Dal Rae Restaurant. Pico Rivera

9023 E. Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera CA 90660

562-949-2444

Hours of Operation:

Lunch:  Monday - Friday 11:30 am- 3:00pm

Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 5:00pm-10:00pm.  Friday - Saturday 5:00pm-11:00pm

Children's Plates, Banquets, Meetings & Entertainment.

THE ROOM & THE FOOD:

The Dal Ray is a true Southern California classic established in 1958. The first time I walked into the room I expected to see "The Rat Pack" in the corner. The elegant 50's retro look just makes you want to slide slowly into one of their leather booths, order a chilled cocktail and wait for the man at the piano to "tinkle the ivories". Their lunch and dinner menus are very extensive with quite a variety of "classics" and a great selection of more modern fare. Appetizers range from Oysters Rockerfeller, Caviar, Escargots, Seafood Platters, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktails, Crab Cakes, Fried Calamari to Teriyaki Tidbits and Ahi Sashimi. The salad coarse offers the classic Dal Rae Caesar salad prepared at tableside. Also on the menu are Marinara, Spinach, Chopped and Greek salads along with Shrimp or Crab Louie. Tuna and Chicken salads are also on the lunch menu. Lunch entres abound. You will have a hard time making a decision here. Lunch offers sandwiches, pastas, veal, lamb chops, pork medallions, chicken, calves liver, shrimp, crab legs, fresh fish of the day, abalone and a variety of lucious steaks. Dinner entrees include Lobster tails and Thermador, frog's legs, duck, Osso Buco, prime rib as well as their dinner for two items Steak Diane, Chateaubriand, Roasted Rack of Lamb and a Prime Double New York Steak Bouquetiere. Wow!All entrees come with a relish tray a fresh vegetable, Rice Pilaf or a selection of potato preparations.

I have had both lunch and dinner here. For lunch I had their Hearts of Romaine salad that included avocado, Maui onions, candied walnuts and grated Blue Cheese Vinagrette.The lettuce was crisp and cold and the vinagrette perfect. I decided I wasn't going to eat any dinner since it was a late lunch so I went for the "Prime New York Pepper Steak" which is one of their signature dishes. It was perfectly cooked and delicious. Well worth its reputaion. At the dinner I enjoyed at the Dal Ray I opted for the Caesar Salad and their Shrimp Scampi. I love that tableside preparation....must be the kid in me! Crisp cold lettuce is the key. The scampi were substantial and flavorful.

The ambiance of this room and the food really make this restaurant a standout and well worth a drive to Pico Rivera.

THE SERVICE:

Excellent, friendly and efficient service. Many of the staff have worked at the Dal Ray for twenty plus years. That says something.

COMMENTS:

Although I didn't grow up in Southern Caklifornia and I had never been to the Dal Ray before 2007 when I walked into the restaurant I felt like I was in a time warp. I was reminded of my father taking me out to dinner when I was a little girl to places that looked just like this. I remember scratchy, starchy dresses with lots of crinolines, ankle socks and white patent leather shoes and special berrettes for my hair. These are really special memories and this is a special restaurant. 

Ratings:

Food: ***                      Cost: $$$$