Daily Grill Reboots Longtime Studio City Location

Technically this is the third time Daily Grill has opened in the same Studio City location. Grill Concepts, Inc. founder Bob Spivak, working the room on re-opening day, shared that the second-story restaurant first opened in 1993 but had to close the next year when the early-morning Northridge earthquake collapsed the roof. This re-opening is far less dramatic. The longtime comfort food emporium closed three years ago to be replaced by the company’s seafood concept, Laurel Point. Now they’re switching back.

“When we closed the original Daily Grill in this location, we received a lot of feedback from the community that they didn’t want Daily Grill to leave,” says Michael Burnett, Daily Grill vice president. “It’s a great time to bring Daily Grill back to the neighborhood—simply because it’s what the guests and Studio City residents have asked for. They wanted their neighborhood place back. With the closure of Du-Par’s, there especially seems to be a void in classic American food—and GCI was flooded with requests.”

Michael describes Daily Grill as the “little brother to The Grill on the Alley”—the famed Beverly Hills restaurant known for steaks, stiff drinks and power lunches. Daily Grill originated in 1989 and now runs 12 locations in the U.S., fueled by dishes like home-style meatloaf, Cobb salad and their signature chicken pot pie. It stars on a poster near the restaurant’s entrance that reads, “Welcome home.” The new menu also includes more options that aren’t so heavy, as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.

I stuck to seafood for the opening day lunch. The jumbo lump crab cake was nearly as big as a baseball, featuring sweet Maryland blue crab meat, minimal binder and Old Bay seasoning. This satisfying starter rested in a pool of parsley-flecked beurre blanc and appeared with a squeezable grilled lemon.

Ahi tuna sashimi showcased a rosy row of seared ahi tuna sashimi coated with black and white sesame seeds. Japanese-inspired accompaniments included pickled cucumbers, pickled ginger, a potent ball of wasabi, crispy fried spinach leaves and dipping soy sauce.

My pan-seared salmon entrée starred a juicy fillet of sustainable fish plated atop sautéed spinach, spooned with shiitake lemon beurre blanc and served with a choice of two sides. I opted for herb almond brown rice and green bean amandine, both of which I’d recommend.

Daily Grill inherited a space that underwent significant upgrades as Laurel Point, and there were a few more tweaks before this revival. The eatery—primely positioned at Laurel and Ventura—now touts a black awning, covered patio, dining room with wood arches, and a bar that’s three times the original size. An outline of Studio City’s map appears on a wall above a banquette, girding Daily Grill’s longtime connection to the neighborhood.

12050 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, 818-501-0202