Instead of a theater or museum, we’re looking at a landmark of Hollywood dining. You’re standing in front of Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood’s oldest continually operating restaurant, opened in 1919. Step inside, and you’re transported back in time: dark wood paneling, red leather booths, amber lighting… it feels like someone might appear at any moment holding a screenplay. Originally, Frank Toulet opened “Frank’s Café,” then partnered with restaurateur Joseph Musso to create Musso & Frank. In the 20s, chef Jean Rue set the tone for the menu—a mix of classic French and steakhouse fare, very much “old Hollywood.” Later, Joseph Carissimi and John Mosso took over and moved the restaurant just next door, to its current location, where it has remained ever since. They also opened the famous “Back Room,” a quieter space that became a hangout for screenwriters, authors, and Hollywood insiders. Though the Back Room eventually closed, its spirit lives on in the “New Room,” opened in 1955, which incorporated the historic bar. Musso & Frank isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a hub of Hollywood history, connected to legendary regulars, gatherings of writers and creatives, and a lasting presence in the city’s imagination. Don’t come looking for the latest trendy dish; here, it’s all about the classics and the ritual: meticulous service and a perfectly chilled martini at the bar, often called “essential” by critics. The point is simple: you’re not just visiting Hollywood—you’re taking a seat inside it, if only for a meal.