"The best place for dinner and dancing in LA!"

Johnny-Holiday's Rating

Once in awhile you find something rare, like a good cognac....and it's something you want to savor like an old memory of a happy time and it takes you away from the white noise of every day life. Well, some months ago, after knocking about various hotel lounges listening to what little "live" music we have in Los Angeles--and which appeals to my tastes---I found by chance "The Cicada Club and Restaurant".

Now I confess that I have enjoyed some fine restaurants and lounges over the years here in the Southland...but many of them are gone or the crowds are made up of people you would not want to know. I used to go to the original Chasen's where Maude and her Son always had a nice table for me; Escoffier atop the Beverly Hilton where you could dance and dine; The Beverly Wilshire (never the "regent" for me since I used to sing there back when it was a fun place to hang your hat and Ralston Ayers led the band), The Hollywood Roosevelt (before the teen and wanna-be celeb set took over), The "old" Bistro and the Bistro Garden, Scandia, The Polo Lounge, Trader Vic's, and a few others. But the nightclub's for my tastes are all gone. I often feel sorry for those throngs of tourist walking up and down Hollywood Blvd who seem to think that one of the "stars" will come trotting up the street....but nobody really goes to Hollywood who works in Hollywood unless they have to....dedicate a star to some TV actor who needs publicity or someone who is about to die...but that's about it.

But after bouncing between The Bistro on Friday nights and The Polo Lounge on Saturday nights...and recovering on Sunday....well it became fairly tedious. The same people, the same conversations, and the same sense of boredom sets in. Now I admit I am a lucky man and I have some pretty decent freedom when it comes to coming and going as I choose-- but still I have missed the old days of my youth where I essentially lived and grew up in supper clubs and lounges as a singer and where people dressed and going out was a casual event but an event nonetheless. From what I have been told by "regulars" who have followed Mr. DeMille for 12 years--- The Cicada Club is the paramount of evenings out. It is THE Sunday night venue for music, dancing, and supping out.

The Cicada Club is located at 6th and Olive in the historic Oviatt Building, which by itself is something to see....80 years old and in great original condition---the incredible Deco styling, the attention to detail from the light fixtures to the woodwork to the handrails going up the stairs. Even the doors are amazing works of art. A great dance floor and comfortable spaces for tables where the food is served professionally and tastes great....on two floors! Then there is Mr. Oviatt's Penthouse which seems to look as if the old boy was ready to move back in! This place is tops. This is where I want to hold my holiday party in December!

Then there is the music. Mr. DeMille selects some of the most talented performers and musicans in town and I have enjoyed every floor show, every singer, and every musical group that I have heard. On top of that, when you walk through the doors of The Cicada Club by a doorman, who looks like he just stepped out of a 1934 edition of "Esquire", you are greeted by a sea of smiles....the Hostess, the Captain, the restaurant Manager, and usually Mr. DeMille himself. You are seated at a good table which allows you access to the dance floor where you can hear the music from the 20's and 30's and enjoy the surroundings which have survived the test of time. In short, you are not only surrounded by history-- but you become a part of history.

Once in this great room, you step back in time. There is a hat and coat check girl, a cigarette girl (who sells mints and other treats)and an elevator boy in a red a cap and uniform---- white coated waiters are at the ready. The food is worthy of the highest Zagat ratings and the wine list is varied and interesting.....everything is as close to perfect as you can imagine. I suspect Mr. DeMille would have it no other way.

Then you have the customers. Most dress in period attire or black tie as I do--so you see young and not so young folks in clothing that would please anyone with a sense of style and deportment. I think people become more aware of their manners when they dress well. Ladies with long evening gloves, men in smart peaked lapel suits and ties, and hats--so many hats on both ladies and gentlemen. (People in Los Angeles do not dress properly...the men wear street suits in the evening and most don't know how to tie a bow tie...and many women dress as if to leave nothing to the imagination....)

I have met so many terrific people at The Cicada Club. It doesn't matter what they do for a "day job" because once they enter that room, nothing from the outside world matters...

Mr. DeMille has put together some wonderful shows for the crowds..orchestra's, bands, tap dancers, vocal groups, dance teams, singers, and so much more. I have heard and watched Marie MacGillis, Jennifer Keith, Dean Mora's wonderful Orchestra, The Jive Aces, The Model Millionaire's, Janet Klien and the Parlor Boy's, and so many others. All good, all fun, and all fitting with the ambiance of the room.

In my book, "The Cicada Club" is an amazing place and a real reflection of Mr. DeMille's appreciation for those times when elegance and sophistication were the hallmarks of good taste. Perhaps the 20's and 30's have passed us by but one thing is certain....when you look at people in their 20's dancing old steps like "The Balboa", "The Peabody", "the Lindy Hop" and "The Fox Trot" you know that not all is lost....some things never really do go out of style and for that, I am grateful that we have "The Cicada Club" in Los Angeles.

If you ever venture this way, you must stay over on a Sunday night and come to The Cicada Club. It's the best thing to happen to Los Angeles since 1928!