My first time at The Whaler, and it's pretty much exactly what you'd expect -- and what you want --…read morefrom a bar right on Venice Beach. It's been there for some time, so there's a bit of grime and decay almost everywhere you look. And if it isn't exactly "charming," it's very comfortable and welcoming, with an ocean breeze blowing through the open, upstairs deck, and a friendly staff working hard to keep everyone happy. The upstairs patio area was pretty full when I arrived, but I snagged a seat at the bar and still got to enjoy both the view and the breeze. They have a nice selection of beachy cocktails (the gals next to me were drinking out of fresh-cut coconuts), and a quite a few beers on tap (with plenty of ice cold glasses at the ready). To get things going, I ordered a Don Julio tequila neat, and the pour was generous. I also ordered a Caesar Salad with Blackened Shrimp, which was delivered after only about 5 minutes. Despite the swiftness of the prep, the salad was quite good. Baby Gem lettuce, nicely coated with a creamy-but-not-too-creamy dressing that had a robust, garlicky flavor that was pleasing rather than overpowering. Yes, there were the ubiquitous croutons; but there were also quite a few fried capers, which added an appealing, extra layer to the flavor profile. The Blackened Shrimp that I added were small but plentiful, and very nicely seasoned, providing a solid smack of spice that contrasted well against the dressing. It really was a very good salad. The gals to my right were eating freshly shucked oysters that looked quite good. They must have enjoyed them, because they ordered another dozen. Across from me, a body builder chowed down on a great-looking burger, and everyone at the bar seemed to really be enjoying their food. The servers -- Lily and Arian -- were swift and chatty despite being pretty busy on a Sunday afternoon. This isn't the fanciest place you can eat in the area, but it's certainly one of the friendliest, and definitely one of the most satisfying.

Takeaway food menu above order window says "burgers, sandwiches & wraps add fries, salad or soup…read more+$5" I order the chicken Caesar wrap and order the soup Gal taking my order asks if I want a bowl or cup? I say I'll just do the $5 soup She says it's not $5 it'll cost $7 I say it says $5 on menu right here above your window She says "well on my order tablet screen it says $7 and cannot change it" So instead of getting soup, a drink and btw I was going to order the buttermilk chicken strips too I decided to only order the wrap and took the rest of my lunch funds somewhere else. I still tipped $1 because I'm nice but it's always something with pricing at The Whaler just so you know

SoCal Vibes Co. lives up to the name. Cool space, fast service, good drinks, and surprisingly solid…read morefood across the board. QUICK TAKE Get: Mexicali Quesadilla, fries, wrap, grilled chicken salad, drinks Skip: Nothing we had Know: Very casual, quick service, and a fun place to hang out rather than just grab food and leave. The first thing that stood out was the space itself. It has a really cool, laid-back SoCal feel and is the kind of place where you could easily hang out for a while. Service was also impressively quick and friendly. The food was better than I expected too. Mexicali Quesadilla: One of our favorites. Filling, flavorful and exactly the kind of thing that works well with a beer or cider. Fries: Really good and easy to share. Wrap: Fresh, satisfying and another solid choice if you want something a little lighter. Salad with Grilled Chicken: The produce tasted fresh and the chicken was nicely grilled. A good option if you want something healthier without feeling like you're settling. Drinks: Definitely part of the reason to come here. They make their own ciders and have a huge range of beers, meads and other drinks, including some pretty unusual flavors. There really wasn't anything we ordered that I would tell someone to avoid. Between the food, drinks, fast service and atmosphere, SoCal Vibes Co. is just an easy place to like.

I am a big lover all cider and a few months back was delighted to discover a cider bar nearby! I…read moreinvited our beer drinking friends out to drink so that I, for once, could enjoy my preferred drink - cider - without being limited to the same limited options regular bars often have. I arrive with my husband and we grab a table waiting for the others to come. We both try the Limoncello spritz cider and get some food. My husband gets the burger and I order the breakfast wrap (with bacon) I believe it is called. First of all, loved the limoncello spritz cider. Would definitely order again. The food was also good. Second, we got 2 more ciders. My husband got the chocolate raspberry flavored one. I think called Sex Wax, and I got the Best Coast cider. The chocolate raspberry one wasn't our favorite, but I couldn't pick a favorite between the Best Coast and Limoncello one. I will definitely be back and have those again, and try others. We ended up being there for 4 hours so safe to say we had a grand ol' time!

We popped in for lunch and the views of the Marina are beyond amazing !…read moreSuch a vibrant backdrop to a beautiful relaxing lunch . Our server was very friendly and answered the couple of questions we had about the food We ordered the burger and it was beyond amazing , super fresh , meaty and well balanced Would come back again for the burger alone.

I get it. People come here for the ambiance. Which is so pleasant, beautiful, and serene. But my…read morereviews always anchor high on the food quality. And maybe I ordered the wrong things. But the food quality, outside of the tacos (not pictured) was disappointing. First, we came with a large party of about 14. Which I know is not easy to serve. But our server seemed annoyed for most the night. And definitely did not want to go the extra mile serving our table. She seemed to actively avoid our table. We had shrimp tacos as appetizers, and those were fresh and tasty! Even though it took a while, we were off to a decent start. Our main dish is where things fell off a cliff. It took about 45 min to an hour to get our food from the time we ordered. And the cioppinot and vegetable curry (with added steak) were just bad. The cioppinot tasted like it was frozen, and just microwaved. The tomato broth was watery and the shrimp and fish were overcooked and rubbery. The vegetable curry, while it presented itself beautifully, completely lacked flavor. And the price point for both items were definitely on the higher side. So, maybe I just got two items that were misses, and that there are plenty of other good things here. And maybe, we caught our server on a bad day. But based on my experience, I can only cough up 2 stars for this review. I'd say to come here if you want a beautiful, waterside experience, and have plenty of time to relax and kill. Not if you're a foodie looking for an authentic and top-tier food experience.

I Love this place. Parking can get rough, but it is worth it…read more I usually come for the nachos, chips and salsa, margaritas and beer. When I do get the food, it is great too. Great atmosphere right near the Venice Pier.

By far one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. This place needs to be shut down…read more Find a taco truck it's a way better experience..., From the moment we walked in, the service was horrible. There were at least 10 open tables outside, yet we were told it would be a long wait. Inside was hot and sweaty, so we eventually sat outside. The waiter was incredibly rude. The $15 Margarita Flight Thursday advertised on their Instagram? "We don't do that here." Okay. Then our order was completely messed up. We received rice we never ordered, a $7 side of guacamole literally the size of my pinky, and we were charged extra for salsa even though the menu says unlimited chips and salsa. The worst part? My friend's taco was forgotten. We reminded them, they put it in, and 30 minutes later we were still waiting. When we finally asked, we were told it had supposedly been brought out and sent back. No one ever brought it to us. Then they brought us a taco that had apparently been sitting on the counter and literally threw it down on the table. No apology. No check-in. No hospitality. Meanwhile, the manager was standing there being incredibly attentive to the table next to us and never once checked on us. And the food? No flavor. No spice. The shrimp tacos were terrible, and the margaritas were basically straight sugar.

Marina del Rey has no shortage of good restaurants, and Dear Jane's certainly belongs in the…read moreconversation. Perched right on the marina, it offers a beautiful waterfront setting and, if you get the right seat, terrific views of the boats. Parking is easy enough: valet is $12, or you can use the public lot farther down Panay Way for a little less. Walking in, the restaurant immediately has personality. The host area almost feels like a mini art gallery, with eclectic paintings scattered around, while the bar to the right has a great, dark, old-school ambience. They also have a GREAT Happy Hour, a fact we were reminded of no fewer than three times! It runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The main dining room continues the moody, slightly quirky seafood-house feel, with the real star being the wall of windows overlooking the marina. Unfortunately, I enjoyed almost none of that view. Our table was at the bottom of the entrance ramp, and I willingly took the worst seat, leaving me with a terrific view of the front door and the backs of other diners. Sometimes being the gentleman has consequences. One completely unnecessary observation: I was not a fan of the waiter uniforms. I'm no fashion maven, but the black-and-white long-sleeve shirts gave me a strange sitcom-waiter vibe. Minor point, but I noticed it. Service overall was solid, although there was room for improvement. After a long day of golf, I was THIRSTY, and my water glass spent too much time empty. Cocktails from the bar were also a little slow at times. Speaking of cocktails, they make a good drink. I enjoyed a properly filthy Ketel One martini, although no blue cheese olives, which, in my world, is a legitimate strike. The ladies loved their lemon drops, and the Smokey Jane, a smoky riff on an Old Fashioned, was also very good. We visited during Dine LA, which offered a prix-fixe menu. Two at our table went that route and enjoyed it, with the octopus appetizer receiving especially high praise. The chicken parmesan was also called out as excellent. They do use rich/heavy sauces on food items, like the Dine LA steak option. Another small strike: substitutions. The salmon came with rice, while one person wanted mashed potatoes. Our server explained that "the chef is not a fan of substitutions." Fair enough, although apparently the chef is perfectly comfortable with you BUYING a side of mashed potatoes. Such is life. I also later realized the table bread comes with a charge. I'm old enough to remember when bread simply appeared without requiring a financial decision. Dessert was mixed. The Dine LA brownie-and-ice-cream option didn't get much love, but my wife ordered the Bananas Foster, which was outstanding and easily the dessert winner. Our server, Courtney D., was personable, did a nice job explaining the menu, and even served as our table photographer. Bonus points. Finally, I went to the restroom before leaving and discovered they were out of paper towels. BOOOO. This resulted in my longtime friend flicking his wet hands all over me, which, between two old friends, was both predictable and apparently the only logical solution. So where do I land? The evening had a few flaws, but nothing damning. Good food, good cocktails, an interesting room and, assuming you don't voluntarily sit facing the front door, a beautiful marina setting. I'm at about 3.8 stars, which in Yelp mathematics rounds nicely to 4 stars. Would I go back? Absolutely. The food was delicious, the setting was enjoyable, and most importantly, it was a great place to spend an evening with good friends.

Attention Owner/manager of Dear Janes, There is a clear…read morereason why your review ratings are 3.5 sub-par! I took my brother, his wife and my wife out for his Birthday and our Anniversary. When I made my reservation online, I was asked if it was a special occasion, and I indicated as such! Even the hostess inquired and I told her the same. Perhaps some special little perks might be expected? Not a chance here! The service was slow and disappointing (waited 15 minutes before anyone greeted our group) and our server seemed either not to like our party, or he just dislikes his job! It was quite apparent. The guy who prepared our salads table-side was terrific and he obviously enjoys his job! Even the water guy was super friendly. The menu is quite limited with regard to fish selections, considering this is seemingly a seafood specialty restaurant. Dear Jane's also charges ten bucks for a small (un-fresh) loaf of sourdough! The best part of our dinner was the Shrimp Louie for two. The potato crusted sea bass I ordered was drenched in oily citrus dressing, which was just very odd tasting. My wife had the chicken parmesan which was decent. We ordered 2 desserts, of which our server "forgot to put in my order" (after I asked him what he recommended, which was the banana brûlée crepe). The "Birthday" dessert to my brother was a minuscule mango coconut pudding, and I commented to him, that must be the "complimentary" Birthday dessert. But of course they charged $15 for that as well! All reputable restaurants provide complimentary special occasion desserts! Common sense courtesy! $550+ for a dinner that included no appetizers and only two glasses of wine! I ate at Dear Janes when they first opened, and there was great anticipation of their success! Back then, the manager greeted our table, asked for our feedback, and was very attentive to our satisfaction! Not even close this time! There is a reason for the mediocre reviews, and the fact that this restaurant was at 50% capacity on a Saturday night. Bottom line, this restaurant is a total RIPOFF!! Icing on the cake was the $15 Valet. Our car was literally ten feet from Valet stand. Grossly inflated prices for above-average meals! I could have spent the $550 at Steak 48 or Maestros in Malibu! Very DISAPPOINTING experience! I dislike writing bad reviews, and my intentions in doing so are purely meant to encourage making the basic changes if you wish to survive in the restaurant business!

The Waterfront Venice restaurant is the perfect combination of great food, great vibes, great…read moreservice and great people. I live in the area and there isn't a better restaurant to experience on Ocean Front Walk. Their bar areas are fully stocked and moderately priced. Get there on the early side during the summer months. It's the go-to place and they fill up fast. Fran S

I recommend AVOIDING this place and not getting sucked into this tourist trap just cause it's near…read morethe beach. The service is REALLY BAD, it took almost 15min just to get a waiter/waitress (when the place was basically empty). When we finally got one (who I suppose didn't think telling us her name was important at all...), it was as if ordering food from her was a total inconvenience to her day when the place wasn't even crowded... The food was not very good either. The ceviche came out extremely fishy and when I told the server this she did not apologize nor try to make it right and gave us a ton of attitude, verbatim saying "what do you want me to do about it? They can't remake it; it's already made and is too tough for the kitchen to remake" - which tells me they are still feeding fishy ceviche to other people, which is alarming and she acted as if I should just eat it anyways... [this was a younger blonde girl in a hat] very strange behavior and extremely poor hospitality. The drinks are super watered down with too much mixer and hardly any alcohol. My girlfriend's fried chicken sandwich was super dry (she didn't finish it as a result) and my burger was pretty awful with little flavor (and very overcooked/charcoaled). The chicken dippers were ok, nothing special - super overfried to be honest (I guess the sauces were decent tho?). The french fries and broccolini may have been the best parts, which is alarming when the sides are significantly better than the mains (and even they weren't very good and had a TON of salt - the broccolini was the only thing we finished). The chips and guacamole were pretty flavorless and we left most of it uneaten. Overall, again, I recommend AVOIDING this place at all costs despite the appearance of a good ambiance just cause it's near the beach, as YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED and waste your money.

The hot dog is the star of the show, i honestly dont know why its not "world famous hot dog"…read morebecause it puts every single other hot dog to shame. I literally loveeeeeee

A fun little dive bar and restaurant that's perfect after a day at the beach. It's a local favorite…read morewith a great drink selection, and they're best known for their burgers. I ordered the World Famous Cheeseburger, and I'd give it a 6/10. At $12.50, it's reasonably priced, but I thought it was just okay. It lacked a bit of flavor and could have used more salt. At that price, I'd probably choose In-N-Out instead. The service was great, and the food came out quickly. I'd definitely come back to try some of their other menu items.

Came here craving garlic bread and somehow left emotionally attached to the customer service…read more The manager was SO nice and genuinely went out of his way to make sure we had a good experience. You can tell the staff actually cares instead of just going through the motions. Bartender was cool too and the vibes were immaculate. Good drinks, good energy, great service, and right by the beach?? Yeahhh I get the hype now. Definitely coming back.

My husband and I went here while on vacation upon seeing that they had the World Cup up on the TVs…read more Unfortunately we were initially told that they only had standing tables (bizarre, we were trying to eat). Hungry and with a lack of options in the area (everywhere was packed) we agreed to stand to order. Luckily, they brought out chairs within a few minutes. We ordered a bowl of clam chowder ($12) which came with bacon and sourdough bread. We thought this was just okay - I'm from New England so my standards for clam chowder run pretty high, and I wasn't particularly impressed with this one. It was fine though. We also got the fish taco trio ($21) to split. On the tacos were cabbage, chipotle, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese. You can mix and match between crispy cod, grilled cod, and shrimp. We got two crispy cod and one grilled. They came on corn tortillas which aren't my favorite but they held up decently well. It also had a small side of chips and salsa which was a nice surprise as it wasn't explicitly listed on the menu. I thought prices were reasonable for the area of Santa Monica and the food was okay. I would possibly go back if convenient, but I wouldn't rave about it.