Recently the Cover app lead me to EsCaLA, a great little restaurant in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. I was intrigued by the restaurant’s mixed influences of Korean and Colombian cuisine and had to try the El Padrino cocktail I saw on their website. The restaurant is in the historic Chapman building and I believe there is valet parking available, although I found a meter nearby.

A taste of EscaLA’s art, from their website.

EscaLA K-Town
3451 West 6th Street Los Angeles, CA 90020
http://www.escalaktown.com/

EscaLA at night, looking out from the bar to the fountain and big open air windows.

The restaurant is the brainchild of executive chef Chris Oh and artist/music producer/entrepreneur OG Chino, Korean but grew up partly in Bogota, Colombia. His influence is obvious not only in the food but also in the space. The disco ball, colored lights, and music evoke a Colombian nightclub (who just watched Netflix’s “Narcos”?) but the whimsical art and colorful wall paintings give it an urban street vibe. I loved the open air feel from the big open windows and the fountain that sits just inside the front door. I was greeted quickly when I visited and as I was alone I chose to sit at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and patient with me as there is so much to consider on the menu!

From their website, EscaLA in the daylight.

Of course I ordered the El Padrino as I had planned, a cocktail made with Pisco Porton, Passion Fruit & Mora Shrub, Fresh Lemon, Vanilla Extract, Egg White, and Angostura Bitters. Although I have had similar cocktails before I was curious about the shrub used, a sweetened, vinegar-based  syrup. I also wanted to inspect their use of the bitters to create the design on top, I would tell you but then I’d have to… you know.

For dinner I ordered a few smaller items. I had to get one of each Empanada. Colombian corn fried crust with either carne asada, potato, and Colombian spices with ají verde or the K-panada with kimchi and chorizo fried rice with kimchi aioli. Both were fantastic and at only $5 for 2 I highly recommend trying them both. The kimchi aoili was my favorite of the two sauces, especially since it was so easy to dip into.

Empanada’s with their delicious little fried corn outsides.

I also ordered the Yucca fries which are also available loaded with pulled pork and pico de gallo. I have tried making Yucca fries a few times but these put my work to shame, they’re thick cut and perfectly hot and crispy outside and soft inside.

The last item I tried was an arepas, a Colombian ground maize flat biscuit that came topped with braised pork belly, tropical salad, and saffron aoili. While it was good, especially the salad and the biscuit, it wasn’t the best pork belly I’ve ever had and it was hard to eat in a way that you’d get a little of each flavor in every bite. Next time I think I will try the chicken arepas instead, the shredded chicken sounds easier to navigate.

At this point I was pretty full, I’m bummed I didn’t bring someone along so that I could try more items off the menu. I am definitely going back to try the Bandeja platter which looked fantastic (and filling!) They do offer lunch, happy hour, and brunch both Saturday and Sunday. The best part is that EsCaLA is pretty darn affordable and the portions are hearty. I can’t wait to return, props to Cover for leading me to EsCaLA!