Bought 1965 by Richard Frank, a 2nd generation restauranteur, whose father, Lawrence Frank & uncle, Walter Van de Kamp, founded Tam O’Shanter restaurant in Los Feliz in 1922 and Lawry’s in 1938.
The interior features planked wooden floors, exposed brick, dark wood and white-tablecloth styled dining. The exterior has stained glass windows and a red British telephone booth in the front.
The fine dining Five Crowns restaurant was created to resemble an old English manor house with authenticantiques, paintings, an English steakhouse menu and waitresses in “serving wench” uniforms.
Walter Van de Kamp suggested the name Five Crowns because the new restaurant would be the fifth created by the family, “and each was a jewel in our crown.”
Located in 1936 constructed Tudor-style building that once served as an inn for Hollywood stars Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Bette Davis, Howard Hughes, Rita Hayworth, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
Prime rib wasn’t very good. Corn was good. Spinach not good. Bread good. Crown salad was very tasty. Nice venue. Nice service. Probably won’t be back as prime rib was subpar