Esquire Hostess of the Week is Koi's Carolina Kreckler

We knew that staff at Koi was excellent, but now Esquire Magazine has named Koi's Carolina Kreckler as the hostess of the week. The lovely hostess has a killer smile and knows it. She admits, "I kill people with my smile." If you are wondering where her accent is from she tells Esquire an easy way to remember both her name and where she is from (since it kind of rhymes). "Carolina from Argentina" Carolina wanted to work in the restaurant business and after moving back to Argentina for a year to study and discover herself, she came back to Los Angeles. Nick Haque Koi was a great choice for Carolina because she loved sushi, "I tried sashimi, I thought it was butter melting in my mouth. So delicious." Carolina has seen it all working at Koi and admits that she has noticed some of the popular LA stereotypes turning up at Koi. For instance she says that everyone is "superficial." She also shares some funny story about some of the customers that dine at Koi which demonstrate her theory about people in LA being superficial. One of the stories is about female customers going into the restroom and asking the bathroom attendant if they are too skinny. This validates Carolina's idea about LA customers being superficial because it shows how image obsessed some of the customers are. Good thing Koi offers the Skinny Menu!

The Citrus Slim-Tini from Nick Haque's Koi

Now you can make a delicious beverage just like one of the beverages at Nick Haque Koi. The Citrus Slim-Tini is both refreshing a low calorie. With only 144 calories there is nothing to feel guilty about. If you are throwing a summer party, this is a perfect crowd pleaser. We are happy to share a Koi recipe secret with you, thanks to Redbook who divulged this Koi recipe.


Citrus Slim-Tini:
2 oz Junmai sake
2 oz Blood Orange Hibiscus Tavlon Tea
½ oz agave nectar
1 piece fresh ginger
1 lemon wedge

Instructions: Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Craving Koi's Skinny Menu

Koi's new “Skinny Menu” is the perfect solution for anyone who is on a diet, but does not want to sacrifice the fun of dining out. Those counting calories will be very happy to learn that the items on the new Koi Skinny Menu are all under 300 calories. In addition, to entree options, this menu also offers dessert and drink items. This allows diners to experience a full meal while keeping the calories on the lighter side. Nick Haque understands his clientele and as a result he brings them the menu items that fit their lifestyle. In Los Angeles, many people's careers are focused around their image. As a result it is important to eat healthy and stay in shape. It is no surprise that celebrities would keep returning to Koi since it offers low calorie, yet delicious menu items. Some items include wonderfully prepared Chilean Seabass, Tuna and Tofu Caprese, and the Chicken Lettuce Handroll.

Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week is a great time to try new restaurants in Los Angeles. If you have always wanted to try a specific restaurant this is the time to do it! Many of the top restaurants in the city participate in DineLA. This month DineLA will be occurring from January 23-28, and from January 30-February 4. With so many restaurants to choose from, it will be a tough decision where to eat.

This month 297 restaurants will be featuring fixed price menus. With so many restaurants to choose from, whatever you crave, you will be able to find something delicious. The fixed price menus provide you with a three course meal including an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. Prices range from $16 to $24 for lunch and $26 to $44 for dinner.

If you are trying to decide which restaurant you want to try you should consider if you are looking for a more casual dining experience or a finer dining experience. For instance, if you are looking for a casual dining experience you can eat at restaurants like El Torito or the Hard Rock Cafe. If you are looking for a more upscale atmosphere, DineLA features many of the highest rated restaurants in the city. For instance, Nick Haque's Koi is one of the restaurants that participates in restaurant week. Koi is highly regarded for its amazing food and beautiful atmosphere. In addition, if Nick Haque's Koi is normally out of your budget, this is a great time to splurge and get great value and food.

Celebrities Love Koi!

Many celebrities love dining at Nick Haque's Koi. For instance, Michael Buble said his favorite spot in LA is Koi. You can see Michael Buble talk about his five favorite places in LA below.

A Memorable Dining Experience at Nick Haque's Koi

If you are visiting Los Angeles, there is a very important decision that you will have to make. This decision is where you will eat your meals. Deciding on where is to dine is important for several reasons. First, exploring the city can be very exhausting. You will need lots of energy and the best way to get that energy is from a nutritious meal. Second, with all the running around you will be doing, you may be very tired and hungry. A satisfying meal can make a big difference in your mood. Finally, trying out the different food a city has to offer is one of the most fun things about visiting a new city!

Picking out a restaurant can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time, especially if you are new to a city. How will you know which restaurants to pick with so many choices? You many want to consider what type of food you are in the mood for. Do you have a lot of time to dine? Are you in a hurry due to having other plans such as theater tickets or plans to attend a concert? If you have minimal time you may want to ask a local which restaurants are fast yet good. One option is to ask your hotel for some quick recommendations. On the other hand, maybe you want to center your night around your dining experience. You may want to have a long relaxing dinner or maybe you are celebrating a special occasion and looking for the right restaurant to make the occasion memorable. One great choice for a special celebration while in Los Angeles is Nick Haque's Koi.

Koi is the perfect choice for a special dinner celebration. Nick Haque's Koi offers upscale Japanese inspired cuisine that is great for a night out. The restaurant offers four dining rooms and a sushi bar, but it is so popular that you may want to make a reservation. Start your meal with a signature cocktail such as the Koi Lychee Martini or the Koi Perfect Platinum. Next you can choose from a variety of appetizers, cold dishes, sushi, hot dishes and sides. Finally, end your meal with a sweet dessert. You may even spot a celebrity while dining at Koi, since the restaurant is well known for its celebrity clientele.

Social Interaction and Food

Restaurants need to be more than just a place to go and eat. They should be more of a social experience, a place to hand with friends and meet new people. Food has an incredible way of bringing people together. Think of the dining experiences in the middle ages at the king's castle. It was more than just eating, it was about the social experience. Nick Haque's Koi restaurant is one of the few restaurants that has mastered this concept for the modern consumer.

Just like the people present in the king's court in the middle ages, people at Koi are generally affluent individuals or celebrities. This creates a prestige for the restaurant that adds to the social/dining experience. Being in the presence of like-minded individuals allows for easier social interactions and has increased the success of these lounge restaurants. Although Nick Hawk (his pseudonym) has opened more than one location of his restaurant, he still manages to create an impressive social atmosphere for each.