Chef Hannes Restaurant Review

by Mark Arellano

When one thinks of El Segundo, fine dining is not the first thing that comes to mind. El Segundo is a quiet yet commercially blessed with big corporations like Chevron and bustling LAX and the Hyperion. But, no one would pair fine dining and El Segundo within the same sentence. But Chef Hannes Kraschitzer has made a great stake on the restaurant scene in El Segundo, and fine dining patrons are delighted to have such sophisticated European-esque atmosphere in town.

Chef Hannes opened his self-titled restaurant in October of 1999, and the response since then has been welcoming and favorable. The Mediterranean style menu and fine choices in wine, deserts, and starters are exquisite and bring class to a rather bland and commonplace dining scene in El Segundo. With clear and present memories of dining at Chef Hannes’s, the feel reminded me of a day along the Cote d’Azur of Southern France, and the night was that of being under a Tuscan star-filled sky. The food is the main attraction at Hannes’s, from seafoods that are to die for, and meats covered with tasteful sauces and fresh vegetables, every entree is a winner.

Standout dishes include the Penne a la Ceeca, which is a fine pasta complete with a flavorful mix of tomato, basil, and arugula and the Braised Veal, bathed in a palatable cabernet sauce and accompanied by vegetables and potatoes. For a lighter meal, all of the variable salads offered are finely prepared with the crispest lettuce, freshest vegetables, and unique ingredients such as orange ginger dressing and crispy bagel croutons. Don’t forget to ask for the daily specials, which alternate and are all mouth-watering and delicious to hear and consume. The dessert menu is small, but magnificent nonetheless to indulge in from a stunning chocolate cake to a positively sinful creme brulee. Beverages include Vernors and a killer Paradise iced tea.

The upstairs dining room and the outside balcony in the rear is a perfect setting for fresh air and a very romantic feeling. A hidden downstairs wine cellar is the best for a private dinner-for-two and ideal for little gatherings. The entire place for that matter is perfect for any occasion, from private parties to business dinners, the gourmet style food fits any event finely. The service and friendly waiters make every occasion there fun and entertaining.

Chef Hannes is located at 411 1/2 Main street, and is open Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 9:00pm and on Saturday for 11:00am to 11:00pm. The quality and quantity of every meal is up-to-par with the finest choices in gourmet food available. The bill is well worth its cost, so feel free to indulge in more than one main course, a starter or two, all three desserts, and a daily special. Believe me, it’s worth it all. Chef Hannes deserves an A+ in providing a suave and sophisticated setting with personable waiters and the best tasting food this town has ever had the honor of feasting on.