An Homage to the Restaurant Scene in Venice, LA
This is a very long piece. Take it slowly or all at once. Disagree with me, praise me for my all-knowing opinion, but please, for the life of me, never miss the opportunity for a great meal.
I had a tweet go viral the other day, which resulted in a bunch of people signing up for this newsletter (hello), presumably under the assumption that I write about something they care about.
Normally, I write about ~life~, my life in particular. If that interests you, stay subscribed. If you’re looking for degenerate crypto content and more hot takes about tech products, then you’ll probably be disappointed, at least in the short term.
However, today, unlike all other days, I’m writing about something different! Specifically, food and coffee and cocktails and the places they are served in a little tiny town in Los Angeles, known as Venice.
Why?
I recently decided to lean into my hobby of eating and drinking because after a lifetime of doing it and then (shameless plug) running a syndicate into the now wildly successful wine brand, Une Femme Wines, that just announced their Series A (and launched on Delta Airlines!), I’ve decided I’d like to talk about it. I have a lot of opinions about the places I’ve been, some good and some bad. Sometimes people like to hear my opinion on this stuff, so I thought, maybe if I share it widely, people will care to read about it and hopefully one day use it on their next trip west of the 405.
“West of the 405”
LA is split up by West LA and East LA. There’s a large middle area, which is highly contested amongst the residents of Los Angeles. If you were to ask someone what they consider to be the west side of LA and they reply with, “west of the 405”, which is referring to the 405 highway. Some people, predominantly those who actually live on the west side of LA, believe that the “true” west side is “west of Lincoln”, meaning Lincoln Boulevard. And so, as a snooty asshole myself, I’ve decided to confine my recommendations to the part of Venice that is in fact west of Lincoln, otherwise known as “Oakwood”. Except no one calls it that. I’ve provided a map to illustrate the point.
I don’t care who you talk to, this area is Venice. There’s definitely a section of Venice that extends a bit east of Lincoln, but I’m not talking about that, plus there’s nothing there, except ★★★☆☆ The Penmar, which is solid and you should absolutely go for their live music nights on Wednesdays. The food is mediocre, as are the drinks, but the music and vibes are *chef’s kiss*.
The Streets of Venice
When it comes to most things non-residential in Venice, there are 4 major streets you need to know.
Lincoln Boulevard aka Lincoln - effectively a major highway in Venice and has something for everyone—gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, literally everything.
Rose Ave aka Rose - relatively quiet (compared to Lincoln and Pacific) and has some of the best, though fewer, options with residential and commercial overlap. It’s mostly locals.
Pacific Ave aka Pacific - very close to the beach and is quite busy and loud but is only 1-lane in both directions, which sucks for parking and general movement, especially on good beach days.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard aka Abbot Kinney aka AK - this is the famous one. Everyone knows Abbot Kinney and for good reason! There are some phenomenal spots to eat, drink, get coffee, party, shop and just roam around.
“Off the beaten path” - spots worth hitting that are off the main streets. They’re not actually far off, but they’re on side streets, so you have to go find them.
An Homage to the Restaurant Scene in Venice, LA
Database (and Map) Version
If you prefer a database, you can find all of these recommendations right here. I’ve pre-filtered it, but if you remove the filters, you can also see a bunch of other places I’ve been to (and those I’d like to try). I also made a map of all these places for ya. Enjoy!
★★★★★
A few caveats before we jump in.
I use a 5-star system, loosely. Some places have more stars for having a great vibe while others have more stars for having exceptional food. If it has a lot of stars, it means it’s probably not going to disappoint in it’s given category. If it’s a relatively large chain, I deduct a star.
I tried to put places in order of the time of day you’d go there. It’s not a perfect system.
I tried to steer clear of chains unless I felt for some reason they belonged on the list for being uniquely Venetian.
I’ve intentionally kept these reviews quite short. No one needs a novel. If you’re confused or curious to learn more about a place, DM me.
La Vie En Rose (Ave)
Rose Ave is my favorite of the 4 streets. Maybe it’s because I lived down the street from it when I first moved to Venice and subsequently fell in love with it as I crawled out of my NYC-COVID-induced depression. It’s comparative lack of places that don’t serve food and generally chill vibe helps a lot. There’s no meaningful shopping and besides a few local things like a laundromat and a hair salon, the street is almost exclusively dedicated to food, coffee, drinks, and ice cream. Although there are a few more popular spots that attract visitors, there’s a strong locals-only vibe to Rose and you’ll often find the same people coming by the same spots on a daily or weekly basis. You’ll also see people waving hello to each other and generally smiling at one another, it’s great. But at night, Rose turns up. The restaurants are often packed with reservations, the bars are filled to the brim with patrons enjoying cocktails and you’ll frequently see families walking around to get some air and an ice cream at ★★★☆☆ Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, which I didn’t know was a national chain until the second I wrote this sentence. Anyway, let’s get into the first batch of reviews!
★★★★★ Flake is the perfect place to start this list because it is a truly incredible establishment. They have, to this day, the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. Second only to my love of New York bagels, Flake perfects the art of breakfast. They probably have amazing lunch food as well, but I’ve never tried it. I’ve also never tried their coffee, but people seem to drink it. You order at a window amidst a sea of locals and you pick up your order from another window around the corner. Pro tip: ask for the secret sauce, it’s the best .50 cents you’ll ever spend. Honestly, get two. Seating is hit or miss and entirely self service. This spot is no frills but so good. You can’t go wrong. I don’t have a go-to drink order here but you can’t go wrong with anything on this menu. My food pick is the bacon burrito with avocado (and at least one secret sauce).
★★★☆☆ Bluestone Lane Venice Beach Café is also a chain and so I’m off to a bad start but hear me out. This one is different. Although they have mediocre coffee, they have surprisingly good food and a fantastic ambiance. Whether you’re alone or with friends, this is a great spot to grab a seat and people watch for a minute or a few hours. There’s always seating and the menu has something for everyone with large portions, plus quick and friendly service. I’ve only given it 3 stars where I’d otherwise give 4 because it’s a chain and you should probably go to other places while you’re in town.
★★☆☆☆ Groundwork Coffee Co. has really bad coffee. I don’t get the hype and frankly wouldn’t recommend going but some people like it. They’ve also expanded to a lot more locations, so clearly everyone else feels differently about them than I do. That being said, the space is very cute and it’s a nice spot to work from and the food is actually quite good! If you like Philz, you’ll probably like Groundwork, but I steer clear of both.
★★★★★ The Win-Dow at American Beauty is very true to Rose Ave form. From 11am to 5pm, they are “The Win-Dow”, serving up a very simple menu. It’s unassuming and you’d miss it if you weren’t looking (especially now that they put up those tall walls), but they serve one of the best burgers I have ever had. The kicker? Everything on the menu is under $7.95, served up through, you guessed it, a window. This was one of the first places I experienced in Venice and to this day remains an all-time favorite. They opened up a few other spots, one on Venice boardwalk and another in Silver Lake, but this one will always be my favorite not only because it was my first but also because at night, it transitions into the gem that is, American Beauty...
★★★★★ American Beauty, which I believe is the only steakhouse in this area and for quite a distance around it (excluding chains like Del Frisco’s). American Beauty was closed for a very long time, like years and like some sort of divine intervention, they opened up just a few weeks before I left LA. I swiftly made a reservation with a few guys friends who take steak quite seriously and the results were unanimous, this place slaps. Perfectly cooked steak, delectable sides, solid drinks, an exceptionally kind and funny staff, and a cute vibe to boot. This is a phenomenal spot for any occasion, be it a date, family dinner, or a night with friends, you just can’t go wrong. Whoever is running this establishment deserves a gold medal.
★★☆☆☆ Wabi on Rose is a miss for me. I don’t know a single person who’s over the moon about Wabi and for good reason. Their prices are astronomical. The place itself is gorgeous and the staff is chill, but $30 for a sushi roll that’s mediocre at best? No, thanks. That being said, Wabi is always packed to the brim, so maybe I’m missing something, but generally speaking, Venice misses on quite a few categories, sushi being one of them.
★★★★★ Wallflower is so, so, so, so good. From the ambiance to the staff to the menu and especially the drinks, I’ve never been disappointed by Wallflower’s Indonesian flavors and style. Both their extensive drink and eclectic food menus take a minute to get a grip on as everything is either uniquely named or simply in Indonesian. You have to read the descriptions to get a sense for what’s going on but the good news is, everything tastes incredible, so you really can’t go wrong. I recommend letting the waiter give you the lay of the land and take their suggestions on what to order for your party size, but don’t be afraid to throw in a street snacks or two with ingredients you’ve probably never tried before.
★☆☆☆☆ Cafe Gratitude is another miss for me. I’ve never gone here of my own volition and maybe it’s because I’m neither vegan nor vegetarian and I eat gluten. I don’t get this place. The food is average, though well-presented and the staff is kind but ordering everything in the form of a statement of gratitude or affirmation, a la “I am kind”, just isn’t for me. Friends of mine have enjoyed this place but we’ve also never gone more than once or twice, so although there’s a shtick, I don’t think it’s sticking. That being said, this place has been around for a minute, so I guess it’s working for someone?
★★★☆☆ I wish I could give a half star for Chulita, because it’s solidly good, but nothing special. You won’t be disappointed by their drinks or Mexican-American fair, but it’s nothing to write home about and definitely not a spot I’d make time for if I’m only here for a few days. That being said, it’s a chill and easy spot for a first date or catch up with friends. The space itself is quite cute and the staff leaves you to your conversation without any unnecessary engagement, which is under-appreciated art form.
★★★★☆ The Rose Venice was a very regular stop for me before I moved to LA, when I’d come to visit Dan, my infamous older brother. The Rose has three personalities—daytime, chill hangout spot to grab a drink and a bite, do some work or hang out with a friend, then at night a fun and lively spot for dinner, but late night, this place turns into a party with a line out the door into the late evening. It’s the only spot like it on Rose and for quite some distance around it, so it’s no surprise it’s always busy. The Rose caters to all types throughout the day, with outdoor as well as counter seating, baked goods and breakfast to lunch and dinner with a full bar. It’s an easy pick if you’re not sure what you’re looking for and want to appease a group of people.
Places I haven’t been but would like to try: Moon Juice, Venice Beach Wines, La Isla Bonita, La Fiesta Brava, and La Cabana Venice.
Lincoln Boulevard
Lincoln Boulevard (otherwise known as “Lincoln”) is packed! Lincoln is a major artery of the west side and has everything from cute little coffee shops to delicious restaurants and fun bars, while also home to a surprisingly large number of auto body shops and dealerships as well as fast food joints and grocery stores. I’ve probably driven down it more times than any other in the country. I wish you could remove all the cars from it entirely, but alas. The biggest downside to the spots on Lincoln is how stressful it is to be on the street in general. It’s a difficult feeling to explain, but suffice to say, it’s just not my favorite street. Either way, I’d be remiss not to shout out a few spots near and dear to my heart.
★★★☆☆ Flowerboy Project, like many coffee shops in LA, is not just a coffee shop. This spot is basically a little home goods shop with a flower shop and jewelry store mixed in, oh and coffee in the back. It’s a little over er maybe under(?)whelming because the place is often understaffed with just one person working the coffee machines and one person doing literally everything else, but the coffee is quite good and if you’re lucky, you’ll find a cute little gift for yourself or someone you love.
★★★★☆ Deus Ex Machina is a banger. You’ll feel cool just walking into this place. You’ve probably seen people across the country wearing Deus apparel. I’m not sure who popularized it but this spot is very cool, with a clothing store in the front and a coffee shop in the back and a large outdoor seating area for all the work-from-homers who inhabit it daily. My only beef with them is the staff.. though very kind, they can be incredibly spacey and often mess up my orders, but when they get it right, it’s spot on.
★★★★★ Superba Food + Bread Venice is a staple. They’ve managed to create an open, airy and calm vibe on an otherwise loud and obnoxious street. The food here is very good, but please don’t sleep on the pastries! Everything about Superba just screams LA and reminds me a lot of The Rose Venice. They offer pretty much everything you could possibly want throughout the day with a stellar ambiance and lovely staff. I have no complaints, except one time the cacio e pepe I ordered was super over-salted, but whatever, I’d still get it again. Oh, the bread, please get any and all bread here.
★★★☆☆ Double Zero is also a chain, but I’ve been so deeply surprised by the quality of flavor for a pizza place in LA that’s all vegan. It’s insane. You should go, whatever city you’re in, just to marvel at cashew cheese and shiitake bacon.
★★☆☆☆ Casablanca is only on this list because my aforementioned brother was obsessed with it when he lived in Venice, so I’ve gone to it more times than I care to admit. It’s a vibe. The food is good and they make guacamole next to the table, which is cute, but honestly, I wouldn’t go out of your way to dine here unless you’re into kitschy Mexican vibes (sorry, Dan).
★★★★☆ Zinqué (+ à côté) is so bougie. This place is screaming with fanciness. They used to be at the very end of Abbot Kinney on North Venice Boulevard but for some reason moved to this new location on Lincoln. It’s the kind of place you take someone who lives in the West Village—fancy but casual and makes you feel like you should be wearing a flowy dress with a wide brimmed hat or loafers with linen pants. The food is solid and the drinks (wine included!) are delicious. The staff is super chill and the patrons are very cute. You enter (and park) in the back of the building, but there’s an “upscale” provisions store in front. I’ve never been because it feels unnecessarily expensive just looking at it but honestly, I might swing through next time I’m in town.
★★★☆☆ Baby Blues BBQ - Venice is yet another addition thanks to my brother. It’s honestly surprisingly good BBQ. I’m not saying you should go out of your way to hit this place up but if you want to do take out or order in, which Dan and I often do, it’s worth it. I don’t pretend to know anything about BBQ and I’ve never been to the South, which I’m very upset about… but I’ve always enjoyed the no frills, well cooked meal from Baby Blues.
★★★★★ EL Primo Taco (aka Bootleg Tacos) is a holy establishment. Anyone who knows me or has come to visit me in LA, knows about this not-so-hidden gem. Whether it’s the incredible flavor of the al pastor, jovial yet casual vibe, or unbelievable prices, this taco stand on the corner of Brooks and Lincoln, has never left a single soul disappointed. Posted up every evening (except Monday’s), local Venetians line up with cash in hand, ready to pay their respects to the dudes who make the best Mexican street food I’ve ever had in my life. There’s only one spot in all of Mexico City that beats this place by a literal inch. Swing by the taco stand for a quick bite before a house party, for a late night snack (they close around 11pm or whenever the meat runs out) or really any time you’re in the mood for it. Don’t forget to add pineapple to your meal and get your burritos grilled! Ps - they cater for crazy good prices.
Places I haven’t been but would like to try: Wirin Thai Restaurant, The Great Western Steak & Hoagie Co., and Wurstküche Restaurant Venice Beach.
Abbot Kinney
We’ve made it to the street of all streets. Named after the late 19th century visionary and millionaire entrepreneur, Abbot Kinney, this street is an homage to the special vibes of Venice. Nowadays, overpriced and obnoxious as it may be, AK is the epitome of west side LA culture. This street holds strong as the #2 spot in my heart, but if it didn’t have so many tourists, it’d most definitely be #1. A walk down Abbot Kinney is a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening, so if you can only make time for one of these streets, make it this one.
★★★★★ Neighbor swiftly stole my heart after one bite of their $7 sourdough bread and tapenade, which may no longer be on the menu but fear not, every single item on their menu slaps. I’m so genuinely and pleasantly surprised every time I come here because the food and drinks and vibes are so good. This became my go-to first-date spot, but my only advice is not to sit in the far back. Go as far as the couches but never the far back, it’s not the vibe and the seating is pretty uncomfortable.
★★☆☆☆ Lemonade is yet another chain but once again, this place is really good and a great pick if you just want to eat a solidly good meal rather quickly. Though I’d also recommend just going to Erewhon down the street and trying their hot food counter. It’s expensive but worth it. There are a number of these cafeteria-esque spots in LA, serving healthy(ish) food (depending on what you order). I have, on a regular basis, gotten the mac n cheese side with a bit of the brisket sauce on top. You’re welcome. Oh and the lemonade is actually quite good!
★★★★☆ Gjelina (pronounced jeh-lee-nah) is the sister restaurant of the very famous, Gjusta (pronounced jew-stah). Whoever is running the show at these establishments is a genius. They’ve nailed every single aspect of the vibe people in west LA are going for and for that, we’re all grateful. You really can’t go wrong here. Go alone, bring a date, friends, your entire family. Gjelina is an incredibly delicious restaurant with exceptional quality of service. I’m sure people will complain about the price, but you’re getting the full package, so just try to enjoy it. Bonus: Gjelina Take Away (aka GTA) is the take out version of Gjelina (right next door) with the same quality food but a little less quality service. I don’t recommend this unless you have a hankering for the food but couldn’t get a reservation at the restaurant. It feels criminal to pay those prices without the ambiance and service. That being said, the pizza is hella good.
★★★★★ ah, Felix Trattoria, what a gem. If I could give them 6 stars, I would. Only after digging around to learn more for this piece did I find out this spot has both a Michelin star and was founded by a woman. Felix truly has it all—an incredible menu, exceptional staff, delightful libations and an ambiance that can’t be beat. If you can get a reservation, even if it’s just for two people, do it and don’t forget to order the sfincione. Mangia!
★★★★★ Intelligentsia is what all other coffee shops should be modeled after. Not only is the coffee here exceptionally good, the space itself is exquisite. Seating is almost never an issue as you can grab a spot outside or find a spot inside at four distinctly different vibes, from stadium seating to bar seats, tables or against the walls. There’s free wifi, a bathroom, and beautiful artwork to enjoy while you sip your drink. The only downside? No outlets. So make your time count.
★★☆☆☆ Abbot's Pizza Company had to be mentioned. This place doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t. The pizza isn’t very good, but if you’re too hungry (or too poor) to wait for GTA, Abbot’s is your spot. People are obsessed with their salad pizza, but I don’t get it. It’s open late and that’s all that really matters.
★☆☆☆☆ Adrift Burger Bar. Meh. Staff is friendly, food is meh.
★★★☆☆ Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktail is fine! I’d almost never choose to go here but it’s an easy, straight forward, typically healthier eatery. Counter-order-seat-yourself sorta vibe. Nothing special but good if you’re with a larger group and didn’t make a reservation somewhere better. The food is good and the staff is very friendly!
★★★☆☆ The Butcher’s Daughter. Every single time I come here, I’m waiting to be wow’d, given how much hype there is around this spot and how much some of my friends swear by it, but I just don’t get it. The food is good but doesn’t warrant the price. The vibes are great but I usually sit outside anyway. I don’t know.. I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here but it’s good enough if you can’t go elsewhere.
★★★★☆ Only The Wild Ones is so cute! Everything here is kinda dainty. I’d come back because I like the vibes and I’m a sucker for a pretty ambiance. It’s definitely got that new-Venice chique (read: expensive and trendy) with solid people watching. Great spot to catch up with friends and the food is quite good.
★★★★☆ Roosterfish, ah Roosterfish. From my understanding, this bar has been around forever. I guess it’s been through a few fazes, like being a gay haven, but seemingly no longer as it’s packed with what I presume to be predominantly straight people. It’s a fun spot to go with friends, just avoid the angry bartender and the random weird dude that always finds his way in, but definitely check out the bathroom, even if that’s the only thing you go there to see. Oh and their live DJ sets are incredible!
★★★★★ The Brig is a comeback story that I’m 100% here for. I guess some time just before the pandemic, this place was a drab and dingy bar, but when it re-opened, it rather quickly stole some of the monopolized spotlight from Roosterfish to become a popular spot to hit in Venice. This place has a massive outdoor patio area with loads of seating and a paired down bar to help manage the interior chaos. Inside, you’ll find a pool table, bar and booth seating and later in the evening, an all out dance party. I love The Brig, but be sure to get there on the earlier side because the line gets absolutely ridiculous around 10pm. At some point in the evening a food truck pulls up slinging delicious smash burgers. I can’t remember the name, but you’ll know it when you see it.
★★★★★ Salt & Straw! I absolutely love this place, as does pretty much everyone who lives in LA. It’s technically a chain and was apparently started in Portland, Oregon but the one in Venice feels like it’s been there forever. Though they have normal-ish flavors, the weird and wacky ones like Baked Brie and Fig Cheesecake or Deviled Egg Custard with Smoked Black Tea, are worth a try. This is one of the few ice creams shops where the newly egregious ice cream prices are totally worth it.
★★★★☆ Blue Star Donuts is another delicious dessert spot that’s absolutely worth the price. Though the donuts are on the smaller side, they’re packed with flavor.
Places I haven’t been but would like to try: Plant Food + Wine, De Buena Planta, The Tasting Kitchen, Piccolo Abbot Kinney, and pudu pudu.
Oh, Pacific
I really don’t like Pacific. Maybe it’s because I lived in an apartment on Pacific for roughly 18 days before needing to leave because I couldn’t fall asleep without earplugs and had to deal with the incessant buzzing of cars and tourists from my yard. It sucked but even still, there are a handful of spots that really do deserve your time and attention, if not just for the famous Venice sign. My only advice, avoid this street if you’re in a car during beach days. It’s also a very long street that runs the entire length of Venice into the Canals, so don’t be fooled, some of these spots are quite far apart.
★★★★★ if we’re talking flavor, little lunch coffee + snacks is my favorite coffee shop in Venice. Although Intelligentsia is the whole package with their seating options and amenities, little lunch has the friendliest staff of any coffee shop I’ve ever been to and a cute seating area right across the street, where I regularly watch cool cars drive by and run into local friends. They serve breakfast burritos from Great White and sell a wall of assorted (read: relatively random) products like Vegemite and the ever-so-vibey Poolsuite FM sunblock.
★★★★☆ Ospi is the most recent restaurant I tried since writing this piece. Now, I have a very high bar for Italian food, so maybe that has something to do with my not giving it 5 stars, because objectively speaking, this place is great. The food is solid, the staff is very friendly, and the ambiance is vibey if you don’t mind the noise level. It can be tough to hear the person in front of you if the restaurant is packed but it gives off a fun, pre-night out energy. The menu is quite fun and the drinks are solid. I don’t think you can go wrong with Ospi, but it’s definitely on the pricier side. Their vodka sauce is killer though, get the deep fried cheese that it comes with and thank me later.
★★★★★ Great White is a gift. Although it’s becoming increasingly harder to just show up and get a seat, it’s worth waiting upwards of 30-40 minutes to sit down and enjoy a meal at this rightly famous spot. This place has great vibes, kind staff, and solid food, but as a New Yorker, I have to say, their pizza is surprisingly good. I’ve come for dinner with a group of friends on many occasions and simply ordered a bunch of pizzas and salads and every single time, we’re all left wondering how a west coast restaurant that became famous for it’s brunch has managed to make a pizza this good. There’s also a strong locals vibe here if you know who the locals are, but generally speaking, it’s tourists taking photos of their eggs…
★★★★☆ Gran Blanco is technically on both Windward and Pacific so it get’s a pass. It’s the sister spot to Great White and although I’ve only been here once before I left LA in late 2021, I get the feeling it’s become a regular spot for partying on the west side. All the seating is low to the ground, which can be a bit awkward, but the waiters usually squat down to take your order. Similar to Great White, Gran Blanco nails it on the vibes as well as the drinks and their food is, by no surprise, very very good. In the evenings, this place slowly but surely fills up as the way-too-hot bartenders make refreshing drinks for the masses.
★★★☆☆ Mao’s Kitchen is nothing to write home about and I wish I could give them a half star more, but if you’re in the area and want a relatively quick, affordable and delicious bite, the dumplings at Mae’s are killer.
Places I haven’t been but would like to try: Market Venice, Tocaya Modern Mexican, and Erwin’s General.
Not-so-off the beaten path
We’ve made it to the end! I didn’t think we’d get here. Enjoy these last few recommendations and please leave comments of deep disagreement or equally deep appreciation. I myself am taking recommendations as well, so don’t be shy to share a spot I absolutely must try in LA or otherwise, because if I’ve learned anything from this exercise, it’s that I need to get out of Venice more often.
★★★☆☆ Menotti’s Coffee Shop is a solid coffee shop off Pacific with very few, if any, frills. They have seating, are close to the fun area of Pacific and they’re close to the beach, but I’d rather grab a cup from little lunch and walk or drive the rest of the way down the road.
★★★★☆ Gjusta, Gjusta, Gjusta. Arguably the most famous spot in all of Venice, Gjusta is a marvel. Somehow they’ve managed to be a deli counter style establishment (think: Katz’s Deli) but incredibly upscale while still having a very chill vibe. Gjusta is a fan favorite for good reason and although I think the prices are absurd, the flavor is solid, except the coffee, don’t get the coffee unless you must. They have pretty much everything you could possibly want from pastrami sandwiches to pasta dishes plus a full breakfast menu, undeniably good pastries, deli meats and various general store-esque goods across from the counter—think: sauces and dips to go. Gjusta and the team behind their spaces definitely know what they’re doing, but I’ll say, there are other spots that I think are more worth the time and money…
★★☆☆☆ Hama Sushi is easy to miss and I considered not including it because I can’t understand why anyone would end up in this area but here we are anyway. It’s an odd little area on a massive (at least for Venice) roundabout. There’s not much going on in this part of town and frankly, I wouldn’t go out of my way to hit this place up but the sushi is good. The service isn’t great and the drinks are pretty good. If you really want sushi, I’d get out of town or go to ★★★★★ Sushi Enya Marina del Rey. I know! It’s not in Venice but it’s very good and I love sushi so having a spot to go in the area is key. Plus, it’s like right on the edge.
★☆☆☆☆ Tacos Por Favor is a peculiar little spot. There seems to be a community of people between Crossfit Paradiso and Gold’s Gym (both right down the street) who really like this place. It’s dingy and leaves much to be desired, the food is ok, the staff is friendly and the vibe is deeply casual, counter-service Mexican food. I don’t get it, but locals do, so do with that what you will.
★★★★★ NIGHT + MARKET Sahm is crack. It’s also beyond my border area but I don’t care. It deserves to be here. I discovered this place while my good friend Helene was in town and we were looking for some solid delivery. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I’ve never actually been to the physical establishment, but I can only imagine how much better that would be. Every single dish at NIGHT + MARKET Sahm packs a punch of flavor. Every. Single. Dish. Frankly, although the flavors are great via delivery, I’m willing to bet large that the same dishes are way better in-person, fresh out the kitchen. Oh, also, if you don’t get the roti bread, you’re doing it wrong.
Places I haven’t been but would like to try: Barrique Venice, FABIOS, Fig Tree and Dudley Market.
That’s it! What did you think? Share your opinions, recommendations, hot takes. I want it all. I’m also ready to explore beyond Venice frankly, particularly I’d like to get to know Santa Monica, since that’s where my brother lives and where I end up spending a lot of time, so let it rip and don’t be shy to share stuff more east. I need the motivation to untether myself from the west side.
WOW. Just WOW