New York City, fashion mecca and land of the Bubby. As long as my memories go back, I have had this very hazy picture of eating corned beef, and not just any corned beef. . .corned beef from the deli promised land, nay the deli center of the universe, the Carnegie Deli. Where the words “extra lean, half sour, and Russian dressing” float through the air on smooth currents of “chopped liver”. Every grey haired man here was a potential grandpa or perhaps a not so distant relative of your great uncle’s cousin, Sheila.

So you sit there, and as you wait you feast on pickled tomatoes and other briny delectables from the pickle spectrum. And then, sheer glee, my five year old life was complete! In front of me appeared, as if by magic, the most luscious ruby layers of warm corned beef stacked mountainously high between two rye encrusted cushions.

Oh yes, Bubby’s favorite color just might have been black, and she also may have slept in curlers, and she may not have let me play with the little glass boxes on her side table in her living room, but the food in Bubby’s city really had some panache!

{Corned Beef Envy}

Now, after reading that I bet you can understand why it has been pretty difficult for me these past 20 some odd years to find a deli that lives up to my pedestaled Carnegie Deli memory. I even had a short glimmer of hope in the late eighties and early nineties when the Carnegie Deli opened a satellite location in Tyson’s Corner, VA– only a mere stone’s throw away from my childhood home! I’m not exactly sure when it closed but the last record of the restaurant being open that I was able to track down was an article written on November 16, 1994. It must have been around this time when the corned beef deprivation set in, as I can’t honestly remember having anything halfway decent until we moved out to Studio City in 2008!!!! But, before we get into that, maestro, a brief etymology if you please. . .

{A Little Wiki-Etymology}

Delicatessen is a German loanword in English, meaning “delicacies” or “fine foods”. Hence a shortened term for delicatessen store is sometimes additionally shorted to the informal term deli.
The word entered German from French délicatesse and means “delicious things (to eat)”. It ultimately originated from the Latin adjective delicatus, meaning “giving pleasure, delightful, pleasing”. So now that we have that information down pat, let me delicatus you with some délicatesse from Art’s Delicatessen in Studio City, CA.

Art's Deli Sign

{Every Sandwich is a Work of Art!}

Picking up where we left off, I somehow managed to move into a city that is only approximately seven square miles and it has not one but two quite delicious delis for my dining pleasure. The corned beef gods were truly smiling down on me. It must have been a reward for living without the sumptuous meaty goodness for so many years! Of these two delis, (Jerry’s Famous Deli and Art’s Deli) I am, without a doubt, a devoted fan of Art’s for more than a few reasons. . .

1) Art’s is not a chain, it is a one of a kind old timey sort of place, while Jerry’s is a chain that has roughly 9 locations.

2)The prices are comparable between the two delis. However, I would like to remind you that eating at a deli is also about the quality of service. Art’s has Jerry’s beat on this aspect, no question!

3) History, History, History!!! Art’s has been around since 1957 and that blows the 1978, opening of Jerry’s in Studio City, CA completely out of the water.

4) When you eat at Art’s you’re likely to see Art Ginsburg, the original owner busily fluttering around the restaurant kibitizing with the regulars.

Studio City Welcome Sign

{Interesting Facts}

In doing a little research we learn that Art’s Deli goes through an amazing 1,000 pounds of corned beef and 400 dozen bagels every week. In one year, the kitchen serves 25,000 pounds of turkey!! And at one time a turkey sandwich was 75 cents (my how times have changed).

And like every good iconic restaurant should, Art’s has a little secret hidden away behind a round booth (the “executive booth”) that can seat 5-7 people. Before the dawn of the cell phone, a hidden phone was installed in a locked wall cabinet behind this booth where industry executives could do their wheeling and dealing over a hand sliced lox platter.

The great thing about Art’s is not only that it predates the cell phone, it predates the 101 freeway. There even used to be a Ferris wheel right across the street from this lovely little establishment, that at the time, only had three and a half booths and 12 counter stools! Today, Art’s has been enlarged four times, and the deli now seats 150. Two of Art Ginsburg’s three children run the business with him, and many of the wait staff have been around 25 years.

Art's Turkey Sandwich

{Slow-Cooked In-House}

So now let’s talk about my personal experiences at Art’s Delicatessen. 9 times out of 10 if you ask me if I want Art’s, my answer will be “yes”. The tenth time, I’ll likely be craving Chinese food. I now have lost track of how many times I have actually been there, but I can tell you that colleagues A through C, the Fiance, the Darling Friend, and even my Dear Ol’ Dad have all been thoroughly satisfied.

Here, like all the best delis, the corned beef is slow-cooked in-house, the shaved turkey breast is unprocessed and perfectly moist, and the rye bread, well it just makes you incandescently happy. You slather on a little Russian dressing or, depending on your preference, yellow mustard (Colleague C discovered her new sunshine yellow love on her inaugural visit to Art’s) , and you are good to go.

Art's Potato Chips

Recently, due to the changing economy, the changing restaurant scene, and the changing tastes of diners, Art’s has started making some changes for the better! Colleague B remarked that, to the best of her knowledge, it was only a year ago that she got one measly pickle spear and a shot glass amount of a side. This is not the case any longer, friends! Today the side portions have increased and the pickle spears are so plentiful that they rain down from the ceiling in a deluge. Colleague A did prefer the Jerry’s rendition of the Turkey Salad Sandwich to the one at Art’s, but on the whole everyone seemed quite delighted with their lunch (especially the amazing quality of service and attention payed to each customer).

A new item that is featured on the menu is the homemade potato chips. When you dine here, these are a not to be missed menu item. Skip the sweet potato fries, skip the onion rings, heck, even skip the regular fries, and get yourself an order of these perfectly cooked golden brown crispies.

{Conclusion}

On my last visit to Art’s, my colleagues and I were lucky enough to see the R.O.M.E.O (Retired Old Men Eating Out) club. And, as they all sat around the Executive Booth schmoozing, it was quite easy to imagine that this particular group of white haired fellas likely were the old Hollywood elite who dined here in their heyday.I would call myself lucky, even honored, to be a purple haired old lady dining at this place in 50 years!

For service I give Art’s 10 out of 10 possible points, for food I give it 8 out of 10 possible points, and if there were a Bubby scale it would also get 10 out of 10 possible nostalgia points!

{Till next time: Eat Well, Stay Safe, Be Happy!}

Smoke House Sign

When you walk through those double doors, you disappear through a time warp. The bright California sun outside, a distant memory. The heavy wood beams, brick, and red vinyl carry you back. Back to the days when music was not electronic, but rather a cool croon from a talented vocalist with brass and strings as backup in dim comforting circles of light. Where a Hollywood starlet and her beau would dine on steak and potatoes rather than iceberg lettuce and saltines or the new fad raw diet. Where is this place? The answer, is Burbank, and with a heavy heart I acknowledge the Smoke House Restaurant as one of the disappearing classic American eateries.

The Smoke House Restaurant

Now, I’ve lived about two miles away from this place for nearly a year and a half, and never payed any notice to it. It has somewhat of a nondescript exterior modeled in the Tudor style, that can very easily be overlooked or taken for an old mom and pop hardware store. Especially when there are other iconic eateries such as one of the original Bob’s Big Boy restaurants in the immediate vicinity with a flashy neon sign and large big boy statue flanking the road.

Nevertheless, when you do finally make it to the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank, CA, you will quickly realize that the destination, across from Warner Bros. Studios is a true landmark that was once a watering hole to elite Hollywood and music industry royalty the likes of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Errol Flynn, Judy Garland, Milton Berle, and Robert Redford… just to name a few!

{To paraphrase a bit of history from the restaurant’s website}

Danny Kaye

The Smoke House was founded in 1946 at the corner of Pass & Riverside in Burbank and later moved to a larger location at 4420 Lakeside Drive in 1948. This new location, we learn was originally built as a restaurant and dance hall by the darling Danny Kaye (who did a brilliant little film that I love from my childhood called “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”). I have to admit, I had a little crush even though it was a good 40 years after the film had been released!

{A Swanky Dinner… For Lunch}

So, if you are going to go to the Smoke House for lunch, I suggest you plan on eating a light dinner, as the portions are quite large. . .well, enormous would be a better fitting word. I suppose this is where the restaurant’s slogan applies “fine food at a fair price”. This slogan could roughly be translated to: “the price of two meals for just one really big honker of a meal”. But I am never one to turn down a generous portion, and in this case, in celebration of three of my work colleagues’ birthdays, the company was as bountiful and as enjoyable as the meal!

Interesting Fact: The five of us were seated in a large red vinyl booth that on April 25, 1985 played tush cushion to Ms. Helen Hoyt, the Smoke House’s 10,000,000th diner.

We started our meal with a large order of the restaurant’s renowned garlic bread. As the website tells us, the popularity of this “unique recipe for garlic bread made the Smoke House the largest purveyor of French bread west of the Mississippi”. So, you have to begin to wonder, or at least speculate as to what the secret might be? The blog Drink Your Milk. . .and Eat Your Greens! rather astutely notes that the “topping looks and tastes like the contents of those Kraft Macaroni and Cheese sauce packets”. I’d have to agree, but would definitely suggest, as an alternative, the other processed cheese “delight”, cheese wiz. I’m definitely not one to usually partake in eating a packet of cheese powder or a can of swirly cheese, however, exceptions must be made! So, with a few pieces or ten of this wonderful lip smacking bread behind us, we continued on to the main event: Dinner-lunch!

My colleagues partook in (and kindly let me sample) the half rack of the BBQ Baby Back Ribs, the Fillet & Shrimp Skewers, the Chopped Loin, and the Pulled Pork Sandwich. The latter was definitely the star of those particular selections. And, upon the recommendation of our server, I ordered the Steak Sinatra which was comprised of Tender Pieces of Fillet Sauteed with Tomatoes, Sweet Onions, Tricolor Peppers, and Mushrooms. This delectable mix was served over perfectly cooked Linguine and tossed together table side YUM!

{The Unfortunate Down Side}

While the food was quite good on the whole, I do feel it necessary to share a few critiques with you, so you may become informed diners if you choose to partake in the Smoke House experience. Starting with the BBQ Baby Back Ribs. Let’s call her ‘Colleague A’, who had dined there several times before, mentioned that they were unusually dry. . .perhaps the victim of overcooking. Although, despite their dryness, I did happen to really enjoy their flavor (the next part is what makes me cringe). I asked our server what wood the ribs were smoked over, and she replied, “they are cooked on a gas grill”. Not certain if this was a misspeak or not (I mean come on the restaurant is called the “Smoke House”) I did a little investigating. It turns out, they age their own meat and cook it over a hickory grill. Tsk Tsk Tsk server lady!

Colleague B, who dined on the Fillet & Shrimp Skewers was quite happy with her meal, and rightly so! It was delicious, and the shrimp was cooked to perfection and joined by the ever-delicious skewer compliment, grilled pineapple. But, unfortunately, this success can be balanced out with a few other faux pas. Colleague C’s Chopped Loin (Hamburger-esque minus the bun) was sadly way overcooked beyond the medium-rare that was requested. **I must wonder though, if it cannot be served medium-rare due to cooking temperature health restrictions for E-Coli and the like?

Colleague D’s pulled pork sandwich was far and away the most delicious food that appeared on the table that afternoon, and although I only had a little taste, would recommend it to anyone. The only downfall to this succulent pork-wich was the unusual peanut topped coleslaw that accompanied it. So in an effort to spare you from the peanutty-ness, I recommend that you partake in a different side dish.

{Birthday Cake}

Last but not least were the three squares of white birthday cake laced with raspberry reduction that the restaurant supplied us free of charge. I have three words for you: cream cheese icing!!!! And, had I not been completely stuffed full of my Sinatra dish, I definitely would have taken larger and more frequent bites.

The Smoke House Interior

The Smoke House was definitely a blast from the past where I could absolutely see the Hollywood greats arriving for a whole evening of cocktails, dinner, and music. Although it wasn’t a true supper club, I definitely got the feel of what one might be like with its “simple” menus featuring prime rib, steaks, chicken, and fish. On a general eatery scale, I give the Smoke House a 6.5 out of 10 possible points (due to a few slip ups), but on a vintage eatery scale the Smoke House comes in strong with an 8.5.

If you are interested in more vintage eateries check out LA Time Machines!

As usual:

{Till next time: Eat Well, Stay Safe, Be Happy!}