Venice
Get directions | 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291
Hours | Sunday 8am-12am, Monday 8am-12am, Tuesday 8am-12am, Wednesday 8am-12am, Thursday 8am-12am, Friday 8am-12am, Saturday 8am-12am
Whether you won the employee of the month parking space, got every question right on an objectively difficult online geography quiz, or came in #1 in your friend group’s annual guacamole competition, knowing you’re the best at something feels straight-up euphoric. But that feeling is also a double-edged sword. When perfection is even briefly achieved, suddenly any other result feels inadequate. Everyone expects more of you.
Which brings us to Gjelina. A restaurant that, when it opened in 2008, felt as close to perfect as restaurants get in this city. It had a beautiful space on a still-cool street in Venice, a crowd you wanted to be seen with, and pizza that made your East Coast friends stop bitching for two seconds. Fast-forward to present day, and this Abbot Kinney staple hasn’t lowered its bar, but it hasn’t raised it either. And now other restaurants have caught up.
To be clear, Gjelina is doing just fine. That 8.3 you see at the top of this review means this is an extremely well-run restaurant that you should continue to seek out. But this place also used to be an 8.9 – we’ve dropped its rating because it’s simply no longer as exciting as LA’s current A+ restaurants.
310-450-1429
info@gjelina.com
https://www.instagram.com/gjelinarestaurant
Breakfast
OYSTERS
Kampachi Crudo, Blood Orange Aguachile, Kumquat, Jalapeño
22
Half Dozen Oysters
22
PLATES
Labneh On Toast – Kumquat Preserve, Olive Oil, Sea Salt
10
Mixed Winter Citrus Plate
15
Buckwheat Banana Walnut Bread, Preserves & Butter
8
Straus Greek Yogurt – Granola, Honey, Berries
12
Lemon Buckwheat Ricotta Pancakes, Creme Fraiche, Blueberry
15
Whole Grain Porridge – Seasonal Fruit, Honey (with Oat Milk)
15
Nine Grain Pancake, Butter, Maple Syrup
13
Soft Scramble, Minced Herbs
12
Crispy Egg, Duck Hash, Whole Grain Mustard
20
Oyster Mushroom Omelette, Ricotta, Arugula
20
Smoked Salmon, Herbed Goat Cheese, Pickle, Sourdough
20
Poached Egg, Cannellini Bean, Chorizo & Salsa Verde
20
Crispy Egg, Pea Tendril, Red Onion, Fresno Chili, Chermoula
18
Crispy Egg, Prosciutto, Romesco, Arugula, Lemon
18
Moroccan Baked Eggs, Merguez, Tomato Sauce, Cilantro, Yogurt
18
SIDES
Thick Cut Maple Glazed Bacon
8
Crispy Fingerlong Potatoes, Rosemary, Parmesan
10
Arugula, Lemon, Olive Oil
6
BEVERAGE
Coffee
5
Espresso
5
Flat White
6
Whipper Snapper
6
Cold Brew Ice Coffee
6
Tea
6
Fresh Juice
6
Seasonal Fruit & Vinegar Shrub
6
Michelada
10
Mimosa
12
Cappelletti Spritz
12
OYSTER
Kampachi Crudo, Blood Orange Aguachile, Kumquat, Jalapeño
22
Moon Shoal (MA) – half dozen
22
Blue Pool (WA) – half dozen
22
CHARCUTERIE & CHEESE
Marinated Olives
8
House Made Pickled Vegetables
8
Selection of Charcuterie, Pickles, Mostarda, Sourdough Bread
20
Mary’s Chicken & Duck Liver Pate on Baguette, Mustard Frill
18
Cheese Selection, Fruit & Nut Bread, Honey Butter, Fruit Preserve
20
Anchovy & Burrata Toast, Peperonata, Sherry, Olive Oil
22
Roasted Rainbow Carrot, Burrata, Prosciutto, Carrot Top Pistou
22
SALAD
Mixed Market Greens, Dill, Tarragon, Lemon Vinaigrette
16
Little Gem, Crispy Prosciutto, Blue Cheese Dressing
16
Snow Peas, Watermelon Radish, Watercress, Kumquat, Citrus Vinaigrette
16
Dandelion, Parmesan, Breadcrumb, Buttermilk Dressing
16
Smoked Trout, Arugula, Grapefruit, Avocado, Red Onion, Lemon, Olive Oil
16
Local Seaweed, Radish, Mint, Chive, Ginger Vinaigrette
22
Albacore Tuna Conserva, Frisée, Endive, Caper, Boiled Egg, Buttermilk Dressing
20
VEGETABLE
Grilled Asparagus, Meyer Lemon, Bottarga
14
Charred Snap Peas, Prosciutto, Soffritto, Mint
14
Roasted Fennel, Blood Orange, Chili, Fennel Pollen
14
Grilled Yu Choy, Tahini, Furikake
14
Grilled Broccolini, Garlic, Chili, Vinaigrette
14
Wood Roasted Pea Tendrils, English Peas, Lemon, Olive Oil
14
Grilled Oyster Mushroom, Tarragon Butter
14
Japanese Sweet Potato, Jalapeno Yogurt, Scallion
14
Roasted Rainbow Carrot, Tarragon Tahini, Gomashio
14
Roasted Romanesco, Anchovy, Soffritto, Caper, Fresno Chili, Mint
14
Wood Roasted Cauliflower, Garlic, Chili, Vinegar
14
Hand Cut Frites, Harissa Ketchup, Mustard Aioli
11
SANDWICH
Vegetable Sandwich, Avocado, Pickled Turnip, Bell Pepper, Sprouts, Fennel, Hummus
15
Grilled Hanger Steak Banh Mi, Pickle, Horseradish Aioli
18
Turkey Sandwich, Arugula, Pickled Cucumber, Red Onion, Dijon Aioli
18
Tuna Conserva, Arugula, Pickled Cucumber, Red Onion, Aioli
18
Lamb Burger, Raclette, Pickle, Lemon Aioli
22
PLATES
Vegan Pozole Verde, Oyster Mushroom, Tomatillo, Peppers, Cabbage
22
Wagyu Beef Tartare, Sourdough, Dijon Mustard, Caper, Shallot
25
Potato Gnocchi, Maitake Mushroom, Shallot, Parmesan
26
Nettle Rigatoni Cacio Pepe
26
Saffron Spaghetti, Bottarga, Oven Dried Tomato, Garlic, Calabrian Chili, Bread Crumb
26
Einkorn Orecchiette, Beef Cheek Bolognese, Whipped Ricotta
26
Braised Pork Meatball, Red Wine Tomato Sauce, Parmesan, Sourdough Toast
20
Crispy Duck Confit, Braised Purple Cabbage, Confit Garlic, Port, Dijon Mustard
35
Pan Seared Local Black Cod, Snap Pea, Green Garlic, Pea Tendril
38
Roasted Pasture-Raised Half Chicken, Braised Spigarello, Red Harissa
30
Pan Seared Hanger Steak, Green Peppercorn Sauce, Frites
30
PIZZA
Mixed Mushroom, Rosemary, Garlic Confit, Olive Oil
20
Pomodoro – Confit Tomato, Oregano, Basil, Olive Oil Add Burrata – 5
16
Raclette, Caramelized Onion, Fromage Blanc, Arugula
20
Four Onion, Goat Cheese, Asiago, Parmesan, Thyme
20
Blanco – Mozzarella, Parmesan, Castelvetrano Olive
20
Anchovy, Spicy Pomodoro, Onion, Garlic, Parmesan
24
Housemade Chorizo, Tomato Cream, Fontina, Fennel, Chili, Basil
20
Mushroom, Truffle Tremor, Fontina, Thyme
22
Guanciale, Mozzarella, Castelvetrano Olive, Fresno Chili
24
Fennel Salami, Pomodoro, Shaved Fennel, Calabrian Chili, Mozzarella
22
Cured Chorizo, Mozzarella, Calabrian Chili, Red Onion
24
Lamb Sausage, Asiago, Confit Tomato, Rapini, Pecorino
20
Dinner
OYSTER / RAW
Kampachi Crudo, Blood Orange Aguachile, Kumquat, Jalapeno
22
Snow Island (ME) – half dozen
22
Row 34’s (MA) – half dozen
22
CHARCUTERIE & CHEESE
Marinated Olives
8
House Made Pickled Vegetables
8
Selection of Charcuterie, Pickles, Mostarda, Sourdough Bread
20
Mary’s Chicken & Duck Liver Pâté on Baguette, Mustard Frill
18
Cheese Selection, Fruit & Nut Bread, Honeycomb, Fruit Preserve
20
Anchovy & Burrata Toast, Peperonata, Sherry, Olive Oil
22
Roasted Rainbow Carrot, Burrata, Prosciutto, Carrot Top Pistou
22
VEGETABLE
Braised French Leek, Bottarga, Shio Koji Butter, Breadcrumb
14
Roasted Fennel, Blood Orange, Chili, Fennel Pollen
14
Charred Snap Peas, Soffritto, Prosciutto, Mint
14
Roasted Rainbow Carrot, Tarragon Tahini, Gomashio
14
Grilled Broccolini, Garlic, Chili, Vinegar
14
Grilled Oyster Mushroom, Tarragon Butter
14
Wood Roasted Pea Tendril, English Pea, Lemon, Olive Oil
14
Wood Roasted Cauliflower, Garlic, Chili, Vinegar
14
Japanese Sweet Potato, Jalapeno Yogurt, Scallion
14
Roasted Romanesco, Caper, Fresno Chili, Mint, Anchovy, Soffritto
14
Hand Cut Frites, Harissa Ketchup, Mustard Aioli
11
SALADS
Mixed Market Greens, Dill, Tarragon, Lemon Vinaigrette
16
Local Seaweed, Radish, Mint, Chive, Ginger Vinaigrette
22
Snow Peas, Radish, Watercress, Kumquat, Citrus Vinaigrette
16
Bloomsdale Spinach, Feta, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nut, Crouton, Garlic Vinaigrette
16
Dandelion, Sbrinz Cheese, Pickled Onion, Breadcrumb, Date Vinaigrette
16
Little Gem, Crispy Prosciutto, Blue Cheese Dressing
16
PIZZA
Mixed Mushroom, Rosemary, Garlic Confit, Olive Oil
20
Pomodoro – Confit Tomato, Oregano, Basil, Olive Oil add Burrata-5
16
Bottarga, Brussels Sprout, Mozzarella, Garlic, Pickled Fresno
24
Mushroom, Truffle Tremor, Fontina, Thyme
22
Blanco – Mozzarella, Parmesan, Castelvetrano Olive
20
Anchovy, Spicy Pomodoro, Onion, Garlic, Parmesan
24
Four Onion, Goat Cheese, Asiago, Parmesan, Thyme
20
Housemade Chorizo, Tomato Cream, Fontina, Fennel, Chili, Basil
20
Fennel Salami, Pomodoro, Shaved Fennel, Calabrian Chili Mozzarella
22
Guanciale, Castelvetrano Olive, Fresno Chili, Mozzarella
24
Raclette, Caramelized Onion, Fromage Blanc, Arugula
20
Cured Chorizo, Calabrian Chili, Red Onion, Mozzarella
24
Lamb Sausage, Confit Tomato, Rapini, Pecorino, Asiago
20
PLATES
Mushroom Toast
22
Vegan Pozole Verde, King Oyster Mushroom, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Cilantro
22
Wagyu Beef Tartare, Sourdough, Dijon Mustard, Caper, Chive
25
Potato Gnocchi, Maitake Mushroom, Shallot, Parmesan
26
Nettle Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe
26
Saffron Spaghetti, Bottarga, Oven Dried Tomato, Garlic, Calabrian Chili, Bread Crumb
26
Einkorn Orecchiette, Beef Cheek Bolognese, Whipped Ricotta
26
Slow Cooked Lamb Neck, Cannellini Bean, Raita
26
Pork Belly, Oaxacan Grits, Mustard Frill, Apple Glaze
22
Roasted Pasture-Raised Half Chicken, Black Kale, Red Harissa
30
Pan Seared Local Black Cod, Snap Pea, Green Garlic, Pea Tendril
38
Crispy Duck Confit, Roasted Turnip, Shallot, Dijon Mustard
35
Santa Carota Flat Iron Steak, Roasted Beet, Porcini Butter
35
