Dear Jane's

Excellent seafood dishes in a comfortable setting. Good table service from our wanna-be actor waiter. Hostess suffered from new/overly popular restaurant syndrome, as she dealt with the expected overbooking very poorly as we ended up being seated 30 minutes after our reservation. But my biggest problem was the $50 corkage. Outrageous. Offering to waive it if you also buy a bottle is fine if you are four people, but not if you are a couple. And while the wine list is reasonably priced and has some interesting choices, it is also way too young. I'll say it one more time: Please stop trying to make all your money off of beverage sales. Charge a fair price for your food, because that is what I am coming to you for. Part of the pleasure of a fine meal comes from enjoying a bottle from my cellar, and when you charge such a ridiculous corkage fee you take away that pleasure, and then I do not return.

Nice space but the food is really disappointing. Went there with friends last night. My wife got the fish fillet and it felt like it was cooked in the microwave. The calamari was soggy and boring. I paid $45 for some black ink crab pasta and it was just flavorless. We got the mushroom appetizer and we could swear they were canned. My wife got a tequila cocktail called a Fonda that she left half empty because it was unpleasant. Decor is nice and the staff is nice. The wall of buoys is a cool feature. One issue was that the bussers kept trying to clear our plates before we were done, so we kept having to fight to finish apps and drinks. The bill was $500 for six people, before tip. If the place is great that's fine but this was not a menu that can command prices like that. Hopefully they can right the ship. It's only been a couple of months.

I’m giving this two stars instead of one because I love Josiah and am a huge fan of Dear John’s, but this restaurant is definitely a miss. The bar area is cute and I enjoyed my glass of Bordeaux, but it’s mediocre food at a high price tag. And, for the price, it’s not a “dining experience.” It’s an in and out. Also, valet was $17 in Marina Del Ray. Eye roll.