Joe's Restaurant on Venice

Joe's - The Greatest Lunch Deal in Town

Joe’s on Abbot Kinney has always had the greatest lunch deal in the Fine Dining World. Entrees run $12-16, and they include either a soup or salad. His soups are incredible. Always vegan, and always a fine, silky puree. This one is butternut squash. All I really need for lunch is a slightly bigger bowl of soup, and a couple slices their dill bread with sweet butter and tapenade.

I had the porcini-dusted salmon, with a porcini puree and pancetta gnocchi. The gnocchi were little fluffy pillows with a piece of pancetta inside, and the porcini puree was creamy with an acute porcini flavor. My only gripe was that the salmon came cooked on the rare side of medium rare, and just to raw for my taste. I should have specified.

My notoriously finicky friend (but I am working on that - to great success, by the way) had the steak, which she said was incredible. Also cooked on the rare side of medium, but she enjoyed it anyway.

For $17 they offer a prix fixe lunch, consisting of three courses, and a $5 wine selection. What a deal. Swift, friendly service, elegant yet casual atmosphere, I always look forward to my next visit.

Joe's
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
310-399-5811