K: Kitchen 24

Overall: 3.6

Look, I love Barney's Beanery and all other party eateries in WeHo/HW, but sometimes you just want to have brunch without catching an STD. Jokes aside (I'm not joking - have you been to Barney's?) Kitchen 24 (kitchen24.info) is cut from a different cloth. Pristine white countertops and a bright room are always a nice surprise, especially in a neighborhood known for its nightlife. (Note: we were there at 3 p.m. rather than 3 a.m. when the bars get out and a DJ is spinning. So yes, you can probably scratch most of this paragraph.)

The bloody marys were hands down the largest I've ever gotten at a restaurant; I feel like it was a half gallon, respectively. The quantity over quality rule doesn't apply here - they were really good. And bonus: I learned Baltimore's nickname is "Charm City" when our MD-based bartender explained why he rimmed the glasses with Old Bay. So, add that to the useless info file in which I specialize.

I would absolutely come back here, and hope to someday in the near future. Breakfast served all day and night, full bar, DJ, dessert cocktails, open 24/7… the list of good things just doesn't stop.

1. Spice - 3.0
2. Complexity - 3.25
3. Garnishes - 4.0
4. Overall Taste - 3.75
5. Price - 4.0

Overall: 3.6

J: Joe's Restaurant

Overall: 3.1

Remember that guy you knew some years back... You’d heard rumors that he was amazing, and you thought he looked pretty good but you just weren’t interested in him. That is, until that day when you got drunk and finally hooked up with him and realized he was f-in amazing and couldn’t stop stalking him? Well, that’s what Joe’s Restaurant (www.joesrestaurant.com/) is like.

I’d heard from a number of people that this place was great for dinner and brunch, but until I tasted Joe’s for myself, I was not a true believer. Now, I’m obsessed.

Nestled at the top of quaint and hip Abbot Kinney, Joe’s provides the perfect ambiance for a laid back, but high quality Sunday brunch. For an average of about $17 (w/o drinks, that is) Joe’s brunch includes a tasty choice of appetizer (spiced milk and granola - mmm mmm), a hearty and delicious main course (huevos rancheros = good), and all you can eat of the most amazing banana bread with butter and jam.

Oh right – the blood marys: The bloody marys were ok. Our charming, ever present, waiter told us that the house recipe was great. Not sure I would completely agree with his assessment.
In closing, the blood marys were decent, but for brunch, Joe’s just might be the best I ever had…

1. Spice - 3.25
2. Complexity - 3.0
3. Garnishes - 3.0
4. Overall Taste - 3.0
5. Price - 3.25

Overall: 3.1