Monday, March 09, 2009

Joe's, Venice Beach




I don't have a lot of time to post today but wanted to get this in since I haven't updated for awhile! Last week J and I had dinner with our very good friends who were visiting from NYC. They used to live in Venice Beach and would dine at Joe's often, and although the restaurant is quite famous, I'd never had a chance to dine there and was excited to finally go!



The minute I walked in, I knew I'd fall in love with it. Joe's has that warm, neighborhood bistro feel, with the added bonus of stellar, first-class service and a familiar yet refined menu. I feel it is what Parkway Grill in Pasadena may have been back in its glory days. J and I used to go to Parkway to celebrate anniversaries or birthdays, but warmth it once held for us has dissipated with an effort by management to over-complicate what was once beautifully done, classically prepared-yet-modern California cuisine. Joe's doesn't try to put unnecessary bells and whistles like lemon-lime bubbles on a fish dish; they simply make perfectly executed plates with all the savory, comforting flavors you know and love but elevate it to fine dining. It's just unfortunate that Joe's is in Venice- a bit far for us to go often. If only Parkway Grill would take a cue from Joe's............

Anyway, the four of us ate many different things, but between the lively conversation, dim lighting and many glasses of wine, it was difficult to capture the loveliness of every dish. Here are a few of our favorites from that night:

Amuse of pork belly and sweet peppers............

Smoked Lobster, Cauliflower Puree Wrapped in Pasta, Chive Butter, Grilled Caviar

Special of Japanese beef w/ tiny Brussels sprouts

Bibb Lettuce Salad with Seasonal Root Vegetables, Crispy Pancetta, Sunchoke Puree, Truffled Vinaigrette

Prime Pork Tenderloin Crepenette, Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic and Potato Puree, Roasted Garlic Jus

J's appetizer of arctic char...................

Special of mango creme brulee.....delicious!



Angel food cake with chocolate gelato.........


Everything was delicious and I can't wait to go back.


Joe's Restaurant
1023 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, California 90291
310-399-5811

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was delicious - but the company beat out the food!

Anne said...

Ditto to you guys!

MyLastBite said...

I haven't been to Joe's yet. The Smoked Lobster, Cauliflower Puree Wrapped in Pasta, Chive Butter, Grilled Caviar looks amazing. Can't wait to try it.

Diana said...

I've had Joe's on my restaurant to do list for a couple years now, but still haven't made it there yet. Everything looks amazing -- especially that pork!

Anonymous said...

love Joe's for brunch. love love love. It's one of the few "cozy" restaurants remaining on AK

Anonymous said...

Joe's is the kind of place that makes you think..."Los Angeles just may have better restaurants now then New York."

Right Way to Eat said...

Joe is an awesome place to go for any meal. The brunch is what they are known for!