Gjelina Take Away — Restaurant in Los Angeles

First off I don’t know how to pronounce their name right. Corrected by friends and 2 different servers each a different way. What’s not to be corrected is how good the food is. When I first bm’d Gjelina it was closer to 5 than 4 starts and just under 1000 reviews. Since then it’s been one of my go to spots to “treat” me and my dates to a very new age Italian-esque country garden type culinary twist food.

I was drawn in my a picture. Very few cultures use squash blossoms and the pizza with that, burrata and thyme reminded me of a dish my father used to make. Not in flavor at all, but simply the flower blossoms are pretty unique a few cuisines and not used often enough in the vegetarian/vegan food game. I’m the only one of my friends that knows or even uses it in any of my cooking.

First off the vibe is hipster, like much of the non ethnic LA. It’s loud in the main dining room and I prefer the outskirts for intimacy. Service is good, but a little too eager and not as engaging as I’d like. Price can be high because the dishes are smallish. What I do like is the décor, good for brunch or dinner, but inviting, warm, despite the tall ceilings and windows.

Oysters are Coromandel and Beau Soleil which in my experience are usually sourced by Santa Monica which is the only place in LA I know that carries Coromandel, heck even SoCal. A favorite of mine, but expensive at $18 a half dozen. I prefer a better, more classic representation.

Pork Shoulder & Duck liver pate, well that’s some rich flavors, calmed with the pickles it was refreshing interpretation of something that tastes very French.

I love how they have a dozen vegetable items all priced the same. Very farmers market style. Braised sweet corn tastes local street fair Mexican corn. Grilled oyster mushroom is meaty, fresh with the lemon and basic. Roast cauliflower imo could do without the vinegar.

Reed Avo is a nice change from Haas, but my preferred is the Fuerte and the only reason I tried the radish, chive, nori salad could have gone anywhere and I wasn’t that impressed with the composition.

The dishes that wow’d me was the grilled squid. Melon for a neutral sweetness, but the salsa verde really made the squid pop, though I almost wished it was octopus instead. Miatake musroom toast with crème fraiche and truffle oil. I was skeptical of the truffle in the oil, but may be able to validate based on price. The other items and the assembly were a little simple. The crème and toast work well and the mushroom and truffle don’t intermeld. Both clean and distinct.

Ok so back to that squash blossom. This is probably the prettiest, most interesting pizza on their menu or most menu’s I’ve seen in a while. They use a lot of goat cheese, arugala, and other garden veggies that most won’t think off. The burrata and thyme are unique to this pizza and the squash blossom you probably won’t find in 5 miles in LA. Order that pizza, take a picture and show to your foodie friends and see how jealous they get because they’ve never seen...

I’ve been to Gjelina a couple of times and both times the food that went into my mouth was pretty high up on the amazing scale. Reservations are limited and fill up days in advance so if you want to sit at a more comfy table, make sure to plan ahead. There are high top communal tables which aren’t quite as comfortable and which are crowded with other people right up in you…(which either you’ll love or hate) and the wait for those can be upwards of an hour…but in the end, either way, the food is well worth it.

They serve wine and wine cocktails (not a full bar or true liquor cocktails) But don’t let that bother you as really you’re here for the delicious food. That having been said I had the Merciful Thieves “mixed drink” (white wine, sweet vermouth and honey) and it was quite refreshing. (Of course you’re not always going for refreshing when it comes to cocktails but it worked for me.

A slight ding for being a no-substitutions place. I’m a vegetarian and my wife eats gluten free so often a simple substitution on a menu really helps open up the options on a menu to us and it’s always disappointing to see a statement that substations aren’t okay (“politely declined” or otherwise) and tends to make us feel a little unwelcome. Though in this particular case it didn’t bother us so much as there are many, many vegetarian and gluten free options on the menu.

We had the Grilled Radicchio. If you ever wanted lettuce that sort of gave the satisfying experience of eating steak…then this is for you. Very, very good flavor.

I also had the Parsnip soup, a seasonal dish…odd to see a soup listed on the “plates” menu (as opposed to on a small plates or soup/salad menu etc), but this was quite a large serving that on it’s own filled me up and tasted great.

We also had the Roasted Turnips (prepared with a Chimichurri and vinegar sauce.) This was served with greens and I’ll be thinking about this savory sauce for years to come. So delicious!

My wife ordered the Kabocha Squash Agnolotti, plate for her main. It had lots of flavor…lots of different flavors, and I’m not a big squash fan but I enjoyed tasting it a lot. The rice it was served on top of was also very tasty on its own.

With 18 items on their vegetable menu, a separate salad menu, a few pizzas suitable for vegetarians, a few other sides tapas style sides including a cheese plate, olives and beets…plus at least 3 items on the Plates menu suitable for vegetarians, you will have plenty of choices (even without substitutions!) Gjelina is an essential Los Angeles restaurant to try and then think about for...

From the bustling streets of Venice, Los Angeles, lies a culinary haven known as Gjelina – a place that guarantees a symphony of flavors for every visitor. Our recent lunch there was no exception and only solidified our affection for this dining jewel.

Upon entering, the ambiance wraps you up in a warm, welcoming embrace, setting the stage for the feast to come. Our appetizers consisted of the Grilled Oyster Mushroom with tarragon butter – and what an experience it was. As enthusiasts of mushrooms, our expectations were already high, but Gjelina surpassed them effortlessly. The mushrooms, grilled to absolute perfection, blended harmoniously with the subtle herbaceous undertones of the tarragon butter, teasing our palates and leaving us craving more.

However, it was the Wood Roasted Cauliflower that truly surprised us. Enhanced with the pungent notes of garlic, a hint of chili's fiery spirit, and the tang of vinegar, every bite was a delicious roller coaster of textures and flavors. This dish is a testament to Gjelina's commitment to transforming simple ingredients into gourmet masterpieces.

Yet, the pièce de résistance was undeniably the Mixed Mushroom pizza. Our recurring visits to Gjelina are mostly propelled by this particular dish, and once again, it did not disappoint. The luscious mushrooms combined with aromatic rosemary, the deep richness of garlic confit, and the silky touch of olive oil are heaped upon a crust that strikes the perfect balance between chewy and crisp. It's not just pizza; it's a work of art.

Complementing our meal was a refreshing glass of Sauvignon Blanc – crisp, light, and the perfect partner for our mushroom-heavy lunch. Its fruity undertones danced gracefully with every dish, making the meal an absolute joy.

Beyond the food, the service at Gjelina deserves a spotlight of its own. Attentive without being intrusive, the staff navigated the fine line of ensuring our needs were met while allowing us to savor our meal in peace. Their genuine warmth and professionalism further elevated our dining experience, making us feel truly valued.

Though tempted, we decided to skip dessert at Gjelina, as the famed Salt & Straw awaited us down the street. However, that's a story for another day.

In essence, Gjelina promises and delivers a top-tier dining experience, marrying rustic charm with gourmet excellence. For anyone in Venice, LA, or even beyond – make the trip, it's...