Joyce
Southern restaurant (US) · Downtown Los Angeles ·
Southern fare: oysters, hot catfish, cornbread, beignets
Southern fare: oysters, hot catfish, cornbread, beignets
"On October 16, Joyce hosts a conversation on personal journeys and the state of Los Angeles’s hospitality industry with Prince Riley of Joyce and Leslie Jones of 1010 Wine, paired with a five-course dinner; tickets are $100, the wine pairing is an additional $25, and seats can be booked through OpenTable." - Rebecca Roland
"A cheery, stylish daytime room with friendly service where a youthful crowd gathers to cocktail and connect—complete with guests singing Stevie Wonder’s version of "Happy Birthday"—and a shrimp-and-grits that stands out. The kitchen uses red heirloom grits, derived from an Indigenous Florida corn that made its way to Charleston, South Carolina; they are "less smooth and heartier than the traditional kind," producing flavorful, buttery results. The bowl includes black tiger prawns, a lobster velouté, and toasted sourdough points; because those elements are tricky to share, either dine with people willing to spoon from the same plate or eat it solo. Take advantage of the celebratory daytime hours and relish this Downtown spot." - Eater Staff
"Joyce’s charm is not just the food. The colorful walls beam with bright art, plants stationed throughout, and a direct sight line into the kitchen where chef Sammy Monsour makes this an ideal place for a date or gathering with friends. Though Joyce’s Southern-leaning seafood options are plentiful with crudo, ceviche, and oysters, opt for the cornbread with sorghum butter or whole-fried game hen with a healthy serving of the Mother of Pearl martini with house vermouth prepared by staff." - Mona Holmes
"The brightest star in Downtown’s dining scene is Joyce, a Southern restaurant with chef Sammy Monsour at the helm. Vibrant crowds gather around the dining room to revel in good vibes and over dishes like crawfish hushpuppies and chilled seafood platters. Every meal ought to begin with at least a half dozen wonderfully bright and meaty oysters from Murder Point, Alabama when they’re available. It’s the perfect start paired with one of the bar’s zero-waste cocktails by beverage director and co-owner Kassady Wiggins. Next, settle into warmer plates like the hot catfish that’s buttermilk-marinated and cornmeal-crusted or the Gullah Geechee-style braised kale. The fried-to-order beignets generously dusted with powdered sugar and served with a duo of sauces offer one of the finest finishes in town. It’s impossible to spell Joyce without joy. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor" - Eater Staff
"I was dazzled by Joyce Soul and Sea’s warm hospitality and well-prepared Southern comforts, and their hot catfish is the stuff that dreams are made of." - Eater Staff
