Award-winning Chef Amanda Cohen [Dirt Candy], alongside partner and South African humanitarian Andrea Kerzner [Lalela] are thrilled to introduce Lekka (81 Warren Street, New York; www.lekkaburger.com), a plant-powered burger restaurant in Lower Manhattan. With over 25 years of experience cooking vegetable-forward food for New York City diners, chef Amanda has set her sights on creating the highest quality burger made from whole ingredients. A lifelong vegan with a hospitality background, Andrea founded Lekka to help overcome the damage and negative carbon footprint created by the cattle and dairy industry. Meaning “awesome” and “delicious” in Afrikaans slang, Lekka is a celebration of Amanda’s innovative cooking coupled with Andrea’s roots and passion for sustainability.
The Lekka menu is anchored by Amanda’s secret burger recipe made with ingredients that can be found in any home kitchen. Flame-grilled to order, the burger options include: Lekka Burger with ketchup, mustard, vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles; Lekka Cheeseburger with cheese sauce, ketchup, mustard, vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles; Peri Peri Burger with house-made peri peri sauce, vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and onion; Guacamole Burger with house-made hatch chile sauce, house-made lime guacamole, radishes, cilantro, lettuce, and tomato; Masala Burger with house-made coconut chutney cabbage slaw, tamarind ketchup, papadum, tomato, and onion.
Complementing the offerings are sides and salads including Broccolini Caesar with grilled broccolini, romaine, smoked crouton crumble and nori dressing; Cauliflower Waldorf with roasted cauliflower, Asian pear, celery, pecans and tarragon dressing; Chopped Salad with cucumber, tomato, fennel, avocado, hempseed and preserved lemon dressing. Crinkle-Cut Fries are served plain or topped with cheese sauce, curry-style, or “messy” with all the house-made sauces. For dessert, Lekka offers oat-milk-based Vegan Soft Serve in carrot and vanilla, and rotating shakes in chocolate, strawberry, caramel, halvah, and matcha. Toppings include toasted nuts, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chip cookie crumble, and brownie bits as well as the option to add rum or bourbon.
Lekka has a full beverage program designed by Michael Cherry [Dirt Candy] with signature cocktails such as Lekka Carrot Punch with carrot juice, pineapple, and rum; Pink Gin Rickey with strawberry juice, Yuzu, and gin; Grapefruit Tequila Paloma with grapefruit juice, lime, and tequila; Tangerine Aperol Spritz with tangerine juice, Aperol, and Prosecco; Beet Vodka Gingerade with beet juice, lemon juice, ginger beer, and vodka; and more. Michael curated a wine list to pair with the plant-based menu and features varietals from France, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Oregon, California and New York. Five-Boroughs Beer and Hard Kombucha are available on tap and alcohol-free offerings include Oogavé fountain sodas, Bear’s Fruit Kombucha, Rise Nitro Cold Brew Coffee, Joyride Nitro Matcha, and Ugly Seltzer.
General Manager Alexandrea Lafata [Tally-Ho, Cooper’s Union] is also a passionate vegan and participates in and helms several animal rights organizations, including Newark Chicken Save and The Climate Reality Project. In addition to managing front-of-house staff and operations, Alexandrea ensures that everything at Lekka, from the cup holders to the teabags, is eco-friendly and biodegradable. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Lekka merchandise, including tote bags, T-shirts, and more, goes toward GrowNYC, the largest and most established environmental organization in New York City. Lekka is tip-free, including the bar.
