So, lucky for me, I get to continue my theme from yesterday and tell you about yet another fabulous dinner I was treated to by yet another amazing friend who wanted to celebrate my birthday. One of my closest friends, Sherri, and I discovered the Daily Grill in Studio City many months ago on a late night quest for food. One might never guess that one could find classy, high quality eats on the second floor of a strip mall off Ventura Blvd, but this is Los Angeles, people. Strips malls are how we roll. And frankly, this is no run-down strip mall – Ventura and Laurel Canyon is a fairly affluent area, so it should really have been no surprise to me that such a swanky place would be located here. Now when I say “swanky”, I’m talking swanky for the starving artist. This is no Beverly Hills $70 an entree kind of establishment, but we are talking $13.95 for a cheeseburger and fries, which is always a good indicator of where a restaurant lies on the swank spectrum. The good news is that it is absolutely worth it.
On our first visit here, I went right for the mac and cheese. If you’re a frequenter of this blog, then you know it is my weakness. They do not disappoint. It came out in its own little cast iron skillet. Deep, creamy, gooey, and topped with a crunchy panko top. Everything I love – divine. Sherri is a vegetarian and The Daily Grill happens to be home to her favorite grilled veggie platter. Pure, unadulterated vegetables. She gets it every time. On our visit last night I was browsing their new 600 and under menu, which is fantastic for some like me who is always trying to be conscious of what I’m putting into my body. I went for the pan seared salmon burger, which is a favorite of mine. They certainly did it justice, serving it rare, perfectly seasoned on a toasted wheat bun. Served with grilled asparagus, it was the perfect meal to feel good about. But you should be warned. No matter how good you order, they are always going to bring out bread…. their warm, freshly baked, crusty sourdough bread served with a hefty pile of whipped butter. It is SO good. Sherri and I usually go through two baskets, and yesterday was no exception. You’ve been warned.
The quality food and refined atmosphere is really pulled together by a warm and friendly staff. We had an excellent waiter named Ryan who was genuinely happy to be helping us. Then again, no one could resist the gravitational pull of our fabulousness… But seriously, whether you’re in the mood to splurge on a nice meal or to share a couple of sides and bask in some classiness, this place will do you no wrong.
The Daily Grill
12050 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
www.dailygrill.com