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Casual Connoisseur
Checkers Downtown Restaurant
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
As the downtown LA ultra hip dining scene continues to heat up, the legendary Checkers Downtown steps into the spotlight as one of the city's most acclaimed restaurants. Located in the Hilton Checkers Hotel, this charming, venue is luring locals and visitors alike.
The buzz is in the elegant and sleek lobby lounge where small bites and cocktails are served nightly. The best Thursday happy hour in town is celebrated from 4 to 8 pm with a special event called FOUR at Checker's Downtown that features a revolving roster of tapas and a variety of featured spirits and cocktails for $4 each.
At the helm creating these eclectic menus and innovative cocktails is the restaurant's congenial manager B.Tyler Dow whose idea "is to create an ongoing odyssey through fine foods and beverage." His presentation is one of blending Prohibition-era mixology techniques and styles with modern flavor profiles and spirit development. Dow researches the classics such as legendary American bartenders Jerry Thomas and Harry Craddock, and he often uses recipes (1850s to 1950s), sometimes doing variations or creating new cocktails.
The Thursday night we were there, the Cruzan Rum Event was in full swing. The tapas menu included Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, served on a grilled peanut butter, banana and jelly sandwich. Kurobuta Pork Belly served with a Rancho Gordo heirloom bean ragout. Jerk-seasoned Jidori chicken, served on a bed of roasted Scotch bonnet pepper risotto for the authentic flavors of the Islands. Dungeness crab and fried plantain salad tossed in a Tahitian vanilla vinaigrette. The Cruzan drink menu included St. Croix Cooler, Sweet Tart Martini, Seduction Cocktail, Dark n'Stormy and Boukman Martini.
Other 'FOUR' fun events are the Vox Vodka, and the Partida design-your-own-margarita bar.
Beyond the lobby bar is the fine dining restaurant. The all day dining menus served here are inspired by Executive Chef Todd Allison. Chef Todd's youthful personality, and exuberant creative cooking style is rooted in fresh, market-driven ingredients, seasonal cooking, and his elegant but accessible regional menu.
Breakfast includes Continental, American or a la carte selections to the lighter "Eat Right®Breakfasts with almond and dried blueberry granola with fruit; breakfast wraps; fresh fruit yogurt crunch; Greek omelet; and Caprese Eggs Benedict
Whether it' a quick bite or a mid-day power lunch there's an array of everything from a Checker's cheeseburger; open faced "BLT"; Fish & Chips; local Albacore tuna melt; oven roasted chicken on Ciabatta; classic Cobb salad; the Wedge; bosc pear & Mission Fig salad; or grilled heart of Romaine.
Dinner starts with choice appetizers from roasted Candy-Striped beets with Humboldt Fog goat cheese, watercress, and cranberry pistachio pesto; Rock Shrimp & saffron risotto with Spanish chorizo, elephant garlic and sundried tomatoes; seared Maine Diver sea scallops with Moro blood orange, fingerling potatoes and pomegranate glaze; grilled local Calamari with Nicoise olives, haricot vert, and roasted garlic aioli.
There's an amble selection of excellent entrees with international influences and exotic touches. Highlights such as pan roasted Loup de Mer with braised Underwood Ranch vegetables and Romesco sauce; herb crusted rack of lamb with Rancho Gordo heirloom bean ragout, shank meat and natural jus, and Gilroy roasted garlic; and Fava Bean Angnolotti with Chantrelle mushrooms, crispy pancetta and English pea coulis that showcase Allison's taste for the esoteric. The more classic, grilled Loch Duart salmon with baby vegetables and lemon buerre blanc; and grilled Angus Filet Mignon with sautéed wild spinach, baked Yukon golds and roasted shallot demi are mouthwatering.
Many fine dessert offerings include: House Made apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce; vanilla bean crème brulee with fresh berries; warm flourless chocolate cake; and mixed berries with whipping cream.
The wine list is "unabashedly New World" and strongly current. Wines are available by the glass and the bottle. You can also take wine flights through several worlds of different wines.
For reservations phone:
(213) 624-0000 or
www.checkersdowntown.com
About Hilton Checkers:
The Hilton Checkers Hotel is a historic, boutique hotel that has been restored to its original 1920s splendor. The hotel features 188 newly remodeled guestrooms with contemporary furnishings and amenities, a stunning rooftop deck which showcases a breathtaking view of the Los Angles skyline.
Located at 535 South Grand Avenue in Los Angeles.
www.hiltoncheckers.com
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