Design Destination: Checker Hall

Author:Abigail Stone

With interiors reimagined by Martyn Lawrence Bullard and an invigorating menu from Chef Gabe Kennedy, Highland Park’s Checker Hall reinvents itself anew

Though the Checker Hall, tucked into the corner of the second floor of the historic Renaissance Revival-style building in Highland Park, has the same name, the space—renovated by interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard and helmed by partner and Chef Gabe Kennedy—has undergone a complete overhaul. The formerly spare room is now a riot of texture and color that reflects the richness and depth of its globally-influenced vegetable-forward Levantine-based menu. 

“The design brief for Checker Hall was to capture the history and ambiance of this fantastic historic building whilst bringing it into the 21st century with an eclectic and luxurious dining experience that matches the mystery and backdrop of the architecture,” say Bullard. A polished brass bar dominates the center of the generous space, lit by arched casement windows that open to a narrow balcony that overlooks Figueroa. Adorned with custom light fixtures and surrounded by inviting full bar swivel barstools upholstered in a channel-tufted striped maroon velvet finished with a flirt of fringe, its sextant-shaped design conjures up the building’s history as a Masonic Lodge. 

It’s balanced by a beguiling room wrapped in a Cole and Son wallpaper. “The design allows the eye to believe that this is an original detail from the early 20th century, from when the building was first conceived,” Bullard explains. “The glow of the aged brass employed for the bar surround was designed in a very European way and allows the luxe and ambient lighting to become the star of the space, glowing seductively from beneath red silk shades.”

“A saturated palate of forest green, deep eggplant and burnished gold was chosen to compliment the guests and bathe the eye in a sensual experience, with palms and natural flora heightening the allure,” Bullard adds. In conjunction with plush velvets, exuberant florals, and swaying fringe, it conjures up the charm of New Orleans’ French Quarter, Victorian England, Paris’ classic bistros and Old Havana, magnifying the space’s allure. 

Swirling around the star attraction are moody nooks anchored by jewel-toned channel-tufted banquettes; inviting booths with plump vertical-channel backed leather seating whose intimacy is enhanced by ornate flower bell lampshades; and, that romantic balcony, with its twisted columns, abundant greenery, swooping arches and black and white checkered floor. “We wanted to create a place that fit into the neighborhood, that worked as well for an easy dinner as it did for celebrating a birthday, a first date, or toasting the end of the work day with interesting food and plates that can be enjoyed family style,” says chef Gabe Kennedy. 

With that in mind, he’s created a menu ideal for sharing that relies on fresh, seasonal produce from local California purveyors and farmer relationships. Start with the whipped feta served with plump, fluffy Za’atar pitas fresh from the oven, or one of the juicy skewers. Order the Lil’ Gem, confettied with shavings of ricotta salata; the Brussels sprouts, dense with spiced honey and romenesco; the harissa carrots; or the sticky sweet potatoes. Share the whole roasted branzino, showered in Thai basil, mint and radish; or the crispy chicken schnitzel, balanced by a refreshing Bibb lettuce salad and citrus slaw. And save room for dessert, like Kennedy’s version of a warm sticky toffee pudding, heighted with miso caramel, or his take on an Eton Mess, which adds a swirl of pomegranate molasses to the classic combination of strawberries, cream and meringue—and their specialty cocktails, like the tequila-based Carmen #6 or the Idle Riot, which balances a base of smokey mezcal and bitter Campari with a cloud of aqua faba foam and sprinkling of black salt. Romantic hot spot, neighborhood gathering place—or both? This itineration of Checker Hall gets it right. 

Checker Hall, 104 N Ave 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042, (323) 826-7367, Open 5 pm-10pm everday (til midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday)