James' Beach

Venice classic with great food (well priced), fantastic bar scene and the best wine list (lot's of bargains- 1/2 price on Mondays) in L.A. Try the Sunday brunch on the patio for the real deal. My favorite is fried chicken only on Thursday - go early, since it goes fast. Yes, fish tacos are excellent. more

I went bc it was rated well on citysearch for easter but was misinformed. I asked to be sat outside and the hostess gave us the worst table inside (luckily i am not obese so i could squeeze between the tables) I asked to be sat outside--bc I clearly saw open tables but she said they were booked solid--even though I made a reservation. When we left the same outside tables were empty. We were promised live jazz which never occurred and the waiter charged us for juice when my bf didn't want the mimosa!!! Never again! Overrated. Pros: food was okay Cons: disappointing easter. fabricated. more

Personally I like it better up at the bar in the main room rather being in the indoor side room to the right or even in a booth. Great apps, deliiiiiicious, too delicious really, special mojitos. Drink if you dare. It's a great Venice spot! Pros: Fun up at the bar Cons: Be careful not to have more than 3 mojitos in a row! more

First of all if you are not a celebrity or an old rich dude hitting on wh*re looking girls as old as their daughters, then make sure there is more than two people in your party because they will seat you at one of the worst table! For example, a table in front of the restrooms and next to the kitchen so all the servers are constantly bumping against your chair as they are coming in and out. Oh, don't worry they will still give you this crappy table, even if you RSVP. Because I called in advance to RSVP for a booth and look what I got! When you address this issue with the hostess, she couldn't care less and tells you to either sit at the bar next to the old due and wh*re looking girl or wait 40 minutes for the next table. Wow, now that's what I call service! If I didn't know better I thought I was at a fast food joint where there is no such thing as customer service. Now let's talk about the food, it's average. But if you are into overpaying for average food and substandard service then come on over, otherwise avoid at all cost!! more

We came here for a birthday dinner for about 10 people on a Saturday night. The bar was pretty crowded and the place was a little loud. The service was a little slow too. The drinks and food was pretty good and the prices not too bad as well. I had the potroast brisket, and tried the trout. All the other dishes looked good. I'd definately eat here again. My friend (who only had drinks) commented that it looked expensive but he was surprised when he heard it was about 20-35 a dish, most were in the mid 20s. The atmosphere is beachy but they try to make it look nice as well. Definately worth a try. Pros: good food Cons: Might be too loud for a date place more

I like James Beach. I wouldn't say it is amazing food but it is good. It is a nice dining atmosphere and the wine selection is nice. I really go for the chocolate souffle'. It is sooooo good! They need about twenty minutes to make it so order it with your entree. It is served hot in a mug with a side of home made whipped cream. I hung out at the bar on the weekends sometimes when I was a bit younger and it was good I guess. People call it ""posh"" and trendy and whatever else which I really don't get. It's a big Venice crowd which is fine but not so much ""posh""! more

So, I have not been to James Beach in awhile because I had a not so great experience last time I was there. I took a couple friends from out of town there tonight because it always has been a cool spot to people watch. I have to say I had a great time. The waiter Ryan was much more attentive and pleasant then I remember the wait staff being and the food seems to have improved as well. I had a farfalle pasta with salmon and vodka sauce that was awesome and the artichoke appetizer was perfect with the sauce it is served with. The drinks, as always are too expensive, but where in LA is this not the case? The cookies for dessert were delich. I live in Venice and I had given up on this place ages ago. I have to say, this will be the new spot I entertain at. If you plan on sitting outside though, make sure you leave befofe the Cougars take over by 10. Pros: service, food, atmosphere Cons: drink prices, parking more

This is by far my favorite place for an amazing brunch. You are greeted my a friendly staff and when you sit down you are given complementary apricot scones (WARM!) with blackberry jam. The greek-blue walls with white table cloths give a laid-back yet classy ambiance. I order the Eggs Benedict! AMAZING you wont regret it! Pros: Cheap for a gourmet brunch! Cons: Parking is validated but still not free more

I've had some awful experiences at this place. To be completely honest however, I've never tried the food, so I won't comment on that aspect of james beach. My primary beef lies with the bartenders and the level of service which they provide, as they are probably the most unresponsive and ignorant servers that I have ever encountered. Unfortunately, this complaint is not directed at any particular bartender, but at the staff as a whole. I have been to this establishment twice, and both times i have been infuriated by the condescending attitude displayed by the servers. Amazingly, the bartenders somehow make the customer (paying ridiculous prices i might add) feel like a nuisance while purchasing drinks. Forgive me if I am mistaken, but it seems that is abnormal. Only visit this establishment if you have the strange desire to be insulted while emptying your wallet on overpriced beverages. Pros: Nothing Cons: Awful Service more

Love coming to James Beach! You can have a beautiful outdoor experience with white lounge chairs surrounding the bar and an inexpensive drink in your hand. I have heard the food is excellent, it is on my to-do list. Pros: Ambience Cons: Saturday night lines more

You'll have fun, there's good energy, the bartenders are polite and attentive. Definately a great vibe and feel! The swimtrunk lighting definately makes it. Check it out :) more

I love this place. Although, in the evening, it seems like more of a bar than a restaurant. If you're looking for a later evening quiet meal, this is not the place. Been for lunch, and dinner many times. The food has always been outstanding, although a little on the pricey side. I also have enjoyed the bar on many occasions. The staff is friendly, helpful, knowledgable and attentive. There is no attitude here. I like the mix of people. You've got some snooty SM and some crazy Venice and all different ages. It's a diverse crowd and almost always an interesting night. The atmosphere is great..it's like upscale beachy casual. Where else can you walk in off the beach in flip-flops and dine off of white linen? It can also be a very romantic place for dinner for two. There's also seating for smokers. Just be warned, once night-time kicks in, the bar will pick up. That's just the nature of the beast. Definitely a cool place. One of my all-time favorites. Pros: Great atmosphere, good food, interesting and diverse crowd, no posers and no attitude Cons: Can get loud in the evening when the bar picks up. A little on the pricey side. more

This place is fine, nothing spectacular. Lots of eye candy mixed with the coyotes of near by Venice. Not a gourmet eat. Good place to go with out of towners Pros: close to my house Cons: No parking- valet only, so so food, more

Outdoor patio ideal for post-hangover brunch. Heat lamps to keep you warm and Bloody Marys to keep you going. My boyfriend and I chose James Beach because they served Bloody Marys and we'll go back because it had a chill vibe, the Coast Toast really was to die for, and it wasn't overrun with people like other Westside brunch spots. We'll order the mimosas with strawberry puree mixed into them next time -- they looked really good. Pros: Beach brunch, Bloody Marys, Good presentation of food, laid-back Cons: Might get too crowded in summer or at night, not sure... more

I went to this restaurant with a large group of people for a friend's birthday party. The service was good for our large group but the atmosphere was very, very loud. The food was terrible and way overpriced. After walking through the smoke filled patio full of single women and men lurking about, I ordered the pasta with portabello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, pine nuts, and goat cheese. The dish was watery, had no flavor, and cost $16. I love to cook and could have made this much better at home (which is always my standard at a restaurant). The person sitting next to me also said her food was terrible. She ordered a steak dish I believe. For whatever this is worth--my neighbor says they have a great happy hour (mojitos i think she said) but avoid the food here because there are much better restaurants in the area. Pros: Nice location by the beach Cons: Loud atmosphere, expensive menu, bad food more

The management of James Beach responded to an email I sent them after I had a poor experience at the restaurant on a particularly busy night. I was pleased that the restaurant offered to make good for the bad night. My second evening at James Beach was very nice. The service was attentive, the food was hot and tasty, and I will go back. more

This place has been a Venice hangout for a long time now, but apparently they are stuck in whatever decade this place was built. It was so dirty, from the floors, the bars, the tables, and the patio. Looked like everything was cheap, shoddy, and needed a paint job. It is ""supposed"" to be beach fine dining, but there is not an iota of class to this rip off joint. The prices they charge for the quality, or lack there of, for the food they serve here is beyond insulting. We tried a special appetizer of crab risotto to start, but I'm not sure if they know that the rice is not supposed to be a dry glue-like mush with trace amounts of old tasting crab. Thought that it would be really hard to screw up a steak frites dish, but at least they succeeded in one thing. The NY was tough as could be, overcooked, (ordered med-rare got med well), the fries may as well have been from some frozen bag from the grocery store, and the sauce was some liquidy version of what was supposed to be a rich red wine sauce. Another dish we ordered tried to bring together a grilled stuffed pork chop with sweet mashed potatoes, collard greens and some flavorless mystery sauce. My date thought it sounded like it might be an interesting combonation of flavors, but the stuffing might as well have been a bad version of stove top, and none of the ingredients complimented each other. Don't even get me started on the fish as what we tasted was either old or frozen. I eat out all of the time and have never been to a worse place in all of L.A., and that is saying something. The only positive was our attentive server who was as sweet as could be, but seemed to already know that we'd be disappointed, and was a bit embarrassed. If your in Venice, don't waste your time here, go find some other place around abbot kinney or main street, there are much better options around. Pros: They let us leave. Cons: We went there. more

We went for breakfast on a Sunday morning and decided to sit inside (too windy outside, the restaurant is a block from the beach). The service was mediocre, nothing to write home about but definitely not the worst. The Cafe Mocha is not worth it, just get regular coffee instead. The food on the other hand was amazing, right when you sit down they serve you a basket of fresh mini scones with strawberry preserves which were to die for! I could've eaten just that and I would've been stuffed. But I ordered the Farmer's Breakfast (two eggs, sausage, roasted potatoes, and your choice of griddle cakes or coast toast). I chose the Coast Toast (their version of french toast using thick slices of sourdough bread) and when I put it in my mouth it was so moist that it just melted, incredible! My boyfriend ordered the Eggs Florentine (poached eggs, smoked salmon, and creamed spinach on a english muffin topped with hollandaise) and was blown away by it. He said the eggs were perfect and the flavor combination of all the ingredients were too good to be true. I will definitely come back to try their dinner menu. I was told that they also have occasional wine tastings too. Pros: Breakfast, wine tastings, private room (cute little bugalow house) Cons: Parking, but they do offer valet more

Always packed with the divorced 40-something ladies and tons of guys on the prowl. The bartenders are quick and there is a pool table in the upper back area. If you are going to eat dinner there, I recommend you go early or your table will be surrounded by people by 9pm. more

Very diverse crowd, ethnically, geographically, and agewise. I didn't pay for a drink all night. Nuff said. That NEVER happens in Hollywood. Pros: diverse crowd, men buy ladies drinks more