Kali

"Kali, is definitely one of the Michelin restaurant you should try. The food was unbelievable amazing, and surprisingly, not very expensive. very affordable Michelin star restaurant. I will definitely go back again. The staff were so nice and friendly. Even we met the owner, chef Kevin. he was very cool, down to earth and friendly with us, the mussel in Crowded Beach was one of the best mussel I’ve ever had before, even we ordered extra more. I would definitely go back again just to try that dish. Also dessert was one of the best delicious dishes that night, we had a very good time there!"

"The Sommelier was top tier and absolutely lovely. The Farmers Market salad was thoughtfully and beautifully prepared- a must try. The bread came at an odd time, but it was nice. The squash soup was an entire meal for me, but the Cod looked amazing! The service could not have been better. It’s not a romantic or softy lit spot, but it’s an experience you don’t want to miss if you’re in search of excellence."

"Absolutely deserve that Michelin star. Everything was amazing. Love the Chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing. Definitely worth it! The desert was my absolute favorite!"

"We were slightly worried after booking a dinner here for our belated honeymoon after reading some of the other reviews here, but Kali pulled out all of the stops. I've eaten at places owned by celebrities that taunt how many stars they have, and they don't hold a candle to Kali. We had the nine course tasting, which some complain is over priced, but this blew a $350 tasting I had elsewhere away. Decadent doesn't feel like a powerful enough descriptor for the menu the chefs put in front of my partner and I. The dishes were playful and expressive while being refined and clearly made from a place of love for the craft. I'm sorry but the 9 course tasting is and insane value for the amount of labor that goes into that meal. I'd be shocked if they're turning a profit with the army of staff they have. Anyway, every course was timed well with enough time between each plate to discuss it with my partner, enjoy our drinks, and anticipate the next plate. This type of meal is not for those in a rush, set aside two hours minimum. It was around two and a half hours from seating to check for us. Be prepared to have some of the best chefs in the game flex their skills for you. The cured egg yolk gelato was elegant in it's simplicity. I feel sorry for those who didn't understand that dish from other reviews. The entire meal was full of so many different techniques on display. I'm only a home cook, but I could tell the amount of prep that went into some of the dishes they served us. There was only one dish that didn't live up to the rest, and at any other restaurant it would have absolutely slayed. The new York strip steak was expertly cooked, and on it's own was a truly special bite of food, but it was lost on that plate full of flavors that masked the subtle smoke flavor and beefiness of a grass fed steak. Don't get me wrong the beet 2 ways on that plate were so good, but the steak was put out to pasture. That said, any time there are risks taken, there will be missteps. That dish was only a misstep because of what proceeded it. Every component of that plate is a star, but they outshine each other. It was a welcome change of pace considering I've had tastings at other restaurants for more money than Kali that put inedible A5 wagyu in front of me. The wagyu tartar was another wow moment for me. I'm no stranger to tartar or wagyu, but to somehow elevate an ingredient that most serve with minimal handling takes so much courage. Kudos on making me actually like scallops for the first time in my life. Every dish was practically licked clean. I will scrape my pennies together and hopefully dine at Kali again the next time I visit LA. I have told my local friends they MUST try it. Thank you to the staff for giving us a memory that will last my partner and I another decade together!"

"Kali delivers an upscale, gourmet and pricey dining experience. Michelin star rating deserved. Our party of four did both the pre-set Chef's four-course tasting menu and a la carte dining. Both ways and choices were excellent. Shellfish great, but (a la carte) New York steak had some excess fat, though. Dessert was devine. Cocktails, bottle of wine and dinners pushed the tab to almost $800, plus tip, so make sure you bring the big $$$. The service and food presentations made the experience quite special with gourmet food over-the-top good. Caution: Don't let the hole-in-the-wall exterior fool you (pretty typical for L.A.'s trendy Melrose Ave.) as inside a foodie heaven awaits. Valet parking available. Reservations strongly recommended."