Usually need reservations, but they know how to do things right. If you are visiting Lancaster, or just looking for a special night out then this is your place. What is good/great? Beet salad. Sweet potato fries. Duck tacos. Coffee cured petite filet. And steak frites. Oh my god their steak frites. Loved them at their old location, and now so in their new home.
(5)
Eunni C.
My first visit to Lancaster! Reviews seem promising about this place at Trip advisor so we made a reservation at this restaurant. 3 of hungry girls ordered Fish of the day, crab cake and Lancaster roasted chicken dish. Fish was my favorite for sure. Very savory and generous portion. Crab cake was delicious but everyone complained about their tiny portion. 3 of us had just one bite each. Lancaster chicken was gigantic. May be its only me but little plain to me. Could've use little salt and seasoning. We did enjoy cozy ambiance and great food there.
(4)
Fabrice L.
At checkers for their special bastille day diner event! Did order some duck liver pate with baguette, and a bouillabaise to follow. Together with a glass of pinot noir this should do the job for the french guy I am! Well, this was really good. The pate might have been more dense. It was a very light foam version but still good. The bouilllabaise would need a deeper plate and more juice too. Bit salty but enjoyable and very close to the french version I know. Third course with desert trio : tartelette fraise, eclair chocolat and napoleon. yummy... Final with a chartreuse verte as digestive liquor because they did not have an armagnac! :(
(5)
Betsy B.
Had a wonderful dinner here. The restaurant is in a strip mall area and looks unobtrusive on the outside but is quite nice on the inside. Although there are a number of tables, it still feels like a intimate setting. The service was excellent-one of those places where if you get up, they re-fold your napkin. They offer fresh local ingredients and the dishes were presented very nicely. I had the beet salad which was delicious as was the shrimp cavatelli entree that had parmesan sauce and crushed pistachios. For dessert I had the creme brulee which was good. They do take reservations-including on opentable and there is parking out front. They have a take out entrance as well as the dining room entrance.
(5)
Todd B.
Just amazing. Favorite restaurant of 2015 so far, and I live in NYC. Going back again. Everything here, especially the kale salad, is amazing. The atmosphere is beautiful. Score.
(5)
Bill F.
A lovely restaurant to have lunch. Looks attractive for dinner too. Food was quite tasty, but the special of the day, the Oyster Po Boy had just a few tiny oysters. The Sweet Potato Chips were good and crisp, but I found them over salted. We will try it again, but order other items from their menu.
(3)
Tatyana M.
Very nice discovery for us. Deserves 4 1/2 **, but yelp does not give us this option and 5** would be probably misleading from one time visit. The food was great, the ambiance (though dark) is cozy and romantic, the service is attentive and very professional. The only confusion for us was their advertised dress code is "casual dress" when it's more like smart casual/ special occasion place (judging from the inside interior). We felt a bit uncomfortable being in casual. We'll definitely be back when in the area.
(4)
Mary Lou M.
This was our first visit to Checkers. The setting and, ambiance are very nice, and comfortable. Service was excellent and the noise level was low at lunch. Oyster poor boy was the special of the day. That is one of our favorites and all three of us ordered it. It was served with a very nice side salad of local apples, organic spring mix, caramelized walnuts and crispy sweet onions which two of us enjoyed. The other had the sweet potato chips which he said were way too over salted. The oyster poor boy was OK but there were only a few small oysters so the bread overwhelmed the contents. We all ate the contents and left half the bread. All this sandwich needed to be great was three or four large oysters with the nice crispy coating. As an oyster lover I want to be able to taste the oyster. They seem to have a lot going for them here but need to step up to a better oyster poor boy.
A couple of weeks ago, Georgia and I had the pleasure of dining at Checkers Bistro in Lancaster. Kelly, our server could not have been nicer or made us feel more at home. She and the entire experience was wonderful. I love that she took the time to write out the welcome to Lancaster (in French). It's those little extras that separate one great restaurant from another.
(5)
Mathew R.
The best. Amazing service, great food and always fun. My only complaint is that I'm not there more.
(5)
Matthew H.
Dinner party of 5 on Saturday August 8th. Food and service were both excellent. However the menus had water and oil stains. At a restaurant with this pricepoint, someone should be checking the menus before service and printing new ones if they are stained with water or oil.
(4)
Lindsay K.
My husband and I went here for an impromptu date night and I was absolutely blown away! I had the scallops which were incredible and my husband had the trout special. The service was great and the atmosphere was beautiful. Everything about the experience was perfect and one I can't wait to repeat!
(5)
Charlotte C.
The experience is good! I really like the pecking duck tacos. It's Chinese and Mexican mixed style. But the petite filet I had wasn't my type. It was really flavored with whatever sauce they use and I couldn't taste any steak flavor. Although it was really tender and juicy! There's another thing that bugs me is that it's kinda over priced. If everything is organic then I can see the reason. But it's not. Overall, I like this place that you can dress up for some special night. But I wouldn't go there often.
(4)
Christopher P.
This place was hard to find since they have a tiny non lit sign while everyone else has lit signs. There is plenty of parking and reservations are advised on peak dining hours. Like others have noted, it is very dark like a cave. It's too dark inside for my taste. They need to turn the lights up a little more since the paint scheme is also very dark already. There is plenty of seating and I believe two bars. The quality of service was excellent and the food was good but pricey for the small portions. We ended up grabbing drinks at a different bar afterwards and got some more food to fill us up. One last note. At the check in counter, there is a sign that says "Turn off mobile phones". Good luck with that. I need my mobile on 24/7 for business emergencies. If my phone rang I would take it outside to talk. I don't think it's appropriate in this day an age to post a sign to turn your mobile phone off. If their looking for high end clients it will be tough to tell someone they need to turn their phone off.
(4)
Becky C.
We went here with friends from out of town for a holiday treat. Our service was good; our server was patient and attentive. The food was great. However, after paying our bill and leaving a 20% tip, we checked our bank statement to see that the server had taken more of a tip than we gave him (again, we gave 20%, he wasn't slighted). We called to have this rectified and the hostess who answered the phone didn't seem concerned or upset about this, told us she would have the owner call us back, but we've never been contacted for an apology, our money back, or an explanation (which was why we called in the first place, we didn't presume this was on purpose). This experience leads me to believe that the wait staff does this regularly, assuming most costumers don't notice a bill of a few dollars more, and wait staff takes home (theoretically) a few hundred dollars more a week in tip than they actually earn. This is STEALING and absolutely disgusting that it goes on and isn't taken seriously by the management. We will never frequent this establishment again because of this incident alone. Double check your bills if you've eaten here recently..
(1)
Sara M.
Love!! The service is impeccable. The food is delicious And the ambiance is gorgeous. Absolutely world class. Thanks to Masami and David, there is a place that is fresh, sophisticated and lively in Lancaster !!
(5)
Dottie T.
Everything was top notch - dining atmosphere, attentive service and creative and varied menu. For starters, we sampled the Peking Duck Tacos and Eggplant Rollatini. They were delicious, not a crumb left. We tried several salads that were fresh, crisp and perfectly dressed. (Caesar & Beet salads) For the entree, several of us tried the Thai noodles - which apparently has a cult like following and is only available one month out of the year. Very tasty and a bit unusual, but I enjoyed it and the portion was huge. Also note worthy was the roasted chicken - crazy delicious comfort food - and the perfectly cooked scallops.
(5)
Mara V.
Chef Daniel never disappoints! Thai Noodle is my fav, the fish special is always wonderful and what he can do with a seemingly simple roasted chicken is amazing! Don't miss the duck tacos app!
(5)
Kristi E.
The new location is beautiful. We had been there several times when it was Rosa Rosa. The atmosphere and service was wonderful. The coffee crusted filet was incredible and didn't require a knife. Delish! The duck tacos were to die for. The drinks were incredible and the service from Joel was exceptional. Great celebration for our 4th wedding anniversary.
(5)
Mary M.
The beet and goat cheese salad was excellent as was the cheeseburger and pommes frites! Service was also superb!
(5)
Peggy I.
Great food nice ambiance. I had (very salty) diver scallops my dining partner had the Flatiron steak. The food was great but damn get some steak knives. Yeah I see this butter knife is serrated. That's what my mom gave me to cut my food when I was 5.
(3)
Mark K.
Not one flaw in our experience!! Food was delicious, and our server Emily was excellent and professional!! I'd rate it #1 in Lancaster!!
(5)
Dennis S.
I am sitting here this morning reveling in the awesome experience I had last night at Checkers Bistro. I was taken there as a surprise for my birthday. Everything was perfect. The ambiance, service and food. We ordered all but 1 of the small plates, steak and tubs frites and soup and salad (there was 4 of us, and we are critical foodies). Even though there wasn't an empty seat in the house the service was never rushed or lacking. Our server helped course out our multitude of plates ordered. The service details were understated but definitely made an impact. Definitely in my top 5 restaurant experiences.
(5)
Tina F.
Came here for a birthday lunch with 6 girlfriends, expecting a real top-notch experience. Checkers recently relocated and just opened to great fanfare. Nice, but not great. I'm a bit of a spoiled foodie from New York. The interior is plush and very dark- all charcoal....the new designer color this year? It felt a bit cave-like for daytime. May work better at night, with evening lighting and atmosphere. I'll try dinner here sometime. Service was very well trained and attentive. Lovely tableware, big stylish plates, and glassware. Lunch menu is quite limited; a few salads and small plates, 2 soups and 4 sandwiches. I tried the Cuban which came with a nice portion of apple salad. We ordered 2 desserts to share; both excellent and beautifully presented. There was no signage outside...not easy to find the place. Maybe it's coming soon. Over all the interior design speaks to a more upscale and elegant menu; the food is quite good, though a limited menu, which would seem at home in a more casual bistro-like atmosphere. Perfect opportunity to step up the menu, adding more sophisticated fare. I'll definitely come back at dinner time.
(3)
Jerry V.
Simply said, Checkers Bistro is one of the best (if not THE best) dining experiences you will have in Lancaster. The service is outstanding and the food always interesting and delicious. This was my first visit to the new location. Many had expressed concern that the intimacy and charm would be lost with the move from N. Mulberry street. I am happy to say that is not the case. Executive Chef Daniel Quisphe continues to serve up the most interesting of plates. I have a hard time getting beyond the fish special. No one does fish like Chef Daniel. My dining partner had the crab cake. He said it was delicious with an interesting presentation. The sauce (sauce on a crab cake? Yes!) was light and complimented it perfectly. If you intend to go on a weekend, make a reservation early. Checkers often sells out...even in this larger facility. If you have only ONE night to spend in Lancaster and only ONE meal...do it at Checkers.
(5)
Heather H.
Very impressed! We went here for our 10 year anniversary and they made us feel so special. The food was amazing. We had the Checker's apple salad which was delicious. Then we had the a Tuna frites and that was divine! We scraped the plates! Then the scallops had us asking for more bread to sop up the sauce. We were too stuffed for dessert. The Hendricks Mojito was a winner, too. The staff and manager really care. So even when there was some lulls in food, they apologized and made up for it with fresh bread and a free drink. Love the atmosphere!
I'll keep it simple. I love everything about Checkers Bistro. Each visit is as good as the last from the delicious food, to the beautiful atmosphere, to the attentive(but not in your face) staff. In my opinion, Checkers is Lancaster's best!
(5)
Michael O.
Let me start off I've been to the Lancaster, PA bistro twice. This was my second time here and decided to see if the eggs benedict for brunch at the bar was up to snuff from my first time here and sadly it was not. The poached eggs were slightly overcooked and the flat circular potato crisp was burned. However, the appetizers, the poppers were top notch and consistent like last time. This time around, I tried their dessert . . . a peach crumbler pie served with balsamic gelato. The crumbler cake was excellent, but I really couldn't taste the balsami in the gelato. Anyway, let's get back to the positives, the Moscow Mule was excellent as well as the bartender's service throughout. If I'm in Lancaster again, I would just probably go here for the primo mixed drinks, but skip the meal, directly to dessert!
(3)
Jon L.
It's a very fancy atmosphere and the food is good. I just felt like they were a little over priced due to that atmosphere. We each got french onion soup and felt like the broth wasn't very hearty. I got shrimp and gritz and thought it was very good. My wife and I enjoy eating out in the city a lot. The food was pretty good and the waiter was friendly but there are more casual places I will probably stick to that have the same caliber of food. Also they are reservation only so book ahead about a week or so.
(4)
Andy E.
Food was good as always. Chairs in back area of restaurant are too small and not very comfortable.
(4)
Ben K.
Loved the food and ambiance. I had the shrimp and grits and loved it.
(4)
Mike W.
We were in the new location for the first the other night. And I cannot find a negative. I enjoy a cocktail before dinner and mine was well made. I had a Negroni which classically is stirred . This was shaken but that's ok. We each had the mussels on special and they were plump and tasty. The broth was full of the advertised chorizo. I always have the duck tacos and they were also The service was fine though the young man seemed a bit stiff . He did not really get Maggie's attempt at humor . I'm throwing up 5 stars and I think it worry of it . However, like another poster I wonder about their plans. The room seems very formal and dark and the service a bit formal for a bistro. The menu is bistro style but bistro's are usually more relaxed in style. I hope they consider expanding the menu to a level beyond the bistro style cooking. It is their business and they have been successful at it . Would like to see them stretch their legs a bit .
(5)
Heather G.
Went to Checkers with some friends for dinner on a Saturday at 745. The service was fabulous. Our waiter checked on is as frequently as necessary without being annoying. The beet and goat cheese salad was AMAZING! I then has the coffee-cured filet for dinner. It was ordered medium and was so wonderful and flavorful! Would definitely go back!
(4)
M C.
Okay service, ok ambience, ok food--nothing special considering the amount of money you dish out.
(3)
Brandon N.
There really isn't a better place for fine dining in Lancaster, PA. Three words can describe this place perfectly, "Attention to detail." Everything from the food to decor is meticulously designed to provide a memorable dining experience.
(5)
Kathy B.
Tom the bartender gave excellent service with a smile and the food was delish...would definitely return here...highly recommend this place..
(5)
Bruce N.
Classy atmosphere as soon you enter the door so I knew big bucks would be spent. Four of us had a nice table with cushioned walls behind us. Service was top notch, very professional. My flatiron steak and frites (pronounced freets not frights apparently but really they're just expensive French fries) were done perfectly while my wife's roasted chicken was really tasty and a large portion so I gobbled half of that down too. My sis in law had the Rock fish special, which while good was more like a pebble fish given the size....but the price was large. And I can't remember what my bro in law ordered but he really liked it. We shared the Peking Duck Taco (sounds very cross cultural) for an appetizer and it was tasty as well. Nice wine list and they were offering some new fresh red wine, whose name i also can't remember, but I mooched a sip off the nice lady at the next table (she offered!) and it was super. Cavernous men's room, with fancy individual cloth towels at the sink. Urinals are a little too close together for such a big room - I don't like to get too cozy in the men's room - not that there's anything wrong with that. Overall, just excellent service and food but a tad pricey. Parking a nightmare in front so park out back.
(4)
megan f.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants. But have been twice to the new location and have been completely underwhelmed both times. The French onion soup literally tasted like dishwater. I got it again, thinking the first time was a fluke, but it was not. It was awful. My main dish (eggplant rollatinis) was good, but not worth the price. My friend got the steak frites which was ok.. Like others have mentioned, I didn't feel like the attention to detail was there was much as before. Maybe because it has lost its intimate feel but I definitely feel they're missing on what used to make them special. Bummer.
(2)
kristen i.
This place needs to decide whether it's an upscale restaurant, neighborhood bistro or something else entirely. Upscale decor and service (valet? cloth hand towels in the loo?) do not match up to the overly casual menu and inattention to detail. I have always heard such good things about Checkers (the James St location) that my BF and I decided to come to the new location for a belated V-day dinner. I made the reservation over a week in advance and we still got the crappiest seat in the house - along the back wall in full view of the server station where dirty dishes were scraped and stacked and servers gathered to chat. We nicely asked for a different table and were dee-nied. Bummer. I wasn't overly impressed with the menu - we ordered the calamari to share (rubbery with no seasoning) and I got the French Onion (waaay too much cheese and kinda bland) and the shrimp and grits (way too much tomato, under seasoned, gritty grits and a huge portion for a "small plate"). My BF tried one piece of calamari and pushed it away. Ended up ordering the lobster bisque (meh) and the duck tacos. Serious disappointment in the tacos for a man who loves him some duck. Was hoping for delicious shredded duck but it was more like mushy duck pate and not very flavorful. Everything seemed like a failed attempt at JJJ dishes.
(2)
Deborah A J.
Great food, great service and great atmosphere what else could you ask for!!! I had the salmon, my husband had the crab cake, my daughter had the scallops and my son had a burger!!! Yep a burger, and even with that variety everything was delish! For dessert the kids loved the lemon sorbet and I split the lemon mouse sponge cake with my hubby!! This is our new go to place!!
(5)
Linda F.
The food was very good - the menu is diverse, and there were meatless items among the choices, which makes Checkers Bistro a good option for vegetarians or people who might want a lighter meal for a change. My husband enjoyed his steak, and it was done as he'd requested (medium rare) which is rare in Lancaster - pardon the expression - where overdone seems to be the norm. Our waiter was great - friendly and helpful, and turned up to check on us with the proper frequency. Our desserts were delicious, and we'd definitely return. The only negative? The front desk staff (an arched eyebrow that we had no reservation? seriously? at 4:45 on a Tuesday?) and the young man who led us to our table were a bit full of themselves. When we were asked and said we had no reservation, the hostess actually looked a little peeved and said, "I'll have to set up a table for you. Go sit on the sofa," and pointed, rather emphatically, at a settee and some chairs off to the side of the large entry area. When we left at 6, the restaurant was just beginning to fill up - so clearly we didn't need a reservation, and while it was OK to ask if we had one, acting as though we'd committed some sort of faux pas was unnecessary. Overall, however, it was a great dining experience, and I'd recommend Checkers Bistro wholeheartedly.
(4)
Judy B.
liked it better at the old location. seems that the food changed and not for the best.
(3)
Catherine C.
Finally got a reservation to the bigger and brand new Checker's!! I loved the decor for starters. It was dark and lush. Their menu is not exciting but I can definitely appreciate a simple clean menu that is straight forward. I can totally understand how some people would say that the food doesn't match the decor and the ambience but if the food is prepared perfectly, there should be no complaints. Overall experience was great and I can't wait to come back and eat my way through the menu!
(5)
S R.
We were really happy with this place. Took the boyfriend here for his birthday - they even remembered I mentioned it when I made the reservation. Very thoughtful touch. We tried a couple cocktails, which were great. French onion soup was great, as were the duck tacos. We also tried the lamb and seafood brushetta, which we both loved (the brushetta comes with a bunch of mussels - very generous portion). I wasn't the hugest fan of the glass of wine I ordered (I tried a wacky one - I'd stick with the standard red they recommend) but I've heard their bottle selection is great so we'll have to try that next time. Desserts were amazing. We've gotten some inflated reviews of other places in the area and had been slightly disappointed by other fine dining locations in the city so we didn't exactly have high expectations but we were truly impressed. Favorite spot in the city so far! Great service, beautiful decor, everyone very friendly. Only complaint is that it was pretty loud in the dining area, but not so much we couldn't hear each other. Prices were on par with other local fine dining restaurants, perhaps slightly less.
(4)
Sharon C.
The food continues to be good since the restaurant moved to its new pretty location, but the service has missed the mark every time we've dined there. Cold, hurried, and haughty servers rush you through your meal, fail to remember or accommodate your requests, and generally make you feel as if you are to be endured rather than welcomed. Don't expect to feel special here.
(3)
Lisa E.
Have enjoyed many of Checker's deliciously prepared items. Often times some of the entree item's although perfect in their own right are overshadowed by the attempt at an over creative flair.. I ordered the Tile fish as we arrived at the bar just before 5 and was told the chef has not decided on the Fish of the Day..totally unnecessary to make it so dramatic..I find the bar staff at times a little condescending and very scripted. It seems they have totally replace the staff from their previous location, and all have taken the same how to "treat the customer class", making it a little less friendly and genuine experience..
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brandon H.
Usually need reservations, but they know how to do things right. If you are visiting Lancaster, or just looking for a special night out then this is your place. What is good/great? Beet salad. Sweet potato fries. Duck tacos. Coffee cured petite filet. And steak frites. Oh my god their steak frites. Loved them at their old location, and now so in their new home.
(5)Eunni C.
My first visit to Lancaster! Reviews seem promising about this place at Trip advisor so we made a reservation at this restaurant. 3 of hungry girls ordered Fish of the day, crab cake and Lancaster roasted chicken dish. Fish was my favorite for sure. Very savory and generous portion. Crab cake was delicious but everyone complained about their tiny portion. 3 of us had just one bite each. Lancaster chicken was gigantic. May be its only me but little plain to me. Could've use little salt and seasoning. We did enjoy cozy ambiance and great food there.
(4)Fabrice L.
At checkers for their special bastille day diner event! Did order some duck liver pate with baguette, and a bouillabaise to follow. Together with a glass of pinot noir this should do the job for the french guy I am! Well, this was really good. The pate might have been more dense. It was a very light foam version but still good. The bouilllabaise would need a deeper plate and more juice too. Bit salty but enjoyable and very close to the french version I know. Third course with desert trio : tartelette fraise, eclair chocolat and napoleon. yummy... Final with a chartreuse verte as digestive liquor because they did not have an armagnac! :(
(5)Betsy B.
Had a wonderful dinner here. The restaurant is in a strip mall area and looks unobtrusive on the outside but is quite nice on the inside. Although there are a number of tables, it still feels like a intimate setting. The service was excellent-one of those places where if you get up, they re-fold your napkin. They offer fresh local ingredients and the dishes were presented very nicely. I had the beet salad which was delicious as was the shrimp cavatelli entree that had parmesan sauce and crushed pistachios. For dessert I had the creme brulee which was good. They do take reservations-including on opentable and there is parking out front. They have a take out entrance as well as the dining room entrance.
(5)Todd B.
Just amazing. Favorite restaurant of 2015 so far, and I live in NYC. Going back again. Everything here, especially the kale salad, is amazing. The atmosphere is beautiful. Score.
(5)Bill F.
A lovely restaurant to have lunch. Looks attractive for dinner too. Food was quite tasty, but the special of the day, the Oyster Po Boy had just a few tiny oysters. The Sweet Potato Chips were good and crisp, but I found them over salted. We will try it again, but order other items from their menu.
(3)Tatyana M.
Very nice discovery for us. Deserves 4 1/2 **, but yelp does not give us this option and 5** would be probably misleading from one time visit. The food was great, the ambiance (though dark) is cozy and romantic, the service is attentive and very professional. The only confusion for us was their advertised dress code is "casual dress" when it's more like smart casual/ special occasion place (judging from the inside interior). We felt a bit uncomfortable being in casual. We'll definitely be back when in the area.
(4)Mary Lou M.
This was our first visit to Checkers. The setting and, ambiance are very nice, and comfortable. Service was excellent and the noise level was low at lunch. Oyster poor boy was the special of the day. That is one of our favorites and all three of us ordered it. It was served with a very nice side salad of local apples, organic spring mix, caramelized walnuts and crispy sweet onions which two of us enjoyed. The other had the sweet potato chips which he said were way too over salted. The oyster poor boy was OK but there were only a few small oysters so the bread overwhelmed the contents. We all ate the contents and left half the bread. All this sandwich needed to be great was three or four large oysters with the nice crispy coating. As an oyster lover I want to be able to taste the oyster. They seem to have a lot going for them here but need to step up to a better oyster poor boy.
(3)Sloan S.
I can't help but gush when I think of Checkers; literally, this is one of my all-time favorites, anywhere. I was so excited to visit their new location and see their redesigned space. As usual, it did not disappoint. I always order the duck tacos to start, because if I don't I feel as if I've missed out on something. They've added a newer entrée item that I'm also totally obsessed with, ahi tuna frites. If you're a tuna fan, order it rare and prepare to have your mind blown with the wasabi aioli and crispy French fry combination. Total perfection. Checkers also has great cocktails, and I tried the summer sangria (which could have been a special) and was very impressed. Beautiful display in the glass and a great, subtly-sweet taste. When I'm not raving about the food quality and presentation, I'm also consistently impressed with the service. On our most recent visit, Jan was our waiter and he did such a phenomenal job. Incredibly attentive, friendly, and offered a great wine suggestion that paired really well with my boyfriend's coffee-cured filet (his go-to). The Lechthaler Teroldego Rotaliano was so good, I've been on the hunt to nab it here in North Carolina. Definitely one of the better reds I've had. I love a restaurant that can really execute a clean menu with impeccable service. Add to that a lovely new location with a more modern vibe and you have a total win-win. Hats off to Checkers!
(5)Jim D.
A couple of weeks ago, Georgia and I had the pleasure of dining at Checkers Bistro in Lancaster. Kelly, our server could not have been nicer or made us feel more at home. She and the entire experience was wonderful. I love that she took the time to write out the welcome to Lancaster (in French). It's those little extras that separate one great restaurant from another.
(5)Mathew R.
The best. Amazing service, great food and always fun. My only complaint is that I'm not there more.
(5)Matthew H.
Dinner party of 5 on Saturday August 8th. Food and service were both excellent. However the menus had water and oil stains. At a restaurant with this pricepoint, someone should be checking the menus before service and printing new ones if they are stained with water or oil.
(4)Lindsay K.
My husband and I went here for an impromptu date night and I was absolutely blown away! I had the scallops which were incredible and my husband had the trout special. The service was great and the atmosphere was beautiful. Everything about the experience was perfect and one I can't wait to repeat!
(5)Charlotte C.
The experience is good! I really like the pecking duck tacos. It's Chinese and Mexican mixed style. But the petite filet I had wasn't my type. It was really flavored with whatever sauce they use and I couldn't taste any steak flavor. Although it was really tender and juicy! There's another thing that bugs me is that it's kinda over priced. If everything is organic then I can see the reason. But it's not. Overall, I like this place that you can dress up for some special night. But I wouldn't go there often.
(4)Christopher P.
This place was hard to find since they have a tiny non lit sign while everyone else has lit signs. There is plenty of parking and reservations are advised on peak dining hours. Like others have noted, it is very dark like a cave. It's too dark inside for my taste. They need to turn the lights up a little more since the paint scheme is also very dark already. There is plenty of seating and I believe two bars. The quality of service was excellent and the food was good but pricey for the small portions. We ended up grabbing drinks at a different bar afterwards and got some more food to fill us up. One last note. At the check in counter, there is a sign that says "Turn off mobile phones". Good luck with that. I need my mobile on 24/7 for business emergencies. If my phone rang I would take it outside to talk. I don't think it's appropriate in this day an age to post a sign to turn your mobile phone off. If their looking for high end clients it will be tough to tell someone they need to turn their phone off.
(4)Becky C.
We went here with friends from out of town for a holiday treat. Our service was good; our server was patient and attentive. The food was great. However, after paying our bill and leaving a 20% tip, we checked our bank statement to see that the server had taken more of a tip than we gave him (again, we gave 20%, he wasn't slighted). We called to have this rectified and the hostess who answered the phone didn't seem concerned or upset about this, told us she would have the owner call us back, but we've never been contacted for an apology, our money back, or an explanation (which was why we called in the first place, we didn't presume this was on purpose). This experience leads me to believe that the wait staff does this regularly, assuming most costumers don't notice a bill of a few dollars more, and wait staff takes home (theoretically) a few hundred dollars more a week in tip than they actually earn. This is STEALING and absolutely disgusting that it goes on and isn't taken seriously by the management. We will never frequent this establishment again because of this incident alone. Double check your bills if you've eaten here recently..
(1)Sara M.
Love!! The service is impeccable. The food is delicious And the ambiance is gorgeous. Absolutely world class. Thanks to Masami and David, there is a place that is fresh, sophisticated and lively in Lancaster !!
(5)Dottie T.
Everything was top notch - dining atmosphere, attentive service and creative and varied menu. For starters, we sampled the Peking Duck Tacos and Eggplant Rollatini. They were delicious, not a crumb left. We tried several salads that were fresh, crisp and perfectly dressed. (Caesar & Beet salads) For the entree, several of us tried the Thai noodles - which apparently has a cult like following and is only available one month out of the year. Very tasty and a bit unusual, but I enjoyed it and the portion was huge. Also note worthy was the roasted chicken - crazy delicious comfort food - and the perfectly cooked scallops.
(5)Mara V.
Chef Daniel never disappoints! Thai Noodle is my fav, the fish special is always wonderful and what he can do with a seemingly simple roasted chicken is amazing! Don't miss the duck tacos app!
(5)Kristi E.
The new location is beautiful. We had been there several times when it was Rosa Rosa. The atmosphere and service was wonderful. The coffee crusted filet was incredible and didn't require a knife. Delish! The duck tacos were to die for. The drinks were incredible and the service from Joel was exceptional. Great celebration for our 4th wedding anniversary.
(5)Mary M.
The beet and goat cheese salad was excellent as was the cheeseburger and pommes frites! Service was also superb!
(5)Peggy I.
Great food nice ambiance. I had (very salty) diver scallops my dining partner had the Flatiron steak. The food was great but damn get some steak knives. Yeah I see this butter knife is serrated. That's what my mom gave me to cut my food when I was 5.
(3)Mark K.
Not one flaw in our experience!! Food was delicious, and our server Emily was excellent and professional!! I'd rate it #1 in Lancaster!!
(5)Dennis S.
I am sitting here this morning reveling in the awesome experience I had last night at Checkers Bistro. I was taken there as a surprise for my birthday. Everything was perfect. The ambiance, service and food. We ordered all but 1 of the small plates, steak and tubs frites and soup and salad (there was 4 of us, and we are critical foodies). Even though there wasn't an empty seat in the house the service was never rushed or lacking. Our server helped course out our multitude of plates ordered. The service details were understated but definitely made an impact. Definitely in my top 5 restaurant experiences.
(5)Tina F.
Came here for a birthday lunch with 6 girlfriends, expecting a real top-notch experience. Checkers recently relocated and just opened to great fanfare. Nice, but not great. I'm a bit of a spoiled foodie from New York. The interior is plush and very dark- all charcoal....the new designer color this year? It felt a bit cave-like for daytime. May work better at night, with evening lighting and atmosphere. I'll try dinner here sometime. Service was very well trained and attentive. Lovely tableware, big stylish plates, and glassware. Lunch menu is quite limited; a few salads and small plates, 2 soups and 4 sandwiches. I tried the Cuban which came with a nice portion of apple salad. We ordered 2 desserts to share; both excellent and beautifully presented. There was no signage outside...not easy to find the place. Maybe it's coming soon. Over all the interior design speaks to a more upscale and elegant menu; the food is quite good, though a limited menu, which would seem at home in a more casual bistro-like atmosphere. Perfect opportunity to step up the menu, adding more sophisticated fare. I'll definitely come back at dinner time.
(3)Jerry V.
Simply said, Checkers Bistro is one of the best (if not THE best) dining experiences you will have in Lancaster. The service is outstanding and the food always interesting and delicious. This was my first visit to the new location. Many had expressed concern that the intimacy and charm would be lost with the move from N. Mulberry street. I am happy to say that is not the case. Executive Chef Daniel Quisphe continues to serve up the most interesting of plates. I have a hard time getting beyond the fish special. No one does fish like Chef Daniel. My dining partner had the crab cake. He said it was delicious with an interesting presentation. The sauce (sauce on a crab cake? Yes!) was light and complimented it perfectly. If you intend to go on a weekend, make a reservation early. Checkers often sells out...even in this larger facility. If you have only ONE night to spend in Lancaster and only ONE meal...do it at Checkers.
(5)Heather H.
Very impressed! We went here for our 10 year anniversary and they made us feel so special. The food was amazing. We had the Checker's apple salad which was delicious. Then we had the a Tuna frites and that was divine! We scraped the plates! Then the scallops had us asking for more bread to sop up the sauce. We were too stuffed for dessert. The Hendricks Mojito was a winner, too. The staff and manager really care. So even when there was some lulls in food, they apologized and made up for it with fresh bread and a free drink. Love the atmosphere!
(5)Chris B.
Some of the best food in town. Unique dishes. Great soups. Great service. An experience for sure. Their new location is much much larger and roomier than their older cramped location. The food is still just as good. Dot forget to try the cream brûlée or apple crisp for desert...awesome!
(5)Mandi G.
I'll keep it simple. I love everything about Checkers Bistro. Each visit is as good as the last from the delicious food, to the beautiful atmosphere, to the attentive(but not in your face) staff. In my opinion, Checkers is Lancaster's best!
(5)Michael O.
Let me start off I've been to the Lancaster, PA bistro twice. This was my second time here and decided to see if the eggs benedict for brunch at the bar was up to snuff from my first time here and sadly it was not. The poached eggs were slightly overcooked and the flat circular potato crisp was burned. However, the appetizers, the poppers were top notch and consistent like last time. This time around, I tried their dessert . . . a peach crumbler pie served with balsamic gelato. The crumbler cake was excellent, but I really couldn't taste the balsami in the gelato. Anyway, let's get back to the positives, the Moscow Mule was excellent as well as the bartender's service throughout. If I'm in Lancaster again, I would just probably go here for the primo mixed drinks, but skip the meal, directly to dessert!
(3)Jon L.
It's a very fancy atmosphere and the food is good. I just felt like they were a little over priced due to that atmosphere. We each got french onion soup and felt like the broth wasn't very hearty. I got shrimp and gritz and thought it was very good. My wife and I enjoy eating out in the city a lot. The food was pretty good and the waiter was friendly but there are more casual places I will probably stick to that have the same caliber of food. Also they are reservation only so book ahead about a week or so.
(4)Andy E.
Food was good as always. Chairs in back area of restaurant are too small and not very comfortable.
(4)Ben K.
Loved the food and ambiance. I had the shrimp and grits and loved it.
(4)Mike W.
We were in the new location for the first the other night. And I cannot find a negative. I enjoy a cocktail before dinner and mine was well made. I had a Negroni which classically is stirred . This was shaken but that's ok. We each had the mussels on special and they were plump and tasty. The broth was full of the advertised chorizo. I always have the duck tacos and they were also The service was fine though the young man seemed a bit stiff . He did not really get Maggie's attempt at humor . I'm throwing up 5 stars and I think it worry of it . However, like another poster I wonder about their plans. The room seems very formal and dark and the service a bit formal for a bistro. The menu is bistro style but bistro's are usually more relaxed in style. I hope they consider expanding the menu to a level beyond the bistro style cooking. It is their business and they have been successful at it . Would like to see them stretch their legs a bit .
(5)Heather G.
Went to Checkers with some friends for dinner on a Saturday at 745. The service was fabulous. Our waiter checked on is as frequently as necessary without being annoying. The beet and goat cheese salad was AMAZING! I then has the coffee-cured filet for dinner. It was ordered medium and was so wonderful and flavorful! Would definitely go back!
(4)M C.
Okay service, ok ambience, ok food--nothing special considering the amount of money you dish out.
(3)Brandon N.
There really isn't a better place for fine dining in Lancaster, PA. Three words can describe this place perfectly, "Attention to detail." Everything from the food to decor is meticulously designed to provide a memorable dining experience.
(5)Kathy B.
Tom the bartender gave excellent service with a smile and the food was delish...would definitely return here...highly recommend this place..
(5)Bruce N.
Classy atmosphere as soon you enter the door so I knew big bucks would be spent. Four of us had a nice table with cushioned walls behind us. Service was top notch, very professional. My flatiron steak and frites (pronounced freets not frights apparently but really they're just expensive French fries) were done perfectly while my wife's roasted chicken was really tasty and a large portion so I gobbled half of that down too. My sis in law had the Rock fish special, which while good was more like a pebble fish given the size....but the price was large. And I can't remember what my bro in law ordered but he really liked it. We shared the Peking Duck Taco (sounds very cross cultural) for an appetizer and it was tasty as well. Nice wine list and they were offering some new fresh red wine, whose name i also can't remember, but I mooched a sip off the nice lady at the next table (she offered!) and it was super. Cavernous men's room, with fancy individual cloth towels at the sink. Urinals are a little too close together for such a big room - I don't like to get too cozy in the men's room - not that there's anything wrong with that. Overall, just excellent service and food but a tad pricey. Parking a nightmare in front so park out back.
(4)megan f.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants. But have been twice to the new location and have been completely underwhelmed both times. The French onion soup literally tasted like dishwater. I got it again, thinking the first time was a fluke, but it was not. It was awful. My main dish (eggplant rollatinis) was good, but not worth the price. My friend got the steak frites which was ok.. Like others have mentioned, I didn't feel like the attention to detail was there was much as before. Maybe because it has lost its intimate feel but I definitely feel they're missing on what used to make them special. Bummer.
(2)kristen i.
This place needs to decide whether it's an upscale restaurant, neighborhood bistro or something else entirely. Upscale decor and service (valet? cloth hand towels in the loo?) do not match up to the overly casual menu and inattention to detail. I have always heard such good things about Checkers (the James St location) that my BF and I decided to come to the new location for a belated V-day dinner. I made the reservation over a week in advance and we still got the crappiest seat in the house - along the back wall in full view of the server station where dirty dishes were scraped and stacked and servers gathered to chat. We nicely asked for a different table and were dee-nied. Bummer. I wasn't overly impressed with the menu - we ordered the calamari to share (rubbery with no seasoning) and I got the French Onion (waaay too much cheese and kinda bland) and the shrimp and grits (way too much tomato, under seasoned, gritty grits and a huge portion for a "small plate"). My BF tried one piece of calamari and pushed it away. Ended up ordering the lobster bisque (meh) and the duck tacos. Serious disappointment in the tacos for a man who loves him some duck. Was hoping for delicious shredded duck but it was more like mushy duck pate and not very flavorful. Everything seemed like a failed attempt at JJJ dishes.
(2)Deborah A J.
Great food, great service and great atmosphere what else could you ask for!!! I had the salmon, my husband had the crab cake, my daughter had the scallops and my son had a burger!!! Yep a burger, and even with that variety everything was delish! For dessert the kids loved the lemon sorbet and I split the lemon mouse sponge cake with my hubby!! This is our new go to place!!
(5)Linda F.
The food was very good - the menu is diverse, and there were meatless items among the choices, which makes Checkers Bistro a good option for vegetarians or people who might want a lighter meal for a change. My husband enjoyed his steak, and it was done as he'd requested (medium rare) which is rare in Lancaster - pardon the expression - where overdone seems to be the norm. Our waiter was great - friendly and helpful, and turned up to check on us with the proper frequency. Our desserts were delicious, and we'd definitely return. The only negative? The front desk staff (an arched eyebrow that we had no reservation? seriously? at 4:45 on a Tuesday?) and the young man who led us to our table were a bit full of themselves. When we were asked and said we had no reservation, the hostess actually looked a little peeved and said, "I'll have to set up a table for you. Go sit on the sofa," and pointed, rather emphatically, at a settee and some chairs off to the side of the large entry area. When we left at 6, the restaurant was just beginning to fill up - so clearly we didn't need a reservation, and while it was OK to ask if we had one, acting as though we'd committed some sort of faux pas was unnecessary. Overall, however, it was a great dining experience, and I'd recommend Checkers Bistro wholeheartedly.
(4)Judy B.
liked it better at the old location. seems that the food changed and not for the best.
(3)Catherine C.
Finally got a reservation to the bigger and brand new Checker's!! I loved the decor for starters. It was dark and lush. Their menu is not exciting but I can definitely appreciate a simple clean menu that is straight forward. I can totally understand how some people would say that the food doesn't match the decor and the ambience but if the food is prepared perfectly, there should be no complaints. Overall experience was great and I can't wait to come back and eat my way through the menu!
(5)S R.
We were really happy with this place. Took the boyfriend here for his birthday - they even remembered I mentioned it when I made the reservation. Very thoughtful touch. We tried a couple cocktails, which were great. French onion soup was great, as were the duck tacos. We also tried the lamb and seafood brushetta, which we both loved (the brushetta comes with a bunch of mussels - very generous portion). I wasn't the hugest fan of the glass of wine I ordered (I tried a wacky one - I'd stick with the standard red they recommend) but I've heard their bottle selection is great so we'll have to try that next time. Desserts were amazing. We've gotten some inflated reviews of other places in the area and had been slightly disappointed by other fine dining locations in the city so we didn't exactly have high expectations but we were truly impressed. Favorite spot in the city so far! Great service, beautiful decor, everyone very friendly. Only complaint is that it was pretty loud in the dining area, but not so much we couldn't hear each other. Prices were on par with other local fine dining restaurants, perhaps slightly less.
(4)Sharon C.
The food continues to be good since the restaurant moved to its new pretty location, but the service has missed the mark every time we've dined there. Cold, hurried, and haughty servers rush you through your meal, fail to remember or accommodate your requests, and generally make you feel as if you are to be endured rather than welcomed. Don't expect to feel special here.
(3)Lisa E.
Have enjoyed many of Checker's deliciously prepared items. Often times some of the entree item's although perfect in their own right are overshadowed by the attempt at an over creative flair.. I ordered the Tile fish as we arrived at the bar just before 5 and was told the chef has not decided on the Fish of the Day..totally unnecessary to make it so dramatic..I find the bar staff at times a little condescending and very scripted. It seems they have totally replace the staff from their previous location, and all have taken the same how to "treat the customer class", making it a little less friendly and genuine experience..
(4)