JOE’S RESTAURANT
A VENICE FAVE FOR CALIFORNIA-FRENCH CUISINE

For the last 19 years, Chef Joe Miller and his charming Venice Beach neighborhood bistro, Joe’s Restaurant, have been delighting locals and “best of” lists with his inspiring and mouthwatering California-French cuisine.

Trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Chef Miller earned his stripes working at several leading local restaurants including La Toque, Patina, and L’Orangerie. Making sure he only serves delectable food at affordable prices, Miller, a true artist in the kitchen, notes that the secret of his cuisine comes from mixing formal French techniques with Asian and California-influenced esthetics along with using only the best ingredients found in local farmer’s markets, as well as around the country and even around the globe if need be. Constantly looking for new trends and influences in dishes that Miller and his staff can recreate in his kitchen, a night at Joe’s Restaurant is a wonderful way to treat your palette just right.

Although the restaurant’s dinner menu is top notch and loaded with tasty treats, Joe’s Restaurant is known for its tantalizing tasting menu that changes daily. During our recent visit we opted to allow the kitchen to prepare our meal and believe me we were not disappointed in the slightest. Some of our selections are either normally served as side dishes or are unique to the ever-evolving tasting menu.

Naturally our meal was kicked off with a sumptuous amuse-bouche, a wonderful single, bite-sized hors d’œuvre the chef personally selected paired with an inspiring 2007 Spanish Agusti Torello Mata.

Up next was the Peruvian Lantern Scallop Crudo prepared with pickled shimeji, salmon caviar, and cucumber dashi, presented with a nice glass of Junmai Ginjo Fukucho “Moon On The Water” sake. The contrast in drinks this early in the meal was unique and really opened up the taste buds.

Our third course consisted of a light and delightful Pan-roasted Black Grouper with cauliflower mushrooms, braised artichoke, Yuzu Kosho butter, and Meyer lemon gastrique, paired with a nice 2007 Alexander Valley Hafner Chardonnay.

Now into the crux of dinner, the fourth course featured our favorite of the night, the Chestnut Agnolotti with Parmesan, baby mustard greens and brown butter perfectly paired with the 2008 Santa Barbara County Joe Miller Pinot Noir, a truly wonderful selection. This satisfying ravioli dish is often served as a menu side item but was given its due to shine served as a pleasing entrée.

Another dinner highlight was the Sonoma Lamb Sirloin Beet Risotto with lamb ragout and bulls blood green, which may sound odd but tastes out of this world. And it was truly complimented with a savory glass of 1999 Italian Barbera D’Alba Rocche Dei Manzoni.

Finally it was time for dessert and our treats included a sweet and refreshing Pear Sorbet with Bartlett pear and pear puree served with a 1998 Saint Croix Dumont Chateau La Grave, followed by a decadent slice of Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Cake paired with a tasty Graham’s 20-Year Tawny Port.

Can you say magnificent meal? Your ever-so pleased palette will definitely be singing the praise of Chef Miller and company.

Do note that on Sunday nights the Chef’s Prix Fixe Menu is only $48 and the wonderful Wine Pairing is just an additional $22. Well worth it. And if you find yourself on the Westside for lunch-on-the-go, give Chef Miller’s weekday $18 Prix Fixe lunch, with your choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, a try.

A new twist at Joe’s Restaurant is its celebration of First Friday on Abbot Kinney which will feature, from 6-11pm, a live DJ as well as a special bar menu, along with Cristoph’s famous oysters served all night long. There will even be a satellite bar set up with specialty cocktails as well as a Mojito punch bowl and happy hour pricing on selected beers, wine, well drinks and martinis from $4 to $8.

And consider spending the holidays at Joe’s and take advantage of their following special evenings…

Christmas Eve: From 5-10pm they will be serving a traditional American 4-course meal featuring some kitchen favorites like Chestnut Soup, Lobster, Crab, Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Mash Potato Casserole and festive desserts such as Croquembouche for $65 a person.

New Year’s Eve: Dinner will be served at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. The 4-course meal will go for $65, and ring in the New Year at the jazzed up outdoor lounge from 9pm to midnight for $75 and partake in the tasting menu along with specialty cocktails, bar bites, and hors d’oeuvres along with midnight champagne toast as a DJ spins all night.

Tour the kitchen at Joe’s Restaurant.

Joe’s Restaurant is located at 1023 Abbot Kinney Boulevard (between Westminster Avenue and Broadway) in Venice. Valet parking is available at the rear of the building. Hours: Lunch Tuesday – Friday from Noon - 2:30pm; Dinner
Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday 6 - 10pm; Friday and Saturday 6 – 11pm; Brunch
Saturday and Sunday 11am - 2:30pm; Closed Monday. For reservations call 310-399-5811.

 

 

Photography courtesy of Joe's Restaurant