Jackson's Food + Drink Menu

Jackson's Food + Drink Restaurant Review:

Along Rosecrans Avenue in El Segundo, an area known for chain restaurants, Jackson's Food + Drink stands apart. It can be difficult to find --- hidden behind a large movie theater --- but the charming, unpretentious ambience makes it worth the search. Guests encounter a glass-enclosed fireplace, indoor/semi-outdoor space and a wood bar dividing two of the rooms, with seating on both sides. Exposed metal combines with light bulb pendant lights for an industrial feel. Chef-owner Scott Cooper named the restaurant after his son. (Previously, he operated Jackson's Village Bistro in Hermosa Beach for 10 years.) Start with one of the thin flatbread pizzas with traditional toppings like pepperoni or sausage. Small plates include a simple burrata salad served alongside heirloom tomatoes and grilled crostini, or the richer composition of filet mignon atop a cheese-laden risotto. For entrées, tagliatelle is topped with a runny fried egg that coats the noodles; and the burger unleashes flavors of blue cheese and mushrooms, served with thick crispy fries. Blackberry pie is warm and homey for dessert. It's also part of the unofficial chef's tasting menu ($48) along with ahi sashimi salad, lamb sausage flatbread, miso black cod and braised short ribs. The wine list has an admirable selection of well-balanced and affordable options from California. As this establishment is a family affair, you may also find Cooper's son Justin mixing cocktails behind the bar.