Fanny's — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I hope to revisit and update this review soon.

Fanny's has so much promise - the spot on "Old Hollywood" environs, the charming branding and menu design and a great menu full of dishes that look to find the balance between fresh and classic - however it very much remains a work-in-progress at least from my first visit.

I very much want it to become an Los Angeles staple in the same way I hope the Academy Museum succeeds for Los Angeles.

So what went wrong - When I first sat down at 6 before a movie at the Museum at 7:30, which I let me waiter know about. My waiter asked me if I'd like a glass of tap or sparkling water. I said I'd like sparkling and he arrived shortly after and brought me what looked like a very fancy bottle of sparkling water, but I simply assumed that it was just the bottle for the table so he didn't need to return to refill.

What went right - I ordered the 12oz Dry-Aged NY Strip ($38) which was well cooked and a quality piece of meat (the arugula pistou was a nice compliment). I'd love for some classic steakhouse sides which I didn't see on the menu (potatoes, etc). There was a "To Begin" (apps) and "To Continue (Pastas/Fish), but no obvious sides to compliment the steak that I could find. Could be an area to expand the menu to cover if they want to continue the steak focus.

What went even more wrong - As I finished my meal around 7:15, asked for the bill so I could make my movie (a short 5 min walk away) and turns out the bottle of water was $12 with no mention of the price either when asking about my water preference or on the menu. The waiter kindly offered to void the charge due to the misunderstanding, but then couldn't figure out how to do that and brought back a receipt with both sets of charges on it. Again went back and this time brought a new receipt for me to sign, but the pen that was brought was burst, so when I signed I got ink all over my hand. They brought over wet wipes and I was able to clean up, but at that point it was around 7:40 and I missed the start of my movie.

I chalk just about all this up to misunderstanding, getting to know the POS and simple mistakes, but it wasn't a great first impression of a place I really...

My experience at Fanny's, part of the Academy Museum's 2025 Oscar Viewing Party Celebration, fell short of expectations and did not justify the high cost, particularly given the poor service, small portion sizes, and lack of dinner choices.

The 2:45 PM reservation resulted in an unacceptable one-hour wait outside on the street, exposed to the cold, strong winds of the day. Guests also had to navigate the Museum's security and check in with more delays. At the entrance, near the restaurant's bakery, numerous servers stood idly in front of the house, leaving the disorganized hostesses' desk and serving tables understaffed.

The seating was below standard, with uncomfortable, tiny tables and limited or no view of the ceremony. The manager was rude and dismissive when I requested to change tables to one closer to a TV monitor to watch the Oscars. Only after I asked for my money back did he pay attention, escorting us to a more suitable table where we could actually see the ceremony. The purpose of making a dinner reservation for an “Oscar Viewing Dinner Party” was to watch the Oscars there.

The server failed to introduce herself or promptly offer beverages, and the silverware was poorly polished. The welcoming glass of prosecco was served warm and flat, seemingly having sat on the counter for over an hour; however, when another manager addressed the issue, he did not apologize when bringing the second fresh bubbling glass, which was also part of the $250.00 prix fixe menu.

The mushroom dumpling appetizers lacked flavor and were excessively drenched in plain soy sauce, which spilled onto the table due to the absence of butter plates or paper napkins. The tuna tartare was unappealing. The “warm asparagus salad” was bland and nearly cold. The small monkfish was salty, and the beef cheek on top of it was overcooked. The only redeeming item on the menu was the Tropical Verrine dessert, which was nicely presented.

The entire experience was disappointing. Next year, I will seek another venue to watch the ceremony instead of the Academy Museum, as I will never...

Fantastic spot to take a break from viewing the exhibits at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, then go back to see more. Fantastic vibe with black and white photos of Fanny Bryce and other legends of golden age of Hollywood at entrance and by the bakery.

Both my visits were mid to late afternoon, so I was able to walk around and look at the wall murals overlooking the tables. If you have the time to do this, it is a wonderful walk through history and see many aspects of films - Liza Minnelli from "Cabaret", Peter Sellers from "Pink Panther", drag queen Divine, Whoopi Goldberg - it is worth the time to look.

You may make a reservation for dining, but if you are visiting the museum, there are (2) entrances - one near valet parking before the main entrance to Museum, the other inside before the check in desk. Walk-ins are accepted, you may sit at the cocktail area or there are cushioned comfortable chairs.

The bakery is also part of the restaurant to the right of the cocktail area; there are a few community tables for large parties and tables outdoors to enjoy your pasties and coffee.

I quite enjoyed both visits to Fanny's. Service is good, servers are more than willing to make recommendations or chat. Cocktails here to a certain degree are about presentation. While we were sitting in chairs facing the lounge, we watched the servers deliver very interesting shaped glasses and drinks to other tables. On our last visit, we watched a server make a lighted matcha cocktail. The gentleman who ordered it was kind enough to tell us what it was and allow me to snap a photo of it before he and his party scooped up their drinks and went to a table.

I think that this will be a regular place for my husband and I when we visit the museum. It's chance to regroup, relax and talk about what you have seen. And you may get a parking validation for valet here.

Recommend if you are visiting the museum...