Classic style steakhouse, with great service, excellent selection of awesome steaks, and great cocktails. If you don't want to drop a mint on dinner, the bar bites menu is pretty reasonable with some interesting and delicious options. Highly recommend for a nice dinner
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joy
While the service was impeccable, a Michelin rated restaurants service should be - the food did not live up to the hype and standard we were lead to believe for our first time dining at Kali Steak. Maybe we ordered wrong - but the rolls were just fine, a little dry and over proofed; the scallop potato was totally flavorless and watery. The really egregious and truly disappointing item was our Steak. A boneless 28 oz New York - it was tough, under-seasoned even with the charred lemon, and various garlic options, and mostly fat - which isn't generally a hallmark of a new york. We had a hard time enjoying the meal after we took our first bite. It looked great, but we felt sadly way over sold on the "steakhouse" label. If you're going to call yourself a steakhouse - shouldn't the steak be the star? We also got the shrimp cocktail which was truly excellent, the wedge salad pre chopped, very good. Oh and the loaded potato - which was a glorified potato skin - but not bad. When the salad and the sides are the highlight, something is wrong. Again - service was awesome. Food - subpar. Price - NOT worth it for the steak. If one steak is going to cost nearly $200 - the item should be flawless.
xinyi chen
It’s a steakhouse, but the quality of the steak and the cooking were not up to standard. Even though we ordered the steak medium, it was cooked closer to medium-well. When we pointed this out to the supervisor, he refused to acknowledge the issue. We were left feeling quite helpless—being told it could be remade, but we didn’t want to waste more time waiting again. At checkout, there was also no acknowledgment or gesture from the restaurant; however, as we were very hungry and had already finished the meal, we felt it was awkward to raise the issue again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Zachary
Great dishes. Tartare is must. Martinis awesome. Steak standard. Worth trying. But better steakhouses if you're only going for the meat
Don
Too loud music, which made the chat amongst people get loud. The food was littered with dill and had no stand taste. Ambiance was poor. Service was slow and thoughtless.
Isaac
I went with my son who is studying culinary He pointed out some of the reasons why it had a Michelin star rating The depth on the apps the simple yet exquisite presentations and the portions are plenty The fermented garlic with a combo roasted lemon and smashed roasted garlic on the ribeye was literally an explosion in my mouth The chicken Milanese was too perefection My head was on a swivel trying to take a peek at everyone else's entrees and apps ; the straw on the cokes added a touch of nostalgia and the movement of the jazz music was consistent with the overall explorative vibe
Jonathan
First, we were shocked to see sports game being broadcasted on the wall of the first dinning area, this is a restaurant, not a bar. Second, the music was very loud and killed the ambiance of the place which uses dimmed light and small/intimate tables. Third, we ordered a salad and the dressing came full of lemon seeds. Last but not least, we ordered a medium well ribeye steak and it came medium cooked and cold. We used to love this place but something has drastically changed and the new mood this place is now setting up and lower quality food is disappointment.
Chutima
Steak was great. Relatively few options for side dishes. Service was relatively slow comparing to other restaurants we went to.
Laura
Meal was good. Parker house rolls were a bit dense and heavy. Butter was hard- a pet peeve. The rosemary was also not really incorporated into the butter- just thrown on top. A compound butter or a whipped butter would have been ideal. Scallop fritter was light and airy. Beef tartare was excellent. Salmon was cooked perfectly but I skipped the pepper sauce as it was way too spicy. Garlic mashed potatoes also excellent. Their signature gelato dessert was a delight. Service is very good- ambiance is dark and on the quiet side with interesting music. Jazz on the night I was there.
Iris Shu
I had high expectations for Kali Steak, but overall the experience was quite underwhelming. The food was just average and did not really stand out, especially considering the price point.
What disappointed me more was the service. The staff did not seem very warm or attentive throughout the meal. Today was my birthday, and I had clearly noted this in my reservation. While I brought my own cake, there was no candle, no small birthday dessert, and not even a simple “happy birthday” from the staff, which made the experience feel impersonal and a bit careless.
I wasn’t expecting anything extravagant, but a small gesture would have gone a long way. Unfortunately, this visit did not feel like a special dining experience, and I don’t think I would choose to come back for a celebration.
I wanted to like it, but not so much. I loved the vibe, which is modernized old school, similar to Jones or a Sopranos dinner at Sardis. The music was turned up at end to get us out, but just as well because the 4 men across from us shouted louder over it to compensate, and then there was selfie light and wannabe influences doing takes. We were tagged teamed by 2 waiters to hurry us to order, neither knowing what the other had already done. They were nice, but I knew what was up. All of that wouldn't have amounted to much if the food was on point and I think we got it on a bad night. Full disclaimer, I've worked at a steakhouse, and have tried every type of steak and temp for better or worse. That said, The U10 shrimp were off as if frozen and thawed, which was indicated by the chalky dense quality by the last one I couldn't finish; the others perhaps just over-poached absent. Then seeing there wasn't a filet option, I ordered the Butcher's cut Hanger steak MR. It was cooked on-point...but it was chewy as if not cut against grain. It looked pretty, the portion size the size I wanted, but without enough seasoning, it couldn't hide the bigger issue of chewy. I would assume it was CAB, but maybe that was an underlying issue. The string fries were seasoned perfectly, though - the star of the meal!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
catrina
Intimate medium sized steakhouse. Banquets, excellent steak, impressive wine list & attentive service. Will return when in LA
ARobs
I was disappointed by Kali Steak. The cost was was too high for what it was. We came for a good steak and surprisingly there was no filet mignon on the menu. The smallest cut was a $95 16oz ribeye and it was about 30% fat. They charged $5 for a “house made” A1. The potato was cold, dry and unexciting. The $21 cocktails were just ok... my Paloma was made with sprite. To drop $300 (for 2) on a so-so meal was not the move. The ambiance was a bit odd too... very sterile as in blank grey walls and quiet music...low energy. The server was unfriendly and hurried, borderline annoyed. The sommelier was great even though we didn't even have wine. There are other much better steakhouses in the vicinity that justify the price tag. I won't be back here.
Suzanne
Kali has great old-style steakhouse ambience to go with its classic steakhouse menu. The noise level was extremely high due to a 10-person birthday party at a table near us, but I can't blame the restaurant for that. Besides the excellent ribeye, perfectly cooked, the accompanying sauces were especially delicious. The Parker House rolls with salted rosemary butter were also outstanding. The only disappointment was dessert. A decadently rich chocolate “parfait” was marred by hard ladyfingers inserted into the mousse, and the key lime pie was more gel-like than creamy.
Lauren Lauren
When you visit here for the first time, it’s a bit hard to find the front door because there isn’t a big sign outside. However, once you go inside, the atmosphere is completely different — it’s dark but has a really nice vibe. The food is amazing and creative. I'm highly recommend desert for Meringue Gelato which was cream and not too sweet that can't taste white eggs meringue. For dessert, the Meringue Gelato is a must-try—creamy, subtly sweet, and with meringue so light you won’t taste the egg whites at all.
Classic style steakhouse, with great service, excellent selection of awesome steaks, and great cocktails. If you don't want to drop a mint on dinner, the bar bites menu is pretty reasonable with some interesting and delicious options. Highly recommend for a nice dinner
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
While the service was impeccable, a Michelin rated restaurants service should be - the food did not live up to the hype and standard we were lead to believe for our first time dining at Kali Steak. Maybe we ordered wrong - but the rolls were just fine, a little dry and over proofed; the scallop potato was totally flavorless and watery. The really egregious and truly disappointing item was our Steak. A boneless 28 oz New York - it was tough, under-seasoned even with the charred lemon, and various garlic options, and mostly fat - which isn't generally a hallmark of a new york. We had a hard time enjoying the meal after we took our first bite. It looked great, but we felt sadly way over sold on the "steakhouse" label. If you're going to call yourself a steakhouse - shouldn't the steak be the star? We also got the shrimp cocktail which was truly excellent, the wedge salad pre chopped, very good. Oh and the loaded potato - which was a glorified potato skin - but not bad. When the salad and the sides are the highlight, something is wrong. Again - service was awesome. Food - subpar. Price - NOT worth it for the steak. If one steak is going to cost nearly $200 - the item should be flawless.
It’s a steakhouse, but the quality of the steak and the cooking were not up to standard. Even though we ordered the steak medium, it was cooked closer to medium-well. When we pointed this out to the supervisor, he refused to acknowledge the issue. We were left feeling quite helpless—being told it could be remade, but we didn’t want to waste more time waiting again. At checkout, there was also no acknowledgment or gesture from the restaurant; however, as we were very hungry and had already finished the meal, we felt it was awkward to raise the issue again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Great dishes. Tartare is must. Martinis awesome. Steak standard. Worth trying. But better steakhouses if you're only going for the meat
Too loud music, which made the chat amongst people get loud. The food was littered with dill and had no stand taste. Ambiance was poor. Service was slow and thoughtless.
I went with my son who is studying culinary He pointed out some of the reasons why it had a Michelin star rating The depth on the apps the simple yet exquisite presentations and the portions are plenty The fermented garlic with a combo roasted lemon and smashed roasted garlic on the ribeye was literally an explosion in my mouth The chicken Milanese was too perefection My head was on a swivel trying to take a peek at everyone else's entrees and apps ; the straw on the cokes added a touch of nostalgia and the movement of the jazz music was consistent with the overall explorative vibe
First, we were shocked to see sports game being broadcasted on the wall of the first dinning area, this is a restaurant, not a bar. Second, the music was very loud and killed the ambiance of the place which uses dimmed light and small/intimate tables. Third, we ordered a salad and the dressing came full of lemon seeds. Last but not least, we ordered a medium well ribeye steak and it came medium cooked and cold. We used to love this place but something has drastically changed and the new mood this place is now setting up and lower quality food is disappointment.
Steak was great. Relatively few options for side dishes. Service was relatively slow comparing to other restaurants we went to.
Meal was good. Parker house rolls were a bit dense and heavy. Butter was hard- a pet peeve. The rosemary was also not really incorporated into the butter- just thrown on top. A compound butter or a whipped butter would have been ideal. Scallop fritter was light and airy. Beef tartare was excellent. Salmon was cooked perfectly but I skipped the pepper sauce as it was way too spicy. Garlic mashed potatoes also excellent. Their signature gelato dessert was a delight. Service is very good- ambiance is dark and on the quiet side with interesting music. Jazz on the night I was there.
I had high expectations for Kali Steak, but overall the experience was quite underwhelming. The food was just average and did not really stand out, especially considering the price point.
What disappointed me more was the service. The staff did not seem very warm or attentive throughout the meal. Today was my birthday, and I had clearly noted this in my reservation. While I brought my own cake, there was no candle, no small birthday dessert, and not even a simple “happy birthday” from the staff, which made the experience feel impersonal and a bit careless.
I wasn’t expecting anything extravagant, but a small gesture would have gone a long way. Unfortunately, this visit did not feel like a special dining experience, and I don’t think I would choose to come back for a celebration.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I wanted to like it, but not so much. I loved the vibe, which is modernized old school, similar to Jones or a Sopranos dinner at Sardis. The music was turned up at end to get us out, but just as well because the 4 men across from us shouted louder over it to compensate, and then there was selfie light and wannabe influences doing takes. We were tagged teamed by 2 waiters to hurry us to order, neither knowing what the other had already done. They were nice, but I knew what was up. All of that wouldn't have amounted to much if the food was on point and I think we got it on a bad night. Full disclaimer, I've worked at a steakhouse, and have tried every type of steak and temp for better or worse. That said, The U10 shrimp were off as if frozen and thawed, which was indicated by the chalky dense quality by the last one I couldn't finish; the others perhaps just over-poached absent. Then seeing there wasn't a filet option, I ordered the Butcher's cut Hanger steak MR. It was cooked on-point...but it was chewy as if not cut against grain. It looked pretty, the portion size the size I wanted, but without enough seasoning, it couldn't hide the bigger issue of chewy. I would assume it was CAB, but maybe that was an underlying issue. The string fries were seasoned perfectly, though - the star of the meal!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Intimate medium sized steakhouse. Banquets, excellent steak, impressive wine list & attentive service. Will return when in LA
I was disappointed by Kali Steak. The cost was was too high for what it was. We came for a good steak and surprisingly there was no filet mignon on the menu. The smallest cut was a $95 16oz ribeye and it was about 30% fat. They charged $5 for a “house made” A1. The potato was cold, dry and unexciting. The $21 cocktails were just ok... my Paloma was made with sprite. To drop $300 (for 2) on a so-so meal was not the move. The ambiance was a bit odd too... very sterile as in blank grey walls and quiet music...low energy. The server was unfriendly and hurried, borderline annoyed. The sommelier was great even though we didn't even have wine. There are other much better steakhouses in the vicinity that justify the price tag. I won't be back here.
Kali has great old-style steakhouse ambience to go with its classic steakhouse menu. The noise level was extremely high due to a 10-person birthday party at a table near us, but I can't blame the restaurant for that. Besides the excellent ribeye, perfectly cooked, the accompanying sauces were especially delicious. The Parker House rolls with salted rosemary butter were also outstanding. The only disappointment was dessert. A decadently rich chocolate “parfait” was marred by hard ladyfingers inserted into the mousse, and the key lime pie was more gel-like than creamy.
When you visit here for the first time, it’s a bit hard to find the front door because there isn’t a big sign outside. However, once you go inside, the atmosphere is completely different — it’s dark but has a really nice vibe.
The food is amazing and creative. I'm highly recommend desert for Meringue Gelato which was cream and not too sweet that can't taste white eggs meringue. For dessert, the Meringue Gelato is a must-try—creamy, subtly sweet, and with meringue so light you won’t taste the egg whites at all.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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