Good Eats in Venice

The Panini Garden:

Is there anything better than a Panini? Except for those rare occasions when the bread cuts the roof of your mouth, the combination of hot grilled bread, melting cheese and heated interior accoutrements is simply sublime. So what happens when you combine glorious panini, crepes chockful of Nutella, and a charming patio complete with tinkling fountain and nesting sparrows? The magic of The Panini Garden, a quaint little railroad car sized offering of a restaurant that has grown steadily over the past decade to become a Venice staple. Repose in the garden, get your grub on and heed these words of advice: The #10-Spicy Chicken Panini (sub herbed goat cheese for mozzarella). You can thank me later.

The Panini Garden

2715 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-9939

www.paninigarden.com

Mon-Thu, Sun: 11am-6pm

Fri-Sat: 11am-7pm

Axe:

Please don’t call it “Ax”, it’s “Ah-shay”, baby. Schmancy pronunciations aside, Axe offers simple, seasonal organic fare in stark, hyper industrial surroundings. The service is notoriously slow, but just think how long it took to grow that Heirloom Lettuce Salad you’re eating or to bake your Chocolate Brownie Pudding. Sit back, relax, check for star sightings (fairly regular around here), and enjoy the anticipation. When your farmer’s market fresh selections arrive, it’ll be well worth the wait.

Axe

1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291-3372
(310) 664-9787

Tue-Thu: 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-10pm

Fri: 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm

Sat: 9am-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm

Sun: 9am-3pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm

C & O Trattoria:

Gluttons rejoice! Whether it’s the insanely delicious garlic knots that come pre-meal, the “That’s Amore” sing-a-longs, or the on-your-honor wine system, C & O is all about the big time good time! Bring some friends, all the better to clink glasses with while you’re belting out the Dean Martin, and a hearty appetite because the servings here can only be described as Ginormous and the food, addictive. The Cappelini with Shrimp, Artichoke Hearts, and Sundried Tomatoes in a garlic-butter-white wine sauce has had me coming back for over a decade. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, C & O has a monkey for everyone’s back. Settle into the charmingly kitschy outdoor faux Italian palazzo and get ready to discover your new jones. Don’t be ashamed. The first step is admitting your powerless over the deliciousness…and digging in anyway! That IS Amore!!!!

C & O Trattoria

31 Washington Blvd

Venice, CA 90292

(310) 823-9491

www.cotrattoria.com

Mon-Thu 9am-10pm

Fri 9am-11pm

Sat 8am-11pm

Sun 8am-10pm