Gjelina

The 6 Best Restaurants On Venice's Abbot Kinney - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"If you’ve managed to avoid hearing about Gjelina until now, it’s possible you’re an alien in a host body and please enjoy your time here on Earth. Gjelina is the original big-time Venice restaurant and an Abbot Kinney staple. It’s the perfect example of whatever California Italian cuisine means (i.e., incredible grilled vegetables with a side of pasta). Think blistered zucchini in a creamy turmeric sauce and Japanese sweet potato that gets an edge from jalapeño yogurt. We usually load up on vegetables and throw in Gjelina’s excellent lamb sausage pie and the bottarga-dusted saffron spaghetti. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - brant cox, sylvio martins