Javier's — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Food - Javier's is one of the better high-end Mexican restaurants anywhere... when it comes to the quality, menu selections and taste of the food. They'd get 5 stars if the review was based only on that. But they are still a bit over-priced despite having great food... so 4 stars all things considered.

Atmosphere - the decor is nice and lots of booths, but it is an incredibly noisy restaurant based on the design of the restaurant itself. The music is often too loud - so much so that you have to talk loudly and almost shout at times to talk to people sitting at your own table. Since part of the seating area is "open air", there can also be quite a bit of traffic noise from Santa Monica Blvd - and there also seems to be a lot of flies during the summer.

Service - their biggest service issue starts at the front desk. The hostesses are not trained to quote wait times accurately - plain and simple. They frequently over-quote wait times (which I guess is better than the opposite), but my impatient father hates waiting more than 15 for any service anywhere, so every time they quote us 30-45 minutes for a party of 2... we end up going somewhere else in the mall.

Today we arrived at 3pm and were told a 45 minute wait. There were maybe a 1/2 dozen small parties who looked to be waiting ahead of us. So based on the size of the restaurant and the assembled crowd, I would have put the wait at 10-15 minutes.

The hostesses did invite us to look for open seating at the bar top. We went inside and saw at least 12 tables (that could seat 4-6 guests each) either ready to be seated or in the process of being cleaned). We revisited the host stand to confirm the 45 minute quote - citing the apparent numerous available tables.

We were told they were being held for reservations... the worst business practice of any busy restaurant. I pointed out the obvious, "You have two people here right now - waiting - and the other 20 or so people ahead of us here - right now & waiting - and empty tables... and your holding those tables for people who may or may not show up???" This concept was complete lost on the hosts and there is no apparent manager presence at the host stand to make the smart business decision of seating the guests who were physically there and waiting/ready to eat. Mind-blowing!

We decided to go to the less busy Italian restaurant next door and were seated immediately... right as my phone notified me our table was ready at Javier's (about 12 minutes after we originally checked in). Sorry Javier... you (your hosts) lost our business today.

Assuming you make it past the host stand, the other reviews regarding slow service are regularly true. The service at this place is hit or miss - largely depending on the server. Sadly... more often "miss" than "hit".

The cherry on top for me is - I read many of the 1 & 2 star reviews here. I didn't find a single owner/manager response, apology or other acknowledgement. Guess they don't care about improving their business execution and what their patrons are saying...

This place is a vibe! I've never been here when they were overbooked, so can't speak to the dinner rush, but there is a lot of seating here both indoor and outdoor. We usually get a table within 5-10 minutes, even without a reservation. Every seat seems intimate and a bit hidden (booths in particular, even when right next to another). The ambiance would be great for a date night.

Of all the times we've been here, the drinks are consistently great. Espresso martinis and margaritas are solid choices, but if you want a really delicious (and fun) time, go for the carajillo. They're the absolute best. Super smooth and pack a hidden punch, plus there's a nice cinnamon stick garnish and specialty ice cube.

In our last visit, we got really good drinks, per usual, and also some dinner after we were there for a bit. I got the trio de enchiladas del mar. Great, fresh seafood: crab, lobster, and shrimp. I wasn't super hungry so didn't eat much of the tortillas plus I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce. It wasn't necessarily bad, just a ton of it and I'm just more of a red or mole fan. I THINK my friend got the cabo azul - there was also a lobster enchilada and stuffed poblano. She really enjoyed it. Looking forward to coming back another time when we've got a bit more of an appetite.

There are a few reasons it doesn't get 5 stars, all taken together. Basically, I just feel like at this price point they could elevate some elements. First, sometimes service is a bit slow and a few people seem like they don't really like if you don't order food and are sitting at a table, even in off hours. I get that urge as a former server, but if we spend a lot on drinks and there are plenty of other open tables, you'd think we would consistently feel more welcome. The food here is also extremely fresh, but not as flavorful as you might expect at this price and in Cali for Mexican-inspired fare. Most people are nice, though, and I don't think you're really paying for the food so much as the atmosphere. Also, last time we were there, my friend's card got stolen and someone went on a VERY expensive spending spree at Saks. Not really the restaurant's fault, of course, but it happened within 30 minutes of us leaving and you'd think they would've cleaned up the table quickly. Just...

Amidst the festive ambiance of Javier's in Century City, our dining experience was nothing short of delightful. The holiday spirit enveloped the air, with groups reveling in the joy of the season, ugly sweaters and all. The restaurant buzzed, creating a lively atmosphere that complemented the warmth of the occasion.

Our group settled on a few items including the Arrachera steak, a succulent marvel that showcased the restaurant’s expertise in grilling. Each bite was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The papas fritas were light and crispy, and the sauce that companied the steak was a delicious palate cleanser. The Enchiladas Poblanas followed suit, bathed in a delightful mole sauce that danced on the palate, a testament to Javier's cuisine. It’s not easy to get mole right and they do a wonderful job. For our little one, the chicken taquitos provided a delightful treat. Crispy, full of seasoned shredded chicken, and just enough to share.

Our taste buds were further indulged with several desserts that were democratically chosen by the table, most notably the child at the table. We started with the Pan de Elote, a warm and savory dessert that captured the essence of what a warm corn cake should taste like. The subtle sweetness and comforting texture made it a perfect conclusion to our savory feast. Additionally, the Flan left a lasting impression with its rich, baked custardy taste. The thickness and creaminess of the flan were a testament to the chef's dedication to crafting desserts that elevate the evening’s experience.

In summary, Javier's in Century City immersed us in a holiday celebration that will be etched in our memories. The impeccable service and culinary craftsmanship showcased in each dish make it a destination worth revisiting, whether in the festive season or any time one craves an authentic Mexican...