2009: following the last review, my having just returned from my first Paul's experience, I have to advise the last poster that he or she would be better served at a Ruth's Chris, and if they agree, it explains everything. Paul's is definitely a venue frozen in time. The menu is the classic stuff with the addition of a bit of pride evidenced in their in-house preparation techniques. The employees have been there for quite some time, and they show some demonstrable pride in their employment...all too rare in these times. The food was actually excellent: bacon-wrapped filet, baked potato with any possible garnish/condiment gratis. Before all that a side salad I paid a bit extra for to get bleu cheese crumbles. It resulted in a well-populated salad with crumbles and balsamic vinaigrette, and it was fresh and lovely. I ate at the bar, and they were very accommodating, making sure I wasn't being served ahead of the line of waiting enthusiasts for the main dining room. Analysis: fairness; first come, first served. The staff was both friendly, funny, and generally interested in me. There was, by my 1/10/09 visit, no smoking allowed anywhere but outside, so the restaurant interior was smoke-free. Besides the excellent meal, I had a good gin (Tanqueray) Martini and later, an utterly superb Manhattan with Angostura bitters....perplexingly rare in a town pushing Peychaud. Peychaud bitters are indispensable in a Sazerac, but a mistake in a Manhattan. Paul's managed not to make that mistake. This restaurant is a place of local habitues, not tourists, so if previous negative reviewers entered with an attitude on their figurative shoulders, that would explain a lot. Me? I entered like an enthusiastic disciple and was rewarded with great food and the embrace of a friendly staff. Add to that the club-like richness of old 1960s steakhouse decor, unbesmirched by time, and you have the dining and imbibing experience I did: superb. -- Ted Haigh, Burbank, CA.
Pros: If you love the old style steak house of the past, this venue is for you.
Cons: If you prefer old looking but hermetically-pristine dining experiences, Morton's or Ruth's Chris will be more to your liking.
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