Gjelina

Gjelina is a California restaurant on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, Los Angeles, and it has long been one of the most popular dining rooms on the Westside. The kitchen is built around a wood-fired oven and grill, and the menu emphasises vegetables, small plates and pizzas made with seasonal produce from California farms. Dishes arrive for sharing and change with the market. Wood-fired pizzas, roasted vegetables, grilled fish and meat, and a rotating selection of small plates form the backbone of the menu, and many guests order a series of vegetable dishes alongside a pizza. The restaurant also has a take-away counter next door, GTA, which offers a related menu for pickup. The wine list leans toward natural and small-production bottles, with beers and cocktails that match the casual California mood. The dining room is a rustic, indoor-outdoor space with reclaimed wood, a bustling open kitchen and a patio that fills in good weather, and the atmosphere is relaxed, stylish and often loud. Dress is casual, reflecting the beach neighbourhood. Reservations are advised, and can be difficult to get for dinner on weekends, though limited walk-in seating is available at the bar and on the patio. Lunch is generally quieter than dinner. Prices are high-moderate, with dinner typically costing about 45 to 80 US dollars per person depending on how many plates are ordered. Abbot Kinney Boulevard is lined with boutiques and cafes, and the restaurant is about a mile from Venice Beach, so a meal can be combined with a stroll along the boulevard or a visit to the beach and canals. Parking in Venice is tight, and street spots are limited, so rideshare is a practical option.