VERSE LA — Restaurant in Los Angeles

It's like getting transported into a new reality. My wife and I don't enjoy date night often, but this was potentially the best meal and night out we've ever had, if not top five.

Step into the non descript masonry building on the street, and you are instantly taken to a carefully curated symphony of warm lighting, an engineered and organic soundscape, and a mouthwatering collection of smells making you wonder how much of this menu can I ingest over the next couple hours.

We were asked if we wanted to be close to the music. I, perhaps too quickly, enthusiastically replied, "Yes!" They led us to a two top at the front that could have easily sat four. The seats were very comfortable and side by side, equally romantic and allowing full view of the trio, with plenty of workspace to make a heavy dent in the menu and a brass table lamp casting a warm glow over the blank canvas where Chef's and Bartender's artistry will be displayed. We were instantly concerned, however, noticing a drum kit not 10 feet away from us. Then the music started... Guitarist, bassist, and drummer wove covers of American standards from the 60s and 70s to current times, playfully and with perfect tone and timing. They were clearly enjoying each other so much it felt like you were invited into the jam session of band members who hadn't seen each other in a while but were ripping old favorites like no time had passed. And the drums we were so worried about... understated, magical, perfect, and non imposing. Like a jazz drummer, her head, shoulders, and countenance were calm, breezy almost, while hands to elbows were a blur of perfect geometrical movement. The timing and tones were perfect, while the amplitude was just not loud. Perfect...

Looking up, you'll notice every table is mic'ed. You'll also notice that though being close to the table next to you on 3 or four sides, you can't hear their conversation. You can hear the warm murmur of people enjoying each other, but you can't hear them, and they can't hear you. Each table is its own pocket of private experience while not obscuring the view of the artistry in front of you. Through the music and murmur, your conversation will be at a regular conversational volume. I've never experienced anything like it. Apparently, the microphones pick up the sound at your table so the speakers (which are invisible, by the way) at the next table can cancel your conversation... mind blown... This is a testament to how much attention to detail ownership had while devising this experience.

The wine list is encyclopedic and carefully assembled. The food menu is equally carefully composed, adding another instrument, a first chair, or a lead singer to the experience. Visuals, sounds, and even temperature (because we couldn't feel it) were attended to gracefully with effortless intention. Chef and Bar, with commanding presence towards taste and aroma, did not disappoint, rather provided a litany of surprises, riffs, and solos. The descriptions on the menu don't provide justice to the mix of influence and care towards ingredients. For example, the croquettes take you from French origins to El Slavador and Honduran homes of the papusa. The menu doesn't say there is masa in the bites, but it's there providing a worldview and connection, almost a throw down ending in a delicious stalemate of who makes the most delectable pockets of unctuous flavor in the world. It's like an Iron Chef dance battle where they were working on the same dish. The raw dishes were bouncy, subtle, acidic at the right times, sweet as a counterpoint and equally soulful. I've been to Michelin restaurants where I left fed and lighter in the wallet. This was 100 times better as each sensory element was a component to a sort of personal jazz my wife and I were experiencing together. There is no eww... no ick... even the knives get a wooden cut riser, a kickstand if you will, so the business end doesn't accidentally touch anything it shouldn't, whether that be table, other utensil, or the wrong...

I'm letting the feline frolic outta the bag on this one only because I care about you and your fine dining selections in Los Angeles. Given Verse's nondescript, definitely not a recording studio appearance from Lankershim, you're not likely to stumble in or find an available table without a reservation. However, the bar is inviting, open, and a great place to absorb the music from the back of the room.

TIP: Book ahead. Make a reservation & bring your appetite!

My love for Verse all started when my then-boyfriend, now husband discovered our new favorite anniversary restaurant - now two years in the running. Even better, during our first visit, I was caught by surprise when I recognized Verse's sound engineer from work who was eager to boast about the restaurants perfect acoustic environment. Essentially, Verse is a recording studio with an elegant restaurant...or is it a classy restaurant that happens to be a recording studio? Just ask Grammy-winning master mixer Manny Marroquin who we have to thank for Verse, along with chef Oscar Torres.

What I especially love about Verse is that even with 11 subwoofers, 47 speakers, and a full dining room bustling with conversation, the environment blends perfect acoustics, enabling private conversation without having to raise your voice all while enjoying live performances. I should know, I'm hard of hearing and I spend a good portion of my professional time in padded recording studios.

Food: Let's begin with starters and libations because the full Verse experience should include a warmup to the main course, a little of all the above like tapas.

Trust me on this, Verse's Hokkaido milk buns are not to be taken lightly, nor are they your typical table bread and butter; but they should be enjoyed by all. Why seven buns and not an even number is a cruel, delightfully delicious joke by chef Torres.

For the seafood fans, I highly suggest the Mediterranean octopus grilled with squid ink potatoes, King Oyster mushrooms, and the best (mild) Peruvian aji outside of Mario's.

Do NOT skip dessert! The cookies and cream is a dream and not at all vanilla as its name implies. The coffee soil was definitely a memorable favorite for me.

Drink: I hope you come to imbibe on Verse's liquid diet! Pick your poison, pick a bottle of vino. I can still recall the smokin' old fashioned from my first visit. I won't ruin the experience - if you're a whiskey fan, try it! Recently I also enjoyed Verse's Negroni and gin martini. Thank you bartenders. Cheers! I wasn't disappointed, even when asked for clarification, "Just a regular Negroni?" YES, please!

Service: The thing about service is, it can vary. It shouldn't, but it can depending on oh so many factors. One of them factors is being too busy. And Los Angeles does a great job of being too busy. We’re a laid back city, but we are always very busy, and always in a hurry on to the next thing. That said, Verse may not hold your hand throughout the night, so just sit back and enjoy the music without worrying about being in a hurry to get on to the next thing.

Ambiance: I appreciate Verse’s subtleties both outside and in, maintaining its integrity as a slick, modern recording space in fine dining. Thoughtful lighting allows each table to enjoy a personal intimate experience, ideal for special occasions. In short, Verse cute.

With respect to the musicians, I would love longer sets with more live music and less playlist. Parking isn’t ideal, but not impossible either. Valet would be great. Unfortunately a few dishes did arrive served on “rustic plates” with chips “bitten” out of them which is okay in my house, but unacceptable in fine dining.

In summary Verse is a fine dining hidden gem with silky smooth speakeasy vibes, a cocktail and wine list to match, live music, and a mouthwatering menu. I look forward to our next anniversary celebration dinner, or excuse to spoil the spouse!

Thank you Verse LA, thank you...

Interior-Cool Luxury Speakeasy; Excellent mock-tail, Yummy Iberico Pluma; Crudo Appetizer-not balanced, too acidic, not a special experience as stated by the waiter. The milk buns are overrated. Tasty buns but not worth it.

The waiter asked about allergies (Thank you!). Unfortunately, Verse’s restaurant system is inadequate for persons with dietary restrictions. There are no menu notations for dairy and gluten-free items, and very few gluten-free options. The waitress consulted the kitchen at least four times and brought out a color-coded chart that outlined which dishes had allergens to our table. The waiter said the dry-aged branzino, a signature dish, was served with a “delicious” mole and sweet potatoes. She stated that it was gluten-free and that no changes would be needed in this dish. I said, “Great!” and mentioned that sometimes mole IS gluten-free, but frequently it is NOT. I asked her to double-check.

When served, my table mate received a nicely plated Iberico Pluma. Shockingly, a barren sauce-less unseasoned fish fillet with no sides or garnish was placed in front of me. It looked grim. Two minutes later, the waitress came to our table to explain that the dry-aged branzino dish was not gluten-free and they had to remove the sauce and the sides. She offered broccoli and carrots to go with the tasteless fish. I could not see the vegetables saving what was supposed to be a delicious saucy $42 dish and I did not trust they knew what they were doing. The manager came to our table with a menu and offered to order a different dish (Thank you!). I asked him which dishes were gluten-free. He then stood there by my side flummoxed for at least 2 minutes, looking at the menu and turning the pages of the menu …. he then said, “Oh, I am going to confirm with the kitchen,” and left. He came back 3 minutes later and offered the braised beef entree, a menu item that was never suggested to us.

The waitress was not appropriately trained, the kitchen staff should have noticed that this dish would not work before preparing it, and the head chief (quality control) should have seen that my dish looked shockingly pathetic before it was released from the kitchen. Consider following what cutting edge LA restaurants do, either have the waiter pencils a star besides the menu items that the patron can eat or have a GF, DF or V noted besides each menu item. It would...