LA's Best Tableside Preparations
Tableside restaurant preparations are fast becoming a dying art in Los Angeles. Restaurants that used to offer tableside preparations no longer offer that kind of service due to health code regulations in some cases. The restaurants that still offer tableside preparations are few and far between and usually for select items only. The idea behind tableside food preparations is to serve up food at the best temperature possible and to cook it exactly the way you want it. Fortunately, there are still a few places in Los Angeles that cook the food in front of you and offer some of the best tableside preparations in town.
Del Rae Restaurant
9023 Washington Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
(562) 949-2444
www.dalrae.com
Del Rae is the by far the No. 1 place in Los Angeles to go for the best tableside food preparations. People travel from as far as Palm Springs to relish in Del Rae's savory and delectable items. Del Rae is a family-owned restaurant that spoils restaurant-goers with premium service and classic dishes such as the Caesar salad, lobster thermidor and steak Diane for dinner and the cherries jubilee and banana flambe, all prepared tableside for an unforgettable experience. The waitstaff goes out of its way to make people feel welcome at this old school steak house. Del Rae is also known for making the the best martinis in LA.
Oo-Kook Korean BBQ
3385 W. 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 385-5665
www.ookookbbq.com
Most all-you-can-eat Korean BBQs are pretty do-it-yourself, but what really sets a Korean BBQ restaurant apart from all the rest is exceptional service. Oo-Kook Korean BBQ is one of those places with a service staff that will let you cook for yourself if you so choose, or give you a Vegas-style show with all the trimmings and the most attentive service you won't find at most Korean BBQs. The meat is high quality and cooks before your very eyes. As busy as the place gets, it doesn't take long to get seated.
Genwa Korean BBQ
5115 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 549-0760
www.genwakoreanbbq.com
Genwa Korean BBQ offers a unique Korean BBQ experience with the highest quality meats served in a fine dining area adorned with modern decor for a contemporary ambiance. The staff refills your side dishes constantly at no extra charge, almost like glasses of water. You cook the meats yourself with the grill in the middle of the table, but the servers are pretty attentive to the grill making sure nothing gets overcooked. The best part about Genwa is how it frequently changes out the grill during your visit so it's always pristine.
Related: Best Korean BBQ In Los Angeles
Peppone Ristorante
11628 Barrington Court
Brentwood, CA 90049
(310) 476-7379
www.peppone.com
Located in the heart of Brentwood Village in Los Angeles, Peppone Ristorante offers diners a memorable experience complete with exceptional service and a romantic ambiance that features intimate lighting, soft music playing in the background, burgundy booths and artistic wall decor. Peppone features northern Italian cuisines and tableside preparations on select items, including the popular steam cauliflower appetizer and classic Caesar salad. The best part about Peppone Ristorante is its extensive vintage wine list at great prices. Reservations are necessary due to the restaurant's large and loyal client base.
Related: Best New Restaurants In Los Angeles
Mori Teppan Grill
120 W. Stocker St.
Glendale, CA 91202
(818) 548-4227
If you like Benihana-style dining, then Mori Teppan Grill is a fun local alternative. Some say the food and service is actually better than Benihana, but perhaps that has something to do with the more private setting of Mori in comparison. Be sure to bring your appetite when you show up because the portion sizes at Mori are hefty for the price you pay. The best part about Mori Teppan Grill is that you don't always need a reservation or have to wait forever to get a table.
Niki Payne is a freelance writer covering all things Entertainment in Los Angeles. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
