J Restaurant & Lounge

I had a fantstic dinner with my wife and friends. This place really knows what's important in a restaurant. They truly demonstrated that they understand food. Highly recommend to all that appreciate great food. Pros: food Cons: not close to my house more

The sommelier(who also happens to be the manager) is fantastic (Frederic Hemon)...he knows his s it about wine and food...avoid the ""club"" space at all costs...have dinner, relax order a wine that comes from Lebonon(yes!!) \r \r The $18 drink prices(yes $18) and the crowds are to be avoided in the ""club"" area...would go again just for dinner...\r more

How about waiting an hour for appetizers and 30 minutes for drinks that had been sitting at the bar waiting for the waitress to bring them to us. Then getting attitude from the managment that it was our fault because we ordered the food from the waitress rather than the bartender. even the busboy got into the act and defended the fact that our food didnt come out on time because there was an error and our food was given to someone else. when we pointed out that others were getting their food, we were told it was because they preordered their food! The least they could have done was tell us of the faux paus. instead we had to track them down!\r \r WORST SERVICE AND OUTRIGHT RUDE!! Pros: nice ambiance Cons: rude service more

I remember the days when a lounge was a place you could go to have a few drinks in a relaxed atmoshphere. That's just what J Lounge USED to be. When the place first opened I was able get there before 10 pm and walk in and have a drink without being hassled. The patio in the back is beautiful with a fire pit and tables for those who got there early enough to snag one. Nowadays, however, no one is allowed at the bars until 10 pm and a line forms out the door and everyone is charged an entrance fee...both men and women. The dress code is ridiculously strict. I had to argue with the bouncer, who was actually pretty friendly, for five minutes to let me in because I had some white on my shoes. I was told I would have to ask a guy who I assume was either the manager or the owner, who was standing just inside the doorway glaring at patrons as they entered to make sure the dress code was being enforced. When I attempted to speak with him he ignored me and walked up to the bouncer...I assume to reprimand him for letting me in. After getting in I walked out to the patio to grab a table, but noticed that all the tables are now reserved for bottle service only. Drinks are grossly overpriced, and management is arrogant and exude an attitude of superiority toward their patrons. My friends and I were all surprised and disappointed at the sudden turn for the worse J Lounge has taken. If they continue down this path, J Lounge is going to fizzle out fast. I assure you, any good reviews posted were either posted by J Lounge management/staff or were posted months ago when this place was actually enjoyable. Never again! Pros: Ambience and decor Cons: Overpriced, arrogant staff/management, terrible service more

Our party of 6 arrived at J Restaurant & Lounge on a Saturday at 5:00 P.M. The restaurant did not open until 6:00 P.M. but we were escorted to the back patio area and before we knew it, they opened the bar and bar food was brought to us. It was calamari and pita bread slices. They were both excellent. We all ordered mojitos and I can tell you they are one of the best in town! Promptly at 6:00 they came outside to let us know that the table was ready. The food was absolutely wonderful. The service was impecable. Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. We all had a great time and would definitely recommend it very highly Pros: Great food, great service and a terrific atmosphere more

Wonder what the ""J"" stands for in J Lounge??? It stands for JOKE. This place is just that. A JOKE. While the facade it puts on reminds its patrons of a place that once had class and character, this newly renovated and ""revamped"" lounge is by far the worst experience I have had in LA in a long time. Stemming from a chef who's bases his cooking on the notion that ""spices were invented to cover the rancidity of meat"" J Restaurant and Lounge takes its terrible attention to quality of food and carries it over into their service and drinks. Overpriced drinks, which I'm immune to these days in LA and don't mind paying for when service is friendly, are coupled with attitudinal bartenders and unknowledgable waitresses. If you like waiting half an hour to get a drink, then when you order have the bar tender scoff at you and swear under his breath because he doesn't want to make the signature drink they advertise, then this place is for you. Oh and if you like an overly cocky owner who is just as unfriendly and scummy as the place he operates, then by all means, check it out for yourself. STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS. If I was able to, I'd score this negative stars. FYI too, I have been to this place more than once, always with the hopes of it changing because I like the decor, and each time I had a worse experience and been more disappointed always leaving upset. \r Just so you know, after speaking with an ex J Lounge employee, the only positive reviews about this place are from the owner under false city search names. Joke Lounge is not worth your time, energy, headache, or money! Pros: physical space had potential Cons: everything else more

Rude management. Descent food. OK bar. Nice view.\r \r It was my girlfriend's birthday and she was forced to make dinner reservations at 7:15 because the restaurant was booked with ""reservations"" for 8 o'clock. However, as 8:00 rolls around the place is COMPLETELY EMPTY with us and a small family of four sitting at the WORST tables in the house.\r \r The management seemed to be very comfortable with treating diners like dirt, just because it was a saturday night and they had a line of like 3 people standing outside. Also, it seemed rather odd that a restaurant has a ""No Birthdays"" policy. Lucky for us though, our waiter was gracious enough to fixed us up a small dessert with a candle in it.\r \r My advise, don't go for dinner. But i guess the bar is OK. Even though there are dozens of better bars to chose from in LA with better locations and friendlier service. \r \r \r And, I forgot to mention that the drinks at the bar were overpriced, yet they were still weak. Pros: The food was OK. But I could get way better for the same price. Cons: Reservations were a nightmare. Management made no effort to accomodate our group of 7. more

OK so you aren't going there for the food if you do go there for dinner like I did....oops. I ordered pasta with mussles and the shells were there but no mussells. My best gues is that they did me a favor...lesson learned its a bar - order bar food.\r \r Anyway\r The drinks are legit from standard mixed drinks to the more exotic cocktails- service is standard and friendly. But the bar has a phenomenal view of downtown, a great patio you almost feel like you are in someone's backyard, maybe in NYC. They draw a fun, very good looking & well styled crowd - definetely a good spot to meet people dancing or outside chatting. In my opinion the bar offers something for everyone, just not dinner. (fyi the bar food is solid) Pros: view, drinks, people Cons: i think ive made myself clear more

WORST service! IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR CHAIR IN THE PATIO AREA MAKE SURE YOU GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE. THE SHORT HAIR WAITRESS TOOK TWO OF OUR CHAIRS AWAY AND WANT TO KICK US OUT, ALSO TOLD US THEY ARE NOT IN CITY SEARCH. GUESS WHAT I HOPE YOU ARE READING THIS BECAUSE I FOUND YOU! Drinks are good they will add 18% tip on your tab no need to park valet, there is a $5 parking near by more

worst place I have EVER been to.... the service was bad, the food was worse, and the drinks were so overprices it was a joke.\r do not listen to the fake reviews posted by the staff - this place is BAD! Cons: food, service, menu, drink prices more

This place is great. The bouncers were actually REALLY nice when we went. In LA, that is SUPER rare. The decor is great, the dance floor was large and well air conditioned. There are TONS of places to sit down, which I love. THere are plasma TV's strategically positioned throughout this space. The space is really well designed. There is a patio (which isnt that smokey at all) that is awesome. There are 6 cabanas, its own bar, and a superb view of the downtown skyline and a really cool fire pit. You even get the view of the Eastern. All in all, the club was very balanced between lounge and dance club. I will definitely go back again. If the crowd continues to be chill, and the bouncers continue to be cool, this will be on my regular rotation.\r \r In the end. My opinion is to go check it out for yourself. In the downtown renassaince, places are up and down and everyone has their own opinions. It is best to check places out once a month and see whats going down. Stop being afraid of downtown, and come check it out and form your own opinions more

Taking advantage of living downtown, my wife and I decided to celebrate a special occasion (a birthday) by ""walking"" to J restaurant for dinner on a Friday night. We had reservations for 8 p.m. After a nice stroll from our loft, we arrived to find this great place. We were greated very warmly and shown to our booth. The atmosphere is great, nice furnishings and very romantic. I will say that this it is a very large restaurant according to LA standards. The service was great, attentive but not bothersome. The wine and drink choices were abundant. The wine list is sufficeint, but as I say in all my review of restaurants, ease up on the corkage fee, allow patrons to at least bring their own bottle of wine. The food was outstanding and portions large (important to me since I am a big guy (athletic build) and like to eat), since sharing is our thing. We had the calamari and ceasar salad which were both very good. The hot bread and butter is a nice touch. We had the roasted pork and mashed potatoes which could have only been improved upon if they would have served it on a warmed plate. But for the quantity and quality, it was delicious and more than enough for the two of us. We were there for about an hour and half, very leisurely dinner and then took a tour of the place. The lounge upstairs is nice, the outside atrium/patio area (similar to that of the Golden Gopher) was nice, especially with the window and the plasma screen TV nicely aligned was cool. This would be a nice place for an after dinner drink. I know that there are some unhappy folks with the lounge staff, but for a nice dinner, close to home for us, it was a great evening and would definetly return. We are looking forward to this summer and hopefuly some happy hours on the back patio. more

Wow, this place is great! It is romantic and the atmosphere is amazing. I dont recommend you come in your sneakers, baggy jeans and Sean Paul t-shirt. This place is classy and if you want to go to a place with kids and teens this is not the place for you! Plus the place is HUGE! There are areas for everyone. I'd say the younger crowd is up stairs on the dance floor! Plus all the Plasma add a lil something different. The paintings are amazing! The one near the restroom on the third floor of the Beetles is unbelieveable! Its a beautiful place and I highly recommend it! Best mojitos i've ever had! Pros: Valet, drinks, atmosphere Cons: none!!!! more

I remember when this place was unpretentious, friendly. What a difference a few months makes, eh J Lounge? The doormen (in particular the chubby guy with short hair that looks like a ninja turtle) have no sense of humbleness or hospitality. They present themselves with classless arrogance and take their paltry hourly wage job way too seriously. They're unaccommodating, when they don't even need to be. Trust me, with staff like this it won't be long until the novelty fades and this place dies out. There are far nicer places than this one, The Edison for one, that will be better worth your time. If you want Hollywood, go there. No need to put up with the mini-me Hollywood attitude here. My friends and I will NOT be returning again. Good job J Lounge, you just lost about 40 patrons in one night. ______\r \r Here's a tip: J Lounge flagrance knows no boundaries. Check your receipts when you pay by credit card. They'll add an 18% ""service"" fee on drinks. J Lounge will then conveniently add a tip line even after they charge you the 18% fee. Sometimes you'll get the extra receipt with the service charge shown. Sometimes you won't. Be wary. Pros: Large outdoor area, loungey decor Cons: Service, pathetic doormen, music (unless you like top 40 hip hop from 6 months back) more

My father booked two tables for our family party last thursday night at J Lounge. What can I say ? This place might be paradise, but then paradise doesn't close at 11pm. Still, this is a great place to roll the end of the afternoon into the evening, especially after a day's work. more

While the J Lounge's strength is in its large open venue, this place leaves a lot to be desired. For one, its management is clearly untrained and has no sense of hospitality (with the exception of the servers, bartenders, and the guy who hands you paper towels in the bathroom). As for the Managers and the bouncers, beware. They are obnoxious, rude, and for some reason forget they are not on Hollywood Blvd catering to the likes of young JT or Paris Hilton, but overseeing an establishment that is blocks away from Skid Row. A bouncer told my friend he didn't like the collar on his shirt and almost refused him entry! But what is truly laughable is the J Lounge's third reich enforcement of their shoe policy. They will pretend to sweat you on your trendy pair of sneakers (the same ones you can wear into Area and Hyde), but will with painstaking reluctance let you in after some bodyguard huddling and play calling. But the real joke is once you get inside, and find yourselves surrounded by a crowd that could mislead you into thinking you just stepped into the throes of another downtown venue, the LA City Jail. Don't drop the soap!\r \r In short, if you must party in downtown, go to Edison. Otherwise take yourself up the 101 to Hollywood. more

I have been to J Lounge on 4 occasions, each one progressively worse than the last. I will NEVER go back there. The rudeness and arrogance of the staff completely negate any small positives J's has to offer. While J lounge claims that there is no cover before 10 pm, what the sneaky management does is prevent people from going in, claiming that it actually doesnt ""open"" until 10 pm. We had had a guestlist sent in specifically so as to not have to deal with this hassle and had agreed to reserve an area upstairs for $600. The bouncers walk away from you when you are trying to talk to them, even when we told them that we had arranged for a reservation space. After 30 minutes of this BS, we left - J Lounge can thank its bouncers for losing out on a fair chunk of revenue (we had 60+ people in or group). On another occasion, after having my ID checked, I started going inside only to have the bouncer grab my arm and say extremely rudely, ""you have to wait here, i didn't say you could go in yet."" because he had to check the rest of my friends' IDs? Um, it's cold out and you should neither be speaking to people like that nor should you touch your patrons. Finally, the last time I went, I had friends dining inside and had planned to meet them for dessert so that we could all go upstairs together. When I got to the door, the bouncer told me that I could not go in to see my friends, because I did not have ""dinner reservations."" And the fact that a group of my friends were already inside eating made no difference, I could not go in to look for them. Overall customer service standards are nonexistent at this place, and the general disdain that everyone working here shows towards patrons is disgusting. I've never experienced this level of rudeness anywere - completely unwarranted, as the music is spotty to poor, drinks are ridiculously overpriced and let's face it - it's downtown LA, a few blocks from skid row, not Hollywood. Beware - J lounge is TERRIBLE. Pros: Large space Cons: RUDE staff, expensive, music is all over the place more

I went to J Lounge last saturday night to celebrate my wife's birthday. The dining room was pretty crowded and noisy. But thought it is a great adress for both fans of Mediterraneen food and anyone counting their dollars. The voluminous menu here offers generally excellent food tour of Europe with dishes from South of France and Italia. more

My friends and I went there on a Friday couple weeks ago, and had the most horrible experience. The management at the lounge was rude and frustrating. We were there for about an hour ordering drinks after drinks and ended up leaving after an argument with the management. They moved a chair (cushion) that my sister was using, and when we told them we were using it, he manager said in the most pretentious tone, ""we're doing you a favor by letting you sit here"" and then started to walk away. I would never return to this place ever again. Cons: service/ management more

Last night a friend and I celebrated our b-days at J Lounge. We had reserved a couple of tables in the upper lounge area. We wanted the night to go smoothly so that we could enjoy ourselves, but the J Lounge management made it difficult for us to do so:\r *When I made my reservation I wasn?t told about the ?business/casual? dress code. The management wouldn?t let my bf & the other b-day girl?s bf in bc they weren?t in the dress code. We are all bus. students. Our closets are full of bus./casual attire. If we had been told that there was a dress code, our bf?s would have come in the dress code. My bf drove home to change, but the other girl?s bf could not do so. Management let him in after he pointed out that other patrons w/ sneakers on were being admitted. \r \r *The doormen told me that my guests arriving after 11 pm would have to pay a cover charge. I told them that I had called twice to confirm that no one on my guest list would have to pay a cover charge the entire night. They said they would ?take care of it? & not charge my guests. Unfortunately, about 30 min. later 4 of my friends arrived & had to pay the cover. I talked to management about this and they returned the money, but it was frustrating having to deal w/this matter. \r \r *When I had to pay for the 3 bottles, the other b-day girl & I told the waitress to split the difference btwn. our credit cards. As we were paying, we were harassed 3 to 4 times to leave the club because they were closed . Our waitress came back w/ receipts that were overcharging us by more than $300. We told her & management that this was incorrect. They went back a 2nd time to fix this and came back again w/ receipts that were overcharging us. I don?t know if they thought we were dumb/drunk USC girls & that they could hustle us out of money, or if they were dumb themselves & did not know how to do basic math. Finally , the 3rd time around the receipts were correct.\r \r Go to the Standard or Edison if you want to party in downtown. more