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Joe's Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants French American (New), Breakfast & Brunch, French [Edit]
1023 Abbot Kinney BlvdVenice, CA 90291
Neighborhood: Venice
(310) 399-5811
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 12 pm - 2:30 pm
Tue-Thu, Sun 6 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 11 am - 2:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
510 reviews for Joe's Restaurant
Review Highlights
"This chocolate crunch cake was AMAZING."
(in 26 reviews)
"For dinner the tasting menu is an absolute must."
(in 45 reviews)
"Mushroom Ravioli: The ravioli was incredibly rich."
(in 31 reviews)
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510 reviews in English
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Review from Paris M.
Santa Monica, CA
2/5/2012
Amazing food. Joe's is one of my favorite LA restaurants. You can't go wrong.
Two recommendations to try while you are there:
* Try a cocktail from the bar. With fresh ingredients and some of the best mixologists I've found in LA, their drinks are great!
* Come at lunch and try their prix fixe menu. For $19 get a delicious appetizer, entree and dessert. -
Review from Samantha S.
Somerville, MA
1/30/2012
Came here with girlfriends during DineLA. Food rocks, ambience was lovely, wait was hella long.
We made a reservation for 9pm and weren't seated until almost 9:30. I wouldn't normally be annoyed....but I watched someone walk in off the street with no reservation and get seated at the same time we did. Why bother taking reservations if you're not going to use them?!
Back to the meal. I had the Bocconcini Di Bufala Mozzarella, Orange, Confit Endive Charred Treviso, Bourbon Maple, Pistachio-Lemon Bread as my appetizer - it was amazing. For my entree I had Prime Flatiron Steak and Shortrib Celeryroot Puree, Brussels, Chanterelle Mushroom, Mustard Jus - also delicious and cooked PERFECTLY. For dessert I chose the Chocolate crunch cake Praline crunch, candied hazelnuts, coffee ice cream - it was yummy but too rich to finish. My friends both enjoyed their meals as well. Excellent cocktails (I got a Yogi Berra - it was sage, citrus and rum - delish).
Service was good - except when it came time to pay the bill .... our waiter disappeared off into the sunset!
Parking was valet - and only $6 - not bad for LA. -
Review from J H.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2012
Out of 5 stars:
Foie gras with pear and quinoa: 2.75
Mushroom ravioli: 3
Diver Scallops with mushroom: 3.25
Butternut squash soup: 3
Flat iron steak with short ribs: 3.25
Pork tenderloin: 2.5
Red Snapper: 3
Prime rib steak: 2.5
Overall; 2.75
Service: 3
Nothing special. service was friendly but slow.... The server told us about 3-4 dishes per person because the plates are small. There is actually alot more food than what he made it out to be. I would suggest 2-3 dishes per person and less if you're getting one of the "classics." -
Review from Young Mi K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
Complimentary bread is great!
Brunch food is nothing special...but what's nice is that you don't have to really make reservations because it isn't as crowded as some of the other places in abbot kinney. -
Review from Mitch B.
Irvine, CA
2/7/2012
Absolutely marvelous lunch today. Everyone was talking about how fantastic their lunch was.. $19 prixe fix lunch was the way to go.... completely portioned properly too. Amongst the 3 guests... yellowtail sashimi app, wild rice salad, and beet salad every one loved, entrees Pork tenderloin special, the hanger steak and the shrimp risotto all raves! and the desserts were great... passion fruit mousse was awesome as was the banana bread pudding and the the sorbet. Awesome spot, great service!
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Review from Meagan S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2012 2 photos
I went here with a big group of food bloggers for dinner on a Friday night, 6:45 pm reservation. The place was VERY busy and VERY loud. Lots happening here. Valet parking in the back was very convenient and cost me only $6.
Our server was Jackson and he was great, he answered all of our foodie and diet questions well and was considerate. He double-checked my entree choice with the chef to make sure it was ok for my gluten and soy allergies, which it was! He was also very accommodating in suggesting things that would be ok for my diet, as long as the diets of the other diners.
I got the hanger steak and beef short rib entree ($24) along with some lychee peach tea ($3) during the dessert course. I also partook of the sparkling water, which I won't ever do again since they charged me 6.25 for a whole glass. Maybe it was check mix-up, though. But the whole table bought only one bottle?
The dish was very good, and the puree was fantastic, best I've tasted. The brussel sprouts on the dish were UNDERcooked. The lychee peach tea was only ok. The entree, tea, water, tip and valet cost me $46 dollars.
Overall, it was a nice experience and the quality of the food was great. The service was good, but the place was busy and service could have been slightly better. The atmosphere was appealing and I loved the feel of the decor, but the restaurant was WAY too loud. We had to shout to be heard. I would go back, but ONLY at a different time so I can actually hear my table-mate without putting my ears in their personal space! It was also a bit too pricey for me, and loud restaurants are never ok in my book. -
Review from Amy R.
Santa Monica, CA
2/4/2012
I had planned to dine here with a friend, but when I checked the menu online I was appalled to find that FOIE GRAS is on the menu. Force feeding ducks by shoving a tube down their throat is NOT fine dining, it's animal cruelty. Hopefully they'll be forced to comply with the Foie Gras ban taking effect in July 2012. I will not eat here as long as Joe's supports such a horrific industry.
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Review from Mary Y.
State College, PA
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
My girlfriends and I hosted a baby shower for our BFF. I researched places in the Venice area for weeks before selecting Joe's. Austin was our host/contact and was absolutely perfect! He answered all my questions and even answered his phone when I called him frantically with last minute requests.
The menu options are great! We had a choice of 3 entrees. The Bacon & Eggs, the Ravioli and the Salmon.
The bread they brought out during the appetizers was so yummy! They apparently have seasonal breads and we got a pumpkin bread with a homemade jam.
I've told their desserts are delicious too, but we had our own cake pop favors to munch on.
While I do think the food options are a bit expensive, it was the perfect price point for a special event.
We were seated right next to the window so at times it felt hot but overall the restaurant is bright and clean.
There is parking behind the restaurant, but it's not owned by Joe's. They charge $2 for 2 hours with validation. Next time I'll try and find street parking. -
Review from Julie S.
Anaheim, CA
1/20/2012
I chose Joe's for a family brunch and our server was so kind and attentive to our party. We had a small group of eight, so they had reserved for us a round table in the corner, next to the windows to the outdoor patio. The restaurant is surrounded by large windows that allow a lot of natural light to come through, which was really nice and accented the interior well.
As for the food - Some of the entrees we ordered were the crab hash, flat iron steak, and huevos rancheros, but we all thought everything was a little oversalted. I got the crab hash and didn't think it was anything special. The flavors were all kind of muddled and I ended up not finishing my plate. The starters, however, were delicious and I think the best part of the meal. I had a beautiful fruit plate with fresh strawberries, melons and figs that came along with ricotta and drizzled with honey. I tried some of my mom's corn soup, and you could definitely taste the fresh corn puree. The granola bowl was pretty good also.
The patio is a perfect place to host a small shower or special event. While we were there a group of girls were having a bridal shower, I think, and it was a really cute setup with the decorations and plants. -
Review from stephen p.
Los Angeles, CA
1/2/2012 3 photos
First: Love the bread plate that comes out - white toast and a pumpkin bread I think - with a wonderful cranberry jam and butter. That was more-ish and the waiter happily brought us more.
Second: The quality. The brunch menu was high-end and on the pricey side, but good stuff. Sam ordered the "Bacon & Eggs" with Tomato Jam & Grilled Toast Crisp Pork Belly, Fried Eggs, Pickled Red Onions, Arugula for $14. I trumped her with my $16 Maryland Blue Crab Hash with Poached Eggs Red & Yellow Peppers, Potatoes, Rosemary-Mustard Sauce. Both were delicious, but not cheap. My only negative - the potatoes tasted a little 'here's one I cooked earlier'.
Sam loved the quality in the small things like the table hardware and tea pot (hues and brews). Everything, except the teapot was not made in China. Hard to do nowadays!
Third: The (German?) waitress was very efficient and friendly.
Nice place if you are near this part of Venice. -
Review from Ian W.
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Every year we have our company party at Joe's and every year I'm reminded how much I love this restaurant. They have a delightful patio and they are always very accommodating. The celery root soup is delicious as is their salmon.
I have to admit that I haven't been here on an occasion other than a company party, so I can't speak to the standard menu, but the pre-fix that they offer us is always so wonderful that I always have problems deciding what to order!
Keep meaning to try Joe's out on a regular day. Will post an update to my review then... -
Review from Sharon Y.
Came here for brunch on a Saturday and it was as good as I remembered it (we hadn't been here for years). No wait for a table at 1 pm in the afternoon. Cozy setting and nice decor (love that they serve water in wine glasses). Started out with their complimentary bread - not just any bread but toasted brioche and pumpkin bread accompanied by butter and cherry preserves - delish.
Maryland Blue Crab Hash with Poached Eggs, Red & Yellow Peppers, Potatoes, Rosemary-Mustard Sauce: Must get. I always crave egg and potatoes for brunch, and this takes it up quite a notch. The eggs were absolutely perfectly poached - not too runny and not hard either. With the crab and the sauce, it's quite rich, so I'm glad we split it.
We also shared a side of pancakes and a side of applewood-smoked bacon, and both were surprisingly good. The pancakes were smaller in diameter and thicker than what you might expect with excellent taste and texture. The bacon had that nice shiny glaze and just the right level of crispness.
Also had some tea, which was fine, but if you really are in the mood for tea you should mosey over to Jin Patisserie.
Total bill (including tax and tip) came to $28 for the two of us. Not bad at all. Hope we'll be able to come back more frequently. -
Review from E. F.
Los Angeles, CA
1/21/2012
Evidently, my tuna tartare did not look like tuna tartar at all (I checked the photos on yelp when I got home). It took 45 minutes for the second course to arrive (the host apologized later saying it was because they had trainees in the kitchen). The wall in my garage looks better than the wall I was sitting next to (it needs new paint). The curtains were stained. The guest next to my table found a grey hair in his dish (yellow tail) and the waitress returned it to the kitchen. I will never go there again and I will tell everyone not to waste their time and money.
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Review from Ron A.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/21/2012
This place was pretty cool and the food was good . The problem was the bartender had no clue as to how she should treat customers. We were ignored and i do not think she smiled once. What a bummer because the place is cool.
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Review from Johanna C.
Los Angeles, CA
plan ahead and make a reservation to sit outside in the patio area, it's well worth the effort on a beautiful sunny day (we had gone on a beautiful sunny day and missed this opportunity so I do not want my readers to make the same mistake!). the indoor area has a neat wine cellar that rests in the middle of the restaurant. Other than that, there's not that many highlights of sitting inside as it's a bit crowded and stuffy...we were even tempted to ask them to open up the windows but thought that would be unthoughtful to the other patrons of joe's restaurant :x.
for brunch/lunch, they serve a few pieces of buttered toast and sweet bread to start off your meal (see pictures). The sweet bread was delicious and reminded me of the baked goods my mom would make for me as a child. i ordered the crab hash which was DELICIOUS and i would totally go back for it again! the egg on top of the crab hash was cooked beyond perfection. As with most crab dishes, you pay more for the dish but they give you a generous portion of crab. Also, do not be fooled when your entrée first arrives because it looks small but it's very filly and is the perfect amount for you to be satisfied.Listed in: Brunch
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Review from cweb c.
Los Angeles, CA
12/9/2011
We ordered the Tuna Tartar appetizer. This was amazing. And we both ordered the Grouper fish which I was very disappointed in. The size of the fish was literally 1" by 2"1/2 inches. It was more like a small appetizer. Need I say more? I was so disappointed.
They come over with bread and ask you to a choice. How cheap was that? Sorry I'm 1/2 Italian, I like to eat- especially at these prices. Twenty minutes later they come over again with it. Just not my style for bread- but good when you are counting calories. The olive spread was average and tastes much better if you go over to Via Veneto in Santa Monica.
We ordered some wine from France. Wine list is not on the website- Another bad decision for a restaurant that has a wine cellar off the dining room. I know wines change and come and go, but you should carry wines you always have that are popular for that year on a website menu.
The lighting at Joes is too bright- I felt like I was in a diner. At least I could see the menu.
The waiter was nice , but was opinionated about some of the food options and did not seem to really care and mentioned he was out of town for 3 weeks- Strange.
There were two waiters who came over and asked he same thing each time- it was like none of each of them knew the other was the waiter for the table. I will go here again and try new things, but for lunch, not dinner for now.
The crowd here is older conservative for dinner. I felt like I was in Brentwood as opposed to Venice. On the other spectrum there were a lot of male couples who certainly frequent Joes a lot.
Good for a business dinner, not a romantic dinner. Good place to take the family too. This is not a people watching place. -
Review from Mike B.
Sacramento, CA
11/21/2011
On a very rainy morning in Venice, I had the pleasure of meeting friends at Joe's for brunch. It's a little hole in the wall kinda place, just as everything on Abbot Kinney seems to be. Parking is a fiasco. Bring an umbrella if it's raining because some kind of hike awaits you. My meal started with a mimosa that had the sweetness of a fresh squeezed OJ mixed with an inexpensive, but acceptable champagne. My main course was an Eggs Bene. The waiter didn't seem to know the "Benny" reference, odd I guess. The Benny was very nicely done. The chef seemed to be rationing the potatoes, but there were some healthy sized eggs, a nice brioche and some grilled bacon-- all tasty. The hollandaise seemed a little flat, but unless you're a hollandaise snob (which apparently I may be) then it should not be an issue.
I'd come back again when it's not raining. If it is raining again in LA, I will just stay in bed! LOL -
Review from Steph C.
12/9/2011
My parents got married 29 years ago, and for the last few years, their anniversary has been a family occasion that allows their three children and two accompanying significant others to mooch a great fancy dinner. This year we ate at Joe's and had a nice meal. Happy anniversary, guys, and thanks for all the everything.
Joe's is probably the most established high-end restaurant on Abbot Kinney, and it had been on my list for a while. It was more or less what I expected, if a little bit more upscale. The space was intimate and classy, with white tablecloths on its tables and modern art on its walls. Service was formal, polite and competent.
The meal started with a great bread service, featuring brioche, multigrain, and rosemary rolls. The brioche was sweet and well toasted, and I loved the nutty multigrain and the fragrant rosemary. I preferred the latter two in part because they went well with the excellent tapenade, which was provided along with some good butter. My parents brought a couple bottles of wine, which we indulged in right away. We ended up ordering a third bottle, and the corkage for the first two was waived.
Our party of seven started by sharing the foie gras and the tajarin pasta with truffle, very fancy. The foie gras was a small dish, and required my mother's expertise to portion out. Everyone managed to get a good taste, and it was good foie, jiggly with fat. It came with sliced pear, pear sorbet, cranberry sauce, and brioche, and these accompaniments cut some of the pure richness. The tajarin pasta was the most expensive item we ordered and probably not worth the money. The entirety of the sticker price was in fresh shaved Alba truffle, and while I like truffle as much as the next person, the pasta was nothing extraordinary.
As it was Sunday, a few of us did the prix fixe menu, which offered three courses with three options each for $48. As this was a family affair, I ate off everyone's plates (obviously), and liked most of what I tasted. The three starters were lovely. My favorite was the bocconcini di bufala mozzarella with roasted beets, charred frisee, aged balsamic, persimmon jam, and pistachio lemon bread. It was a beautiful dish centered around the soft fresh cheese and wonderful earthy beets. The aged balsamic was a great touch, and I liked the sweetness from the jam and diced persimmon. I also loved the chopped kale with Halawi dates, Asian pear, walnut, Cana de Cabra goat cheese, and honey cider vinaigrette. This was a splendid salad, with a lot of delicate kale, and I liked the creamy goat cheese. The tuna tartare and smoked salmon with sliced cucumber, lemon oil, and toast was billed as a Joe's signature, but it was the most lackluster of the starters. It was fine, but not better than average. I did like that it came with three dots of salmon roe. I could have been bribed with more of that.
The entrees were solid, if not especially memorable. Veal sirloin was cooked nicely and served with almond-parsnip puree, brussels sprouts, confit potato, and a pomegranate veal jus. Pan roasted monkfish was a little boring. It came with promising sides - beluga lentils, pink shrimp, trumpet mushroom, and fennel - but the fish itself didn't deliver too much flavor. The best entree on the table was not available through the prix fixe. This was the slow-roasted jidori chicken breast with pistachio roulade, acorn squash tortellini, apple-sunchoke puree, carrots, and brussels sprouts. It was a wonderful dish, with chicken cooked at least a few ways, all of it very juicy. The vegetables were great, and the tortellini provided some sweetness packaged in a nice al dente shell. This dish made the difference between 3 and 4 stars for me.
We tried all three prix fixe desserts, and there was a winner and a loser and one in between. The apple pot de creme was the clear favorite, served with walnuts, caramel ice cream, and creme fraiche. The pot de creme was smooth and optimally thick, with more richness in texture than in flavor. The apple was pleasantly tart, and went well with some caramel ice cream and whipped creme fraiche. The cranberry bread pudding, on the other hand, was just bad. I hope this was just a quirky Thanksgiving option because the bread pudding tasted kind of gross, the cranberry oddly savory and not helped by the pistachios or white chocolate. I had trouble eating more than a bite. The third dessert was the chocolate crunch cake with candied hazelnuts and coffee ice cream. This was good, if not markedly different from chocolate desserts elsewhere. The cake was the right level of chocolate rich, and the contrasting textures were great. Chocolate with coffee is also a winning combination, and candied hazelnuts never hurt a soul.
Dinner at Joe's was on the whole a good experience. For the money, it wasn't exactly eye-opening, but I was happy to enjoy it on my parents' dime. Happy anniversary to two wonderful people who spoil me rotten.Listed in: My Sheaf of Essays
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Review from Christina A.
Los Angeles, CA
11/7/2011
There are few places that are good enough to justify me making the trek all the way to Venice. Come to think of it, I don't know if I can think of any other than Joe's. But it's definitely worth it! We came on a random weeknight to celebrate one of my friends birthdays. We started out at the bar were I tasted one of the best semi-girly martinis ever (grapefruit AND elderflower? YES!) before heading over to our great table tastefully fitted with linens and stemware. The vibe was classy-casual in the way that makes me a happy LA transplant. They keep the bread coming which is always a plus. We started with the tuna tartar--YUM! Our table tried the fish, the ravioli and a few other things that i seem to have forgotten (oops). I had the fish and it was pretty great, but the true hero was the carmel dessert. If I could have licked the plate I totally would have.
The waitstaff did a great job of making sure that we always had what we needed without being obtrusive and ruining the conversation flow. -
Review from Esther S.
Buena Park, CA
10/9/2011
OMG, what is happening to this place?!?! It's located in such a great place, the space is so awesome, but what is happening to the food! I came here for the first time a year ago and remember having such a positive experience, but this week, the food just killed it for me.
I came for lunch with 3 other people, 2 salads, a lunch vegetable plate, and a burger. Everyone's salad looked like something from those assemble your own bags. Not to mention tasted like it too. My vegetable plate.....couldn't be more awful. I ordered sauteed spinach, risotto, and summer vegetable medley. The spinach came out steamed and with no seasoning, just steamed, bland, soggy, and gross. I was gagging. The risotto...cold. The vegetable medley, carrots and sugar snap peas?!?! I couldn't believe they actually make people pay for this, I can make better food at home. I didn't even finish my food, just munched on the bread they brought to the table. Actually, no one finished their food. And I've never been in an indoor restaurant that had flies buzzing around.
What is happening?!? I'm so confused. -
Review from Robert W.
Wilmette, IL
11/18/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Joe's rocks! I had a fantastic kale salad and excellent seafood entree.
Service was great. Fantastic wine selection. Love the outdoor seating on the patio- comfortable even on a chilly night with the heat lamps. -
Review from Ted M.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
1/8/2012
We came early. They had only brunch on Saturday well ok no lunch...? Service was slow took an hour to get our food. Food was not that exciting. The presentation was like a diner. My wife got a crab hash plate and it looked terrible. It was very watery and she did not eat it. I ordered a biscuit and gravy and the sausage was dry and over cooked. The plate did not look appealing at all.
I was disappointed because the reviews where so good. I can say honestly the brunch is overrated and not worth the $$.
Will not ever go back nor recommend. -
Review from Michele D.
Van Nuys, CA
12/30/2011 Seated via OpenTable
The service was friendly and attentive and really enjoyed our dinner. My boyfriend had venison (amazing) and a potato-scalloped trout (equally amazing). However I passed the kitchen on the way to the ladies room and now I want to try the Mussels! I will return.
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Review from Andrea P.
Joe's is DELICIOUS, affordable and has incredible service. My friends were visiting from out of town and we wanted to have brunch/lunch on Abbot Kinney. I hadn't really eaten anywhere in the area except Lemonade so I searched on Yelp, found Joe's and am SO glad that I did.
I was quickly able to make a reservation online. When we got there, I immediately felt slightly under-dressed. The atmosphere is kind of a mix of fancy and casual... it was a weekday lunch so most people were mostly dressed business casual. i felt kind of bad in my beach attire (casual tank top and shorts, flip flops) so I'll know better for next time but nobody made me feel bad about it and service was still fabulous.
Sit in the patio area - it's gorgeous, well lit and such a great way to enjoy the fresh air while not roasting underneath the hot sun.
My friends and I were delightfully surprised with the $19 prix fixe lunch menu!! HOW AMAZING IS THAT? I couldn't believe we could get a three course meal for only $19. I had the albacore ceviche as my appetizer, raviolis of chicken, spinach & ricotta for my entree and the chocolate crunch cake for dessert.
Albacore ceviche - light, very fresh, flavorful and left me wanting more. it was like a large amuse-bouche. yummm.
Raviolis of chicken, spinach & ricotta - large cheesy raviolis, just enough sauce to not make it too heavy
Chocolate crunch cake - my FAVORITE. Chocolate heaven. The hazelnut pairing reminded me of a Ferrero Rocher - LOVE. The cake melted in my mouth and the different textures I was getting from the cake, the crunch, the ice cream and the hazelnuts were absolutely amazing. Highly recommended!
All in all, I had a fantastic lunch at Joe's. I can't wait to come back and try more. Also... there is a really cute chef there ;) haha. -
Review from Yvette O.
10/11/2011
Joe's is really good food but definitely short of great.
I ate there over the weekend for DineLA:
~ CHEESE SELECTION: Good but not that exciting.
~ KALE SALAD: Awesome!
~ BASS: Very nice piece of fish but a bit of a tame dish overall. (I was happy they allowed me to substitute the BASS for the fish on the DineLA menu because they used pork broth with it and I don't eat pork. That is an extra point for them--but they never should have that on a limited menu to begin with).
~ PANNA COTTA: Plating was gorgeous and their ICE CREAM is to die for, but the PANNA COTTA itself was less than average.
I would not dine here for value though, even with the DineLA menu. The prices are typical of most restaurants in its class, but there are a lot of other places I could dine with just as good food for a much better price. In the neighborhood I prefer Primitivo: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I'm a huge fan of Michael Mina properties (RN74: http://www.yelp.com/bi...) so I don't mind paying a lot for food, but I expect a superior experience for that price tag. Also the service was the slowest I've ever had in this country, and the restaurant was nowhere near full.
Joe's teeters between 3 and 4 stars but I have to go with 3. However I am up for giving them a second chance after I get a few more Abbot Kinney restaurants checked off. -
Review from Christina P.
Marina del Rey, CA
12/30/2011
This classic always surprises me how good it always is. Joe is often there chatting with diners. The food is so good, nice wine list and fun cocktails. They seem to be going through pastry chefs but the most recent one was pretty good.
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Review from Bobbie W.
12/8/2011 1 photo
their lunch prix fixe menu is a steal! $20 for a three course menu is totally worth it here!
i got the albacore crudo, grilled salmon w/ califlower, grapes, fennel and some sort of puree underneath, and the bread pudding. the albacore crudo was amazing! the fish was really fresh and it was served with a delicious sauce and fried quinoa which is something i've never tried before. i highly recommend getting this if it's available. the grilled salmon was also really tasty. all the vegetables paired well and everything was seasoned perfectly. the bread pudding was so good i had to stop myself from eating the whole thing!
i got to try the skate wing w/ lentils and chicken breast w/ kale and sweet potatoes. the chicken was so tender and moist...if you love chicken, definitely get this! two of my friends ordered this and kept saying how good it was for being chicken. the skate wing was also really good.
i'm definitely going to come back for dinner and for lunch any chance i get! -
Review from Jennifer M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We waited 10-15 minutes for our first drink to arrive, the waitress seemed over-sat in her section. After about 30 minutes, we finally were able to place our food order. When our second course arrived, we placed a second drink order, which we waited for, and waited for, and waited for, and then the server came over and noticed we had not received them. She gasped, apologized, and ran off to retrieve them. Several minutes later,they were delivered by the manager, who said he was going to "comp them." At this point, we had already finished our meal.
We shared a tiny, over priced, lack-luster lobster dish for more than $30 and a less than average ( I can't even remember what was in it) pasta dish for over $27. The only redeeming part of our pre-Christmas eve dinner was the chocolate hazelnut dessert.
If you want lobster, go to The Lobster on the pier in Santa Monica. If you want pasta, go to a million other places in this city.
We wish we had listened to our initial instincts and walked out 10 minutes after sitting down and not being greeted. -
Review from Joshua S.
San Francisco, CA
12/27/2011
Very tasty brunch w espresso pancakes. Pricey tho
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Review from mary l.
Los Angeles, CA
This was a DineLA experience. I'm embarrassed to say that it wasn't that memorable. The food quality was definitely top notch, on par with the likes of Michael Mina's, Jar, and Piccolo in Venice but the food wasn't creative. It tasted good and the portions were good but there wasn't a standout in my mind that made me want to go back. I just don't think this place has done a great job of differentiating itself from the others. I am curious to try the brunch so I will definitely give it another chance. But otherwise, it was just ok.
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Review from Ratika N.
I went here expecting mediocre service and ok food but was pleasantly surprised! The food was amazing, the service was friendly and pretty nice.
I called them at 12:50 pm and made a reservation for 1:30 pm. When we arrived, we were seated promptly in the outside patio area...it was so romantic. I was really blown away with the service, it was friendly and nice, totally unpretentious which I loved!
The food was really the best part. I had the watermelon fresco...so refreshing on a hot day...loved it! Each entree comes with an appetizer (you can choose from homemade granola, fresh fruit plate, salad or soup of the day).
For out appetizers, I got the fruit plate...it's a small plate with raspberries, blueberries, some cantaloupe and strawberries, topped with a glaze of local buckwheat honey and toasted almonds....perfect start to a great brunch. Hubby got the mushroom soup...it was good, not creamy at all. They also gave us some complimentary grilled bread adn sweetbread with strawberry preserve.
For our mains, we ordered the Maryland Blue Crab Hash with soft poached eggs and the huevos rancheros.. The crab hash and the soft poached eggs were served with red & yellow peppers, potatoes, and rosemary mustard sauce . It was so amazing, best thing I've eaten for brunch! The yolk was not runny, cooked perfectly while the egg whites were so creamy....the sensation when I took my first bite of this dish was heavenly. Best dish ever! Hubby loved the huevos rancheros.....it was beautifully made and was delicious!
I love the portion size of our entrees...it wasnt huge, just perfect. Between the appetizer, compliemntary bread and our entrees, we were stuffed!
Only downside is the parking...It took us 10-15 minutes of driving all around abbot Kinney to find a spot. Overall, I was totally blown away with this place and the food...staff is pretty friendly, food was delicious and presented so well. A great brunch experience! -
Review from Dee R.
Vero Beach, FL
1/23/2012 Seated via OpenTable
We came to Joe's for dinner, having dined there twice before while visiting the area. We were disappointed to find that the menu had changed to "small plates". By the time you order a cold plate and a few hot plates, the tab is higher than a conventional menu. I also like a more casual menu for this type of ordering...this was all very serious food. The quality was good, but many times very rich. The atmosphere is lacking on the outdoor back area, not a fun place for sharing plates. We will probably not return.
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Review from DeeDee B.
Santa Monica, CA
10/23/2011
Went to Joe's for Dine LA and enjoyed their prix fixed dinner menu. The food was delicious. We had the mushroom ravioli, jidori chicken, pork tenderloin, crunch cake & peanut butter mousse for dessert. The pb mousse was just ok, but everything else was perfection. The cocktails were divine.
The service on the other hand left me conflicted. The waiting area was so extremely packed with people just standing and drinking that we couldn't get up to the hostess table. Once we did, there was a bald/bearded man standing there who I smiled at and greeted but he blatantly ignored me after making eye contact. It was so unbelievably rude that I assumed he must be a patron or a friend standing near the hostess area. Nonetheless it put a bad taste in my mouth and definitely started my dinner off on the wrong foot.
After we were seated, I see the bald/bearded man making the rounds and asking patrons how their meal is. Turns out he's the manager. You've got to be kidding me. -
Review from Hiroshi O.
Redondo Beach, CA
10/15/2011 2 photos
My wife and I went here on Saturday lunch time, and their menu was not the regular lunch, but the brunch menu. The bread was just awesome!
My wife had the BBQ yellowtail and I had a flat iron steak,and both were great! We will definitely go back here! -
Review from Pascal M.
Marina del Rey, CA
10/24/2011
It's a very nice place to invite friends, or get a degustation meal time to time.
I bring every family, and friends that came from France to visit me, and all enjoy the experience.
Don't expect a lot of food, but instead a meal you appreciate first with your eyes, a mix of color and savor.
I usually come for lunch during the week day, dinner and weekend are too cloudy for me. -
Review from Mallorie D.
West Hollywood, CA
1/18/2012
Loved this place!!! Great atmosphere, food, presentation, and service! Can't wait to go back
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Review from Joe M.
Marina del Rey, CA
10/1/2011
This place is awesome. I went there for the first time a few nights ago when my firm took one of our most important clients to dinner. It was very important that everything go right and Joe's delivered.
The staff was very friendly and accommodating and the food was excellent. I can't stop thinking about the bass dish and the heirloom tomatoes I had.
You can't go wrong with Joe's. -
Review from Winnie C.
Los Angeles, CA
7/30/2011
The waiter Glenn told us that their soup are always amazing, no matter which one, so I decided to give it a try. Their soup of the day was cream corn soup $8, and I have experienced the best cream corn soup before at Japanese restaurants. Glenn was so right, their cream corn soup was made to perfection, it was unbelievable. I thought I have tried the best before, but still no comparison to this one. It was creamy rich, but yet was made just right with a touch of the taste of corn. I can't stop thinking how good that was while I'm writing this review.
The second item that impressed me was their espresso souffle $9. It was tiny, in an expresso cup, and was so good that I could literally have 5 of them if my stomach can still handle. It went really well with the coffee ice cream and the whip cream that came with it. I think the chef must be expert in making cream, It was almost the best cream I ever had. The best one I think is still at L'Orangerie.
The heirloom tomatoes which is a salad/appetizer dish, was so sweet. They must be fresh from the farm to be that tasty. But I think it is a bit pricey $16 eventhough they are amazingly delicious.
We have also tried their soft shell crab and roasted chicken. Both are really really fresh and tasty, but not to a point that I can give a 5 star yet. I will definitely go again to try out other entrees or maybe their 7 course tasting menu, so might update my review to a 5 instead of 4 if I can find some other entrees that are more impressive. -
Review from susanna l.
Marina del Rey, CA
8/11/2011
Absolutely amazing service - friendly staff all the way around. We were definitely well taken care of. I took my husband here for his birthday dinner the other night (which happened to be a Tuesday). We were seated on the patio and it was cozy and romantic! The restaurant was quite packed, which is always a good sign. It wasn't noisy though. Very refined dining.
Food was delicious ... and we'll definitely try the tasting menu the next time around.
The food portions are NOT huge at all. I got the grilled octopus salad ($18) and cup of carrot / fennel puree (insanely delicious). We spent $160 for the two of us (this included wine & whiskey!) --
Very impressed with the place. I've heard the mushroom ravioli are amazing - and will try that next time.
Highly recommend! -
Review from Momo O.
Westwood, CA
8/17/2011
Great place for brunch on the weekend!!
Maryland Blue Crab Hash with Poached Eggs is the BEST. Mimosas also recommended :) I prefer the outdoor patio seating because the weather in Venice is always nice.
