Bar 109@Melrose Hill ★★★

Bar 109 Soft Opening. Next to Chef Brian Baik's soon-to-open Corridor 109. Very nice of Brian to still remember us from 2022. Casual bar with quality light bites with a taste of Corridor 109. Interesting cocktails and nice selection of sake from Fifth Taste available by the glass and by the bottle. Very limited parking in side lot. Whereas Corridor 109 is impossible to book, no reservation is needed for Bar 109. It's walk-in.

Corridor 109 February 28, 2022: https://www.syorithefoodie.com/2022/02/corridor-109koreatown.html

Shrimp Cocktail $24

Chef Brian Baik from Corridor 109

Kuheiji Eau du Desir 2024 Junmai Daiginjo $110 (bottle)

Shrimp Cocktail $24

Fried Fish Sandwich $20
potato bun, tartar sauce, pickle

Smoked Fish Dip $18
dill, crackers

Wagyu Beef Dog $12
pepper relish, dijon

Bar 109
641 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, California 90004
https://www.corridor109.com/

Kali@Melrose ★★

Michelin Star Restaurant with Gastronomic & Asian Influence. Beautiful presentation. 5-Course Seasonal Tasting Menu $165 with $55 optional wine pairing (5 half glasses). 9-Course Kali Chef's Menu also available for $210 with $95 optional wine pairing. For lighter eaters, it's good to share the 5-course menu with a la carte items.

Seasonal Tasting Menu: 1st course: Crowded Beach
oyster, yellowtail, mussel, uni, abalone, prawn

Riesling Trocken – Keller $99
"von der fels" 2021
Rheinhessen, Germany

Local Yellowtail Carpaccio $24
shaved fennel, buttermilk, rice puff, agretti

Oyster

Complimentary Bread & Butter

Beef Tartare "Cigar" $18
charcoal essence, yolk emulsion

Seasonal Tasting Menu: 2nd course: Black Truffle Risotto
blue oyster mushroom, fava beans

Seasonal Tasting Menu: 3rd course: Caramelized Bay Scallop
English peas, potato dumpling, preserved lemon, walnut

Sea Urchin Pasta $42 (also comes in 1/2 portion for $28)
spaghetti, bread crumbs, ricotta whey

Caramelized Bay Scallop $42 (a la carte)
English peas, potato dumpling, preserved lemon, walnut

Sonoma County Liberty Farms Duck Breast $46
beet, sorrel, cherries, pistachio

Seasonal Tasting Menu: 4th course: Santa Carota Ranch New York Steak
carrot purée, brown butter, bordelaise

Seasonal Tasting Menu: 5th course: Meringue Gelato
straus cream, salt cured egg yolk

Strawberry Sorbet $12
pickled green strawberries, lavender, mint

Complimentary Chocolate Truffles

Kali
5722 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 871-4160
kalirestaurant.com

Taste on Melrose@West Hollywood ★★

American Food on Melrose. Using Bloomspot coupon. The food is pretty good. The Sangria was nice. Carafe is a good deal. Mac & Cheese is a bit sour for some reason. Noise level was high.

Pomegranate Basil Sangria (Carafe) $25
veev acai spirit, st. germain liqueur, pomegranate purée, fresh basil, mixed  berries, sparkling wine

White Truffle Oil & Mushroom Mac & Cheese $8.50
with smoked mozzarella

"Kobe" Beef Meatballs $15.75
american wagyu beef, pine nuts, golden raisins, caramelized onions, white truffle cheese fondue, linguine, grana padano cheese

Roasted Vegetable & Quinoa Salad $12.50
organic maxed greens, red quinoa, fennel, carrots, red bell peppers, red onions, zucchini, tomatoes, grilled lemon, tempura onion rings, honey mustard dressing

Key Lime Pie $7.50

Bread Pudding $8.50

Taste on Melrose
8454 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 852-6888
www.ilovetaste.com

The Village Idiot@Melrose ★★★

Nice Breakfast.

Full English Breakfast $13
eggs & heinz beans on toast, rasher & banger, roasted tomato, mushrooms

Chopped Salad $15
kale, little gems, cucumbers, chickpeas, feta, mint, chicken, poached egg

The Village Idiot
7383 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 655-3331

Blu Jam Café@Melrose ★★★

Fantastic Tapas. Super Great Service. Burrata & Strawberries was my favorite.

Sautéed Jumbo Scallops $16
green pea risotto, parsley sauce, charred meyer lemon

Burrata & Strawberries $10
grilled bread, micro greens, reduced balsamic

Spanish Shrimp $12
capers, honey, sherry, lime, grilled bread, chives

Burrata & Strawberries $10
grilled bread, micro greens, reduced balsamic

Sautéed Jumbo Scallops $16
green pea risotto, parsley sauce, charred meyer lemon

Argentinean Steak $18
crispy potatoes, chimichurri, tomato, onion salad

Sangria $8
"Mimosa" Sparkling Wine w/ Fresh Orange Juice $9

Tres Leches Cake w/ Fresh Seasonal Fruit $7

Blu Jam Café
7371 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 951-9191
www.blujamcafe.com

Frida Tacos@Melrose ★★

I think I like Fish Taco better than Meat Taco, but Fish Taco is always pricier than any Meat Tacos... You get a little bit of everything in the Combination Platter (a Taco, an Enchilada, and a Tamale), but too bad you can't choose Fish Taco for the Combination Platter. I like their Tamale. I also like their name play of the restaurant. Frida Tacos rhymes with Frida Khalo.

Cochinita Pibil Burrito $6.95

Cochinita Pibil Burrito $6.95

Combination Platter: 1 Meat Taco, 1 Enchilada, and 1 Tamale $8.95

Sauces

Frida Tacos
7217 Melrose
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 549-4666
www.fridarestaurant.com