Kasih
It seems L.A. has recently had an influx in restaurants trying to introduce modern interpretations of Indonesian cuisine. Rinjani (in Glendale) opened, seemed intriguing, but was a disappointment (and closed). Following Rinjani, we now have Kasih in Little Tokyo, which sounded like a more ambitious and exciting attempt to elevate Indonesian cuisine.
Gado-Gado (Market Green Salad, Cabbage, Tofu, Egg and Pickles Tossed in Peanut Sauce):
This was fine. The Peanut Sauce tasted very much like the sweet, nutty, thick variation you’re presented with Satay Skewers.
Tempe Kering (Smoked Eggplant, King Trumpet Mushroom, Sweet Crispy Tempeh, Lettuce Cups and Fresh Herbs):
The Sweet Tempeh overwhelmed the dish, to the point of being saccharine. 
Bebek Goreng (Crispy Local Duck Quarters with Kasih Spice Blend, Galangal Floss and Sambal Hijau):
This was better. The Fried Duck was crispy like a Fried Chicken, but strangely this arrived barely above lukewarm. But the Duck combined with the Sambal Hijau Sauce worked pretty well. This was the most successful dish of the night.
Nasi Merah (Red Rice):
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Style Fried Rice with Sambal Terasi and Seasonal Vegetables):
Their Fried Rice turned out to be too greasy, lacking any breath of the wok that makes the best Fried Rice dishes stand out.
Sayur Lodeh (Turmeric Coconut Curry with Grilled Napa Cabbage, Roasted Cauliflower, Butternut Squash and Chili Oil):
This was also merely OK: A touch on the sweet side, it tasted freshly made, and the veggies were well integrated into the Curry itself (except the Roasted Cauliflower).
Babi Guling (Roast Crackling Pork Belly, Balinese Salad and Chayote Chicken Broth):
Hoping for a revelatory moment of nirvana like Anthony Bourdain had when he tried the Roasted Pig on his trip to Indonesia (for his No Reservations TV show) wasn’t something we were expecting. We even brought along a friend who dined at the very same place Bourdain did in Indonesia (she loved it) to see how this version might stack up.
Taking a bite: Really old-tasting, dry, leftover Pork, with the Skin slightly crisped up. 
Terrible. (While different styles, the crispy, crackling skin of the Roast Pork Belly at Ruby BBQ and Monterey Palace are orders of magnitude better in every way.)
Service was also quite slow and our server disappeared for long periods of time with no one attending our table.
Kasih sounded like a really interesting concept and menu, trying to do modern and elevated Indonesian cuisine, but in execution? It felt hamfisted and stumbled with nearly every dish. Perhaps we ordered wrong, but it was so disappointing we couldn’t bring ourselves to do a return visit (like we usually do).
Kasih
200 S. Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel: (213) 266-8156
Sidecar Doughnuts
Butter & Salt Doughnut (Vanilla Bean and Brown Butter Cake, Brown Butter Glaze, Sprinkle of Fleur de Sel):
We got a fresh batch of these (they were just putting them out on display). Airy, delicate, and the Brown Butter, Vanilla and Fleur de Sel were a great combination (as usual). 
Mango en Nogada Doughnut (Sweet Mango Glaze, Spiced Candied Walnuts, Pomegranate Seeds):
Tropical, a touch of tart giving way to a nutty sweetness. This was a surprise and pretty tasty.
Buttermilk Old Fashion Doughnut (Buttermilk, Nutmeg and Cinnamon Cake, Topped with Vanilla Bean Glaze):
Huckleberry Doughnut (Wild Foraged Huckleberry Cake with Huckleberry Glaze):
Still my favorite at Sidecar, the Huckleberry Doughnut tastes of real berry flavors (not synthetic) and imparts just a backnote of piquant to balance the sweetness.
Sidecar Doughnuts
631 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel: (310) 587-0022
Also in Costa Mesa:
270 E. 17th St., #18
Costa Mesa, CA 92627