Depot Restaurant

The ambiance and service is wonderful as was the bread basket and pesto butter. I ordered the sandabs which was bland so I had to ask for more sauce. My bf ordered the ribeye which didn’t taste like it was seasoned at all. The cut was tender but he had to add table salt n pepper. He also had the asparagus which came with more tomatoes than asparagus. I will not go back.

Got to-​go orders for thanksgiving. Maybe it’s because my expectations weren’t very high but I’m absolutely amazed by this place. Everything was seasoned right, and even though I absolutely abhor pecans, the pecan stuffing was amazing. My SO hates veggies and she finished them (WHOA!).
The service was fast, to the point I didn’t even finish my drink. Though the bill came out to «expensive», it was money well spent. I’m really glad I went here. The quality of food is absolutely on point.

What a disappointment
Nice menu and high expectations but nothing was that good. Even the bread was dry. And the roasted potatoes on my entrée… Dry. How do you do that.
The home made ice cream wasn’t creamy. Just nothing special or any better than mediocre.
Maybe the chef was out today???
But I wouldn’t go back.

If you’re in Torrance and have $ 30 for lunch, try it!
Valet in the small lot right by the restaurant. I got there about 15 minutes before they open for lunch and before the valets started so I just parked my own car and gave them the keys. They didn’t charge me to valet.
The food surprised me, very upscale. Not what I would have expected from the décor of the restaurant, which was very old timey. The prices were a little high but I was glad to pay it because my food was delicious. I got the seared Ahi tuna with goat cheese and a spinach salad. $ 23.95.
The best part of the entire meal was the bread basket!!! It had rolls, hard crackers, and even banana bread. And it came with this herb butter spread, so good!
Service was great, restaurant was clean, not a bad shop!

My Cobb salad was pretty good. The Karubota (that is spelled wrong) was not good, basically boiled fish and veggies served in a pot with some broth. It was too expensive for what it was but the bread was really good. So, good bread and good salad with okay service equals 3 stars.

The owner/​chef is a bully. He was berating one of his servers within listening distance to the dining room. Very unprofessional and uncomfortable to witness. He also razed another server while talking to a table of diners. Don’t know if he’s a misogynist or his wrath extends to his entire staff. Dude. Get some therapy and join an anger management group.

When I went to the Depot for dinner I felt I walked on to the set of Mad Men. It had a very 50ish feel, including the music. It is a very neighborhood kind of place as many of the diners were regulars and knew each other and the wait staff. This was nice. For the wines by the glass, they had a list of wines named by the varietal, but said nothing about the wine at all (winery, location) which was a bit disconcerting. They did offer other wines with more details. We ordered the wedge salad and the Ceasar and both were delicious and very enjoyable. I ordered the 3 Pigs. The pork chop was excellent and tasty. However, it was a rather small piece and sausages and a piece of bacon were added to the dish. I would rather have had a bigger piece of pork chop and did not need the 2 other pigs. The potatoes needed more flavor. Service was excellent.

I have been here several times, once for a very nice stately business lunch and several times at the bar.
The last time I went the service was very lacking and the bar area was cluttered, with dirty dishes and glasses littering the bar that had not been cleaned from previous service. It smelled a bit and the entire place seemed tired… in need of an upgrade. This is a wonderful, classy old school spot that I’d like to see revamped. People love it and are truly loyal.
When I walked in I waited quite a while standing in the bar area to be noticed even though multiple staff were behind the bar. I finally said hello and asked if they serve food at the bar etc. Staff seemed disengaged. Compare that to when I was ending my meal a man walked into the bar and was immediately greeted, asked if he wanted a seat and to eat at the bar and what he would like to drink… very different service than I was offered.
My dinner came out wrong as did another patron at the bar, so both orders came out wrong — at the same time. The server /​bar tender seemed non-​plussed and I was surprised as this represents a loss of food /​$ if they need to re-​do the orders. Also, this place is known as expensive, higher end service, so I would expect the orders from the kitchen to be correct and /​or for the staff to catch the mistakes.
…I hope for better for this place.

Had lunch at Depot yesterday, with work colleagues… here are my thoughts:
Ambiance: The restaurant feels a bit old-​fashioned. Could use some updating.
Service: Hostess was very abrupt and unfriendly. Our server was quite nice though. Food came out relatively quickly.
Food: Overall the food was quite average.
– Bread basket was abundant and a nice touch. Not sure I found it as amazing as other Unilocalers.
– Salmon with tomatillos and rice: Salmon was unmemorable and not too fresh. For $ 24 I’d expect far more, especially since I can get ORGANIC salmon in NYC (where I live) for $ 18.
– Mahi /​Pasta with Shrimp and Salad: My colleagues had these for lunch, I didn’t try them but they looked fine. I didn’t hear any complaints.
Bottom Line: This meal was really overpriced for what it was. I won’t be returning.

This place has been around for years and my most recent visits is work related where vendors or medical reps booked the private room in the back.
The restaurant is located in old torrance, has valet parking — just tip your person or if you are lucky can find a parking walking distance. The restaurant is not huge so making reservations is a good idea.
The menu has a lot of options and changes which is not bad thing.
Bread basket: yummm variations with butter rolls, crispy flat bread, and a rye? Bread
Appetizers: tuna tar tar. Refreshing with avocado, small bit enough for one. I like the scallops with a garlic type of sauce but didn’t care for the coated onions on top it was too much. Can’t go wrong with fried calamari. And the roasted brussel sprouts was not too bad.
Main course: steaks and seafood are the stars here.
Sea bass or scallops with foie is good. There are steaks and they probably have the cut you like. T bone, rib eye, filet mingion. And from there you have 2 side options. The Mac and cheese isn’t too bad could have another cheese or a little more cream. I just tried the chipotle corn mash… And I thought it was too many chipotle seasoning. Vegetables are good. Really there is probably 20 sides you can chose from. So many.
Ohh dessert my favorite: crème brûlée, warm apple cobbler with cinnamon ice cream, banana cream pie. Even the fruit bento. So good.
The entrée and desserts are huge! A entrée can range from $ 25 to almost $ 40. But it’s hugeeeeee. You will have left overs. The desserts are about $ 8 and definitely sharable.
It is an expensive restaurant but it is a gem I love in Torrance. For business meetings I think this place excels where that private room is perfect for a meeting setting that is no more than 15 ppl and you may need to inquire but they can provide a projector and screen.
I felt the service was very attentive during the work related dine ins so I can onlyimagine how good it is on the main floor.

First visit to the Depot and we were pleasantly surprised. Brett was our server and he was terrific… friendly, knowledgeable and quite helpful, we were very happy with his service.
The four of us enjoyed pre-​dinner Hendricks martinis, perfectly prepared and satisfied our need for a Friday night cocktail. The Ahi Poke tower was next… it was delicious. The tuna was velvety good and the avocados were nicely ripened. The hot mustard and gingered cabbage were fantastic complements to the dish. We also enjoyed the shrimp sausages which was served atop grilled zucchini. It was delicious, but I did not get any sense I was eating shrimp, I actually enjoyed the zucchini the most.
Our entrees included, the fig and Gorgonzola rib eye, which was delightful. Medium rare and the verdant bite of the cheese with the sweetness of the fig was quiet a treat.
The potato crusted salmon over herbed asparagus was mmm mmm good. The «crust» was more like hash browns on top of the salmon, but you know what? It was fantastic and the asparagus was perfectly prepared.
We had a terrific time and plan on returning soon.

Depot Restaurant is large with meeting rooms. The chef also owns the restaurant across the street.
It’s an upscale restaurant. I liked the butter and pesto that accompanied the bread basket. The dessert was delectable. The meat dish was tough to chew.
No toilet seat cover in the main dining room. No bathroom tissue in the meeting room.

Nice place for lunch. Choice food. Excellent service.
I met a few colleagues from Toyota and Herbalife here for a business lunch. The location is a hop skip and a jump away from the Honda corporate headquarters. The restaurant is located in a nighborhood kind of location. Ample parking with valet service.
When we were ordering lunch, I was going to order a salad, but joked with the server telling him that I’d like to order Foie Gras (which wasn’t on the menu and it was recently banned in CA). The server gave me an OK. The when ordering my main meal, I told the server I wanted the fish of the day topped wit Foie Gras (again joking). When he didn’t ackowledge my joke, I asked him about it. To my surprise, the restaurant DID have foie gras, and I learned that the ban on it was lifted. Foie gras was on the secret menu for customers who knew about it. Laugh. It ended up that I did stick with my faux order, and I enjoyed every moment of it!
The restaurant is kind of dark and has a 1970’s décor. Service is very professional and efficient. Kudos to the owner/​Chef who delivers a unique and original menu selection every day. Nice round of Japanese/​Asian influenced items to the typical American burger and fries.
Food Grade: B+/A–
Service Grade: B+
Worth the Money Grade: B+
Overall Impression Grade: B+

My boss took me here for my one year anniversary lunch. It was my first time here and I thought it was great. I tried the salmon, which was cooked great and tasty. The bread they brought out in the beginning was also great. They had this flavored butter that went great with the Fresh bread. I also tried the ice cream sundae which was so delicious. There was 3 of us and we shared one dessert and it was plenty for us.
Parking is valet only. (I think there might be street parking available but we just valeted the car).

Probably the best restaurant I’ve encountered in Torrance. I definitely need to try Buffalo Fire Department, under ownership of the same chef.
I don’t mean to rave, but this was unquestionably one of the best Turkey Bacon Lettuce Tomato sandwiches I’ve ever had. LARGE portions.
Excellent bread bowl, with a great herb spread while you wait.
Great dessert (I’m not a big dessert guy). Chill jazz music. Keenly decorated. A little busy during prime times, but that is to be expected of such a sublime local establishment.
Oh yes, and impeccable service, a kind, highly skilled, knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly staff.
This restaurant is on point.

I haven’t been here in a long time, but The Depot like Paradise (at Vermont & 190^th), are staples on the biz lunch scene in the South Bay. I met a business associate who happens to know the owner Michael Schaefer. Michael also owns Buffalo Fire Department, a high-​end burger place across the street. Both restaurants are at Cabrillo & Van Ness in Old Torrance. The Depot has numerous entrees, salads, and seafood ranging from the mid-​teens to the low-​twenties.
I ordered the pan roasted bara (a mild whitefish) on a bed of brussel sprouts w/​bacon ($ 19.95). My associate ordered the sanddabs on risotto ($ 19.95 — sorry, no pic). Lunch comes with a large bread basket with flatbread, rolls, and zucchini bread.
The bara was very good. It was a large piece of fish and it was cooked nicely. In addition, the brussel sprouts were also very good and there was a lot of bacon. The only downside was the brussel sprouts were overcooked: 4 Stars. My associate really like his sanddabs. He has ordered this dish before when we have eaten together, and he really likes The Depot’s version: 4 Stars. Lastly, the bread was excellent. The flatbread had a nice flavor to it, and the zucchini bread was to die for. On the side was pesto butter as well as regular butter: 5 Stars.
The ambiance is nice. As you walk in there is a bar directly ahead. The dining room has tables and a few booths: 4 Stars. The service was really good. Brittany was very friendly, and was able to answer questions on the menu. She refilled my water glass without asking, and was very proactive with other aspects of the meal.
The only thing that prevents me from coming here on a more frequent basis is the prices. I don’t spend the foregoing kind of prices on every day lunches that come out of my own pocket. However, for business lunches, I have no problem designating The Depot as one of my go-​to place by my office. I can’t wait to try BFD across the street too!

We had an AMAZING dinner last night. Reservation last minute in Saturday night no problem! Specials so good we wanted them all but settled for two. Mine Scallops with Fois Gras and roasted Brussels sprouts. This was to die for. The Fois Gras just melted in my mouth, scallops so Fresh! Heaven on a plate ! My other had the blackened magi with risotto. The portion of fish was at least 8 oz ! it was a block of very delicately cooked nahi on a bed of risotto. We shared lagavulin because they ran out with espresso & home made vanilla bean ice cream. Service was perfect we never wanted for anything and the chef Michael stopped by to talk at both Depot & Buffalo Fire Dept. Super nice guy will come back to try more of his delicious treats and maybe even a cooking class or two!

Great service.
Portions are large, don’t come here with a small appetite.
Daily specials, so even though their menu is already extensive if you’re a regular I’m sure you’ll never be bored.

I’ve passed by The Depot in Old Torrance for many years now, and I finally got to try it! I was not disappointed! This restaurant has a classy atmosphere with a bar at the entrance and a larger dining area located directly next to it. The dining room is somewhat dimly lit with two giant pillars in the middle of the room and a high ceiling. There is mostly table seating in the center and a few booths located in the back of the restaurant.
Parking:
They only offer valet parking, so if you’d rather self-​park, there is an underground parking structure that offers free public parking just across the street!
Service:
Our server was nice, but the busser was especially friendly! His warm smile and personality really made us feel welcomed!
Food:
— Bread Basket — Let me say it again… BREAD BASKET! While waiting for your food, they bring a huge basket of bread, including crunchy flat bread, white dinner roll, and a sweet banana bread. They also bring you a dish of the most amazing Pesto Butter (yes, we asked for more!) and regular butter. I definitely had a little bread with my butter… hehe.
— Sand Dabs with Pesto Orzo and Capers — One of the specials on the menu! Three pieces of moist, flakey white fish with a lemony sauce and lots of capers! Sand dabs has a mild taste, so the tartness of the sauce and saltiness of the capers definitely brought this fish to life (not literally)! The pesto orzo was delicious! There were capers in this, too, and I could not get enough of it!
— Macaroni and Cheese with Buttermilk Chicken Fingers — This sounds like it’s from the kids’ menu right? Wrong! This mac and cheese dish will definitely be enjoyed by all ages! They give four large pieces of breaded chicken and a huge plate of penne pasta! The sauce is rich and creamy with lots of melted cheese. Yum!

I recently hosted a physician group lunch at Depot Restaurant– a request to meet there from one the physicians. Having never been to this restaurant, my boss suggested I request a private dinning area when making the reservation– it was available for a fee of $ 250. I booked the room.
The restaurant has an old school feel. Its a classic Torrance restaurant with an eclectic décor of wall lined dusty wine bottles and kitschy italian accessories. Lively brat pack music sets a festive mood. At lunch its a loud full house– good call on reserving the private dining room for business purposes.
Here’s what was good:
— The service. Our waitress was friendly, attentive, professional and sweet.
— The owner. He’s a biker looking dude who crashed our lunch to introduce himself, welcome us and thank us. Nice touch dude.
— The bread basket is a generous large dish with at least 4 types of bread (including fresh baked banana bread) served with two types of butter– plain and garlic pesto. Carbalicious.
Not note worthy:
My salmon dish was bland and the veggies were sort of slimy. I didn’t really eat it. Luckily I ate all that bread :-) My boss hated hers so much she exchanged it for a caesar salad which she was happy with. On the other hand, my other boss would not stop raving about his thai chicken dish, and the doctors seemed to enjoy their lunch, so at best I can say the food is inconsistent.
Over all– it was definitely Meh. I’ve had better. Depot didn’t make my rotation list but obviously I would be back if it was requested again. I don’t recommend it for a business meeting as the restaurant is loud and crowded. We had the private dinning room but still had to ask that the music be turned off and I think the $ 250 additional fee on the bill for a room is kinda whack.

The foie gras sandwich was amazing!