funny. I have exactly the same situation. It has bugged me since the first day I stepped into the house, before we bought it. A solution I have pondered: to close in both sides of the expansive opening (which I think a contractor may have "opened-up" in an effort to give an "open plan" feel to a 70's ranch house) of entry landing to dining area with 3.5' wide columns (as I see in this pic), timber or partition walls. Then adding drapes to open or close, as desired.

There are dining rooms off the entry that look beautiful. Client needs to edit what she owns & update some upholstery & style DR table better. I think she would agree these entry-dining rooms are gorgeous & enhance the entry and are enhanced by the entry. . https://www.houzz.com/photos/105-golden-bear-mediterranean-entry-austin-phvw-vp~205791

She might also like a specially fabricated wrought iron door from entry to the DR.

See wrought iron doors on right

swap the dining with the living room. : )

I would hate to completely block the view, it goes against the open floor plan concept, right? How about a decorative pony wall? It would give you a feeling of separation without actually creating a separate room.

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Here is an ideabook for deining entry spaces.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/defining-spaces-6-ways-to-work-with-an-open-foyer-stsetivw-vs~883612