Restaurant Review: Gjelina – Venice, CA
Written by Gilda · June 17, 2009
Filed under Featured, Restaurant Reviews
Someone asked me how I like living in Los Angeles and I realized I never really think about that. Most people tell me what they love about L.A. is how nice the weather is all year round. Last Sunday was one of those sun-filled beach weather days that made me feel like a lucky girl. It was the perfect weekend to be in Venice Beach, so that’s where I went for lunch. Abbott Kinney is a 4 -5 block street filled with art galleries, boutiques, and some of the best eateries around. Gjelina is a nondescript dark brown restaurant on the corner that is easily passed by unnoticed. I’ve actually walked by this place several times while looking for it! After constantly seeing many people sitting by the windows, happily chatting and eating away, I thought I should check the place out.
The interior just drew me all the way in, so much that I didn’t want to leave. There’s something incredibly attractive about the dark brown unfinished wood surfaces and antique black wall designs. The entire back area is open and filled with patio diners. The atmosphere just makes you want to embrace the fresh ocean air and absorb every bit of sun. I can just imagine how steamy romantic this place would be for dinner at an inside table. We didn’t have any reservations but easily got a patio table. Our timing was the odd in betweeny, where it was neither lunch or dinner. They actually have a menu for that. Their menu is incredibly fresh, seasonal farmers market dishes, it reads like a love story that my sweetheart has written for me.
Here’s the order: Heirloom Spinach with Pinenut, Tomato, Olives, Feta & Crouton, Classic Margherita with Buffalo Mozzarella, Fresh Mint Iced Tea. As simple as these dishes sound, each ingredient was prime, only a perfectionist could’ve picked such freshness to create an amazing combination of flavors. I love pizza and I love this pizza – thin and delicate with a crisp and chewy crust, topped with tart robust marinara and creamy buffalo mozzarella cheese. The heirloom spinach salad was gone in 60 seconds – it had no chance with my favorite combination of tart feta cheese, tangy tomatos, salty olives and bites of pinenuts. Now I know this slim list is a far cry from my usual, so I’m planning on 2 trips – 1 for dessert (I want all 4 – see them listed at the bottom) and 2nd for a romantic dinner.
Lunch Menu Items:
CURES & JUICES
Bloody Beer 6
Ginger Lime Pilsner 7
Calimocho 6
Mimosa 8
Fresh Lemonade/ Arnold 5
Coca- Cola 3
Ginger-Lime Italian Soda 4
Schaner Farms OJ 5
Blood Orange Mimosa 8
Sparkling Casis 12
APPETIZERS
Kumamoto, Malapeque or Raspberry Point Oysters 15/Half Dozen
Escarole & Sunchoke Salad with Preserved Lemon, Smoked Almond & Parmesan 9
Mixed Market Lettuces with Asparagus, Fennel, Tomato & Yogurt Dressing 9
Heirloom Spinach with Pinenut, Tomato, Olives, Feta & Crouton 9
Marinated Beet & Avocado with Watercress, Blood Orange & Hazelnut 9
Smoked Trout Salad with Arugula, Shaved Red Onion, Avocado & Grapefruit 9
Wild Rocket, Sweet Corn, Cherry Tomato, Lemon & Pecorino 9
PLATES
Niman Ranch BLT 10 w/Fried Egg 13
Squash, Kale & Farro Soup with Herb Oil & Grilled Bread 9
PEI Mussels with Chorizo, Tomato, White Wine & Grilled Bread 13
Tuna Conserva Salad with Shaved Onion, Arugula, Olives, Potato & Egg 13
Crispy Sonoma Duck Leg Confi t with Frisee, Dried Cherries & Pistachios 15
Niman Ranch Lamb Burger with Harissa Aioli, Roasted Tomato, Arugula & Frites 15
Asparagus & Ricotta Ravioli with Brown Butter, Sage, Lemon & Parmesan 15
Chickpea Stew with Greens, Cous Cous, Spiced Yogurt & Harissa 12
Grilled Niman Skirt Steak with Arugula, Lemon & Parmesan 22
Crispy River Trout with Charred Sweet Tomato, Escarole & Salsa Verde 22
Roast Jidori Chicken with Cipollini, Greens, Mushroom & Lardon (20 Min) 23
PIZZA
Spicy Salami, Grilled Shishito, Scallion & Fontina 15
Classic Margherita with Buffalo Mozzarella 13 add Prosciutto 16
Eggplant, Tomato, Oregano & Mozzarella 13
Guanciale, Fresno Chili, Green Olive, Buffalo Mozzerella & Rosemary 15
Anchovy, Roasted Peppers, Tomato, Capers & Asiago 14
Gruyere, Caramelized Onion, Fromage Blanc & Arugula 13
Grilled Raddichio, Bacon, Fontina & Tomato Confi t 14
Mushroom, Goat Cheese, Truffl e Oil & Thyme 14
Lamb Sausage, Rapini, Confi t Tomato & Asiago 14
VEGETABLES 8
Salt & Pepper Kennenbeck Frites with Aioli & Romesco
Wood Roasted Caulifl ower with Garlic, Parsley & Chili Flakes
Haricot Vert with Charred Sweet Tomato, Mint & Feta
Braised Baby Artichokes with Parsley, Thyme, Breadcrumb & Chili
Sauteed Cavolo Nero with Caramelized Onion & Black Pepper
DESSERTS
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Creme Fraiche & Hazelnut 8
Butterscotch Pot de Cremé with Salted Caramel & Creme Fraiche 8
Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding with Fresh Cream & Caramel 8
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with Cornmeal & Gelato 10
GJELINA
Address: 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
Phone: (310) 573-1335
Hours: Mon-Sun. 5:30pm – 12am, Lunch 11:30am – 3pm, Dinner 10:30am – 5pm
Price: $5-$23
Let me know how you like this place or have any recommendations. Click here to see more reviews.
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