Verse

After some seriously exhaustive research for *the perfect* spot to do a combo celebration dinner for my husband's birthday and our 5-year anniversary, Verse seemed like the perfect mix of location, unique food and atmosphere, and a history of being well-reviewed.First off, our server was the quirkiest, friendliest and most attentive little gem ever. Her attention, personality and comments throughout our visit were truly a great part of the whole experience!The place itself is loud, lively, moody and chic. When the live musicians (who were amazing, by the way) are taking a break from the stage, the music selection is still insanely eclectic and fun. I think we heard every genre under the sun while we were there. Loud places in general can be very hit or miss for me, but Verse makes it work so well. The loudness actually contributes to the fun of it all!We ordered mocktails, milk buns, tartare, yellowtail crudo, oyster mushrooms, dry aged Branzino, and the pork Iberico pluma. Every dang thing was phenomenal. Top points especially go to the ridiculous high quality of the roe that topped the tartare, the overall perfection of the milk buns, and molé that was served with the Branzino. Molé is definitely a love it or hate it flavor, and very dependent on the personal style of the chef. I tend to lean toward the hate it group, so I knew ordering this dish was a risk. Gotta say, it's a risk I'm glad I took because this was the best Molé I've ever had. Beautiful color, light texture, and zero of the sludgy brown sweetness that a lot of chefs tend to favor. The Molé at Verse is its own thing, and it wins.Now, we had every intention of ordering several desserts, but to our surprise, they surprised us with TWO desserts that were sent straight to our table in honor of our double celebration! We got a super dense olive oil cake, and a unique sorbet assortment. Every now and then, I get this rare experience where a dish strikes a nerve, and I get emotional. Yeah, I've cried over food a few times, don't judge me.Well I had a moment at Verse, and it happened over the white "snow" that sat below the olive oil cake. It had the texture of like a very pillowy powdered sugar granita. Once it's in your mouth, it's instantly salty, but then it dissolves into an almost gone toffee sweetness like a brown butter caramel. It's straight up alchemy happening. The start to finish experience of this stuff was shocking, and unlike anything I've ever eaten. I will never forget that.Well done, Verse. I cannot recommend you enough!

Verse is definitely a special occasion restaurant with amazing service and live music. When you walk in it's as if you've been transported into their restaurant. We ordered their Hokkaido milk buns($15), pork belly risotto($35), braised lamb pasta($38) and two drinks.The Hokkaido milk buns were soft, slightly sweet, and a pillowy cloud. Definitely the best starter on the menu and a must get. The braised lamb pasta was excellent with perfectly cooked pasta and the most tender lamb that it was as if the lamb was the sauce. The pork belly risotto used the finest cut of pork almost like a sweet chashu with fatty pork. Due to personal preference, I thought the food was great but not something I'd be itching to come back to. The pasta and pork belly risotto was extremely rich which is why I was full only after a few bites. They both had very complex flavors and textures with the lamb pasta containing seed which I believe were pepita seeds. Overall, it was still a 5/5 experience with amazing food. I would come back for another special occasion and try their other items.

To celebrate my 46th birthday, my girlfriend and I decided to treat ourselves to a truly special evening at Verse in Toluca Lake. I've always been intrigued by the concept of a supper club - the combination of excellent food, great company, handcrafted cocktails, and live music sounded like the perfect recipe for a magical night out.From the moment we arrived, Verse exuded an air of mystery and exclusivity. The building itself is unassuming, with no visible signage, but stepping through the doors transported us to a lively and vibrant space. The atmosphere was buzzing, with a sleek bar at the back and seating options to accommodate groups of all sizes. We felt fortunate to snag a prime table near the stage for our 7 PM dinner reservation.Our server set the tone for the night with warmth and enthusiasm, sharing the backstory of this modern supper club. Visionary 18-time Grammy-winning mixer Manny Marroquin imagined Verse as a place where a state-of-the-art recording studio could merge with a dining experience. The result is a space surrounded by 52 speakers, offering a sound environment unlike anything we'd encountered before. Conversations felt intimate, yet the acoustics perfectly showcased the smooth jazz classics performed live shortly after our meal began.We started the evening with two exceptional cocktails: the Raspberry Beret and the House-made Mojito.* Raspberry Beret: This delightful concoction of Bombay Sapphire Gin, mango-infused St. Germain, raspberry, and egg white was perfectly balanced--not too sweet, with an effervescent, creamy topping that added a unique texture.* House-made Mojito: A refreshing mix of Bacardi Aged Rum, Lyre's Cane Spirit, yuzu, lime juice, mint syrup, and Fever Tree Club Soda. It was smooth and expertly blended, a classic with a modern twist.For appetizers, we chose the Hokkaido Milk Buns and the Mediterranean Octopus - both amazing standouts.* Hokkaido Milk Buns: Warm, soft, and topped with sesame seeds and Murray River salt, these buns pulled apart effortlessly. The accompanying brown butter spread was silky smooth and utterly addictive.* Mediterranean Octopus: Cooked to perfection, the octopus was tender and flavorful, complemented by agave honey, grapes, and squid ink for a dish that was as visually stunning as it was delicious.Our entrées were equally impressive: the Pork Belly Risotto and the Braised Lamb Pasta.* Pork Belly Risotto: This dish was a revelation. The pork belly was rich and decadently seasoned, paired beautifully with creamy risotto and a touch of maple syrup to balance the saltiness. The butternut squash and chile de arbol added depth to this truly exceptional plate.* Braised Lamb Pasta: My girlfriend was enamored with this dish, and I couldn't resist stealing a few bites. The lamb was tender, the pasta perfectly al dente, and the flavors from pepita seeds, charred green onions, lime, and Grana Padano were beautifully harmonious.The Roasted Corn Side deserves special mention. Served with a green coriander powder, this dish revealed its magic as soon as the spoon dipped in. Layers of corn, burnt husk aioli, and creamy cheese came together for an unforgettable flavor experience. A must-try for anyone dining here!Throughout the evening, the wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable, enhancing the experience without being intrusive. The live music created a soothing ambiance, and the acoustics were nothing short of spectacular. Even the bathrooms, with their communal washing area, were impeccably clean and thoughtfully designed.Verse in Toluca Lake is the perfect destination for a special occasion or a memorable night out. While the price reflects the high quality of the food and unique experience, it's well worth it. Whether celebrating with a loved one or gathering with friends, Verse offers an evening of culinary delight, unparalleled sound, and captivating live music.Pro Tip: Curbside valet parking is available on Lankershim for $12.Highly recommended - this is a night out you won't soon forget!

I've been here a handful of times already and left wondering when I'll come back again! The live band, the friendly staff, the amazing food, sweets & drinks! Everything is a 10/10! I absolutely love this hidden gem in the valley! They have valet, no restaurant name on the building so it looks like a secret hideout. Regardless of what day of the week I've been here, they're always packed!

Can't say enough great things about Verse! The location itself is a gorgeous recording studio turned restaurant with live music and incredible food. The genres rotate as they feature different artists but just an awesome ambience and the perfect date night. If you want to impress somebody, take them here. Food was exquisite and everything was a 10/10 flavor wise. Staff was attentive, very kind and on the ball all night.

Verse was incredible in both ambiance and presentation. Stopped in here for what amounted to a brief cocktail hour before a work Christmas party and we were pleasantly surprised by the romantic and intimate setting. We loved watching the jazz band set up and were impressed that Verse keeps a sommelier on staff.Their cocktails were innovative and fun and acted a punch.They have a MIND JARRING wine list (hence the sommelier) and an impressive liquor menu as well. I had a couple mezcals on the rocks and loved them. We tried the scallops and some crudo fish dish. Also, the milk buns are worth the hype

This place is simply amazing.The ambience the decor drinks and food were all amazing! I started the night off with a special Smokey old fashion! Let me tell you the drinks were on point! Strong and good! I came on Monday they have a special on their chicken sandwich! When I came they were sold out of the chicken sandwich but the food we ordered was amazing and very tasty.

ProLive musicDelicious foodBeautiful restaurant Excellent wait staffMeticulous attention to detailPresentation exceptional Superb drinksSpeakeasy vibeGreat for intimate dinnersGreat for large crowds ValetConParking can be tricky

There are a lot of great things to love about Verse. I'll start with saying I recommend going to Verse and I will be back! But, the food and what we ordered was very just ok. I believe they probably have some stellar dishes on the menu, but the duck was a let down and the branzino was forgettable. I will say, the drinks are really great and the ambiance is sexy and cool. I loved it! The live music is really the cherry on top. The service is also top notch. Our waiter was very kind and helpful. I say come here for after dinner drinks and vibe or before dinner drinks and vibe.

Wow!!! All around wow!! Ambience, music, decor, drinks, and food, this place DELIVERS!! Elevated and thoughtful LA cuisine really is something to be experienced. We started off with a couple of cocktails, my husband ordered their Smokey old fashioned and I ordered a gin fizz. Both were excellent and some of the best drinks we've had.For dinner we started with the Hokkaido buns, which were a lot smaller than I thought they'd be, but in a good way. They were so fluffy!! The buns themselves were not sweet, but the butter served on the side was, I was hesitant about the sweet butter, but it totally worked.The croquettes were very good, not at all what I expected from a croquette as it used masa instead of potato. Everything we ate and everything we drank was incredible. From food, drinks, music, decor, service, and ambience, this place hit the nail on the head over and over again. 10/10 would recommend for any special occasion or date night.