SOUL FOOD - I came to Joyce on a whim when I visiting LA and it was truly a cute find in DTLA!! It's right by a Whole Foods so there is free parking nearby !! I sat by the bar and had some shrimp and collard greens and a drink ! Everything tasted good just smaller portions !! They service was good . There were other patrons ! It was a cute vibe and look forward to coming back soon . read more

Joyce - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This was my first time having a finer dining southern meal, and sadIy, I found the service to be rather disappointing. When we arrived around 6 PM on a Monday evening, we were the only party seated at tables, with the other handful of guests at the bar. Despite the uncrowded conditions, our server was not the most attentive or detail oriented. We had ordered 3 entrees and 3 appetizers and were hopeful that the food would make it out on time before walking over to Crypto Arena. However, as our meal was winding down, we called the server over to cancel one of the entrees, only to find that he hadn't noted that we ordered it. Overall, the food was ok, but the poor service makes me a bit less inclined to visit again. read more

This place was super cute. It's a great date or special occasion spot! The service was fantastic, and we felt very well taken care of. Here's what we ordered and loved: - Raw Bar: Peruvian Scallops were delicious; Colossal Shrimp were good but not truly "Colossal" - Nashville hot fried catfish - best choice we made! so good. - Edisto Island Cornbread - MUST TRY and hear me out ... add a dash of the green hot sauce. You're welcome! Mocktails - "Smoke and Mirrors" was super refreshing and "Gussied up" tasted like an espresso martini! Now, if you grew up eating soul food, like me, I do have some notes. - the Sunday Greens are just ok. They needed a little more seasoning unfortunately even after we tried adding a little salt. - seafood gumbo - similar to the greens, there was some flavor missing there unfortunately. Might give the greens another try, but think I'd try another dish over the gumbo next time. They still get 5 from me and I will definitely be back to try this one again!! read more

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Brilliant interior design and great collab with showcasing artist live weekly showcasing. However, despite the witty menu, the food was lackluster. Attended this eatery for the live showcase, great atmosphere but the service wasn't spectacular. Not attentive and the food was something I could've made better at home. The best thing I ate was the cornbread, everything else including the drinks was bland. Needs a new chef and serving staff. The host was the best service the entire event. I'd probably return just for the corn bread and the n/a beer only. Would not recommend the food unless you're hungry. Toilet is located next to kitchen. All in all, I like the inclusion and atmosphere. read more

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We were excited to try Joyce because the menu looked incredible! The servers were mostly friendly and the ambiance was nice. The food was ok but tasted a bit bland. The gumbo had lots of seafood which I liked but the flavor was lacking so I don't think I would get it again. Of the items we ordered, the cornbread was the best! read more

Joyce - Cast Iron Mac & Cheese Seafood Gumbo Smoked Red Snapper Fricassee Sunday Collards - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I've visited Joyce several times, but I was a bit surprised to see how long it's been, since I really liked the place. I invariably combine my visits here with a staycation in the area, and that was the case this time also. So I came for dinner and lunch on consecutive days. Joyce serves a seafood-forward coastal Southern menu. Its proprietors are Prince and Athena Riley and is named after Prince's mother. The original chef was Sammy Monsour from North Carolina, who I met in the past. The current chef (whose name I didn't catch) comes from Post and Beam, a now-closed soul food restaurant. The menu is largely the same as I remember, although the prawn and oyster perloo I enjoyed in the past is no longer offered. However, it was nice to see shrimp and grits, a fave go-to of mine, on the dinner menu as well as the brunch menu. I'd say both the lunch and dinner menus are more extensive. For dinner, I ordered the crab claw dip salad and the shrimp and grits. The dip was very nice and refreshing, topped with celery leaves and served with Joyce's signature cajun-fried saltines. The shrimp and grits were also great. I did notice the menu listed a fish veloute as an ingredient; this used to be a lobster veloute. I ordered the beignets for dessert. These were better than I remembered. Before, they were called pate au choux beignets and were on the heavy side, dense. Now they are much airier. They come witch dulce de leche and raspberry dipping sauces, I asked only for the raspberry, and it was nicely tart. There are more non-alcoholic beverage options now. My Olivia Spritz, a non-alcoholic Aperol spritz, was quite nice. My lunch order was a shrimp cocktail and the Nashville hot fried catfish plate. the shrimp cocktail is priced per shrimp and comes with a chunky creole cocktail sauce. Delish, doesn't have the horseradish kick of a usual cocktail sauce. The fried catfish I've had before on the dinner menu, where it's served with fried dill pickles and red remoulade. At lunch, you get non-fried pickles, a slaw and a side of fries or a salad, plus the remoulade. I asked the server if the serving size of fish is the same and he said yes, yet the lunch price is $1 less. I noticed, however, that I was charged the dinner price. Regardless, the fish was hot temperature-wise but not really spicy hot, which I wasn't upset about. The corneal crust was light. They used to have a banana custard pie, now they have a banana pudding that was very nice. Service was fine, although I must say they seemed short-staffed for both meals. I came at opening hours (11:30 am and 5:00 pm), and at lunch there was one woman who was prepping the restaurant, then became the hostess, then donned an apron and became the server and bartender. She handles the situation quite well but I was glad I came early. At dinner, the hostess turned out to be someone from HR. There was one server, and he too was experienced and fine. Overall still a fine place for Southern food. I'd like to do their brunch menu again someday. read more

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Absolutely loved the food here! The Chicken and Waffles was delicious. The breading of the chicken is what made the dish for me. Chicken was cooked to perfection and the waffle had a nice crunch to it. Oysters were good too. Service was OK. There were plenty of tables open but the host made me sit at the bar. The restaurant has a cute vibe too. I'd love to come back to get their Chicken and Waffles again. read more

Joyce - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I tried the catfish and grits--good overall, but it could use a little more seasoning. The chicken and waffles, though, were so flavorful and paired perfectly with the pecans. The biscuits with raspberries were soft and sweet and honestly tasted homemade. The fried green tomatoes were fried just right and came with a creamy sauce that pulled everything together. I also had the Nava cocktail and it was delicious! On top of the food and service, the restaurant is beautifully decorated with Afrocentric vibes that make you feel like you're dining at a family member's house. I'll definitely be back. read more

Service was amazing. I went for lunch so, I didn't worry about a crowd or busy kitchen. The decor was nice. My favorite was the beignets. The catfish was slightly over cooked in my opinion. I would have liked to have more flavor. Other than that, the food was good. I got the shrimp poboy to go. I haven't tried that yet. But, I believe it will be good. I'm glad I finally got to try this restaurant. read more

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Just went here yesterday for lunch and yes the food is good, but wow, the service was TOP NOTCH that took this to 5 stars. Kudos to Kingston and Nick for being kind, attentive, welcoming, and patient. Now the food - cornbread always a hit! Caeser salad the real deal with the boquerones. Mac n cheese hearty. Chicken and catfish great according to my lunch company. And the space is light and pretty with r and b music filling the room. Support this place! read more

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Went to Joyce Soul & Sea tonight around 5:30 with my bestie and BB. We started with several small plates and ended up ordering a mix of small and large plates to share. For small plates, we had the Edisto Island cornbread with whipped sorghum butter, the cast iron mac and cheese, and the Cajun shrimp hushpuppies. The cornbread was a standout -- sweet with crispy edges, and the butter paired perfectly with the smoked salt, which really elevated the sweetness. The mac and cheese was also very good: creamy, rich, and well-seasoned. For our main dishes, we ordered the Nashville hot fried game hen with biscuits and the Low Country shrimp and grits. Both were satisfying and felt true to the menu's Southern inspiration. We also tried cocktails and mocktails. The Mister Navidad margarita was the highlight -- the grapefruit flavor was refreshing and easily one of the best drinks of the night. The mocktail, Blackness in Bloom, was thoughtfully made and flavorful without feeling overly sweet. The one miss for me was the hushpuppies. I was expecting them to be sweeter and more flavorful, and they didn't quite hit the mark compared to everything else we tried. Parking is also a bit of a hassle -- definitely avoid parking in the Whole Foods lot, as you will get towed. Overall, the experience was definitely worth it. I would absolutely return and recommend Joyce Soul & Sea, especially for the cornbread, mac and cheese, and cocktails. read more

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I first discovered this spot through an IG post, and the music choice immediately stopped me in my tracks in the best way possible. Sunday brunch with a DJ? Say less. We ordered a variety to really get the full experience, starting with the oysters (4+ each) and yes, we added the caviar for an extra $9 absolutely worth it. Nick, our waiter, insisted we try the cornbread, and I'm convinced it was the star of the table. Sweet, salty, buttery, packed with flavor... just WOW. I'm still thinking about it. We also tried the burger, greens, grits, and an omelette so soft and fluffy it nearly brought me to tears. Perfection. Shoutout to Nick for the recommendations you understood the assignment. That cornbread lives rent-free in my head. Parking was easy with two lots across the street ($12 in one, $10 in the other). The DJ, the crowd, the energy--sexy, vibrant, and exactly the vibe. I'm only mad it took me this long to get here. See you very soon. I think I'm in love. XO, Nancy B. Ps, This is the longest review I've written. read more

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My husband and I came to celebrate our Anniversary. They serve us complimentary champagne. This was a nice touch. The host was welcoming and the servers were friendly and attentive. It was well decorated for the holidays and was cozy. It's not a big place. However it was really loud. Maybe it's the vibe but definitely to loud for us. Everything we ordered was delicious and unique; from the cornbread to the sea bass. The whipped sorghum butter with smoked salt & pepper for the cornbread was so good. It was our first time having that. The Vinny Smalls was amazing. It was a great blend of oysters, scallops, and shrimp cocktails. We chose the crab dip and that was amazing. Parking was difficult as it's on Grand Ave in DTLA. Luckily there's a parking structure across the street. I actually wished there was valet but the parking structure was cheaper. I would definitely return; especially to try brunch. read more

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We are so appreciative with 10 minutes notice we pulled up with about 12 folks with room for 20. We heard about the local on my own no business and wanted to give it a try and lend our support. It did not disappoint. Ambience was great. The level of service was amazing. The majority of the team really enjoyed their food choices. read more

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Joyce Restaurant in downtown LA is definitely worth a visit. I love supporting a Black-owned spot, and this one did not disappoint. We went for Lunch and ordered the seafood platter with scallops, shrimp cocktail, crab dip, and oysters, and everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The biscuits with gravy and strawberry jam were a standout, perfectly balanced between savory and sweet. We also tried the country potatoes and the crab and shrimp Benedict, which were both delicious. Drinks were on point too. We had two cocktails and a mocktail, and all were refreshing and well-made. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed, service was attentive, and the overall experience felt welcoming. Good food, good drinks, and good vibes. I would definitely go back. read more

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I love this spot! I love the vibes, the food and the staff here. I was visiting the area and saw this place near where I was staying and wanted to try it out. I really recommend getting the cornbread 10000/10 and their signature biscuit and fried chicken!!! read more

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Atrocious customer service our server Foster was egregiously rude , condescending, and unprofessional. My large party was elated to support a black owned business to celebrate my mother's birthday. It being our first time dining at Joyce we were unfamiliar with the menu specifically pertaining to portion sizes and cooking techniques. We were met with short and impatient responses. Our server Foster was so egregiously rude that he abruptly walked away mid order to another table and didn't return to complete our order. After flagging him down our order was completed. His attitude was inexplicably unwarranted as we hadn't given cause for provocation. Customers should not be subjected to such poor service and disrespect. As for the food I'd highly recommend the chicken rotisserie or fried and the catfish they were all very flavorful. The Gumbo had the tangibles to be delicious but lacked flavor. I'd say the same about the Macaroni and Cheese as well as the Greens. Adding a seasoning blend to each table could easily rectify this problem. Allowing customers to decide how much seasoning they would like to add to their food. Since flavor is subjective and varies from person to person. Nevertheless our experience was far from enjoyable. Poor customer service will always be the downfall of any business. He ruined my mother's birthday dinner. After paying $750 dollars we left feeling robbed of our time and money. read more

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Shrimp and grits were on my mind heavy! Looked at the menu ahead of time...I knew what I wanted. Stepped into this aesthetic welcoming ambience that fostered my comfort and was greeted by a warm-hearted host. It wasn't busy and gladly was okay with that. Might have came at the right time for dinner hours. Crystal served my table and she truly made the experience a cherry on top. She was so pleased to give a run down of the menu. Her positive energetic attitude elevated the experience among the attentive and nurturing spirit she showed. May I also add that Diego kept the water glass filled and every time he stopped by he had a genuine smile while pouring it up! My bubbly rose came. I am a sucker for a sparkling drink and holding the wine glass with my pinky up. My plate came and after the first bite I was like yep this is what I've been waiting for especially for someone who loves her grits. The shrimp and grits are always a perfect combo, it gives sweet and savory. Crystal extended her kindness by giving a treat of their banana pudding on the house. Everything was devoured! I advise to call ahead and reserve a table as the place is not huge. Its dim lighting and atmosphere is perfectly set to match a small civilized crowd. Thank you Crystal, Diego, the chefs and team! read more

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Came here on a Saturday for brunch around 12:30pm. It was a nice vibe, beautiful. We ordered the Edisto Island Cornbread, Cast Iron Mac & cheese, Nashville hot fried catfish and the Nashville chicken & waffles. The Cornbread was amazing 10/10. The Mac & cheese 7.5/10. The catfish 4/10. Unfortunately, it didnt taste like anything. There was no seasoning. If you add the sauce that it came with and hot sauce, 6/10. The chicken & waffles (I only tasted the chicken) 7/10. If you add the catfish sauce and hot sauce 8/10. The Lychee green tea was a nice touch In regard to parking, there's metered street parking or a paid lot across the street $9. I would definitely return to check out other brunch menu items and for dinner. read more

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The food was delicious. We had the catfish and fried pickles. This was seasoned very well. I absolutely loved this. My husband had the shrimp and grits. The grits was kind of sweet (we personally didn't like this). The shrimp was delicious and seasoned well. We had cornbread. At first it was just ok. But add the salted butter in top.... It was very delicious. I highly recommend you try this. The staff was welcoming when we walked in. And we got seated right away, we had a reservation. The waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We got our food in a timely manner. The place is beautiful. I loved the decor and lighting. It wasn't too dark. They have a patio outside too. I highly recommend coming here on a date night or with a group of friends. This particular night they had a DJ playing all the hits. read more

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Nice dinner at Joyce where a friend and I shared some old-school southern favorites. Cornbread was pretty decent. Not the best I've had but the spiced butter was superb and alone worth the price. Sunday collards came in a healthy portion for two people to split. They were good but could have benefitted from a little more flavor brought on by bacon, etc. A little something salty and fatty was missing. Maple roasted butternut squash was by far the best thing we had. I'd come back for just this alone. I'd break into Joyce in the middle of the night wearing a ski mask just to find the recipe. The squash coming in cubes on top of yam mash makes for an interesting texture with bold maple and bacon flavors throughout. Delicious and the reason for a 4th star at Joyce. Shrimp & grits were good too, but a little runny for my preference. The shrimp were seasoned wonderfully though. all this plus a Georgia Peach cocktail or two was the perfect amount for two. read more

Joyce - Maple Roasted Butternut Squash - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Special thanks to our server, Foster. He was so patient when it came to giving us time to place our order. Ambiance was amazing and the food was delicious. Everything ordered was a 10/10. Highly recommend. There is a parking lot across the street that doesn't charge much for parking and it's pretty safe. read more

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Elevated southern cuisine w a modern twist, great cocktails, solid, raw scallops and oysters on the menu. Everything we had were pretty good: the highlights were the scallops served with an acidic condiment that were excellent, and the caviar and creme fraiche dip you scoop up with potato chips. The overall dining experience was familiar yet playful at the same time. 4 solid stars, will be back for the rest of the menu. read more

Joyce - The duck, the oysters, the scallops - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I've been here a few times and it always hits. Their happy hour menu is a great deal with a lot of options from food to drinks. This Tuesday evening, sat at the bar top, but didn't have any drinks but I did go innnn on their small plates - chicken game hen, hushpuppies, Mac and cheese and the shrimp cocktail. Perfect size for one hungry person. The bartender Mario and the other gentleman (didn't get his name) were both helpful and friendly. Multitasking at its finest - taking orders; making drinks, prepping and talking to guests. A1 service. read more

Joyce - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Visually, the ambience doesn't scream either soul or seafood, but like their scrumptious takes on coastal southern cuisine, the thematics of the place are exactly what they desired to present as who they are. Very upscale causal vibe and appeal (bargain shoppers are not their target market) with a wonderful take on many southern delicacies that you're sure to enjoy with every menu item that you try. The staff is very accommodating, professional and friendly and they have a weekly R&B Sunday Supper party, as well as available for private parties. read more

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Food - 4/5 - We happened to stumble upon here on the way to another restaurant and was welcomed in by Chaz. He was so friendly and informed us that it was Happy Hour so we decided to come in here instead. They were having RnB Friday night and we were offered complimentary shots of champagne. We ended up ordering the Oyster Bienville and blue crab claw salad with Cajun fried saltines. Both were phenomenal! I hope to come back to try them during their brunch and dinner hours! Price - $$$ - The pricing is pretty standard for a lounge restaurant in DTLA. Some may find this to be on the pricier side of things but I do think that the price point to ambiance is proportionate. Service - 5/5 - The servers are so sweet and attentive. They really make you feel welcome and cared for. I really appreciate how quickly they refill my water and check in on us periodically. Ambiance - 5/5 - The ambiance is so chic and lovely, they have live performers that really get the vibe going. Location - 1/5 - This is DTLA so the parking isn't the greatest. You either need to know where to park for street parking or a decent lot. Just be aware that you may need to park somewhere and walk over. ____________________ **Note: Location rating does not affect yelp review, this is just for informative purposes of other patrons only. read more

If you are looking for Southern food that feels both nostalgic and incredibly modern, Joyce is the spot. Located right in the heart of DTLA, it manages to feel upscale and "vibe-y" without losing that essential Southern warmth. The Atmosphere The decor is stunning--think brass accents, deep blues, and an Art Deco-meets-coastal-soul aesthetic. It's perfect for a date night or a classy dinner with friends. The energy is lively, especially on weekends, but still intimate enough to actually have a conversation. The Standout Dishes Edisto Island Cornbread: You cannot leave without ordering this. It's a game-changer. It comes as a crisp rectangle with whipped sorghum butter and hickory smoked salt. It's basically dessert in the best way possible. Nashville Hot Fried Catfish: A must-try. The buttermilk marinade makes it incredibly tender, and the cornmeal crust gives it a perfect crunch. It's served with house-made dill pickles that cut through the spice beautifully. Murder Point Oysters: If you're a fan of a raw bar, these are super fresh and meaty. Pairing them with a "Mother of Pearl" martini from their zero-landfill cocktail program is the move. Gullah Geechee-style Kale: A unique and delicious twist. It's braised in coconut milk with ginger and lime--a refreshing departure from your standard collards. The Verdict The service is knowledgeable and attentive, and you can tell the kitchen (led by Chef Sammy Monsour) really cares about sourcing. It's "elevated" Southern that actually delivers on flavor. Pro Tip: Definitely make a reservation through Resy, as it fills up fast. Also, don't sleep on the beignets for dessert! read more

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The restaurant across the street changed their menu so we walked over to Joyce for brunch. The restaurant has a patio and indoor seating. Inside was comfy and inviting. Our group of four ordered a variety of brunch items: Nashville Hot Fried Catfish, Pimento Cheese Omlette, Nashville Fried Chicken & Waffles, Sunday Collards, Cast Iron Mac & Cheese, Curry Braised Beef & Sweet Potato Hash, Low Country Shrimp & Grits and Cornbread. Everything was good but our favorites were the catfish, braised beef and the cornbread. We ordered B-Y-O-SA Build Your Own Mimosa - bottle of bubbly plus your choice of frozen cubes: Orange, Pomegranate or Peach. However, the ice cubes melt slowly. They add a 4% service charge to each bill. Nick was our server. It seemed as if he was the only server. There were two other people that assisted in delivering the food. Nick did a great job. read more

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I was so impressed by the food - which is what will keep me coming back at any restaurant. A slightly elevated take on the classics without missing the heart and flavor. I got - shrimp cocktail, peach cocktail, chicken and waffles, and I smartly asked for a side of their chicken gravy. All were amazing, and I could have drank the gravy with a straw, and highly recommend pairing this with any dish. The atmosphere and decor were on point, and everyone inside seemed like they were having a good time. I cannot wait to take more people here. If I had to list cons: the cocktails are expensive, expect to pay $20 if you want a fancy drink. The rose/white wine was also served warm - so they need to keep their drinks in the chiller. Overall - will be having dreams of their gravy and food until the next time I come back. read more

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Wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable staff, very well naturally lit space with parking across the street. Food was delicious, would go again in a heartbeat. They put black pepper in the chicken and waffles and I feel like they brine the chicken. It was so good. Thank you Joyce! read more

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Wanted to give more stars but food was more like just above ok. Ambiance was nice and welcoming and the server provided good customer service even though it was rush hour and she was the only one on floor. Too bad I wish I could give them a 5. read more

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Came here on a Wednesday to celebrate my aunt's 80th birthday. The inside was very Vibey low-key and casual. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Our waiter "Foster" gave great recommendations. We were informed that the dishes are brought to the table as they are completed so if you order singularly, everyone may not get their dish at the same time. It's recommended to eat family style. The dishes we tried were: Nashville hot catfish 9/10 Regular catfish 9/10 Cornbread 10/10 Collard greens 10/10 Crab salad 8/10 Mac & cheese 8/10 Baby back ribs 8/10 Shrimp and grits 8/10 This meal was fantastic! I'm so glad I had the opportunity to try this place out for myself. I would definitely like to go back to try their brunch menu. My only CON was that we brought in a birthday cake to celebrate and was informed that there would be a "per person cake cutting fee", which is completely fine. (I called ahead to make sure that this was OK.) However, they brought our cake to the table in the bag we brought it in, so I had to remove the cake from the bag, open the cake box, take out the cake, put the candles on, light the candles and then we sang happy birthday to my aunt. Of course I then cut the cake and served it to my family. So what was the extra fee for??? Perhaps just to use their plates .... I definitely wasn't gonna make a fuss during my family's birthday party, but I thought this was pretty foul. read more

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So. I will begin by having to admit that today our initial visit, service was very slow. Hopefully by the conclusion of this review I can accurately gauge whether it's an anomaly or the standard. Parking is a bit of a challenge but they have a nice spin on traditional "soul food" dishes. I neglected to take photos of the food but we did order the cast iron mac and cheese as well as the fried chicken and waffles and the low Country Shrimp and Grits. I do want to return at a different time to compare, as I mentioned it may have been an off day. Don't get me wrong the food was good, but I would like to try some of the other dishes that I saw others devouring. So on this review I have to definitely give 5 stars for atmosphere and decor I have my eye on the short rib, whole market fish and game hen dishes. Looking forward to see how those are prepared read more

Joyce - Interior Booth View - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

As a southerner in California for decades, I can be quite particular about my Soul Food. Joyce elevates down home cooking without losing the "soul" that we love. The restaurant is warm and beautifully designed from artwork, choice of seating to the inviting bar. For eats, we decided to go family style so that we could try their rendition of shrimp & grits, corn bread, catfish, greens, mac & cheese & short rib hash. We thoroughly enjoyed the high quality ingredients and presentation. Standouts? The shrimp & grits was so savory as a lobster sauce is added to the gravy. The cornbread is decadently moist and cake-like, served with a butter & cracked pepper spread. The catfish was breaded to my liking, not too heavy and well seasoned. We rounded out our meal with their mimosas! A great bottle of sparkling wine is provided with the choice of peach, watermelon, orange and pomegranate juice cubes to choose from. I loved how slowly they melted allowing for multiple pours and great flavor distribution. I'll surely be bringing my country parents here when they visit for the holidays! A huge thank you to Forester who such a friendly and supportive server! read more

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Ambiance nice. Food so so. Let down were the small shot glass size water glasses. Lunch items not flavorful at all. The crab roll not flavorful nor the rotisserie game hen. read more

I wanted to start off by saying my experience at Joyce was mid at best. If I had to rate it, I'd give it a 2/5 stars . The food was cool, but definitely not worth the hype. The sides were honestly disappointing the mac and cheese and greens had barely any flavor and definitely needed seasoning. The chicken and catfish were the only things that saved it a little the seasoning on those was actually good. But what really dropped the score was the customer service. Our waiter, Foster, had a nasty attitude from the start. Not welcoming at all honestly felt like we were bothering him just by being there. He was short, dismissive, and didn't seem like he wanted to help at all. When my sister asked if the catfish could be cooked extra crispy, he just said, "It is crispy," with no effort to be polite or helpful. Like... okay?? You could've said that a whole different way. We ordered the rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, Nashville catfish, mac and cheese, and greens. Again, mains were decent, sides need serious help. The only real highlight was the atmosphere good R&B, nice vibe. But good music can't make up for bland sides and bad service. I wouldn't rush back. read more

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Had a great first experience at Joyce DTLA. Came here to celebrate my birthday with a happy hour and it did not disappoint. I love that they offer happy hour every day from 5-7 -- always a plus. The space itself is beautiful -- the pops of color and attention to detail really make it stand out. It feels vibrant but still inviting, and definitely photo-worthy if that's your thing. The happy hour menu has some great choices. I started with the Jungle Bird, which had a nice tartness to it, then moved on to their twist on a Manhattan -- easily a 5/5. For food, I ordered the mac & cheese, oysters Bienville, mulitas, and fried hen. I'd probably pass on the oysters next time, but the other dishes were delicious and the portions were generous for happy hour. Our server, Rob, made the experience even better -- friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. He broke down the menu for us and kept the vibe good the whole evening. All in all, Joyce is a solid Black-owned gem right in the heart of DTLA. I'm already looking forward to coming back for dinner soon. Highly recommend if you're looking for good food, good drinks, and good energy! read more

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Joyce in LA is a whole vibe. Fun, lively, good music, and a crowd that brings great energy. We came here for a friend's birthday and it was the perfect kind of spot for that buzzing but still comfortable, with solid service that kept everything moving. Service was great all around. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made sure we stayed taken care of without us having to chase anyone down, which matters when the place is popping. Food was also pretty good. I started with a freezer martini, which was solid and went down way too easy. For food, I got the blue crab salad and the Nashville hot catfish. The crab salad was fresh, flavorful, and a nice lighter option to start but the catfish was the star. Crispy, well seasoned, actually had some kick, and just overall done right. I'd come back specifically for that dish. Overall, Joyce is a dope spot that knows what it's doing. Great music, strong service, and an elevated happy hour vibe that really exudes Black excellence. Easy 4 stars and I'd definitely come back. read more

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The dining room is so inviting and elevated. The artwork and warm lighting take the dining experience to a whole new level. I brought a friend here for their birthday and we were TREATED! My favorites were the watermelon salad and Mac & cheese obviously! read more

Joyce - Cast iron Mac & Cheese (Small) - Southern Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Not a bad spot, it was really chill, everyone was nice. I had to have a drink immediately when I got there so I had the gold rush and another drink. Both had the same garnish. The mac was ok, cheese but it was ok. The game hen was good, no complaints about that. My favorite item was the most simple item which was the mulitas. Cool little place, I'd come back. I need to see if the other drinks have a different garnish. read more

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