01/27/09

Fantastic Little Spot!!!

by therightrate

I've lived in Venice for several years and never have made it to this place until recently... My loss, as I have missed out on this great place for such a long time. Great little bar with one of the owners mixing tasty martinis and a very unique menu. I had outstanding escargot and, my favorite, sand dabs. They also have nuts at the tables and bar, which is different and my girlfriend and I liked it. This is by far the best place on Washington for a really nice date/dinner or cocktails at a quiet bar. Wanted to also suggest going on a nice evening to enjoy their outdoor dining area, as well as the walk up bar. Lastly, their deserts are homemade, and are very good.

05/05/07

BEST STEAKS IN TOWN

by oceanswimmer33

I have been a customer here for over 10 years. Incredible personal service and the FOOD IS AWESOME!! The best tasting steaks anywhere. A very pleasant place to have a friend or loer to dine with!! CHECK IT OUT!

• Pros: Personal service & GREAT FOOD
• Cons: parking

01/25/07

12 is the Marina's best kept secret

by lookie_lew

12 Washington is our secret little neighborhood bistro that?s been serving up great food and smiles for around 20 years. Food is great and if you want to substitute a veggie or want something not on the menu they will go out of their way to substitute or whip up something special for you. Escargot is my favorite appetizer but there are quite a few starters to choose from. If you?re into seafood, it?s always fresh and prepared correctly. The crispy duck is an excellent choice as well. The filet is great, they cut them from the tenderloin strip so if you want it medium or medium rare be sure to tell them to cut it from the center and not give you the tapered end piece. Sides are creative and fresh, they used to have pureed peas & onions which was great however, the last time I went they didn?t have it so the kitchen sauteed some fresh spinach for me instead. Bread is always an important indicator to me as some restaurants think of this as an evil necessity, at 12 the baguette rolls are always served hot and fresh. Wine is a bit pricy but if you?re smiling nice and cordial to the waiters/owners sometimes you?ll get a glass on the house or at least a good over pour. Deserts are awesome try the apple torte with ice cream. This is the kind of place you have to find as they do not advertise.

• Pros: Awesome service and consistantly good food - MDR's best kept secret!
• Cons: Thinking.... Thinking... Oh yeah one time the butter tasted a bit freezer burned.

09/12/06

for that price, You may as well go to Valentino or Chaya

by goodcyrus

We went there a few nights ago with a friend and his wife. The moment I noticed the needless mark-up on their wine prices and some of their specials ($32 chicken), I realized the place is not worthy of ordering wine, desert or even an entree. But there were not too many interesting appetizers to order either.

My girlfriend and I ordered two simple appetizers (fried eggplant and lobster ravioli) and she ordered a heart of palm salad and a vegetarian linguini. The other two ordered veal and free-range chicken. The heart of palm was tasty and the linguini ok. Their bread was also really nice and there were lots of nuts on the table for people to have while waiting. The service was also very good and on top of our table.

But the good points ended there. The fried eggplant was two tasteless battered pieces of eggplant lying in melted cheese as a sauce. I don't call battered fried veggies and melted cheese fine cuisine (McDonald food). The lobster ravioli tasted of butter only and there was no trace of lobster in it. The veal was more like a pork chop and the free-range chicken resembled and tasted like something you would get at El Pollo Loco. No one liked their food. The many drink we had before going to this place did not make the food taste any better. The bill was $160 and we had not even ordered wine, desert, coffee and only two meat entrees. Everyone felt the place was not worth going back to. The sad thing is that we had reservations at Chaya and came to this place just because it was closer to where they were staying. The next night we went to Chaya and had a ball. The bill was $260 for the same four people but we had ordered tons of food, sushi, sake, appetizers, deserts etc and most importantly had a great time.

• Pros: Great Service, Great Bread
• Cons: Mediocre food with big price tag

08/09/06

Cute Romantic Restaurant in Venice

by annafy

Every time I've gone here the food as been consistently excellent. The restaurant is so cute, and they really have an extensive menu. Last time I went here I had their signature surf & turf dish: Lobster Tail and Filet Mignon both were cooked perfectly and had such great taste. My friend ordered the Osso Buco, which was served with really delicious pasta. We both loved our dishes. Service is great and they have a good selection of wine.

• Pros: All of the FOOD, ambience, wine selection
• Cons: A little bit pricey

03/14/06

a charming little place

by veramalinina

The restorant has some old world charm without being pretencious. The place is not a trendy or upscale, or on the other hand it is not a cheap-taste eatery like the other places around there. It is just right for a single or a small party. The service is attentive. The menu is not boring and has very tasty choices like vinegar accented artichock/clams plate, deliciously baked eggplant, fragrant escargots, lamb in wine sauce, fish with lemon/capers sauce, apple soupe. Bread comes in two kinds always warm and tasty. There are some great wine choices.

• Pros: Cozy, Food, Service
• Cons: Small, Can be crowded

10/25/05

I LOVE THIS PLACE

by dottie1277

My fiance and I live down the street and we love to go hang out at this cute restaurant. I absolutely love the food and the wine selection is fabulous! Please check it out and make sure to have thier shrimp scampi, its the best!

• Pros: food, ambiance, service
• Cons: none

10/10/05

Nice surprise!

by amandajones87

Went here with my boyfriend for dinner, and we liked it so much, we came back for happy hour another time. Was great both times - food was tasty, portions good, service was great (attentive, polite). Definitely recommended - sit on the patio and watch the sunset.

• Pros: Great food, Good service, Awesome happy hour
• Cons: Small patio

09/24/05

A wonderful local, intimate place with great food

by alliecat74

12 washington is fabulous...it's an intimate, warm, and romantic restaurant. The best appetizers and dishes to try: artichoke appt, ceaser salad, rack of lamb is to die for, their filet mignon (medium rare) is mouthwatering, and their salmon with lemon caper sauce on the side is genius. The service is amazing....

03/07/05

Romantic and Tasty

by madtrails

12 Washington is a hang out for wealthy locals. The restaurant is well lit, and very romantic. The food was suprisingly good, I expected overpriced beach food, but was very pleased. The roast duck fell off of the bone.

• Pros: Romantic, Good Food
• Cons: Parking