The Tasting Kitchen
| Address: | 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, USA |
| Phone: | +1 310-392-6644 |
| Site: | thetastingkitchen.com |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 5:30PM–12AM 5:30PM–12AM 5:30PM–12AM 5:30PM–12AM 5:30PM–12AM 10:30AM–2:30PM 10:30AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 11
KR
Kristi Russell
Even though it was packed - packed!! - we had a great experience. Love the vibe: rustic, warm, charming, comfy, communal Love the drinks: handcrafted with fresh ingredients Love the menu: had a hard time deciding. The menu was ecclectic but familiar, with options that are recognizable and comforting coupled with cutting edge culinary choices that felt left of center but exciting. Love the service: for such a popular joint, it could be easy to have a pretentious and self important service staff. But nope: easy going, knowledgeable, patient (given the sardine-like occupancy) and friendly. Love the BREAD!! Holy crusty bread batman! And they kept bringing more! (we werent charged for bread) Love the ever-changing menu: Variety is the spice of life, baby :) Other than being slightly too crowded, definitely too noisy, over the top trendy (cant wait until the people who dont appreciate this type of restaurant and are just there for the cool factor get sick of it and leave it to the rest of us) and having been bumped into too many times as I savored each bite of Tasting Kitchen deliciousness, I am giving it four stars. The quality, flavor, and selection + the inventive cocktail list were indisputable "pros" in my opinion.
AL
alfredo6869
Just went there today for dinner with felloe co-workers. We had the 5 course dinner for four. The lentils were just amazing, excellent in taste. Then came the mussels, the taste was fine, but less meaty mussels were used. After we had the steak with balsamic reduction, the taste was great, but the cut of beef, we felt it could of been better. if they would have used a better cut of beef, it would have been perfect. The ambiance was just nice, wine selection was just nice. We started with some pilsner on tap then moved to some white wine followed with some red. Overall I give 3 star, because I honest feel that place should be better. just the choice of better ingredients would make the big difference because the taste once cooked is there.......But I would most definitely recommend to give it a try. I have been to Osteria Mozza on Melrose in West Los Angeles and I still find it way better than the tasting kitchen. The better choice of fresh ingredients its what makes a dish perfect....
A
A Private User
This restaurant is a joke. First it is overpriced and the chef Casey Lane is an arrogant idiot. How many restaurants charge you for bread?! I ordered my salmon well done, it came out of the kitchen like sushi after sending it back the chef said this is how he serves it and would not cook it the way I ordered it. The manager attempted to make up for the a__hole chef by offering me some free pasta which I declined. Had I not been with others I would have entered the kitchen and told the chef he is a moron! The waiter also asked us if we wanted the "tasting menu" when I asked what was in it he said it was a surprise. I have never been to a restaurant that wants to overcharge me for food that I dont even know what I will be eating. Just another arrogant menu decision of this stupid chef that thinks people will enjoy eating his crap as a surprise! Wake up Casey you are not a real Chef, McDonalds could use your burger flipping talent.
YJ
YJ W
I always tell everyone The Tasting Kitchen is my absolute favorite restaurant in L.A. After my first bite of the mussels at Tasting Kitchen, I was madly in love with the restaurant. The mussels possessed a beautiful texture and the buttery toast was addicting soaked in the saffron sauce. The bucatini was my second favorite dish as the marinara sauce was actually spicy and the pork was extremely tender. Too bad I had to share the portion amongst 3 people. The roast chicken had a crispy skin and retained its moisture, but the taste was ordinary compared to the other dishes. However, it photographed beautifully and became the poster child for Tasting Kitchen when we were retelling our experience. The bass also had a nice crispy exterior and flaky interior. I very highly recommend Tasting Kitchen and would definitely return.
CY
Cynthia Lee
Really good dinner overall for us and some of our close friends. Am giving the food an "excellent" rating as everything was delicious Only issue was the very high corkage fee. Normally we dont drink but decided to bring a bottle that night which our friends gave us. I recall the fee was $35. Even for LA that price is way too high in my opinion. When it comes to service I would say it was good, but not great. Maybe the corkage fee is throwing me off there as well. If you want to go somewhere by the beach with great food, and are not drinking (or are buying drinks there) this is a good spot.
ME
Melissa Medeiros
This place is just OK. Menu is confusing and service was not good. Our waiter was very inattentive and rude. Seemed annoyed when our group asked questions about the menu. Waited 30 - 40 minutes for our food to come out and she never came to check on us or reassure us that our food would be out soon. Seemed blantantly disinterested in attending to our table. I ordered the chicken and waffles (4/5 stars). It was really good but nothing to write home about. Others had steak and eggs, duck leg, and pastrami sandwich. Everything was good but service, wait time, and price not worth it.
LO
Lorraine J.
Went here recently on a whim -- friends visiting in town and they were interested in eating in Venice, so we walked by and decided to walk in. Was packed on a Monday night and at first we were seated downstairs at a communal table, but it was too loud to reconnect with our friends so we asked about other options and they were able to seat us upstairs at our own table. Pretty great considering we were a party of 6. The food was tasty (we selected a mix of appetizers and pasta, shared family style) and would go back again.
A
A Private User
Table 64 is upstairs and is the corner booth-very intimate. Food is fabulous. Went for dinner. We had the endive salad and the octopus starter. Pasta is outstanding and fresh. I had the squid with bread crumbs and it was salty and delicious. The server was very helpful guiding us through the menu from beginning to end. We had the doughnut desert and it was sweet and different. We also had the lemon sorbet and it was tangy and sour-zingy! I loved the ambience and music. I would definitely go back again.
MA
Margaret Czeisler
One of my favorites on the westside! Were lucky in Venice to have TK, Gjelina, Gjusta, & now Mountain! Back to TK...The fish, radicchio salad with forever aged balsamic are always big hits. My husband adores their pasta (I dont love pasta, in general) and theyre known for it. Everyone I take here loves it too- friends from Europe, New Yorkers, Portlandia friends, parents, people with great taste and high bars to hit. Make a reservation!
EM
Emma Horne
Came here very hungry hungover and left very full and hangover free. My partner and I both had burgers and they were amazing. Perfectly cooked, crispy bacon, cheese and a perfectly cooked amazing egg with bright orange yolk. We had chips on the side they are to die for. We were also very impressed with the pressed lemon and ginger juice. Soooo good after a hangover. Cant wait to try the chicken and waffles or the croque madame.
KE
Kelly Dobkin
Probably my favorite restaurant in LA - a close one between this place and its neighbor Gjelina. Tasting Kitchen is a must-visit if youre in LA and are serious about food. The menu changes daily but expect delicate handmade pastas, charcuterie and other exceptional small plates from chef Casey Lane. If youre a cocktail snob, youll geek out over the drinks here and the extensive selection of top-notch liquors.
