FLEMINGS STEAK HOUSE NOW AT LA LIVE  

By Michael Hepworth

Fans of Flemings Steak House can now enjoy the latest location at LA Live, the downtown entertainment complex adjacent to the Staples Center . Although at press time the facility is still a work in progress with many of the places still not open for business, the corporate minds that run Flemings have hit the ground running. This is the 11^th Flemings in California alone, and they are also in 27 states. Although mid-range steak houses like Black Angus are struggling in the current recession having already filed for bankruptcy, Flemings and other high priced quality establishments will likely survive.

I dined there recently on a Tuesday night that also happened to be a Lakers night, and was smart enough to get there around 8pm , when the place had thinned out considerably. Apparently the fans converge pretty early on game nights, and that might have been why there was no shortage of willing and energetic servers on hand. Chef Calvin Holladay has worked his way through the ranks with Flemings, and although he has to stick to the tried and tested menu, he is able to try a few of his own special creations such as the excellent teriyaki steak. He also gained valuable experience at the very busy Kincaid’s in Redondo Beach .

There are over 100 wines by the glass alone, including my all time favorite, Cloudy Bay ($16), so all the servers are competing with each other in a nice way to become the restaurant wine maven. I would start with the Wicked Cajun Barbecue Shrimp ($13.95) nicely marinated in garlic and spices or the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes ($16.50) with roasted red pepper and lime butter sauce. If you really fell extravagant, then I would try the Chilled Seafood Tower ($55) with lobster, shrimp, crab and other goodies.

Of course steaks are what Flemings are really about, and the Prime Bone-In Rib eye ($42.95) was cooked to perfection. There are nine different ways to order the steak from rare to well-done, but medium rare seems to be the way to go. Vegetables and side orders cost extra, and include Flemings Potatoes with cream, jalapeno and cheddar cheese, or the sautéed spinach. I am sure that the Australian Lamb Chops and the Double Thick Pork Rib Chop are equally delicious, but there are also a handful of sea food items available such as the Lobster En Fuego and the Seared Scallops.

Save room for dessert and try the Chocolate Lava Cake ($10.95), a rich chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream and chopped pistachios that takes 20 minutes to prepare, always a good sign. So there you have it, a restaurant known for its consistency and quality and outstanding service, just what American consumers are looking for right now. In an era when restaurants have to cut staff in such vital areas as bus boys and waitresses, Flemings is still able to maintain their strong consistency.

Fact Sheet

Address: LA Live @ Olympic and Figueroa St

Phone: (213) 745-9911

Hours: Sunday-Thursday (5-10 pm), Friday/Saturday (till Midnight)

Price: Dinner for two w/wine (Average: $180)