Watching the Lakers over chicken wings and beer has a whole new meaning now that Trifecta has taken over downtown LA. There are places that profess to be “upscale sports bars“, but this new spot on 2nd and Hill may now be classified as Webster’s definition of the term. This is not your dad’s sports bar kids, and actually, we’re happy about that. Find out more after the jump…

Walking into Trifecta, you can tell there’s something different. Maybe it’s the high 20 foot ceilings or the deep chocolate brown ottomans and large-armed chairs that set it apart from the norm. It could be the lighting fixtures which add a modern flair to the avant garde design. There’s a possibility that the spacious main dining room, separate glass room for private affairs or the recessed area for small group viewings make the entire space memorable. Or maybe it’s the impressive artwork featuring the biggest names in sports. Something tells me it’s most likely the slick technology that makes this restaurant/lounge a cut above the rest. Not one but seventeen plasmas line various areas of the restaurant, and a twenty-five foot projection video wall broadcasts over the main room. Plus, the restaurant’s characteristic build and sound system create amazing acoustics that make for the perfect game-watching atmosphere. And we haven’t even told you about the food yet.

The menu is set up like a course, with each section designated by a race number. With five various races, there is an impressive selection of meats, pastas, seafood and salads from which to choose. Our party was lucky enough to be well taken care of by the imminent head chef, Will Gotay. Chef Gotay and his team served a menu that gave a taste of everything there was to offer. The first two courses consisted of fried cauliflower with a smokey ranch sauce, which was served with a sweet Hefeweizen ale, and the Two Lea house salad—romaine greens with raspberries, radicchio, cucumber, candied pecans and a champagne vinaigrette.

Next, we were served lump crab cakes in a pastry puff with a Cajun remoulade sauce. The crab cakes were paired with a dry Sauvignon blanc. We all thought the same thing: why had no one else ever served something as obvious as a crab pie? That was followed by sweet and spicy boneless chicken strips, which had their share of a kick. If you can stand the heat, then you’ll definitely appreciate how the heat is cut by the sweet lingering flavor of the chicken’s glaze. The fifth course was the chef’s own version of shrimp parmigiana with two sauces—a balsamic vinaigrette and a basil oil. A meal of this stature and variety, along with drinks in that quantity, resulted in a euphoric high that could only be attributed to the amazing food.

Just when we thought we couldn’t take anymore, the chef had the sixth course make it’s way out to our table in the private glass room. We were each served an impressively large prime rib steak with new potatoes and steamed spinach along with glasses of a 2005 Curtis Syrah, which is a wine typical of Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley. The wine was the perfect pair with the meat which was tender and as close to perfect as a steak can ever be.

To top off the evening, the final course of the meal really had us reeling. What really should’ve been two separate treats awaited each of us on our own little white plates—a three Ghiradelli chocolate mousse with a triple chocolate cake and orange slices flavored with Grand Marnier and Cognac. Divine does not come close to a description for the decadence that sat before us.

If there’s one spot in Downtown LA that we recommend, it’s definitely Trifecta. The owners, Hardball Productions, have set up an arena that’s made for lunch, dinner and late night enjoyment. The atmosphere is sexy and sophisticated, but also comfortable—perfect for the upscale Angelenos that haunt that area and equally as perfect for the Angelenos who want to get a taste of what Downtown can offer. Chef Will Gotay has created a menu that takes bar food to the next level. Each plate is served with a distinct purpose—to stimulate all of your senses. Be sure to try his take on the ever-popular garlic fries, venture out on a limb and order the brie and apple quesadilla or request the chicken marsala which has gotten great reviews from diners. It’s hard to believe that you will be disappointed.

Give it a try. Your next game night will never be the same…

Trifecta Lounge
200 S. Hill St. (& 2nd Ave.)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone 213.625.0000
Fax 323.467.4443
Website: www.trifectalounge.com