Angelenos, especially those in the South Bay have had a swanky steakhouse grace the region that is turning out the best food the area has seen. This restaurant has joined the top "hot restaurants not to miss" list.
A steakhouse concept "The Arthur J" is named after the Simms family father and grandfather who helped create the Simms family powerful dining empire. The Simms family now sit atop restaurants whose names include Simmzy's, Mimi's Cafe and The Kettle. The Simms family partnered with celebrity chef, artist, and business mastermind, Chef David LeFevre to bring The Arthur J to life. Chef LeFevre cut his teeth and rose to the ranks at Charlie Trotters in Chicago and then sought to improve his craft in the world's best culinary communities in Spain, France, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Chef LeFevre mastered his craft as evidenced in his current local restaurant stars which include The Arthur J, Fishing With Dynamite and Manhattan Beach Post and if rumors are accurate may soon have an addition.
The Arthur J, located in the vibrant south bay beach community of Manhattan Beach, is where Chef David and his Chef Robert Lee are turning out food for both casual and elegant diners alike. The pair of chefs are proud of their custom Wood-fired grill that was custom crafted in Texas. Based on the food, they should be! The flavor notes they have created with the wood-fired taste accompanied by their host of house-made butter and sauces round out the simplest to the most complex of dishes.
The restaurant offers two distinct dining scenes. The bar and lounge, which is loud back but elegant, provides a simple but delicious bar menu for dinner. The menu offers the most discerning diner dishes ranging from the newly formulated Hamachi Crudo creation Chef Lee offered us to steaks, burgers, to the full selection of the main dining room steak, chicken and seafood selections. They also feature a nightly special, each of which deserves a place on the regular menu. The specials range from Grilled Branzino of Friday nights to Fried Chicken on Mondays and Veal Parmigiana on Wednesday.
Arguably the best burger (or at least one of the best) is served in the bar and lounge. Chef Lee gave us a little show as he "made it rain" with fresh black summer truffles that made the already fantastic burger even better. This is a "MUST TRY" burger.
The main dining room is elegant and upscale, especially for this laid-back beach town, but it shines in every regard. The pair of chefs offered a choice of cuts ranging from USDA prime and certified Angus to be deluxe and delectable Wagyu. Each steak is accompanied by a decent selection of sides, which include beef fat fries, asparagus, spinach, and more. Do not miss their creation of pretty serious sauces (like their Arthur J Steak Sauce) and butter that include black-truffle butter and foie gras maple butter.
The stars in the dining room include chef's special home-baked bread to the Hamachi Crudo. The Crudo creation is a mix of fresh from the ocean Hamachi paired fresh and light guacamole and a complex and vinaigrette with a subtle hint of spicy oil that perfectly balances the acidity of the dish. The lobster, creamed spinach and the wagyu ribeye also rank in our list of favorites.
If you do not live in the South-Bay, the drive to visit The Arthur J is well worth it. I know the locals would prefer to keep this gem to themselves, but the team and owners deserve the recognition for this concept. The food and the service they turn out is truly some of the best in Los Angeles.
Chef Robert Lee makes it rain with fresh black summer truffles atop their 'best burger'
Hamachi Crudo
Selection of dishes from The Arthur J Menu
