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Kie-Gol-Lanee
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Kie-Gol-Lanee
8.7
A polished Uptown dining room for Oaxaca-leaning cooking where moles, tamales, and handmade tortillas carry the meal. It’s strongest when you order like a table—one mole-driven entrée, one masa staple, and a mezcal cocktail to match.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tlayuda, Tamales oaxaqueños, Mole entrée (seasonal)
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Oaxacan specialties with serious mole depth and refined execution.
Who should go: Dates or groups craving Oaxaca flavors beyond tacos.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for calmer service and easier tables.
What to order: Tlayuda, tamales, a mole-forward main.
Insider tip: Anchor the order with one mole dish—then build around masa.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broadway and nearby side streets; can be tight after 6pm, budget extra time or consider rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy casual—jeans are fine, but most diners lean polished for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate—lively dining room but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward dishes including tamales, tlayuda variations, and sides.
Vegan options: Limited but possible—some vegetable dishes can be prepared vegan; ask your server.
Gluten-free options: Good options—corn-based tortillas, moles, and proteins make gluten-free ordering manageable with guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's polished but not stuffy, with shareable dishes and cocktails that keep the experience interactive without pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or early evenings, but weekends are competitive—book ahead if timing matters.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than young kids—the menu is flavorful and complex, and the room skews adult and social rather than family-focused.
Best For
Better for: Deeper exploration of Oaxacan moles and masa-based dishes in a refined, sit-down setting rather than quick taqueria fare.
Skip if: You want fast tacos, ultra-budget pricing, or a very quiet, low-energy dining room.
Kie-Gol-Lanee
8.7
An Uptown dining room that leans Oaxacan, with hand-pressed tortillas and deeper, slower-cooked flavors than a typical taqueria run. Treat it like a full meal: commit to one or two signature plates, then use any taco-style tortillas as the vehicle—not the whole point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted Cornish hen with mole, Oaxacan tamales, Tlayuda
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Oaxacan cooking with serious tortilla work and depth-of-flavor plates.
Who should go: Groups who want Mexican beyond quick tacos
When to visit: Dinner for the best pacing
What to order: Mole plate, tamales, tlayuda
Insider tip: Order fewer, bigger plates—this kitchen rewards focus over variety.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby streets; can be tight in the evening, especially weekends. No dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but the room leans polished—dress a notch above taqueria casual.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively dining room energy, but conversation is still comfortable at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, with faster turns earlier in the lunch window.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several vegetable-forward plates and tortillas that work well without meat.
Vegan options: Limited but possible – select vegetable dishes can be ordered vegan; ask the server for guidance.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn tortillas are standard and many dishes are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The room feels special without being stiff, and the food invites conversation—just commit to a couple of shared plates rather than over-ordering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, especially on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekend dinner.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids who are open to bold flavors. It’s not designed around a kids’ menu or quick pacing.
Best For
Better for: Deeper Oaxacan flavors, house-made tortillas, and a sit-down experience that rewards slower, intentional ordering.
Skip if: You want fast, inexpensive tacos or a casual drop-in taqueria vibe—this works best as a planned meal.
Kie-Gol-Lanee
8.3
An Uptown Oaxacan kitchen that excels when you order with structure—one big anchor dish, then a few supporting plates that reinforce the same flavor lane. Their prix-fixe/restaurant-week style menus are a smart way to sample broadly without over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red Mole Tamales, Cornish Hen, Lamb Shank
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Regional Oaxacan cooking that holds up across a full meal.
Who should go: Groups who like sharing big-format mains.
When to visit: Weeknights for easier tables and cleaner pacing.
What to order: Red Mole Tamales, Cornish Hen, Lamb Shank.
Insider tip: Anchor the table with one big main, then build around it.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable on nearby residential blocks but tighter after 6pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans are common, but polished casual fits the room best.
Noise level: Moderate – lively dining room, but you can still hold a full-table conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; longer during special menu weeks.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several vegetable-driven Oaxacan dishes and sides that can form a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited but workable – a few vegetable and masa-based options; ask about preparation.
Gluten-free options: Yes – many corn- and protein-focused dishes are naturally gluten-free, but confirm sauces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you like sharing food. The menu encourages collaboration without feeling formal or stiff.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or earlier in the evening. Weekends and special prix-fixe periods are tougher without planning ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids who can share family-style dishes; the menu isn’t built around quick or customizable kids’ plates.
Best For
Better for: Structured Oaxacan meals with big-format mains and coherent flavor themes, especially when ordering prix-fixe or restaurant-week menus.
Skip if: You want quick solo dining or highly customizable individual plates—this shines most with a group and a shared plan.
Kie-Gol-Lanee
8.4
An Uptown Oaxacan specialist where happy hour rewards small-plate ordering—treat it like a focused taco-and-snacks run, not a full menu tour. The strongest move is to anchor with a tlayuda or two taco orders, then add one mole-driven plate if you’re building a longer sit-down.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oaxacan tlayuda, Mole negro (enchiladas or entrée plate), Tacos (seasonal/protein-driven)
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Oaxacan cooking depth with a structured, reliable happy hour window.
Who should go: Oaxacan-food fans who want drinks and tacos
When to visit: Happy hour Mon/Wed/Thu, early evening
What to order: Tlayuda, two taco orders, one mole plate
Insider tip: Start with happy-hour bites first, then add one anchor entrée only if needed.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable early evening but tight after 6:30pm. No dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: Smart casual to slightly dressy; jeans are fine, but it skews polished rather than casual barwear.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during happy hour; conversation is easy at the table but bar seating gets louder.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, longer during peak dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several vegetable-forward tacos, sides, and Oaxacan specialties work well.
Vegan options: Limited – possible with careful ordering and modifications, but not a dedicated focus.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn-based tortillas and many naturally gluten-free dishes; confirm sauces with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—especially during happy hour. The space feels energetic but intentional, and the taco-plus-snacks format keeps the meal light and low-pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during happy hour or early evening, but reservations are smart for weekend dinners or larger groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than young kids. The menu is approachable, but the vibe, pricing, and pacing lean adult-focused.
Best For
Better for: Structured happy hour dining with elevated Oaxacan flavors, strong cocktails, and shareable taco-focused ordering.
Skip if: You want ultra-cheap tacos, a fast in-and-out meal, or a very quiet, family-oriented environment.