04 Jun Pikoh LA Brings Pico Blvd in West LA to Life

Pico Boulevard in West LA has been a sleepy street for many years. A few restaurants are tucked along the street that have been there forever. And while I live only one mile from Pico Boulevard, I was not going to Pico very often until Khong Ten opened up. And now there is Pikoh LA, located in the former Chan Dara space, that has added a new life to Pico Blvd. The space at Pikoh is modern, open, casual and inviting. The colors are clean, the decor is minimal and there is fresh greenery placed throughout the restaurant. There is a long bar for counter seating, a dining room separated by plants, the front section for happy hour seating and the main dining room. And there is outdoor seating as well. Pikoh is a perfect neighborhood restaurant. Open all day, they serve breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. But more than having a coffee bar, a cocktail bar and food, Pikoh has delicious, flavorful food that will keep you coming back! This is because Chef Ricardo Zarate, of Rosaline and Los Balcones Studio City, is behind Pikoh LA! And, while this is not another Peruvian restaurant, this all-day casual concept features California cuisines with Peruvian and Asians flavors. Open seven days a week, Happy Hour is offered every single day (4pm-7pm Monday – Friday and 4pm-6pm Saturday – Sunday). Cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic cocktails are all $6, with offerings such as Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Brut Rose from Italy, Lago Vinho Verde from Portugal and Lamadrid Malbec from Argentina. Cocktails include Monkey Business made with bourbon, caramelized banana, orange & aromatic bitters and an Artisan Mule. The selections are fantastic, especially for $6. The Happy Hour food menu includes dishes between $6-$9. These dishes are not available on the lunch or dinner menus and are specific for the Happy Hour menu. Hummus with black olive & ricotta spread and quinoa bread Grilled Anticucho Baby Back Ribs Chicken Tonkatsu Tacos with corn tortilla, huacatay salsa and pico de Gallo The dinner menu includes crudos, salad, pastas and main dishes. Zarate’s Peruvian roots shine through with the Albacore Tiradito, Smoked Salmon Ceviche and the Arroz con Pollo. Asian influences come through in the Pork Tonkatsu and Kimchi Fried Rice. Mediterranean influences are seen with the Shakshuka. The menu is diverse and yet everything seems to work together. The food has lots of flavor, and in some dishes lots of spice, and each dish is vibrant and colorful, something I have come to expect from Ricardo Zarate’s food. Smoked Salmon Ceviche on a tostada with macerated trout roe Red Quinoa Salad with baby kale, garbanzo, yellow corn, castelvetrano olives, ibarro chili, roasted beats and orange dressing Sweet Potato Gnocchi with mushroom jus, black mint pesto, lime and Parmesan. Kimchi Fried Rice with soft seared pork belly, English peas, kimchi, black mint sauce and a fried egg. For dessert, choices such as olive oil cake, beignets and chocolate tres leches cake are tempting but the Vanilla Yogurt Panna Cotta with passion fruit gelee, fresh pomegranate seeds is light, sweet and tart and a perfect end to a flavorful, occasionally spicy meal.  Pikoh is a welcome addition to the West LA neighborhood. Pikoh 11940 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A. (310) 928-9344