Was in town for a show at the Baked Potato (fantastic jazz venue). Someone recommended Verse as worth trying, due to the unique element that this former recording studio with excellent acoustics had transformed into a fine dining restaurant with live jazz accompanying your meal. One of the desirable facets is that the music is supposedly not obtrusive, to the extent it does not affect one's ability to carry on a conversation while dining. Well, that went out the window fairly quickly. Upon entering, I learned that there is no live music on Sunday nights. Only a DJ who was spinning r&b/ soul, not jazz, at a volume that was way too loud. It was intrusive and essentially ruined what was supposed to be a really nice dinner. The food was okay (7/10), certainly not bad but not incredible. It's a shame because the space itself is absolutely beautiful and the service was top notch, almost to a fault, in that my server came around a few times too many, but that is certainly light years better than the opposite. The Sunday night thing must be somewhat new because the food menu is limited with several regular menu items omitted. They were out of one of the mocktails I was interested in trying, as well as one of the desserts, which was another thing I wanted to try. So take into consideration no live music, dj playing music at a too loud volume level, missing items on the menu, out of other items, and you pretty much have a verdict of Don't dine at verse on a Sunday night because it is an absolutely compromised experience. It's a shame and to be honest I'm not sure I would try them again under normal circumstances. Oh well, what's that they say about the best laid plans? read more

Usually I'm disappointed by the food at fancy restaurants but this one truly blew me away. All of the food was so delicious and the service was great! I enjoyed the jazz music but at times it was a bit loud. However, this is quite literally one of my favorite restaurants i think i've been to ever. roast duck - 9/10 lamb pasta - 10/10 roast beef - 8/10 milk bread with brown butter - 9/10 nigiri - 8.5/10 read more

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* Update based on the below response* Numerous things to point out here. First, we received a text message on the way confirming that we will still be attending. We confirmed that we were, didn't receive any calls or texts back when we were on the way. A restaurant that requires a credit card to book, btw. Second, though we arrived at 6:15, we were aimlessly looking for parking for over 15 minutes, eventually giving up and parking in a loading zone. Third, I cannot believe that I am being told that there was "no choice but to seat other customers." If you are booked over a week out, how are customers walking in to try to snag a table? They're just trying their luck and somehow, someway, at 6pm on a workday, someone walked in and took our table within 9 minutes? As we saw when we waited in the loading zone, plenty of parties left as we scrambled to look for another reservation at a different restaurant. Not only could the team have told us to wait 10 minutes extra (which we would've been happy to do since parties were leaving) instead of pointing us to an empty bar, but they could have been a liiiiiitttle more accommodating when they saw the note on the reservation saying "WE JUST GOT ENGAGED. THIS IS OUR FIRST NIGHT OUT TO CELEBRATE." My fiancé went out of his way to book at your restaurant, to give you business on our special night. But the alleged claim "restaurant that focuses on customer service" couldn't be anymore misrepresentative of what we experienced. I hope no one else has to experience what we did in the future. read more

Hands down the best live music and food spot in LA! The service is attentive, the ambiance is incredible, the live music is the best in the world. read more

Absolutely amazing experience here at Verse. The atmosphere is incredible and they have live jazz music the dimmed atmosphere adds to the experience especially if you're out with a significant other. The food was great as well as the service! Will definitely be coming back ! read more

Cute hidden gem in Toluca Lake, the atmosphere is very sexy with a beautiful lay out. They have live music and the service is not bad...(Was I impressed not really ) but it did the trick. The parking here can be a bit tedious as it Is Street parking, not sure if they offer Valet on busier nights as I came on a Tuesday. We started off with some drinks and the Hokkaido Milk Buns. The buns were very tasty and were rightly paired with some brown butter, the drinks on the other hand needed some work (Whiskey sour& Espresso Martini) myself and my party were not so happy with the drinks. We ended up ordering the Aged Yellow Tail Crudo , Peruvian scallops as our starters and those were divine the yellow tail was so flavorful we had to order two! We proceeded to order the Mushroom Linguini and the Australian Wagyu Filet with a side of roasted corn. The mushroom linguini was simply perfect every bite full of flavor, the wagyu was not my favorite but the fried yucca it came with and Shishito peppers to me where the best part of the dish, it was great idea to order the roasted corn soooo soo good. Overall a good experience 9/10 I would come back :) read more

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We recently experienced Verse LA for NYE. Obviously with it being the holidays you're going to get a little more but it was everything we expected! Chef Oscar not only displayed an amazing menu but provided great hospitality as well. Great hostess, great attendants (don't like the word waiter) and great experienced bartenders. I requested a penicillin which isn't typically on a menu and as I know ginger honey syrup isn't on hand either but the bartender gave me a heads up of what they can do and it was great. Pictures don't lie! We'll for sure be returning. Also I'm from NYC - so live music, coming from Blue Note and The Vanguard was a plus! read more

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Ambience was beautiful the restaurant was amazing! Music unbelievable! The food is good but nothing crazy special. I would come back maybe. However, the overall experience was pleasant, and the staff were friendly and attentive. It's a great spot for a casual night out, but I might prefer to explore other options for a truly memorable Meal. read more

The ambiance was warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening with friends or a great date night. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Every dish looked like a work of art. Been here a few times and the drinks are amazing. Service was attentive and friendly. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys great food in a stylish setting! Loved the live band. read more

Only come here if you want spend a perfect night with great music and food! Went with some girlfriends on a very busy Friday night. We had a last minute change to our party size, the front of house team went above and beyond to accommodate our changes and sat us at a beautiful table near the live band. The food in the expanded menu was excellent. We ordered the Peruvian scallops, the Ora King salmon, famous milk buns, tiger prawns, crab campanelli, branzino, braised beef, roasted carrots and broccolini to share and each dish was better the one before. Our waiter gave us detailed wine and food recommendations and was very patient when we split the final bill. The service and ambiance were impeccable, I'd recommend this wonderful experience to anyone looking for a wonderful celebration in LA! read more

This is my newest favorite spot! There is absolutely nothing I don't like about this place. Everything from the food to the ambiance to the service is impeccable. I highly recommend the Hokkaido Milk Buns, Peruvian Scallops, Prawn Tostada, and Maple Leaf Duck and I would promptly order each and every one of them every single time I come because they are truly that good! Definitely looking forward to our next meal here. read more

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A true valley gem! I've been there a couple of times and have yet to be disappointed. The food is great, different and tasty. The live music is a plus and can never go wrong with the service. Look forward to my next visit. read more

Made our reservations months in advance and planned a trip down to SoCal with flights from SF with the intent of trying Verse. Our group of 5 was really looking forward to the guest artist scheduled to perform for the night we'd be there and I get a call a day before canceling our reservation for a private event. Extremely disappointing. read more

Verse - Reservations Canceled - Seafood Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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The fact that I've past by this establishment numerous times and never noticed it is so shameful. We had an awesome couple's night and enjoyed every bit of it! Amazing live music, delicious food, great service and such a vibey atmosphere!! We got so much to share since everything sounded so good. Milk buns, tuna tostada, hamachi crudo (I was literally drinking the sauce with a spoon, that's how good it was), branzino, quinoa salad, wagyu steak and broccolini. For sure a great place to indulge in some quality food once in a while. Can't wait to be back! Ps. Forgot to tell you about the olive oil cake for dessert heehee read more

This is by the best LA dining experience I've ever been to. Bonus points for live music!! Visiting from Bay Area we were truly wow'd on every single course. Holy moly what a flavor adventure. Truly an incredible fusion of foods from so many cultures. Dark and sleeky fleeky restaurant perfect for a date spot. Must try!!! read more

Verse - Seafood Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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I was here yesterday with my friends and let me tell you that food and the service were amazing. They also had professional valet service with a very nice driver . I felt more comfortable not having to look for a parking. Great place and atmosphere. Definitely coming back! read more

This place is the real deal! Amazing ambience and music. Always a great band playing with the most killer sound system in the valley but also not overwhelmingly loud which is major key for a swanky dinner. The service is top notch. Great staff and service. The food is extremely well prepared and thought out. My favorite was the albacore and milky buns. I could eat em all day! No valet when I went on a Monday but plenty of street parking. read more

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We can only bring a little attention to my new beloved. I wish I could keep Verse in my pocket and keep the impeccably dressed staff (the host had a three-piece suit, with matching pocket square and tie) a complete secret. I regrettably and publicly must admit the libations are STIFF, the Wagyu tartare is to die for, and the band Katalyst was incredible. Singles at the bar are laughing, birthday gatherings are stirring, and couples are coupling. Multiple microphones hang from the ceiling recording the live sessions. Please don't share this spot. read more

Me and my husband absolutely love this place!! It was our first time after finding it on yelp after reading a lot of recommendations, and it did not disappoint! and we are planning on making it a habit to come at least once a week since the ambiance, service, food and drinks are absolutely phenomenal!!! There was no valet parking so the parking was a bit challenging, however there are a lot of meters on the street and in the evening it's usually free so even if you park nearby it's only a few mins of walking, it's an industrial place so there's usually plenty of parking. The place is like a hole in the wall type of place, it's like a hidden gem, once you walk in you will be amazed! I love that the hype is usually by a local crowed that keeps coming to this place and keeping the quality high. There is live music, very soothing jazz, great ambience, romantic intimate lighting, and it's not too loud, absolutely perfect! We've had: The smokin' old fashioned- 10/10- great presentation and flavor!! Call from Tokyo- 6/10- a bit strong and overpowering for us, but might be good for others, to me it felt like it had a bit of an aftertaste. M.A.A.D city- 10/10- delicious and refreshing!! Malamente- 10/10- great flavors! Seared albacore tostada- 6/10- I personally would substitute the overpowering corn tostada with a different tostada to make sure the corn won't overpower the fish, and add lemon or some sort of citrus to compliment the fish Salmon belly- 1000/10- one of THE BEST dishes we've had, beats plenty of high end sushi restaurants we've been too, this dish was phenomenal, perfectly made, and we will continue ordering it every time. Maple leaf duck- 10/10- cooked to perfection! My husband loves duck portions and if you're a duck fan you should definitely try it!!! The mash potatoes were creamy and delicious Braised lamb pasta- 10/10- wow wow wow, so much flavor, made to perfection!! Oyster mushrooms- 10/10 amazing add on to both our entrees!! Raspberry puff pastry- 10/10 came with ice cream, delicious cloud like pastry, the ice cream was very unique, it was an amazing finish to our dinner, we got two espresso shots along with it, espresso is a bit bitter, but it balances your dessert if it's what you'd be looking for. Can't recommend this place enough! Definitely give it a try! read more

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Food is amazing and service was great. My wife and I went on a double date with another couple and it was perfect. Truly a gem in the valley. Such a beautiful location as well. read more

Get the milk buns and The corn side dish because Damn, best elote* *like the fanciest elote ever. So tasty, it was the rave of the table. Along with the caviar cheesecake which was so decadent and delicious. Drinks were on point and the ambiance was lovely. read more

Went to verse on a girls night out trying somewhere new the food was delicious the ambience was great having live music was awesome and you would not know this from looking through the outside very plain nondescript building the name of the place restaurant is not even on the outside very pleasantly surprised when I walked in. The food was delicious especially the braised beef so tender so delicious I had never heard of kale sprouts but they were delicious so many flavors a bit spicy for me but I could not stop eating them when I read the reviews it was about these buns I want people to stop with these buns These are nothing but regular rolls stuck together even though they are good most roles are because they were nice and soft and served thank God with very soft butter I don't know why people bring cold butter where you almost tear up your bread but they do did not the presentation of the food it was very nice. They give the food all these special hard to pronounce names for just good food that you are used to eating but I guess that's with these high price exclusive looking restaurants to do so we had to ask about everything but that was OK the bartender makes very good drinks I had a lemon drop just the right amount of vodka and sugar on the rim Definitely a place to try clean bathroom everyone knows how I am about a bathroom very dark in the area where you wash your hands not sure what that was about but awesome place I cannot wait to take my husband there because it did have a very romantic vibe even though us girls went. We had a great waiter I'm sorry I forget his name Matthew I believe it was he knew everything about the food and explained every question we had regarding it. My only negative which is why they have four stars is that the dish washer machine or the dishwasher person is not doing a very good job on cleaning the silverware we had to change our dirty silverware that we had not used I believe it was three or four times and I mean very dirty Already sitting in the napkin nice and pretty and not clean but of course they changed it out gave us a new one whenever we brought it to their attention to things happen but that's why I know five stars I can't wait to go back and let my husband try this beef he just may be mad at how small it is.... He is a big guy and he likes to eat read more

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The vibe is so lovely and amazing. You sit in front of an amazing jazz band, and the place is perfectly designed to match the concept. The food is amazing - so good and with special dishes. The cocktails are professional, and the service is VIP. I'll definitely come back! read more

Great ambiance and great food. The salad is a must have . The cocktails aren't sweet which is a nice change . The live music was so nice . The band , the singer, all great. Service is nice and quick . read more

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We were so happy with our visit. All the positive reviews are true in that the drinks, food, ambiance, music and service are top notch. Yes, maybe on the pricey side but we didn't mind since we couldn't remember the last time we went to a restaurant and weren't annoyed with something. Maybe the music was a bit loud but we could still talk to each other. Our charming server Ireland provided us with great suggestions and amazing service. Only complaint was the wine list was ridiculously expensive so we brought our own nice bottle with a $50 cork fee, also on the high side. The place has a great vibe. read more

Phenomenal rolls, I loved those so much. Would recommend the lamb pasta, it was delicious. The caviar cheesecake is to DIE for. The staff was kind and made adjustments for our party which was bigger than expected. Great vibes, loved the live jazz, wish they'd play more though. read more

Verse - Olive oil cake, caviar cheesecake - Seafood Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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My fiance and I came here for Valentines and had the most amazing time!! The ambiance, music, food, and service was absolutely perfect! We cannot wait to come back to enjoy another romantic evening listening to incredible music and eating delicious food!!! read more

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My boyfriend and I decided to look for somewhere new to try. He picked this restaurant and let me just say what an amazing choice! I love how subtle the this restaurant is. Not only is the decor simple but it's so elegant. We were a little late but the gentleman greeted us with a smile and we were seated right away. I loved the Latin music and the quick interchange with live music, it was such a nice touch! My boyfriend got an old fashion which he enjoyed very much and I got the Moonlight Sonata. I like the drink but it wasn't my favorite. I Look forward to trying the Paloma next time. Our server was amazing I wish I remembered his name but he was they sweetest person providing us with great suggestions. We decided on the Apple Salad, the croquettes and the seared Albacore tostada. Sooo so good! The apple salad was so refreshing. The seared Albacore tostada was so tasty it almost reminded me of ceviche. The croquettes were just mouth watering. I love cheese and the chicken combined with the sauce that comes along side. It's not an overpowering taste and I love that these bite size plates really gave you so much flavor without making me feel full. For our main dish we ordered the 30 day aged Tomahawk. Now let me just say, it's a pretty penny but my goodness it was incredible. The first bite just melted in my mouth. So amazing! The combination of the steak with the Bone Marrow and charred Serrano was too good. You know the food is good when everyone is silent at the table eating away and that was me! The steak is good enough for two people especially when there is still dessert. I will definitely be returning to this place! It's honestly one of my top 5 favorite spots. I have not had amazing food like this in a long time. I can't wait to see it thrive and open up more locations along the way! I took mostly videos of my food, so I'm going to just put screenshots up here! Hope you all enjoy while visiting this place! read more

Verse - Seafood Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

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We celebrated our 6 year anniversary here and it did not disappoint! The espresso martini was delish and the old fashion was presented beautifully. The pork belly risotto and the Applewood New York steak were both 10/10 but what really stole the show was the Dungeness Crab Campanelli ! the torched uni ontop was simply divine. The service was also spectacular along with the live jazz band. read more

Just AMAZING!!! We were there last night and valet guys were very welcoming and absolutely great service. The restaurant was very high class and chic place. Staff were very friendly. Planning my birthday soon. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed dining at Verse. It's mysterious yet warm ambiance combined with the perfectly crafted menu serves the clientele a truly special dining experience. Worth mentioning is the phenomenal live jazz performance which gives the place soul and life. Delightful service from Nate was highly appreciated. The A5 tartare and yellowtail crudo were packed with flavor and creativity. The showstopper was the lobster squid ink tagliatelle. This dish totally blew me away with its rich flavors and attention to detail. Verse is easily one of my staple restaurants in Los Angeles. read more

Verse - A5 tartare and yellowtail crudo - Seafood Near Me - Toluca Lake, California

This is such a nice place me and hubby came For his birthday and overall was a great experience read more

The good was great but the ambiance and music was even better. Highly recommend for a date night.

The most unassuming, lowkey spot on Lankershim. How did I not know about this place? Checked this place out on a weekday and was thoroughly pleased. I'm a sucker for live music and this place was it. They nailed it with the ambiance. Our waiter was super attentive and always checked up on us at the right times. I will be back to try other items on the menu! There's plenty of parking on the street as I don't believe they have their own lot. read more

I cannot say more good things about Verse. This restaurant is honestly a gem and such an experience! Chef Oscar Torres is such a talented chef and he has created a diverse and unique menu while still maintaining a sense of comfort. The cocktails are all fantastic and the bartenders are so knowledgeable and will make sure you are enjoying your drink. The service is remarkable, I have had the same server both times I've been and I wish I remembered her name but she was fantastic. The live music and the ambiance is beyond! A restaurant that has live music every night is so rare to find and it really brings the whole experience together. Definitely recommend! read more

We can't say enough about the incredible evenings we shared with our family at Verse over the holidays! The moment you walk in the restaurant you feel the music and the overall vibe of just cool! The staff warmly greeted us and seemed genuinely happy to have us. We had a lovely table both times, and our little ones were given vip service! Every bite of every dish was a culinary delight! Chef even came by the table to engage with us and discuss his inspiration for the menu in detail. The food was quite special, every meal had a unique twist and the flavors were over the top amazing! Milk buns melted in our mouths, steaks cooked to perfection, pasta dishes packed full of so many savory flavors, and the tuna tostada rocked our world! Morgan was attentive and kind all evening as our server, not one bit rattled by the busy pace. Hannah, on our second night, also shined as our server, what a bright and engaging lady, her understanding of the menu and wine list was impressive as well! To top it off the music was the best! Not too loud but talented people definitely set the tone for a laid back atmosphere! We will definitely be back to verse without a doubt! read more

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We love Verse! Such a unique gem. The food and cocktails are great, and the live music nights really take it to the next level.

First: We really enjoyed our experience. This place is pretty damn cool. It's totally one of those "blink and you will miss it" type of places. I'm qualified to say that because I've lived in this neighborhood for almost 20 years and I've never even noticed the building itself. I believe our waitress told us the restaurant was about four years old... and I've literally driven past it 10 times a week and had no idea there was this little Lankershim gem just sitting there all this time. I found it by Googling "upscale dinner restaurant " I took a look at the website and decided that Verse would be a good spot for our one year wedding anniversary. It was a surprise that actually turned out pretty well. Second: The food. Yum. My wife had the Dungeness crab pasta and it was fantastic. Yes, I tried it too. I had the almond wood steak with Peruvian beans. The steak was great. The beans were a total treat. It came with two tostones on a lily pad that were ok at best. We also had the milk bread. Holy moly that was good!!! For a starter we ordered the oysters.... Welp. The presentation was great. Instead of the usual platter that comes on some version of a silver tray, these were served in a pottery looking, wide bowl with a selection of 6 or 7 sauces. All of the sauces were imaginative and tasty. I personally love oysters so I was excited to get my slurp in gear! I had 6. My wife had 6. We each had shucked shell bits to spit out with each of our 6 slurps. Not great. Oysters ruined. Off night for the relief shucker? Third: The ambiance. Romantic. Hip. Classy. Dark. Great when you need a good room to strike an arms deal or celebrate landing that promotion! Great acoustics. There was a live jazz band playing extremely well and at no time did it force itself out of the general, chill ambiance of the room. Very impressive. The best. Fourth: the staff. Kudos to the training manager. Every human that came to our table was efficient, polite, professional and confident. I'm mad at myself for forgetting our servers name, but she was fantastic. She knew about the place, was knowledgeable about the menu and at the end didn't force any extras because she recognized we were full and totally incapable of stuffing more chum down our gullets. Pro. All in all, a wonderful experience that had us pleased. Reserve your tables folks. This spot fills up quite quickly. read more

It was easy to make reservation and they were very accommodating. Ultimately chose this place because my daughter was flying into Burbank and I prefer to always make a reservation. My wife and I drove past it twice... very hard to locate because it's totally unmarked. They took us in early which was very nice, but they did place us at the table next to one of the only couples in the place. I tried to order a cocktail that I saw on the online menu, but it was unavailable. When I tried to order oysters I was told that I had to order all my food at once... there was about three times our waitress walked away from our table after telling me I couldn't have something I tried to order. I'm sure this place is a great date spot, but it wasn't for me. Oysters were great, the three house sauces were delicious. The braised lamb pasta was terrific! My wife's crab pasta was okay, but not as good as the lamb. read more

There are so few places that check off all of the boxes that make for a fun and memorable evening, but Verse definitely did. Parking is the only downside, as it's street parking only, but once you find your spot you're in for a fun night out. This restaurant is hidden behind a camouflaged all black painted exterior, so when you walk in for the first time it's an explosion of the senses. The room is filled with music from the live band, which includes all sorts of instruments, a live singer, the hustle and bustle of the crowd, and is visually very satisfying. The backdrop for the band is tastefully done and the tables and seating is set up to create a movement of energy that just swirls around the room. This is not your quiet romantic date spot, so if you're looking for some deep conversation, you might want to opt for another spot. This is your "let's create some memories" spot. The food was amazing from top to bottom. The drinks were perfectly made. The service was fantastic. Our server, Dawson, was so fun and so personable. He made sure that we had everything we needed and made sure to check in just at the right times. The room was filled with a beautiful blend of all different kinds of people who ended up dancing and laughing the night away with their neighboring tables. Restaurant closes at midnight, which could be a bummer if you've had a late start for your night out, but any amount of time spent here will make it worth your while. read more

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