(abeautifullife) Jamaican Kitchen — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I came here for a Sunday brunch with friends, Lord it turned into Sunday dinner.

We arrived for our reservation on time, to notice there was line at the hostess booth. We wait about 10 minutes before we ask the person in front of us if were in the right line to check in. They told us the host was also bussing tables. We give it another 5 mins before I walk over to tell him we have all been waiting for over 15 mins to check in for reservations. By this point the line was even longer line behind us. Zero situational awareness.

So, he gives us two options for seating. Both tables sat 4, but we were a party of 5. One table we would have been crushed by the people sitting behind us, literally. The other table, at least gave us room to breathe, so we took that table. We weren't given any menus, but there was a single menu on the table that we passed around to each other :-/.

So to give you a timeline thus far, reservation at 315pm, it took about about 25 minutes after our reservation time to be seated. Another 15 minutes for a server to even greet us and ask if we would like anything to drink. We ordered everything right then and there because who knew when she would come back. I asked for water, that took another 15 mins, I guess she had to fetch it from a well. We also placed an order for 2 starters, meaning they come out first right? Well Another 30 mins goes by and our starters finally arrive. Mac and cheese, one with jerk chicken the other with lobster. Why the heck would you put all spice in Mac and cheese. Okay whatever. So, shortly after now our entrees are coming out. Mind you, we are a party of 5 sitting at a table meant for 4 and we were just beginning our starters with no space on this table.

So I had the oxtail ragu, the only saving grace to this place was the food, it good but it was not worth my time. An hour wait just to receive my food is unacceptable, esp if you're adding 18% off top in gratuity, and the service is poor. Then it's like turn that music down!! It's suppose to be restaurant so I thought. I had to scream at my friends to attempt to have a conversation.

All that to say, I will not be coming back. They claimed too much of my time esp...

Mediocre Food, Poor Service, and Small Portions ... combined with a Rude and Nasty owner is a recipe for disaster. I've had multiple bad experiences at this restaurant, but today was the straw that broke the camals back. This is quite possibly the worst restaurant I've ever dined at. The owner operates with the foolish mindset that she is doing you a favor because this is the only Jamaican restaurant downtown.. when in all actuality it is the customer that is doing her a favor by patronizing her restaurant. There are thousands of other restaurants in Los Angeles, no one has to put up with a delusional owner who serves mediocre Jamaican Food and doesn't know how to properly treat customers. That's probably why everytime I've been there it's always empty. This place is over priced and the food is subpar at best. Save yourself the trouble and drive to Inglewood for the best Jamaican Food. I'd be surprised if this place is still in business a year from now. It's always empty.

UPDATE: I see that the owner has responded and claimed that I never spoke to her. This is a complete lie! After my horrible experience today, I called and asked who owned this restaurant? The girl who answered said AJA and I asked was she there? She said yes.. and I asked to speak with you. The girl then questioned why I wanted to speak to you. After I explained that I had a complaint.. I was put on a brief hold and then another woman answered and said she was Aja. I asked point blank was this Aja, the owner? The woman responded Yes. After I started voicing my complaint you hung up in my face mid sentence! I have attached a screen shot of my outgoing call log to prove it. The number called is your restaurant. So don't lie and say you never spoke to me! No one verbally abused anyone. I'm allowed to call and voice my complaint about your over priced food that tastes mediocre at best! I paid $70 dollars for three orders of tacos the day before that was so bad that I got food poisoning. I've excused the poor service and food before but when I got food poisoning I wanted to make sure I called and informed the owner. However you hung up in my face!...

I was very excited after seeing amazing reviews on the food, drinks, and service and to support a black woman owned business. However, when I arrived for my friend’s very special 25th birthday, I was hit by a 18wheeler truck of horrible service, bad attitudes, and dishonesty. My friend booked a large party 2 weeks in advance and confirmed the booking on multiple occasions, including the day before. The day of my friend arrived early to be seated, and the staff was very unorganized and gaslit my friend saying that her reservation did not exist and she booked incorrectly. We then heard another version from the manager of the store (who was likely overwhelmed and overworked —completely understandable for a new business), that the day before they had a large party that was very rude and overworked their staff and so a decision made to no longer host large parties. UNBEKNOWNST to us the day of when we’re coming to celebrate a birthday where over 20 people freed their schedules to attend and travel to the venue. This was absolutely unacceptable and rude to not update a customer on this “decision”. They should have honored our reservation or accommodated in SOME way. Instead they refused to accommodate in any way and wouldn’t let us sit inside when tables opened up. We were forced to sit outside in the hot sun, and were constantly ignored by the manager who consistently avoided us when serving other tables. The lack of communication was incredibly unprofessional. It was as if these people had never been to a business before. This is NOT how you treat people! Especially new customers! Despite their absurd behavior we remained patient and did not cause a scene, but still could not receive service for food. This was a heartbreaking experience especially for our friend who is also a very hard working Jamaican woman who wanted to support a black owned, local business for a significant milestone birthday. What a waste and a...