The Tasting Kitchen

11/02/09

Great Food and Amazing Service!!!

by trell15 at Citysearch

Sexy atmosphere, friendly and attentive service staff. Best cocktails in Venice and the food continues to wow every time! In love with The Tasing Kitchen!

• Pros: Superb Cocktails, seasonal small plates

10/03/09

One negative review does not a bad restaurant make...

by abraz at Citysearch

We had a terrific experience and dinner was delicious. Despite the negative review below (which I don't doubt), I would say the service was through-the-roof good for us. Our waiter was a hip cool dude and super attentive and accomodating. I had the toast appetizer that came w/ goat cheese and figs, etc. - yeah, the bread was pretty charred, but I liked it that way - maybe a bit on the crunchy side. We tried the mussels - the broth of course made for perfect bread-dipping - tastey but not life-changing. The flank steak was super with a nice spicey-sweet sauce and fingerlings + shitakes done just right. The Halibut was stand-out incredible - its sauce should win some prize on the food channel - I could eat their halibut all the live-long-day and be the better man for it! And did I mention they serve Mexican Coke in a cold frosty bottle! The scene was very hip - mostly progressive young professionals w/ thick-rimmed trendy glasses - the grad schools should be proud their alumni are eating so well.... the noise factor is pretty loud, and yes there are some big tables w/ rich college girls, having fun laughing the night away and swapping frat-guy stories... And there is a bar area. This place is definitely happening and scores high by me!

• Pros: staff, food, ambiance
• Cons: parking but there is valet

09/15/09

Charming Decor, Worst Service on Abbot Kinney

by nyc_girl at Citysearch

We were tired of the crowds at Gjelina so decided to try Tasting Kitchen one weekend night. Was initially impressed w/ the handsome space and interior. We were seated right away and ordered our drinks. Unfortunately, it took over 15 minutes for those drinks to arrive. Our French waitress seemed overwhelmed when we asked to at least bring us water ... which she kept forgetting. Finally we asked if we could just order our food - she said she forgot her notebook and would return. 10 minutes later she came back and asked if we were ready. Wow. We realized we weren't going to be eating for awhile so ordered an appetizer. When the fig toast appetizer arrived blackened and charred so badly charcoal had broken off all over the plate and the toast was rock hard, she told us she thought it was suppose to be that way and that it had been grilled along w/ the hamburgers so someone probably just forgot it was on the grill (?). Bigger wow. We finished our appetizer and then waited over 30 minutes for our main course. We kept having to ask for more water. By the time our meals came, we were exhausted. Waitress never apologized for the ridiculous and repeated wait or offered to comp our drinks, appetizer or anything else. Ironically the one thing she did bring us promptly was the check!

I'd wait to try this place until management hires competent waitresses and trains the kitchen staff on delivery/timing of food. Space itself has potential.

• Pros: Nice Ambiance
• Cons: HORRID service, Expensive Food, Poor Wine Selection