DTLA: Lunch at Le Ka

I checked out Le Ka for lunch during the last dineLA run and then went back for cocktails a couple nights later.

 

For my first of three courses, I opted for the chestnut soup. It was probably the most interesting starter. I enjoyed this soup quite a bit and would get it again.

Amber from Wilson’s Where To Guide got the roasted beet salad. I always knew it was healthy to eat beets but I had no idea how much so. There was quite a bit of burrata on the salad which was lovely.

 

 

When I was in for lunch, I didn’t try the cocktails but said I’d come back because I was intrigued by the Agave Classico.

 

The Agave Classico (Milagro reposado, Campari, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, rose-water wash) was interesting to me because essentially it was a Negroni with tequila but with the additional rose-water wash. Would it be too floral? As it turned out, it was a bit too heavy on the Carpano which tends to be very sweet.

Our bartender Brendan was a sweetheart. He recently moved to LA after a couple of stints at club bars. He’s eagerly learning the craft cocktails game. We had a good time sitting at his bar.

 

For my main course, I got the artic char which I mostly got because I love pea sprouts. And we got quite a bit of it as a side. The fish was expertly cooked.

 

Poor Amber didn’t know what to make of her roast chicken with attached chicken foot. It didn’t bother me but it was a bit unnerving for those who don’t like chicken feet (and if you don’t, I will take you to dim sum sometime).

 

Back to the evening of cocktails, I also tried out the Martinez. I hadn’t had one served down before. I wasn’t asked my preference which is almost always served up.

 

For dessert, Amber got the tres leches. It didn’t pretty but she said it was delicious.

 

I much preferred my bread pudding but I tend to love bread pudding.

 

The only odd drink I had at Le Ka was a Chartreuse Whiskey Sour. I have been on a Chartreuse kick lately and been asking for sours around town. A different bartender ended up making this and sadly, it just didn’t gel. True, it was the first time he attempted something like this. He really should have double-strained because there were far too many ice chips in it. My drinking buddy thought there was too much nutmeg and I thought that ruined the bitters design. It tasted like lemon juice and finished faintly with Chartreuse. The whiskey was lost entirely. I have gotten better on-the-fly versions elsewhere in town.

Overall, I’d come back for the dinner with friends and I heard happy hour might just be the ticket. They do have a late-night happy hour but pricing isn’t as good as the early evening happy hour. I’d also take clients here for lunch since it’s a good business lunch spot.

Le Ka Restaurant

800 W 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90017  —  (213) 688-3000

© The Minty  2013