounds) 0.00
- 4 pounds, 5 pounds and larger are also available. Ask your server for details.***Add a half lobster to any order from our Steaks and Chops menu at half the whole lobster price.***
Seafood
- Jumbo Cold Water Nova Scotia Lobster Tail 15 ounce 56.90
- Fresh lemon and melted butter
- Nova Scotia Lobster Cobb Salad 35.90
- 6 ounces of Nova Scotia lobster meat, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, haricot verts, bacon, avocado, sharp cheddar cheese and egg tossed in garlic vinaigrette
- Swordfish Steak 37.90
- Cherry tomato-olive relish
- Chilean Sea Bass 38.90
- Served with corn relish
- Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes 37.90
- Chipotle tartar sauce and mango salsa
- Atlantic Salmon Fillet 36.90
- Served with mango salsa
Vegetables & Potatoes
- Leaf Spinach 11.90
- Green Beans 11.90
- pancetta, pepper flakes and pine nuts
- Brussels Sprouts 11.90
- lemon brown butte
- Wild Mushrooms 11.90
- Creamed Spinach 11.90
- Asparagus Fritti 11.90
- lemon garlic butter
- Three Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin 11.90
- Hash Brown Potatoes 11.90
- Hand Cut French Fries 11.90
- parmesan and garlic
- Goat Cheese Whipped Potatoes 11.90
- Half & Half 11.90
- cottage fries and fried onions