Musso & Frank Grill is said to be the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Originally called Frank's Francois Café, the restaurant was built in 1919. It has remained largely the same over the years, except for an expansion into the building next door. The menu and cocktail selections haven't changed since the 1920s. Many of the red-coated waiters have worked there for 40 or 50 years. Famous diners at Musso & Frank have included William Faulkner, Charlie Chaplin, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Orson Welles.
Boardner's is described as having "a sheen of class." Built in 1942 just blocks from Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the bar is famous for its Moroccan theme and dimly lit interior. Regulars included W.C. Fields, Elizabeth Short (the Black Dahlia), Tommy Dorsey and Errol Flynn.
A favorite late-night hangout for celebrities and locals alike, Canter's Deli on Fairfax Avenue has been open 24 hours a day since 1924 (closing only on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). Canter's offers traditional deli fare like pastrami, as well as an extensive array of desserts. Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Mel Brooks and Elizabeth Taylor have been known to grace the booths.
According to the sign over the bar, Formosa Cafe is the place "where stars dine." Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra were all regulars, and Elvis Presley even had his own booth. Located next to the Warner Hollywood Studio (formerly United Artists), Formosa's black and white awning and large sign can't be missed. Scenes from several movies, including L.A. Confidential and Swingers, have been shot in the restaurant. The bar and restaurant has been open since 1925, but it is still popular with celebrities today.
The Smoke House, located in Burbank between the Warner Brothers Studio and the Lakeside Golf Course, is a blend of movie industry cache and country club leisure. Open since 1946, the restaurant is famous for its steaks and unique garlic bread. Regulars included Bob Hope, Judy Garland, Milton Berle and the Rat Pack.
Situated in the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, which was built in 1912, the Polo Lounge has been a favorite watering hole for celebrities for decades. Legend has it that the bar originally got its name because Will Rogers and his movie star friends (such as Douglas Fairbanks and Spencer Tracy) used to play weekend polo games at nearby Rogers' Ranch, and after the games, the group would cool off at the hotel lounge. Jean Harlow and Frank Sinatra were also regulars.