Justin J.
Yelp
Always looking for new places to try, and came across a new rooftop, open air restaurant in DTLA named Uca Terraza. And it is hard for me to pass up a rooftop spot. So I made a reservation, ran some errands then headed over to see what the vibe was all about.
There is a parking lot right outside, though it is $20 for a day pass, so probably park somewhere else nearby for a better price. Or you can probably valet at the Delphi hotel, as Uca is on the rooftop of the hotel. Once you get out of the elevator, take a few steps and you're greeted by the host. We were able to get seated right away with our reservation, yet there were still plenty of people already on the patio on a Tuesday night.
The vibe is like a garden in Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Just very chill, table and couch seating with views of downtown all around you. We started out with cocktails: Daydream in Tulum and a mango forward cocktail. The Daydream was very nice, great flavor with the spiced rum adding a nuance to the drink. The mango cocktail was also complex yet subtle, refreshing... with that hint of spice.
For food, we tried a couple items, based on our servers' recommendations. We started with the ceviche which had ample amount of fish and shrimp, yet was not overpowered by the citrus, which I feel is common. Here, the different flavors were allowed to shine. The queso fundido with pork longaniza and oaxaca cheese was also very nice. We also ordered the three steak tacos and pollo pibil. The move was, shredding the pollo, placing it in the tortillas that came with the chicken, and putting some of the queso fundido on top. Just a flavor explosion in your mouth. The chicken, itself, felt a little dry inside, but covered with the queso was perfect. The tacos, also, were decent, but can't say they really stood out.
Overall, good experience. Service was fine, drinks were great, and that queso on top of the chicken in a taco was magic. Just a heads up, they do charge a mandatory 20% gratuity on your bill, plus a 5% "administrative fee", which you can have taken off, and I suggest you do. Definitely a nice vibe, good for a date night or just spending time with friends.