Chez Jay

A ship's reel spins by the door and peanut shells cover the floor at this steakhouse a block from the Santa Monica Pier, opened in 1959 by actor Jay Fiondella after he bought the space for a dollar. Frank Sinatra kept a standing table in back with the rest of the Rat Pack, and the main room still holds only ten tables and twelve barstools, so the bar means striking up conversation with whoever sits down next. Chef Guillermo De Arcos, on staff since the 1990s, sends out shrimp cocktail and filet mignon with horseradish, and a 2019 addition out back, the Backyard, serves burgers and nachos at outdoor tables.