Craig's

Craig's Restaurant Review:

Craig Susser, the owner of Craig's, knows how to attract the rich and famous at his eponymous restaurant on Melrose Avenue. It's no wonder. He rose from waiter to general manager at Dan Tana's, and for over twenty years took care of VIPs, and good care at that, so they follow him here. The décor features brick-topped, wood-paneled walls hung with a pell-mell of drawings and paintings; and dark-wood framed, old-fashioned blue leather booths. There's also a mahogany bar where you'll often find a vibrant atmosphere. The American and Italian dishes on the menu lean more towards the classic than the creative, beginning with appetizers like Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail and crab cakes with rémoulade. Main dishes range from pizzas and pastas to steak with blue cheese ravioli or grilled salmon with corn, tomatoes and spinach. Desserts continue the traditional theme with options such as butterscotch pudding, cannoli and chocolate bread pudding with crème anglaise. The short, pricey wine list offers selections that range from a simple Italian red to a fancy French Bordeaux such as Château Cheval Blanc.