Finding The Joyce feels like being let in on a secret. You could easily walk past the tiny entrance off Española Way without noticing it, which is exactly the point. Once you give your name, a manager walks you through dark green walls into what feels like someone's very fancy, very cool living room—if that someone happened to collect Basquiats and Picassos.
This 60-seat spot is the kind of place that starts quiet with couples on dates and ends packed with people watching the game. Art collector Andre Sakhai and chef James Taylor, who has cooked at three-Michelin-starred Alinea, have created something that feels exclusive without being stuffy.
The menu looks like standard steak house stuff until you actually taste it. The hamachi crudo with hatch chile and lime pops off the plate—bright and clean with just enough heat. Those caviar latkes are rich without being over-the-top, and somehow they've made chopped iceberg lettuce exciting by adding honeyed bacon that actually complements the meal instead of overwhelming it.
If you're going to splurge, do it on the A5 filet mignon. Yes, it's expensive, but it's also incredibly rich and worth every penny. The "New York" strip (which is actually from Australia) is excellent too and won't completely destroy your wallet.
The cocktails get weird in the best way. Try the Liquid A5 made with A5-washed whiskey, or the "Drunken French Cook" with blue cheese rum—it sounds insane but somehow works. The wine list features over 100 bottles selected by someone who genuinely knows their craft.
The vibe: Like eating in a collector's private den, but one where you're actually welcome.
The food: Steak house classics that taste better than they have any right to, even the vegetables.
The drink: Cocktails that make you think twice about what you thought you knew about mixology.
Time Out tip: Don't ignore the Joyce Burger just because you're in a fancy place. Chef Taylor spent three years perfecting the recipe, and it shows up here straight from their casual sister spot next door.