Chaya Venice

03/23/09

Best Ceviche

by fakhavan at Citysearch

So I only went to this restaurant once, but I am crazy about ceviche and get it everywhere that i can and their salmon ceviche was AWESOME. It was citrusy and spicy and tangy - i could eat it for days.

I got the filet mignon too taht was pretty good - I've had better (wasn't the fondest of the black truffle sauce), but it was still enjoyable.

We got paella too and it was quite tasty. It had a great menu. I'd def go back.

• Pros: Ceviche

11/08/08

Pathetic, overpriced

by BWAusten at Citysearch

If food matters to you, skip this place. It's incredible that they can get away with these prices for such mediocrity. It's too salty, too sweet, too heavy.. bad food from the 80's with 21st Century prices. Go to the Nook or Jiraffe -- this place is a big loser.

• Pros: Location, decent drinks
• Cons: Bad food, too high prices

02/29/08

Great Sushi, Great Atmosphere

by consultant35 at Citysearch

I was there on a Friday night with a couple friends and the place was packed. We were able to get reservations only an hour or so before arriving. Our reservation wasn't available right when we got there, so we had to spend 5 minutes or so in the lounge. Not a big deal, but a little annoying.

The service was great and the sushi was amazing. What I liked most about the place was the lively atmosphere. It was quiet enough to have a comfortable conversation with people at your table, but at the same time, you felt like it was the place to be. I would definitely go back again!

• Pros: atmosphere, food
• Cons: wait for a table

02/18/08

trendy and fun

by foodloversarah at Citysearch

This place is very trendy more so in santa monica than venice I would say. Our waiter was very attentive, but his suggestions were not that great, but when we told him that we weren't happy with one of his choices for an appetizer he took it off of our bill which is something that wouldn't happen in every restaurant especially in the LA area. Great sushi bar which hopefully I can take advantage of later, but easily could make a meal with drinks and appetizers from this place. Trendy looking inside and VERY busy with lots of people watching, and the waiter never rushed us from our table. We could have stayed all night, so service is a priority here.

02/17/08

losing it's luster

by kmh1124 at Citysearch

Serious time for a menu revamp! Sushi quality has gone south and the service - snot and a half. Flippant server, Safeway brand filet and hostess with no appreciation for customer service whatsoever. My mashers tasted as if they came from from a bag, unagi naggy spoils and did you ever hear of another Stella? I was bummed. What used to be such a rockin' joint just petered out! I never talk to a manger as I am one myself but this was BAD! Sacreligious even.Go to Chinois or Josie.

• Pros: easy to get in, usually pretty good if you order right
• Cons: service, noise, ambience, bad food high price

11/10/07

Trust me, you could find much better in this town

by oceanpark at Citysearch

To be completely honest, it was not the food that turned me off of this place, but the rude hostesses and servers. I have been here many times before and tried to give it a second chance more than once now and I don't think I will be back. Basically, they act like they don't need your service so do them a favor and go somewhere else. Maybe get take-out since the rolls are good.

• Pros: sushi, and happy hour prices if the damn hostess could actually seat you in time
• Cons: Hostesses

08/04/07

Great Lunch Spot

by fflterror at Citysearch

With no previous knowledge of Chaya, I stopped in for lunch with colleagues from out of town and we all had a great lunch. The service was excellent and the food was amazing. I had the Ahi Tuna Burger and my colleagues had the Bento box and spicy tuna rolls. We work in the beverage business and were quite impressed with the non-alcholic strawberry ginger mojitos. I am adding Chaya to my list of recommended places for friends and family.

07/22/07

ONE OF THE BEST HAPPY HOURS IN LA NO CONTEST!

by divineconnoisseur at Citysearch

Chaya is a great place to have a romantic dinner but, perfect for a tasty happy hour...vibrant and classy but, still low key and fun. Friendly service but, be prepared for the rush! The rolls are delicious and the alaskan king crab is extra sweet. If you sit at the sushi bar feel free to request custom rolls the chefs are extremely accomodating...they made several rolls for me that were not on the menu...it's best to get there before the big rush to avoid the wait since it is a popular place for the trendy Venice crowd. Highly reccommend for happy hour if you are looking to spend $ or for dinner if you are looking to spend $$$. I don't think I will ever tire of the Pineapple infusion and litchi martinis... :D

• Pros: First Class Happy Hour, Friendly trendy crowd, Cool Atmoshpere, Great Sushi or Dates
• Cons: Get's busy Quick! Pick a smart cocktail waitress!

07/18/07

Good happy hour

by njrfilms at Citysearch

The sushi during happy hour is a steal and always good. Once it bumps up to full price it isn't as worth it, as better sushi awaits elsewhere. Never tried the full menu.

• Pros: Great happy hour
• Cons: Sushi at full price isn't such a great deal.

06/18/07

Okay food. Trendy hot spot.

by chudjr at Citysearch

The food is just okay. Nothing amazing. The sea bass was good, the rib eye steak average, and the crispy butterfish okay. The place is loud. Lots of attractive people eat here. It took a long time to get our food. I don't think I will go again.