A unique, upscale dining adventure awaits at Restaurant 917, at the Porsche Driving Experience in Los Angeles. Elegant plates are served above the tracks for a meal with a great view.

My dad and brothers love cars. They love talking about them, buying them and racing them. That trait was not passed down to me, so when my dad invited me to watch them drive Porsches at the new Prosche Experience Center in Carson, I passed, until he mentioned lunch. Eater had just written an article about Porsche's hidden restaurant being LA's best new secret, so I decided to feign car interest in the spirit of eating a good meal.

Porsche's Restaurant 917 is on the top floor of the shiny new facility just off the 110 and 405 in Carson, CA. Pulling into the Porsche-filled parking lot, I was thinking I really should have washed my car washed before arriving, or borrowed a fancy one from a friend. Tricked out cars are everywhere and yes, you can even take one of them for a spin on Porsche's different tracks out back.

You get a nice view of the driving routes from Restaurant 917's dining room. The restaurant is a well-designed structure of its own with glossy wood floors, a wall of windows to watch the action, and simple, but luxurious, rich leather chairs.

The menu is also impressive with lunch and dinner dishes that range from charred scallop crudo to whole roasted branzino and a 12 ounce tomahawk pork chops. Porsche isn't messing around.

Seeing as I have to try octopus everywhere I got, I ordered 917's version with brussels sprouts, lardo, sherry vinegar harissa aioli and bacon. It was an impressive starter that I ended up pairing with a grilled gem salad for a full meal.

I don't know why I don't see more gem salads on menus. I love the soft greens and the roasting brought out a further subtleness, punctuated by the charred avocado, roasted grapes and white anchovy. I'm a huge fan of anchovies and was really pleased to see them rounding out this delicate, but satisfying salad.

My dad has the spinach and goat cheese salad which was indeed much lighter and could be a good starter for one of the bigger fish or meat dishes.

My brother who was doing the racing needed more sustenance so he chose the juicy 917 burger. Certified angus beef was layered with wild mushroom aioli and smoked bacon. Thick cut tomato herb fries were served alongside in its own basket. Burgers were on many people's tables, so they seem to be quite the crowd pleaser.

There's cocktails and a nice wine menu. You can even do a tasting menu of some of the best-of hits at the restaurant. I do recommend though doing that after any driving!

The Porsche 917 Restaurant is a fun experience in a unique setting, whether you enjoy driving fast cars or not!

Porsche 917 Restaurant
19800 South Main St., Carson, 90745
310.527.0917