Had heard great things, but it all came at a great price for average service.

I always expect to get what I pay for & if out for dinner love to sit back & enjoy the evening. Admitidally, we booked for 8.30pm (late I know for US standards, but I'm a British exception!), service was slow when it needed to be faster (how long does a Kir Royale take??), but too fast when it needed to be slower (no sooner had we finished 1st course than our freshly prepared??? 2nd course arrived) & by 11pm staff were waiting to usher us out of the building. If you've got cash to burn & want to eat nice food in a hurry then this is for you, if not, I'd look elsewhere.

Four of us visited Josie for dinner last Sunday, our reservation was at 6:45pm, the restaurant was half full, valet is $4.50. After we were seated, we saw Jill Davie working behind the counter of the open kitchen. A first glance of the wine list indicated that it's well put together with some rare bottles as well as some nice California selections, the dinner menu also has plenty to choose from, we decided on 4 appetizers, 4 entrees, plus a bottle of pinot and sparkling water, the restaurant was not busy on a Sunday evening but the service was sluggish, when took our order, our waiter Steve did not ask how we would like the venison and lamb cooked.
When the appetizers were finally served, one order was mistaken and was sent back; the quail and rabbit pappardelle ($16 each) was just average, the chef inspired soup du jour (heirloom tomato) at $14 tasted bland, the mistaken order, the special two way white salmon arrived last and is obviously quickly put together and way too salty, what a disappointment!
We still have high expectations for the entrees, alas the venison ($36) and lamb ($34) were nothing out of the ordinary and the presentation is "country style", the beef short ribs ($29) is again way too salty, the halibut ($30) is fresh and perfectly seasoned, the only dish that pleases our palette tonight. Nothing strikes our fancy on the dessert menu.
Josie, a casual smart restaurant with spotty service, average taste and fancy price tag, would we want to return again? Very unlikely in a gourmet town called Los Angeles.

While on business traveling to Santa Monica I was watching the FoodNetwork (being a big fan of the station). They were doing a competition that featured Miami cuisine. One of the competing Chef's was Jill Davie. I recognized her from the show Date Plate. They mentioned she was Chef de Cuisine at Josie in Santa Monica. I checked out the restaurant's web page and made online reservations for the night before I left.

I arrived about 20 minutes early to my reservation time and was told my table wasn't ready but I could wait at the bar. After placing my cocktail order, the bar tender and I were discussing why I was in California (apparently he picked up on my southern accent). I told him I was originally from Kentucky, but now living in Nashville, TN and my story of seeing Chef Davie on the show. He mentioned that she was there that night, and he would go and get her so I could meet her.

Chef Davie spent about 10 minutes talking with me at the bar while I waited on my table telling me stories of traveling through Kentucky and her upcoming show on the FoodNetwork. She made a couple of recommendations but I had already had my heart set on a couple of choices I saw on the menu while perusing their webpage.

After being seated, my order was promptly taken. To my surprise, Chef Davie sent me out (pro bono) the appetizer of the day which was a cold tomato soup. Absolutley wonderful. It was served with an eggplant and salad on top with a crostini covered with goat cheese. It was simply delicious. I had already ordered the mushroom sandwhich so I only ate about half of the appetizer, but wanted to finish it all. The mushroom sandwhich was to die for. It was filled with large chunks of wild mushrooms and had a very hearty flavor. My entree was the buffalo burger. I must say, I was imagining a dry burger (having heard that buffalo is lean and can be dry). This however was the most succulent and flavorful hamburger I have ever had (including beef burgers). I could easily switch from ground beef to ground buffalo if it all tasted as good as this burger. The truffle fries where fresh from the fryer and nice and hot. Plus, the aroma of truffles was heavenly.

Cheff Davie came to check on me after my entree to which I quickly praised her for such a wonderful meal.

On my way out, I waived at Chef Davie (you can see into the kitchen as you enter and leave). She proclaimed (Ya'll come back now ya hear!).

I was showered with hospitality while visiting, and the food was so fresh and flavorful that I can't image eating anywhere else the net time I visit Santa Monica. However, the next time will be on a Wednesday when they have a sample of entrees prepared by the Chef based on the ingredients found that day at the farmer's market.

This is a definite must try whenever you are in Santa Monica.

I went to the Josie restaurant for a birthday celebration.

2424 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica I read somewhere that it was listed as one of the best 25 restaurants in LA. Did they pay to get in that list…? It was a big mistake

The owner Mr. Delzio that took food order (and conveniently not the wine order) and was on the pompous side. We ordered wine from the waiter; a $38 bottle of Merlot. Mr. Delzio came with his superior attitude to present the wine, and serve it. At the end we were surprised to notice $85.00 charge for the wine. We told the owner that it was a mistake and that we specifically ordered a $38.00 bottle of wine, since we are not wine connoisseurs and price is a consideration for us when ordering wine. The owner insists that we were at fault and argued that he presented us with the bottle and therefore it is our responsibility. What happened to 'the customer is always right…' ?

I just had a de'je'vou I went to Josie with a date a while back, he ordered $25.00 bottle of Shiraz, and was surprised to see a charge for $110.00, for the bottle Upon checking the wine list he noticed that the $110.00 bottles were listed under the $25.00. Being a gentleman that he was he accepted it as his own fault What a coincidence...

In general, a bad experience. The only good thing were the short ribs. The salad was mediocre, the service slow, the owner arrogant, and the $9.00 banana Desert tasted and looked like soup.

Do yourself a favor and avoid this restaurant