how is Jar?

have any of you been there? if you saw my email a little lower down I'm trying to choose between Table 8 and Jar? (They are both restaurants I've wanted to try for a while.)

[rickym13]

i like jar but little too loud

[kelvlam]

I'm going to call Jar to make a reservation for my bday party ;-)

does anyone know if Jar have any off-menu secret item?

[Frommtron]

I thoroughly enjoyed Jar. It's excellent with grilled meats but I think that they really do well with braises. I wouldn't call the menu fusion by any means, but the Thai chef de cuisine brings some very welcome Southeast Asian flavors into the food and he does so seamlessly. Okinawan Purple Yams do go beatifully with creme fraiche. Of course a chophouse in Los Angeles should be serving it a la Cha Siu.

I can't think of a single food-related reason not to go back. It can certainly be on the pricey side so that may be a consideration, but I wouldn't rate it as any more expensive for comparable fair in the city.

[markn]

Personally I think Jar is vastly overrated. Went for a birthday dinner there on a Saturday night about a year or so ago. Noise level was ridiculous. Ordered the lobster cocktail as an appetizer, you would need a magnifying glass to find the lobster and what was there had no flavor. The pot roast was very good, sides were ok, nothing special at all. Aside from the pot roast, the other entrees were mediocre to good.

Six of us, we all concluded we would not return.

[lotta_cox]

i absolutely uncategorically love jar. i find it outstanding (happen to love meat). I think she does a great job with veggies which is important to me. table 8 is on the decline. skip it. govind has another restaurant opening soon and it seems that is where his heart is right now. i have been disappointed the last 2 times i was there.

[trishyb]

Jar is excellent. I live very close so I tend to bring my out of town guests there for dinner. I have never had a disappointing experience. The steaks and accompanying sauces are very well-prepared. I personally enjoy the char-siu pork chop. The sides are delicious, as well. The Japanese purple yams are my favorite. And I never leave Jar without the ice cream sundae with homemade chocolate and caramel sauces! It's amazing!

[kelvlam]

any recent Jar's visitor care to chip in 2-cents? :-)
I'm planning a bday dinner there... could use all the help I can get!

[carter]

Kelvlam-
Start here with the website: http://www.thejar.com/
Next, the steaks, braises of almost any variety especially including the pot roast and lamb shank, fries, and butterscotch pudding for dessert if offered(frequently is not), are all very good. Picture of the place on the website. Room is L-shaped.
Very good food and not ridiculously priced as other places we could both mention.

[wutzizname]

I'm a huge fan. Prefer the filet myself, but whatever cut you choose, my don't-miss-it rec is the Lobster Béarnaise sauce. It's life changing. That and the Kabocha Squash side, if they have it.

Funny so many people have an issue with Jar's decor. Doesn't bother me in the least -- and I recall the chairs being quite comfy. I've had good food and good service at both -- with the exception of a very long wait for a table at Jar once (nearly an hour after our reservation time, even though we arrived on time, though they did comp us for a round or two of drinks). But I'd still give the edge to Jar -- I find Table 8 crowded and noisy to LA standards -- the way the tables are packed in you'd think you were in Manhattan. If you're in the mood for something terribly rich, Jar offers a yummy lobster bearnaise with its steaks.

The food at Jar is quite good, although I agree with the previous posts that the revamped atmosphere leaves something to be desired. The pot roast is fantastic.

Although there are some chowhounders who really enjoy Table 8, I found it to be lackluster, but in food and service.

Jar is dependable meats (roasts and braises) with very good veg sides. I am fond of the chopped steak and several salads. I would choose it over Table 8

Although not everyone does, I sorta like JAR.

Service can be occasionally snotty (on my last visit this was not the case, however). The atmosphere is like your dad's study circa 1970---wood panelled walls, low-sitting, swivelling chairs. They only thing missing is the smell of pipe tobacco.

Steaks are excellent, though very pricey (and served a la carte). Meats in general are their strong suit, and they have a few interesting appetizers (don't miss the fried Ipswich clams). Also, martinis are industrial strength.

In sum, upscale comfort food, perhaps a tad overpriced. I always seem to enjoy myself here, though.

Jar Restaurant Inc
[phone]
[phone]
8225 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048

jar is a very good spot. Not a huge fan of the retro-70s look but the food is great.
Recommend the following:
Fried Ispwich clams
Beet Salad
Pot Roast (house specialty) - amazing!
chopped sirloin with egg - old school and rich
butterscotch pudding (or was it caramel?)
hot apple pie a la mode

excellend mojitos too.

thank you. Jar sounds perfect.

We went to Jar. It was fantastic. I had the chopped steak with eggs and my girlfriend had the halibut. We also had the fried calms and oysters and the butterscotch pudding -- all of which was incredible. Not to mention I got crazy shlockered on their gigantic martinis. Two of them and I was on the floor.

thanks for the recommendation.