Louká is here. Waiting for us in the heart of Beverly Hills.
Shera Danese Falk (Mrs. Peter), who seldom misses a beat about what’s going on in her neighborhood, first told us about Estiatorio Louká on Canon Drive. In the former Canon Club space.
“Curiosity drew me into the attractive bar where I tasted some of the Greek dips that were ‘yum-yum’ good. And knew I would go back, which I did. The food is excellent.”
Others later joining in Shera’s enthusiasm with their praise of Louká include Mick Jagger with five bodyguards, Nick Jonas, Colin Farrell, and dozens of local beauties.
Estiatorio translates as “restaurant,” and is owned by Theana and Vasili Kotsiovos.
The night we dined there we were impressed with the professional and knowledgeable staff, that discussed the Greek menu (and since we are of Greek heritage and know a bit about the cuisine of our forebears).
Impressed we are that the kitchen’s ingredients are sourced from Greece. The olive oil, oregano, cheeses, olives, and even salt.
Named after a small village in the Peloponnese region of Greece. No expense has been spared in the creation of Louká.
It comes as a welcome addition to our other Greek hot spots … Avra in Beverly Hills, Taverna Tony in Malibu, Petros in Century City and Manhattan Beach.
“Our menu is rustic Greek cuisine, prepared in the simplest ways,” says owner Vasili Kotsiovos. He and his wife Theana consider Louká an ode to family, tradition and philoxenia (hospitality).
Our hosts were the adventurous globetrotters Elgart Aster and Paolo Swerdlove, who had returned from their annual two-week sojourn to their favorite Villa d’Este alongside Lake Como, where Amal and George Clooney own a posh holiday estate.
At Louká, we chanced upon the bright and energetic server Nansia. She remembered our birthday party at Taverna Tony from more than a decade ago. Where Princess Lily Lawrence created a cake in the shape of a typewriter that Nansia photographed. “Who can ever forget a cake that was so special?” reminds Nansia.
The Louká dips, ranging from Shera’s hummus discovery to taramosalata (cod roe caviar) and melitzanosalata (eggplant), tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, garlic) are prepared authentically, and mercifully not too spicy.
The big surprise is the popularity of chef David Arias’s soft and tender grilled octopus bathed in a lemon-infused olive oil. Delicious.
Lamb is the signature dish of Greece, and Louká’s specialty is the kokkinisto. Flavored with tomatoes, pearl onions and spices should not to be missed. They say a portion may be generous enough for two.
Along with lamb, there are choices of spanking-fresh fish flown in from the Mediterranean that are immensely popular. Branzino (when available), striped bass, sea bass, etc.
The dessert menu describes loukoumades as “baby Greek donuts, honey, cinnamon, walnuts, pistachio, micromint.” Long-time standby of Baklava is available, as is the honey drenched semolina cake Ravani, and the creamy Bougatsa wrapped in phyllo pastry.
For insiders, there is strong Greek coffee.
As we’ve experienced with more dining rooms of late, the noise levels often intrude upon conversations. At Louká, the music of Greek ballads is subdued and, yes, you can converse and listen with ease.
Estiatorio Louká is open for lunch and dinner daily with a fully licensed bar. Located at 340 North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills: (310) 858-4500.
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