Pretzel Bread and Mojitos at Riordan’s Tavern
Posted on June 13, 2008
I can’t remember why I was in downtown Los Angeles now, but it was nearing dinnertime, so I figured a trip to Riordan’s Travel was in order.
Background:
Richard Riordan is a wealthy businessman who served twice as Los Angeles Mayor in the 1990s, and in the bargain bought out the landmark Orginal Pantry Restaurant and the Pantry Deli next to it.
Later and after leaving office, he decided to get into the restaurant business big time and converted the deli to Riordan’s Tavern (he has other restaurants as well).
When I stopped by, the place was pretty empty except for a couple of patrons at the bar and a couple more at tables. I asked for a menu and a mojito.
The mojito turned out to be well crafted, though I thought it could be a tad sweeter for my taste. Nonetheless, through the course of things, I had two of the suckers.
I opted for the crabcake appetizer, which was memorable mainly for the mesculun salad that came with it and the appetizer plate of carrots, celery, pickles, radishes and olives that preceded it. The crabcakes were just your basic fare, but they were spiked with some shell remnants or other tidbits that were a bit hard to chew. Also, though I didn’t see it until I was done with the salad and ‘cakes, but the speciality of the house–pretzel bread–also was served. It, you know, tasted like a pretzel, so hot mustard was served with it for dipping.
Every restaurant needs a signature item, and the appetizer and pretzel bread were good signatures for Riordan’s Tavern. The mojitos were good too, but you’d have to get the same bartender as I did to see what I’m talking about.
My recommendation: Worth a stop if you’re on your way to a Lakers’ game or a USC football game or even to an event at the Music Center. Stay away from the mojitos if you’re going to the opera, though. They can be sleep inducing, especially if the opera sucks.
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