In The News
Entrée Travel Newsletter
“As Michael Mina’s sous chef at Aqua at the St. Regis Monarch Beach and James Boyce’s chef de cuisine at Studio at Montage Resort & Spa, Allison honed his skills under exacting leaders with distinct styles.”
May-June 2010
ABC-7 TV
“This dish is nicely married with a nice little arugula and radish salad.”
April 21, 2010
DiscoverLosAngeles.com
“Highlights such as pan roasted loop de mer with braised Underwood Ranch vegetables and romesco sauce, and Gilroy roasted garlic and fava bean agnolotti with chanterelle mushrooms, crispy pancetta and English pea coulis are insuring that Allison has his own place in history.”
April 21, 2010
LATimes.com
“Tucked into a charming downtown boutique hotel is this outstanding restaurant, a pleasantly sedate refuge from the hassles of city life.”
April 12, 2010
Culinary Trends
“Chef Todd Allison of Checkers Downtown in Los Angeles knows that his clients are looking for more than just meat and potatoes. He, too, uses a mix and match style of cooking, best exemplified by his preparation of Harissa grilled halibut.”
April 2010
Valley Scene Magazine
“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.”
March 19, 2010
Zagat
This Downtown Californian (remembered by many as the restaurant where Thomas Keller cooked before leaving to open The French Laundry) is offering happy hour every Thursday.”
March 12, 2010
Los Angeles Confidential
“It’s chef Todd Allison who has relit the kitchen fires of this Los Angeles landmark property. Save room for the chocolate-banana bread pudding topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s worth the extra gym time.”
March 2010
Los Angeles Downtown News
“The boutique Hilton Checkers is enticing people with its “Don’t Go Home” package. The deal includes a four-course dinner for two.”
February 8, 2010
Travel Age West
“Downtown L.A. Hilton Checkers Offers Valentine’s Staycation Package”
February 5, 2010
LAtimes.com
“Love photographing your food, but feel self-conscious doing so? Check out the ‘photo-tasting’ session at Checkers Downtown.”
February 3, 2010
Tasting Table
“You’ll learn the basics while tasting small plates from Checkers’ new chef, Todd Allison.”
February 4, 2010
NBC.com
“A great meal is even better if you can share it. So local food bloggers want to help you take your best shot with a ‘Phototasting’ workshop.”
February 5, 2010
Wine Enthusiast
“The Fellini, a refreshing sip made with a California sparkler, was created by Tyler Dow at Checkers Downtown.”
January 27, 2010
DineLA.com
“Check Todd Allison has created a deconstructed potpie; crispy pastry crust crowns braised short ribs, fully whipped potatoes and earthy mushrooms and root vegetables.”
January 25, 2010
WHERE Magazine
“Game on at Checkers Downtown.”
January 2010
Citysearch.com
“This stylish find tucked away inside the Hilton Checkers hotel in Downtown L.A. is just the ticket.”
December 16, 2009
LA Weekly’s The Gold Standard
“Catch of the Day”
December 10, 2009
Palisadian Post
“The aromatic saffron, along with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and a bit of pungent Spanish chorizo, gives this risotto marvelous flavor.”
December 9, 2009
LAWeekly
“New Chef Todd Allison has free reign to introduce his fresh, seasonal, local food.”
December 4, 2009
WHERE Magazine
“Luxurious dining room, creative menu.”
December 2009
Los Angeles Downtown News
“Check out Checkers. The updated look in the fine dining establishment in the Hilton Checkers hotel is a mixture of vintage and contemporary style.”
November 30, 2009
Tasting Table
“Think: golden chanterelle risotto or spicy curry beef stew with Oxley gin cocktails.”
November 4, 2009
Venice Magazine
“FOUR at Checkers Downtown features classic cocktails, wines and beers paired with innovative tapas.”
November 2009
Thrillist
“This formerly Thomas Keller-helmed downtown landmark has been heavily renovated, yielding a dark, flatscreen’d front bar; a tiled, casual patio; and a brighter formal dining room.”
October 21, 2009
GrubStreet.com
“Checkers, Downtown’s fine dining legend where Thomas Keller cooked before moving on to a little placed called French Laundry, has leapt into modern times.”
October 8, 2009
LATimes.com
“Here’s how it works: the kitchen whips up four special-recipe cocktails and four small plates that complement them, then you chose which pairings you’d like to sample.”
October 8, 2009
LA.com’s Stir Fry
“Weekly Four at Checkers Downtown”
October 5, 2009
Eater LA
“Checkers Downtown Gets Revamp and New Chef”
September 23, 2009
Beverly Press
“Checkers restaurant at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Los Angeles is getting a makeover.”
August 27, 2009