Okay. WTF. Apparently, even though Open Table allows you to make the reservation the day of, and the reservation comes through, Sunny Spot DOES NOT HONOR IT!!! REALLY?!?! At least put a warning on your freakin' website before we show up ON TIME.. WITH A RESERVATION... and end up waiting an hour.
So this was a pretty shitty experience. Like I said before, we were told to wait 35-45 minutes. $12 AYCD would make that time past by fast. However, they lagged it to an hour, and that's with my hovering.
When we got finally seated, all my friends were pretty drunk (YUP that's how long we waited). The whole restaurant had a whole island feel, as if you're eating in another country or place, not venice. Roy Choi does a great job secluding his restaurant from the busy streets of Venice.
Anyways, we ordered and half an hour later... our food STILL didn't come, but instead we were told they ran out of steak. NO compensations or anything when we had to scramble to choose something else because we were FREAKIN STARVING and really really drunk. Drinking on an empty stomach = no good!
In the mean time, drinks weren't even coming. We had to go to the bar to get our own drinks. Waiter service was practically useless. We refilled our own waters, got our own drinks, etc.
When our food FINALLY arrived, our whole table was silent as we chowed down. Yeah, it was good. But was it worth this whole experience? Nope. Not at ALL.
I shared 2 dishes: The Jerk Chicken and the Eggs with porkbelly.
The Jerk Chicken was awesome. I thought it was $11.. but nope it was $17. It came with awesome rice, awesome beans, and this awesome spicy sauce that really hits your throat!! The chicken had all the right flavors. The white meat part was super tough though. Price is hefty so I'm not sure if I'd want to order this again. If I were a baller, I would :)
The Eggs with Porkbelly (which was supposed to be eggs with steak) was aiight. The jerk potatoes were really good! Especially with the spicy sauce from the chicken. The egg was a normal sunny side up and the porkbelly was okay as well. Will not be ordering this again.
I'll be back but with a reservation made a day prior. FOR SURE.
I came here a few weekends ago with some friends for brunch. It was very, very mediocre. When there's all you can drink, you're willing to be a bit lenient on the food quality and the service, but we ended up literally waiting 30 minutes for every drink. Â In the end, we just told our server to put in another drink order once she had dropped the previous one off at our table. Â It was a bit ridiculous. Â It really didn't help that the food was nothing out of the ordinary. The music was a bit too loud, but I enjoyed the patio and the open dining area.
Review Source:We recently went for brunch for the first time, and it was AMAZING. I'm not a breakfast food person, so I like that their menu also offers a few of their Caribbean plates. The best part is the All You Can Drink cocktails for $12. That includes mimosa's, champagne, bloody marys and rum punch. You can drink until 3:30 pm! A perfect Sunday is sitting on the outside patio, on a warm afternoon, drinking cocktails for hours with good friends. It's definitely worth a try.
Review Source:Came here for a friend's birthday brunch. It's a great spot for a "party" brunch. They play great music that just makes you want to dance (note: the volume at this place is similar to a club, so if you want an intimate brunch spot...this is not the place for you). If you are looking for a fun, energetic spot...this is the place. What makes this spot even better....$12 bottomless drinks (mimosas, bloody marys, rum punch or champagne). For bottomless drinks, the bloody mary was really good..just enough spice. The reason for 3 stars is that my food was served cold, it's hard to judge how tasty something is when it's served cold. I'll be back to give it another shot.
Review Source:It was our third time here and definitely our last. It's been a steady decline from each visit. We came for the only dish we feel is any good: the fisherman's stew. On a Saturday night, there was just us and another table consisting of a large group; both in the main dinning room. Â We ordered the soup and an entree. It must have taken them 30 min to bring out the soup. Our waitress was nowhere in sight. I ordered the Oxtail Pasta. Just about inedible. Â Before I had the Braised Pork Belly thinking it's a can't miss from the Kogi master. Another bad dish. Plus it was cold. Â
Where is the Kogi truck when you need it?
The name Roy Choi carries certain expectations after frequenting Chego and the Kogi truck. My expectations for something different, surprising and flavorful may have been to high for Sunny Spot.
The visit started on a high note. We were able to call ahead and put our name on the list and we were seated right away. Parking is usually awful in the area but there was a spot nearby that had just opened up.
Upon being seated, our waiter took our drink order. Moments later he returned with drinks and took our order. This might as well have been the last time he was of any use as we didn't see him until it was time to get another drink and get the check.
Food arrived. I ordered the eggs plate, which included 2 eggs, pork belly and potatoes. I didn't think something so basic, so simple could be $15. It's not like the eggs were covered in saffron or fried on an extra special extra expensive grill! They're just fucking eggs and roasted potatoes! Excuse me, "jerk" potatoes. Where was the jerk seasoning exactly? Oh, I get it. I'm supposed to feel like a jerk after paying $15 for something that should have been $10-$12. Pork belly couldn't even save this, which is stunning because fatty, delicious pork makes everyone feel better.
The hangover plate was a similar disappointment. It was beans, guacamole - excuse me, smashed avocado - eggs and plantain chips. The diablo sauce was hot, but couldn't save the plate from complete mediocrity. Again, this was $15 and should have been $10-$12.
Our waiter disappeared through all of this. It got to the point where we considered going to the bar or just leaving.
Sunny Spot is located just south of Abbott Kinney just on the edge of Venice. The interior, even at 11AM included a booming soundtrack with walls that looked as if they were pulled from a trendy clothing store. Who needs loud pop music at 11AM? If the volume were cranked down to about 5 instead of 8 it might have been manageable. Don't be fooled by the crowded interior, either. I think Sunny Spot is more of a status thing. Until then, I'll be at Dorsia.
Being full shouldn't be "enough." What happened Roy? You set the bar so high with Chego and this is a new low in both price, service and quality of food.
We went for brunch on a Saturday and got the Hangover Plate and Egg Plate with pork belly.
While I do tend to enjoy almost all food by Roy Choi and company, this one had to be the exception. Don't get me wrong, the food was just fine. I like the little twists they put in that makes the food a bit different. I love spice.
Drinks were pretty spot-on for $12 bottomless. The mixed ones are a little on the small side, which wouldn't have been a problem if our server was anywhere to be found.
Which brings me to the next point: service was awful. Our food was dropped off and our server was not to be seen anywhere for at least 20 minutes. Tried to ask one of the other staff members for another drink when he came to clear our plates. Another 10 minutes, and our server finally arrived to ask if we needed anything. The place was busy but not packed, and other servers had time to stand around to chat. So where did our guy go?
This place is way overpriced for what you're getting. What happened to the reasonable prices of Kogi and Chego? The fancy names for standard food is a little pretentious. Mashed avocado = guacamole. The $15 Hangover Plate is basically huevos rancheros without the tortilla. $53 for two entrees and a drink is way too much for breakfast. I've paid less in four-star hotel restaurants for breakfast.
Beautiful brunch/lunch spot right before the beach.
I went here with my friend and we ordered the Yucca Fries, Half Jerk Chicken, and the Mofongo.
The Yucca fries were delicious. Nice crispy outer shell, with a soft baked potato-like inside. Perfectly cooked, just the way Yucca fries should be. Some places fail in the crisp to soft consistency, but Sunny Spot got it good. I liked the sauce that came along with it as well.
The half jerk chicken was good, not for me, but my friend loved it. She's tried to the Caribbean every summer for the past three years, and gave Sunny Spot's Jerk Chicken the stamp of approval. So if you're looking for acceptable jerk chicken in the states, you can dig in here.
The Mofongo was disappointing. I was not a fan of the how it all looked and the lack of meat that could have balanced out the sweetness of the dish. The bacon was lost in this dish's flavor and I could have used more of that salty to compliment the dish.
CON: The food took a long time to come out. Apparently, they forgot about us. It took them almost forever to come check up on us after we ordered, and from there, we had to even wait longer to get our food ... no comps here (-__- ') , but I will let that slide since I was having a good day. Other than that, the servers were cheery and the weather was gorgeous.
You can also find some street parking not to far from the place. You can check the main street, or look down some residential streets.
I will definitely be back to take advantage of the bottomless drinks soon and try more delicious sides and entrees to compliment my alcoholic binge. Until then! ... I'm a fan.
Awesome food tasting Experience! The food flavors are all different and in many cases, incredible. We shared a bunch of items, the sweet & salty plantains (we ordered 2!) the Mufungo (amazing), the pork (surprising yet subtle garlic sauce & cilantro/avocado/onion side) Â the lamb (EXTREMELY tender & flavorful) & himachi fish collar (great, but not much fish there) salty yellow rice (good with seafood items & not salty) and the salty caramels for dessert, which were quite good. The rum drinks are great and the rum assortment vast. Service & bartender spot on - service is a biggie for me and they deserve props for their attentiveness. Â I loved the fun mid-century tropical vibe. Everyone in the place was having fun, so it was contagious. Bring some loud friends & you'll have no trouble talking over the dining room noise. We'll definitely be back with our loud friends :)
Review Source:Roy Choi food& Bottomless bloody Mary's
What is not love about that!? Really enjoyed the food & the vibe. It was cool seeing Poppi Roy hanging out there having brunch with his family at the next table. I had the Pork belly & Eggs- A fantastic rendition, with a Mojo like sauce on it, crispy and meltingly delicious at  the same time. Others in our party had the  Shrimp & Grits- Had a very flavorful & fiery sauce with it, with perfect grits. My son ate 2 orders of the blueberry pancakes which were more crepe like- and not IHOP sweet. Possibly the best ever.
This place is so very "L.A.", and a great example of LA's upward spiral towards casual restaurant excellence, driven by chefs with mucho talent and vision like Poppi Choi.
If they ever make bobblehead dolls of LA restauranteurs, Roy Choi is probably in the first set. He's also one of the more divisive. Purists quiver in contempt at the sacrilege with which he defaces perfectly good cuisines. The thing is though, without innovators, the world would never change. Music would never change, art, culture, technology would never have taken its first step forward.
Lots of people want endless variations of the same thing, it's human nature. There's nothing wrong with that. But, man is it boring. Choi is a clever guy, genius is one of the most overused words in the English language these days and an overstatement here. But it's undeniable that he essentially started the entire food truck frenzy by himself with the Kogi trucks. And they're the best barometer for whether you'll enjoy his other endeavors.
If you like the Kogi trucks, you'll like the restaurants. If you don't, you won't.
Sunny Spot is his take on the Caribbean. The mood is muted colorwise, but packed with a vibrant and lively crowd by seven. The front room is very casual, the back more comfortable and more formal. It's nice to have a choice, depending on one's mood.
The best part of any day is Happy Hour, and the best part of Happy Hour here is that it's hourly. All day long to the wee hours of the morning. And they have the drinks to make your happy, happier. Plantano Suave is delicious, hints of honey and banana melded with lime juice. Transatlantic was unique. Walnut initially, but the flavor changes through the drink. Cool.
Roasted Beet Salad really nicely done here. Touches of rum spiced honey and pickled strawberry transcend this to something more than a garden variety beet salad.
Cash Money Calamari was excellent. Nothing unique, but well prepared when it so often isn't.
Sweet and Salty Plantains were my fave dish of the night. Couldn't stop eating them. They're delightfully sugary and citrusy at the same moment, and cooked exactly right. HAPPY HOUR only (which is confusing since its happy hour all the time).
Diablo Jumbo Shrimp. Unlike many places, when they say its spicy they mean spicy. In fact, it was plain hot.
Jamaican Roasted Lamb. Served with spears of Mango and a unbelievably tasty rice.
Everything was excellent. Really the only mild disappointment all evening was the just okay Bread Pudding. The accompanying ice cream was exceptional.
Though we really enjoyed everything about Sunny Spot, it's somewhat difficult to rate in this context. It's a solid 4-1/2 for me, but I think traditionalists and the unadventurous may not be so enamored. Still, an every hour happy hour is worth at least an extra star even if you find the food quirky.
Best Plates: Roasted Beet Salad, Calamari, Sweet and Salty Plantains, Diablo Jumbo Shrimp, Jamaican Roasted Lamb
Best Cocktails: Transatlantic, Plantano Suave
Palate: Mildly Adventurous
Food - A-
Ambience - A-
Service - A-
Value - A-
I had been to this location under previous ownership, they have since sloppily painted all of the exposed wood walls and benches.
Definitely a bustling crowd for Sunday brunch at Sunny Spot, which I would account for friendly, but bad service including no silverware for several minutes after the food arrived. (what a tease)
As if staring at our single glass of water for five minutes wasn't bad enough, the first appetizer arrived with a curly hair on it.
I love hot and spicy, but the diablo shrimp is just too much to enjoy. Our stomachs hurt almost immediately after eating the small shrimp it with lackluster grits.
Cocktails sounded interesting, but didn't turn out to be very good.
I won't be heading to this Sunny Spot anytime soon.
Yelpers have this spot on - not quite four stars, but higher than 3 stars. Â
The outdoor patio was, in fact, a nice sunny spot to have brunch after a morning of tennis lessons. I had the mofongo, which was certainly unique and good, but didn't stand out as spectacular. Â For those preferring a liquid diet, they have bottomless mimosas (you can actually choose from mimosas, bloody mary, cava, or rum punch) for $10. Our favorites were the rum punch and the bloody mary (if you like a spicy one).
LOVE the food here & all Roy Choi's places. The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because of service. My boyfriend & I went with another couple on a Tuesday evening and it was pretty much empty.
The bartenders are all great mixologists & make a mean cocktail!
We came & ordered a round at the bar, then sat down to order our meal. We ordered, then ordered another round of cocktails. Our Steak came out before our drinks, to which we all laughed. Also, I remember ordering something that was really spicy (Im a wimp) and not being able to find a server to refill our water. This might sound silly, but it wasn't pretty. We will likely go back & just hang at the bar, bc our waitress was pretty freaking weak.
It's nice. Â Nice. Â Not Thrilling, but nice.
Came here with a couple of friends and we ordered drinks, some wings and then each ordered a meal. We were so caught up in our conversation, that it wasn't until after we left that we realized we never got our wings. Â Not sure if we were charged for it.
Everyone kinda had the same opinion. Â It's food. Â Nothing was bad, but we definitely didn't leave thinking "gotta get back their again soon".
The good parts. Â Parking is easy. Â Tons of street parking available, which is rare in this part of town. Â We were seated quickly, our orders were taken quickly (and the missing wings aside), everything came out quickly.
The atmosphere didn't match much of the menu. Â It screamed "greasy spoon bar food", but had items like Jamaican roasted lamb. Â I stuck to the burger personally.
Also seemed a little pricey, especially for the atmosphere. Â $16 for roasted vegetables? Â $23 for a skirt steak? Â
I guess if I happened to be in the area and looking for some bar food, I may go in again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go back.
This is the first time that I've been here since it became the Sunny Spot and I was pleasantly surprised. The bar/hangout area is separate from the restaurant which is really nice because the distance helps drown out the noise from the bar, especially if it's a Friday or Saturday night around dinner time.
I was feeling like a salad and decided to get the Apple Salad. It was good, but not great. It would have been awesome if there was some sort of cheese on it, like Gorgonzola or goat. The cheese would have taken it over the top. The combo of the brussell  sprouts and the walnuts gave it some personality and did not disappoint in the flavor department.
The boyfriend had the Grilled Fillet of Stripped Bass and it was out of this world. The flavor was amazing! It was a combo of slightly sweet, yet subtle deliciousness. Everything about this dish was super yummy.
I will for sure go here again for dinner, any day of the week, and do the bar/hangout area during a weekday.
Overall, two thumbs up!
My friend had been bugging me to try this place out since it opened (so glad beechwood is gone!!) Now I've finally tried it I think I've been on average once a week! Lucky for me our office moved within a mile of this place :)
I've only been on week nights stepping in during a variety of times - Monday 6pm, Friday same time or even Friday at 10pm. Here's the low down:
- they have valet
- street parking is a breeze even during rush hour, the traffic is so slow on Washington during rush hour that you can pull your u-turns and parking moves
- beer, cocktails and tapas style food on the happy hour menu. Careful though it always seems to add up quickly!
Food:
Jerk fries are a must. A mix between normal fries and sweet potato fries, huge portion!
Sliders - you only get one in the happy hour menu but worth it!
Plantains are salty and sweet perfect for a different snack
Wings, you get three full wings sauce is really spicy!
Shrimp cocktail with plantain chips - this is a must get! Shrimps are juicy and the cocktail is largely flavorful
Cuban nuggets are great tasting but somewhat forgettable for me
Cocktails - tried them all and the rum punch is my favorite!
Service is good, not crazy attentive but waiters are not at all bad. Vibe is for sure westside/Venice beach but there is always a mixed crowd, no egos or drama. The decor is great with an awesome patio. I love the atmosphere, it truly has a California vibe without the stuck up attitude of other places and it gets full but never packed!
Love the sunny spot! See ya there.
Unfortunately underwhelmed by this place. :(
Here's my breakdown:
Pros
- Really cute outdoor seating area. Like... REALLY cute. It has so much potential.
- Servers are nice and fun
- Parking is easy
Cons
- I know this spot is called "Sunny Spot" but having a huge outdoor patio with no sun protection is bizarre. No umbrellas or covers. You are BAKED in minutes if you're outside on a nice day.
- "Bottomless mimosas" is an overstatement, especially since they bring them out so slowly that you can only fit in 2 or 3 during a normal brunch or lunch.
- The food was not very good at all. Just a bunch of ingredients plopped on a plate. Overpriced for the portions.
- The music inside is SO LOUD that you literally need to shout to talkt o the people around you. Not kidding. I like loud music, but this was over the top.
Probably won't be coming back, which sucks because it is such a fun beachy spot in Venice.
Pretty cute spot, but would stay away from the happy hour. Love the decor and the outdoor patio would be perfect for Sunday brunch. Had the mint julep which certainly did the job, but was not a very tasty drink. My main complaint was the noise...it got so loud in there I could hardly hear myself think much less the other people at the table.
Our server was very nice, but after the first 45 minutes or so was difficult to track down. The place got very busy and we had to track her down twice...which was sort of irritating as we were trying to leave.
Food was ok...I would recommend the seafood stew and the lamb dish, the jerk chicken was a bit dry.
I would come back for brunch, but wouldn't return for happy hour or dinner.
I was in LA for about a week and this was my favorite place we went to eat!
I highly recommend the Jamaican Roasted Lamb. Â The Roasted Beet Salad was also delicious and light. Â The food is pretty spicy, but some of the most flavorful and creative food I've had in awhile!
At night it can be a bit crowded and noisy indoors, but eating outside was very nice and a bit quieter. Â There are heat lamps for chilly nights also!
The service was a bit slow, but the manager began to help out our waitress with taking orders when she got swamped.
There is an amazing Caribbean zest on all of the dishes that had my taste buds begging for more. Â
We enjoyed an affordable tapas style family dinner relishing all of the finger foods on the happy hour menu:
One fisted sliders
Cuban Nuggs
What a Jerk! Wings
Sweet and Salty Plantains
Jerk Fries
Cash Money Fried Calamari
All of this fed 3 people.
Literally, EVERYTHING was amazing and done well. Â The spices were dynamic and unique. Â Parking was a breeze on the street at 7PM on Tuesday. Â The decorations are cute and the bar is great.
The food was not as good as I expected. Â As one reviewer mentioned, the rice, beans and cole slaw which accompany most every plate are boring and not that flavorful. Â My husband had the ribs and he was very disappointed with the sauce taht he said has a "cat food" texture. Â My sea bass was good, but nothing to phone home about.
The three stars are for the rum punch (yummy), the service, and the desert. Â They had a lemon cream thingy that was amazing. Â I would return for happy hour, but not dinner.
Went here for Mother's Day brunch, admittedly one of the busiest days of the year, so I won't slam Sunny Spot for the slow service (45 minutes to get our meal). Â It killed me to watch my sweet little niece waiting patiently for her food, though. Â This place just wasn't my cup of tea. Honestly I've had the same or better tasting steak and eggs at Denny's. Â Maybe it was just an off day because they were so swamped. Â At least we got to see a celebrity, though (Elijah Wood). Â Well, Â my brother did. Â I'm sure this place is appealing to some people, but unfortunately I was not that impressed, especially with the somewhat high prices. Â Maybe I'll try it again. Â
Probably not.
Brunch win! I had been wanting to try the bottomless bloody marys for $10 forever and finally got the chance. What an epic draw for this Caribbean-themed restaurant! The food was decent for brunch foods - but really, how can you jazz up sunny-side up eggs, potatoes, grits (spicy!!!), toast, and pancakes thaaaat much? However, the bloody mary's were ridiculously amazing, even though they come in small glasses. The salted rim was flavored with their jerk seasoning and there's palm sugar and orange juice in the mix to add a touch of sweetness.
And finally, the BEST part of the experience was our AMAZING server! Shay (not sure of the spelling) was so friendly and charming. She smiled the whole time and was super adorable. Love her!! shes the reason im giving this place 5 stars.
Next time I'll know to make a reservation ahead of time, so I can sit out on the patio in the sun and fresh air.
Still miss Beachwood.
For drinks, 4 stars -- great cocktails and still a great space. Â
For food, 3 stars although if you are craving something with a Caribbean flair, I guess it could be higher. Â
Back dining room is the anti-space to the front bar area. Â Not sure if the furniture and design was a conscious decision, but reminds me of the second hand furniture we collected off the sidewalks in college.
The restaurant manager reached out to me to apologize for the server's inappropriate behavior. We are a family of restaurant owners so I can understand how difficult it is to find staff that truly represents the restaurant's image. I bumped up the stars because I appreciate that the manager is reading reviews and paying attention to the consumers. When you care about the business, you care about the food you serve and how happy your customers are. That's my kind of restaurant.
Review Source:We didn't really know what to expect since we saw $10 bottomless mimosas and we were in the car faster than you can say "too much traffic to Venice!".
I heart Roy Choi and all, but I thought we were going to douchebag land.
Instead we found a kitchy lil spot with great service. Â Of course everyone in there looked like they were from Venice, CA--but I would be a hypocrite if I judged next to my earring wearing, closed up nose ring sporting, long haired v-neck trending bf.
It was a bright and sunny as advertised.
I got away with a gluten free meal since instead of toast or tortillas I got baked plantains and instead of fattening hash browns (that i cherish with my eggs) there was rice and beans. Â It was delish. Â Bf got a side of pork belly and it was the perfect mix of crispy and tender.
The bloody were the best we have ever tasted!
Even though they close at 3 they didn't even bat a hurried eye at us AND they brought us another round. Â The rest of the day is sort of foggy after 5 mimosas and a couple of mary's.
My wife have been coming here since they first opened. Originally, Beachwood was in this location until being taken over by Roy Choi and crew - yea, the Kogi truck guy at Alibi Room and the chef mastermind behind A-Frame.
We were thrilled to hear of the fresh start at Sunny Spot especially since LA native Roy Choi was behind the helm. The twist to Sunny Spot was a Caribbean flair. Lots of rum based cocktails, mofongo dishes (plaintains), jerk chicken and that sort of thing.
They've gone through some growing pains in the past year. They added in a rum tasting bar/list a year-in-a-half ago, which I really enjoyed, but it mysteriously disappeared a few months ago. Dishes changed a bit, came and went and after a while we just stopped going there.
It's still a great place to catch up with friends over their great craft cocktails. I really enjoyed the two-fisted cheeseburger there - brioche bun, arugula, tomato jam and herb mayo went perfectly together.
Gonna be generous and give them a 4/5 - Although we don't go there as often, it's nice to not have to scream to hear each other on Friday and Saturday nights since it's not as packed as the beginning.
Let's start with the ATMOSPHERE... It's great. Â Very comfortable, with four different seating areas. Â There is the patio... the main room with its high tops, which can get loud... the bar in the main room... and a back area called The Rum Room, I think. Â This is where we sat as it was pretty empty and quiet... Not that I was getting romantic with my buddy or anything... but I don't like shouting a conversation. Â There is a cabana like space in the corner, which would be nice for a more intimate evening... or an intimate group. Â
The STAFF was really nice and super friendly. Â I was running late and called to tell them and they were as gracious as can be... and so welcoming when I walked in the door.
The FOOD... I was not expecting Happy Hour, but we were there early, so took advantage of the specials... While the Two Fisted Burger was on my radar, we went for the One Fisted Slider... so good... A brioche bun, perfectly cooked burger, delicious tomato jam... yum... cheddar (could have been melted more) and herb mayo. Â Definitely need a full size version of this one.
The Cuban Nuggs were forgettable and I would not order them again. Â Not bad, just ehh...
The Papaya Salad was refreshing and I did want to drink the honey rum sauce...
Overall the Happy Hour Hour is a good way to sample things... but the portions are small... definitely small plates...
The Muh-F K' N Mofongo was killer and fun to order... and a fairly good amount for a side dish...
The Oxtail pasta was delicious, though I had a hard time finding the oxtail... Less shells, more meat please!!! Â The broth had a red chili flake kick that almost reminded me of Killer Shrimp... and like that famous bowl I did want to slurp this one up, too... and did.
The Honeysuckle cocktail was decent but came in such a tiny little champagne cup... Will have to try some of the "proper cocktails" (as our waiter called them) next time. Â Though for the money, I would go with the $4 Red Stripe... just was not in the mood for beer.
Even at Happy Hour the bill added up, so that surprised me a bit... and they did not do anything for my friend's birthday even though I called it in and they all wished him a happy birthday... but I should be skipping dessert anyway, so... and overall we both enjoyed this sunny spot.
Outdoor dining at this restaurant definitely gives you a feeling of being in the Caribbean, especially if you go on a warm summer night.
The food is ok but not Roy Choi's best. I had the Baby Back Ribs, which were moist and juicy. My friend's pork belly looked burnt, dried, and just plain unappetizing. When I think pork belly, I imagine juicy, melt in your mouth deliciousness. That definitely was far from it.
Most of the entrees seem to be the same. Some sort of meat, side of rice and beans, and slobbered with some sort of spicy orange sauce.
Service: Our waitress was not the best. We asked her several times to turn on the heat lamp and she would acknowledge us but did not turn it on. On one occasion, she even told us that she "definitely felt the heat" and that it was just slow to warm up. The machine was definitely not on, even after 20 minutes.
Overall, some dishes were good and some were not so great. Definitely won't drive out all the way to come again. But might come back if in the area already.
Parking: Valet or free street parking.
First of all, the Kogi guy (Roy Choi) opened up this Jamaican fusion restaurant.
Came here for Sunday brunch - our waiter was very friendly. Dining environment was pretty trendy - it combined regular sit-down restaurant setting and bar setting all into one.
If you order any main plate order during brunch time, they offer bottomless mix and match cocktails (mimosa, cava, Bloody Mary and rum punch) for additional $10 and the last call is at 3:30 PM.
Half Jerk Chicken ($17, with jerk sauce and grilled pineapple) - Chicken was good! Spice was very unique. Â Beans were tastier than I expected and grilled pineapple definitely gave a nice overall touch to this dish.
Half Jerk Chicken was a bit heavy for Sunday brunch, but overall food and service qualities were quite good! The only downside - they took their time to prepare our order, so just be patient.
Meh.
Never tell a customer "no" before you find out if the chef can do something.
Yuca fries were good, calamari was calamari. Jerk chicken had too much cinnamon, but was the best entree we had. My brother took me there for the goat. They don't have goat.
I had just about the smallest pork belly ever. The pork belly also had cartilage in it. Bellies don't have cartilage. Don't order the pork belly.
The rice and beans were severely underdeveloped, flavorwise. Hip Caribbean restaurant, your rice and beans should be mu f'ckin amazing, and they were bad. I didn't even get close to finishing them.
This place is a huge disappointment
Been here 4 times now and I am a fan. Each time we've ordered something different. With each time being very good the 4th. time was probably the best.
Finally ordered the "Two Fisted Burger". Very Very good. Cooked perfect.
Oxtail Pasta / Very good. Did not know what to expect because I've never had oxtail but it was delicious.
THEN the waitress bought us a shot (She was awesome). THEN we were talking to Chef Roy and he bought us a round.
I think I love this place!
Everything here has a kick (spice) to it so be careful. If your tolerance is weak to heat the Shrimp Diablo will burn your face right off!
Heard the brunch is off the hook.
Can't wait to go back.
The name Roy Choi has become ubiquitous with the Los Angeles food scene since the inception of the fusion sensation of the Kogi Truck which truly showed that a culinary pedigree could and should knock creative and quality food off its pedestal and down to the people. Since then Roy Choi has continued to reintroduce the flavors of his childhood and make every customer a foodie with spots like Chego and A Frame.
Sunny Spot sweeps you away from Choi's comfort zone of city slicker Asian fusion food into a Caribbean getaway complete with a string of Christmas lights and easy flowing hip hop music that bobs its head in the background of every conversation. From the minute you step inside the staff is relaxed, smiling, and happy and in turn it makes you feel the same way as you're given the option to sit in the rum room or on the patio, neither is a bad choice. As you settle into the charming and simple patio furniture you can't help but notice the room is abuzz with a great energy of people, some meeting friends over drinks, others are a hodgepodge of friends laughing at inside jokes, a mix of third dates and first dates, but most of all people who seem genuinely pleased with the food and the atmosphere.
Start off with the Muh-F*kn Mofongo, just ordering it from the waitress by its full name and it will be hard to suppress a smirk. Have a spoonful and that smirk becomes a full blown smile as the taste of bacon floods your serotonin levels. Â Texturally the mofongo is like a warm comforting porridge with complex flavors that really indulge the savory and the sweet with a hint of spice and I love that they aren't shy about that cilantro, keep it coming! The mofongo is a dish that could make you a regular customer.
Next came the What a Jerk Wings. While the chicken is moist and simple in flavors the sauce it came with is quite that, saucy. After the mofongo the condiment plated under the wings is a kick in the mouth, and was mainly dabbed at with a fork in order to get tiny explosions of garlicky heat while digging into the wings.
The Half Jerk Chicken is the same as the wings but comes with a side of savory rice, hearty slapping of beans and a crunchy texture of lightly dressed cabbage salad and a grilled pineapple. Had I known that my friends had ordered the wings I would have tried something else but alas I have no complaints since the chicken was consistently moist, delicious, and even better with the side dishes mentioned. I tried a bite of each of my friends dishes and I would feel highly comfortable recommending both the grilled skirt steak and two fisted cheeseburgers cooked medium rare. But for those who order the burger be aware that while many are used to a mountain of fries, this burger comes with a conservative serving.
Sunny Spot warmed my happy belly, or maybe it was the bottles of $4 Red Stripes I drank, regardless it now has a special place in my heart.
I am always impressed when the service team works together, but I am absolutely astounded when a manager steps in to take orders and clear plates. Matt, the manager during a prime time Sunday brunch came to take my order, gave it to my waitress, came back, cleared my plate, and asked how everything was, all with the grace of a symphony conductor who was filling in for one of the musicians in his orchestra, never missing a note.
I learned that one reason that brunch is so popular is that they offer bottomless mix and match cocktails like Mimosas and Bloody Marys for $10, so people come and stay all afternoon. I tried a Bloody Mary and it was delicious, with enough spice and kick to rival another brunch hot spot, Joe's, in nearby Venice. Although it was VERY loud, several people came with children in strollers, so this place is a kid friendly for brunch.
Since I wanted something spicy, and they are known for their wings marinated in habanero for $9 ($5 during happy hour), I segued on to their jerk wings. At first bite, I didn't feel any spice, but as I kept eating the warmth glowed like an ember, a bit stronger with every bite. If you are in the least bit sensitive to heat, do NOT get these because although I loved the flavor, by the end of my second wing I was looking for some milk. If you love heat, go for these. They are not super crispy even though they are double fried, but they are not mushy or greasy either.
The "one fisted" slider was adorable, about 3" in diameter, on a brioche bun with tomato jam, arugula, cheddar, herb mayo, and the perfect bar bite at $3 during happy hour or you can get the "two fisted" burger for $13 which is "normal" sized.
Sunny Spot is from the same people who did A-Frame, Chego, and the Kogi Truck, so we had high expectations coming here. Â The restaurant is at the old Beechwood (RIP) location just on the southern tip of Abbot Kinney. Â Valet parking is $5.
Came here with my husband, and we ordered the apple salad at the suggestion of other reviews. Â First bite was weird, since the tangy/sour flavor was a bit unexpected (like a more sour flavor than tabasco sauce), but it grew a little on me after a few bites. Â The jerk wings were good, the accompanying sauce was sneakily spicy - thumbs up on this one if you like fried chicken/wings! Â The oxtail pasta was really really good - I wanted a whole order to myself for this one! Â For dessert, we ordered the bread pudding, and this was just okay - I've had better bread pudding elsewhere. Â
Overall, a couple of hits and a couple of misses in what we ordered. Â Portions are small but a cute little place overall if you like eclectic flavors. Â There's a back room, the middle interior room, and the front covered patio seating area - all three spaces have a different feel and vibe, which was cool.
A + for decor, music and drinks.
Food is dece. They were not lying when they said the shrimp were spicy. I'm no wuss, but man...my eyes were watering, nose running. It was bordering on unenjoyable.
BF and mom said skirt steak was ok. Sister ordered the Mufongo (sp?) and it was delish. Dad loved the burger. All the while, Rebelution, Damian Marley and Pepper were playing, with dashes of dub step and La Roux thrown in. Absolutely fantastic.
I came back here on Sunday and they brunch/drink menu was muuuuuch better. Plus, the restaurant is just adorable and the daylight really does it justice. This would be a great spot to grab drinks/lunch and I'd probably come back and order something different at night. All in all, I'm def a fan.
The Sunny Spot on Washington Blvd in Venice, CA is just delicious!
I went there on a whim one night while staying at a hotel in Marina Del Rey. This place is a hidden gem! It features an outdoor patio, a bar area with LOTS of hightop tables, and if you make reservations, a very private dining area with a fun canopy table in the corner!
I am on their website and it is part of the Reiss Company Restaurants! This means Sunny Spot has the same parents as A-Frame, the Alibi Room, The Brig, and Littlefork. Looks like I have a lot of exploring to do! Maybe I should try to go to the other restaurants and bars and review them.
What is your favorite dish at The Sunny Spot?
Le me know in the comments below!
The two-fisted burger has a faithful following for a reason. My boyfriend orders this every time we come here, and it never fails to please. Â The medium-rare patty, the tomato jam, the herb mayo, and etc., they come together and give meaning to the phrase - "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
Consistency is a quality that is becoming harder to come by these days, but the two-fisted burger delivers every time. Â It's a solid, reliable dish whenever you have a craving for a burger. Â
Oh, and the yucca fries and the slice of the pickle complement the burger perfectly.
Now, I want to give attention to an item on the menu that is my personal favorite - the CUBANO torta. Â
The ratio of the pork terrine to the prosciutto to the provolone to the pickled jalapeno between two pieces of crusty bread - again, they get points not just for the deliciousness but also for consistency. Â You can really count on this dish hitting the cubano spot. Â
I always tell myself, "oh, i'll just eat half and take the rest home," and always end up eating the whole thing. Â It's that good. Â
Oh, and finally - the cocktail to order is the Westfall - tequila, mezcal, falernum (a carribean syrup with flavors of almond, ginger/cloves, lime) , lime, and apricot liquor. Â
Sunny Spot gets its own, exclusive falernum from a local spirit-maker. Â So yeah, i'm a fan.
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