The Palm

Our verdict

Founded in New York City in 1926 by Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi, The Palm built its reputation across nearly a century on a formula that has rarely needed revision: prime beef, whole lobster, and a roster of Italian-American classics served in rooms lined with celebrity caricatures. The Beverly Hills address on North Canon Drive carries that same identity into one of Los Angeles's most commercially concentrated dining corridors, where the combination of steakhouse formality and Italian-American comfort food occupies a distinct position among the area's upscale options. The menu draws from the chain's long-established playbook: cuts of prime beef alongside dishes such as Chicken Parmigiana, Veal Scallopine, Linguini with Clam Sauce, and Baked Clams Casino. Lobster features prominently, as it has across Palm locations since the original New York counter. The kitchen's range reflects the Italian-American roots of the founders rather than a purely steakhouse-focused approach, which separates it from single-concept chophouses operating at a comparable price point in the neighbourhood. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, held across multiple consecutive years through 2021, signals a cellar program taken seriously enough to earn independent editorial recognition. For a steakhouse format where the wine list can often feel like an afterthought, that sustained recognition from a named publication carries weight. The atmosphere leans into the chain's signature visual quirk: caricatures of regulars and notable guests cover the walls, giving the dining room a sense of accumulated history that newer steakhouses in the area cannot replicate through décor alone. The Palm at this address suits a specific kind of occasion: a table where the format is known in advance, the menu holds few surprises, and the reliability of execution matters more than novelty. Guests arriving for the first time will find a room that operates with the confidence of a long-running institution rather than the self-consciousness of a concept still finding its footing.