Gjelina....A Definite "Jewel" in Venice

I had dinner tonight with my favorite foodie cousin Masaki at Gjelina (pronounced Jewel-ina) located on Abbot Kinney in Venice. They serve a lot of foods that are farmer's market fresh. The decor of the place was rustic meets urban...with concrete wall with a little design on them and dark natural wood tables. The service was great despite the huge crowd of people on a thursday night. Luckily we had reservations :)

We shared a bunch of small plates which I always like doing so that I can try lots of different things on the menu. First came the Mushroom Toast with assorted mushrooms in a creme fraiche and truffle oil sauce over toast. It was extremely rich and extremely tasty. We ordered two roasted veggie dishes: Roasted Butternut Squash and Kabocha flavored with salt and rosemary and Roasted Beets with Escarole and a Coriander Yogurt Sauce. The latter was fresh and simple but all the flavors just worked well. We shared a Grilled Squid with Chickpea Salad and Kurobota Pork Belly cooked in Apple Cider and served with Mustard Greens. I think the Roasted Beets and Mushroom Toast were my favorite. Then there was the dessert....a heavenly little coffee cup full of Butterscotch Pot de Creme with Creme Fraiche and Salted Caramel. Like my cousin so eloquently put it "I could eat a whole ramen bowl full of this stuff." I definitely would go back and you should try it!
*Sorry all the pictures are so dark*

Gjelina

1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd

Venice, CA 90291 (310) 450-1429