The menu at Checkers Downtown can best be described as an epicurean adventure from classic to contemporary. Under the creative direction of Executive Chef David Baker, the menu features California cuisine rooted in fresh, market-driven ingredients and seasonal cooking.

Checkers Downtown is located in the historic Hilton Checkers Los Angeles Hotel. In the restaurant you’ll find photos of Los Angeles through the decades. Located off the lounge, the outdoor patio offers a relaxed dining experience, perfect for grabbing cocktails and small plates with a group or for a more intimate dinner for two, all while enjoying the beauty of Los Angeles’ wonderful weather.

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49 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

(49 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 49 reviews

5 stars

(12)

4 stars

(22)

3 stars

(9)

2 stars

(4)

1 star

(2)

Food

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

special occasion(24)
romantic(21)
fit for foodies(19)

great for lunch(7)
neighborhood gem(7)
good for groups(4)

Checkers Downtown Reviews List

Review 1 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Terrible Food

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/12/2013

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Although the dining room was elegant and cozy, the food served for Mother's Day brunch was very disappointing. We won't be back to Checkers again for any meal."

Dined on 5/12/2013

Special Features: romantic, special occasion

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Review 2 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4/06/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Best it's been since Thomas Keller was the chef. The restaurant is quiet, beautiful and has innovative and exceptional food."

Dined on 4/06/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Review 3 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

First time there. Had a lunch

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/26/2013

2006

Dined on 04/26/2013

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"First time there. Had a lunch with five folks and the noise level was great for conversation. Food was great as was the service. Highly recommend it!"

Dined on 04/26/2013

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, great for lunch

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Review 4 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Has to be the best in town

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/26/2013

2012

Dined on 04/26/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Excellent food and service. Fair prices. Good wine list. Robinns was the only restaurant I ate at Cambria, but it should be the best."

Dined on 04/26/2013

2012

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Review 5 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

The salmon was inedible and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/23/2013

2004

Dined on 04/23/2013

2004

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The salmon was inedible and the service terrible. Although the decor is very nice, unless the food and service improved we would not return."

Dined on 04/23/2013

2004

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Review 6 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Lovely Ladies' Lunch

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/20/2013

2005

Dined on 04/20/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We had a lovely ladies' lunch, an annual event for me and my friends. Everyone enjoyed her meal."

Dined on 04/20/2013

2005

Special Features: good for groups

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Review 7 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Checkers is always a treat.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/04/2013

2007

Dined on 04/04/2013

2007

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Checkers is always a treat. A real neighborhood gem."

Dined on 04/04/2013

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch

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Review 8 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Checking in @Checkers

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/08/2013

2001

Dined on 03/08/2013

2001

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Good for biz breakfast if you don't belong to one of the downtown clubs."

Dined on 03/08/2013

2001

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Review 9 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

191 [5-/5-] BeetSalad,DailySoup,S

Top 1000 contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/20/2013

2010

Dined on 02/20/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"191 [5-/5-] BeetSalad*,DailySoup*,ScallopApp*,Fluke*,ShortCake*,TastingMenu[ShortRibRavioli*,TruffleRisotto*,Duck*,Eclair*](,2GlPinotNoirGloriaFerr,Drambuie)"

Dined on 02/20/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Review 10 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

The waitress was not friendly

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2006

Dined on 02/14/2013

2006

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The waitress was not friendly and not once did she refill our drinks. What looked like a manager made his rounds but never asked how dinner was going. Overall not very good management."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2006

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic

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Review 11 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Checkers was the perfect Valentine'

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Checkers was the perfect Valentine's Day choice... Quiet, romantic and with a fixed price menu that was tasty to carnivores and vegetarians alike. After an all too long period of decreasing service and food quality it is wonderful to know that this downtown classic is BACK!"

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Review 12 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

It would have been nice if

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/15/2013

2009

Dined on 02/15/2013

2009

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"It would have been nice if our server had told us that drinks were not included in our dinner package reservation. The front desk at the Hotel told us the entire dinner would be covered/

And the "Doggie Bag" never came back to the table

Overall Poor rating"

Dined on 02/15/2013

2009

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Review 13 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food was uneven -- appetizer

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Food was uneven -- appetizer was fabulous as was truffle risotto, but signature duck breast was only so-so. Then again, it was Valentine's day...."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Review 14 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The restaurant is tucked away

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/09/2013

2005

Dined on 02/09/2013

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"The restaurant is tucked away in the Hilton on Grand Ave. downtown. We decided to give it a try after a concert at the music center. The ambiance is sophisticated in its simplicity. The menu selections are interesting and show creativity. The service is prompt and friendly. The prices seem a bit high with both of our entrees priced at $31 and salads $13 although the food was well prepared and delicious. The valet cost of $10 is tacked onto the bill bringing our total including a generous tip to $165. Good restaurants abound for this price although it is rare to find one as quiet as Checkers Downtown where we were able to have a wonderful dinner table conversation."

Dined on 02/09/2013

2005

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic

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Review 15 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Here for work and everything

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 01/29/2013

2010

Dined on 01/29/2013

2010

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Here for work and everything is a solid good, nothing spectacular, but good. Service during breakfast was a little strained during their busy time around 8 am but dinner is very relaxed and mello."

Dined on 01/29/2013

2010

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Review 16 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Food was good - service was

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/01/2013

2010

Dined on 02/01/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Food was good - service was slow but good"

Dined on 02/01/2013

2010

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Review 17 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Lovely Pre-Theater Dining Spot

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/01/2013

2010

Dined on 02/01/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"This was a delightful surprise. We go to a lot of events downtown and are always looking for interesting pre-theater places to dine. Checkers turned out to offer a quiet, intimate, modern yet somewhat old-world-comfortable, delicious dining experience. Food was really excellent (we had salads, salmon, pork chop), service was attentive and very pleasant, and we found we could chat comfortably. They even offered to take us in a Town Car to the theater, but we had to decline as we had an after-party and needed our car! The valet parking was easy and convenient, and free. We would go there again!"

Dined on 02/01/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic

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Review 18 for Checkers Downtown

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5