KTCHN DTLA @ the Gorbals

If you know anything about me, you know that brunch is a habitual part of my weekend schedule --  a lifestyle, if you will.*

Why do I love brunch so much?  For one, brunch always takes place at an acceptable hour.  No need to set an early alarm the night before or jump out of bed in the morning with FOMO (fear of missing out).  Second, brunch menus are typically a hybrid of bfast and lunch items to appease your/ my fickle mood, and if you're an indecisive fatty like me, you (have the option to) have one dish from each category.**  Third, brunch serves multiple purposes -- it can cure that wonderful hangover, reunite old/new friends, or simply feed your growling stomach and growing appetite.  But the best reason of all is that brunch offers an opportunity to leisurely chat about whatever you wish with a glass of mimosa in one hand and a coffee mug in the other.  I exaggerate only slightly.

This update is special because I finally checked off Ktchn DTLA from my never-ending to-brunch list after nearly two years ago.


*Tongue-in-cheek.
** Over-achieving by going for a true "brunch" combo or straight-up over-indulgent? 

The sign is visible from the street, but the actual entrance is down a long corridor.

Voila!

Ktchn DTLA, formerly Ktchen 105, is a weekend-only, brunch pop-up that operates at The Gorbals in the historic Alexandria Hotel.   Sounds intriguing?  It is.  Brunch at Ktchn DTLA is special because Chef Felix Barron loves [creating] brunch as much as you and I love eating it.  And you can tell in every bite.

Food.

Drinks.

Duck Hash -- Roasted root vegetable, duck confit, soft egg, mustard greens, duck hollandaise, with bread -- $13

Thai Curry Pork Scramble -- Red curry pork scramble topped with mustard green, lemongrass ginger crunch rice, home fries, and brioche -- $14

The Basic Bitch -- Potatoes, sunny eggs, brioche, and applewood pork belly, smoked & salted -- $16

All of the above-pictured items were rich in flavor, but the real showstopper is the pork belly -- smoky, salty with a hint of sweet, fatty, and ahhh-mazing.  It's the kind of thing that you know isn't best for your health, but decide, Whatever, YOLO (you only live once).

Whether you're a huge fan of brunch or not, Ktchn DTLA is worth checking out on your next hunt for a solid brunch.  Even if you conclude that it's doesn't stand up to some rave reviews, you can at least feel semi-cool by saying you've been to the brunch-only, weekend-only, brunch pop-up in DTLA's Bank District.

Note: FOMO, Whatever, YOLO in one post. Who am I? :)


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cuisine: American
location: DTLA
hours: Sat: 10am-1:30pm; Sun: 10am-2pm
websites: { ktchn | yelp | facebook | twitter | instagram }
attire: Casual
parking: Street meter, nearby lots for flat rate.
notes: Make reservations!
other reviews: { darindines | la-eats |