THE BASICS:

WHAT:  The newly revamped and remodeled classic Rose Cafe

WHERE:  In Venice on…wait for it….Rose.

WHEN:  Open for breakfast – dinner Tu-Sat, 8AM-5PM on Sunday, closed on Mondays – lucky for you, we’re about to give you the real on both brunch and dinner.

THE DISH:

WHAT TO KNOW:  Rose Cafe has been a Venice staple for a while and when they closed it down it was like the strip lost a piece of itself. But, now that’s it’s been revamped and is reopen for business, it’s back and better than ever.

WHAT TO ORDER {BRUNCH} : The Charred Avocado Toast ($14) w/ 2 fried eggs, lemon & grilled scallion-jalapeno marmalade – IS.WHAT’S.UP. I ordered this as an app but it’s enough to be a full meal (is it weird to order apps at brunch?). And I’ve had an avocado toast or 2 in my day and this one stands way out in the best of ways. The Neroni Style ($14) w/ braised bacon, fried potatoes, eggs sunny-side up, country bread, butter and jam is just a fancy way of naming your basic breakfast. But let me tell you, there’s nothing basic about this. The thick bacon is bomb (and I don’t normally go for the thick stuff), the potatoes fried to perfection (crispy on the outside), eggs runny but not gooey (big difference) and warm baguette. Oh and a lovely glass of rose to accompany it all is a necessary bonus.

WHAT TO ORDER {DINNER}: So we may have over-ordered and it may have been mostly good – sorry I’m not sorry — here we go: The Martini ($? i forget) – when I first got my drink I complained it tasted like water but the waiter promised me there was mostly alcohol in it. 1 martini down, he was not wrong…oh and the olives were AMAZE. The Yellowtail Crudo ($15) w/ cara cara orange, elderflower, sesame seeds and basil oil – let’s just say we ate it so fast that I didn’t get to snap a shot of it. The Gioia Burrata ($15) w/ golden grapefruit, smoked prosciutto, olive bread croutons and mint. This place really just knows how to take a simple dish and make it next level. So many flavors, textures and consistencies all working in unison and all working with my taste buds.  The butcher’s board ($30) was a lovely tasting of all the charcuterie. I was all about this but if you get scared by rabbit and liver mousses, this is probably not for you. Now for the pasta…which was so bomb it deserves its own heading: The Smoked Bucatini Carbonara ($21) w/ egg yolk, parmesan and cushed black pepper — Madison and I had spotted this bad boy at our brunch and this may or may not have been a primary reason we came back…to try it for dinner. And it did not disappoint. Def a fan fav at the table. Also the Wakame Spaghetti ($25) w/ dungeness crab, pickled jalapeno, yuzu and uni was….HEAVENLY. So different, so delicious. Just go try it out for yourselves.

WHAT TO SKIP {BRUNCH}: The roasted brussel sprouts ($12) w/ kale pesto and 2 fried eggs were by no means not good (and we obviously still ate them), but with so much other goodness going on, these would be last on my list.

WHAT TO SKIP {DINNER}: The brussel sprouts ($16) w/ dashi broth, poached egg and scallion. Our interest was peaked when we saw this hefty price tag for BRUSSEL SPROUTS…do they have gold sprinkled on them? After the waiter convinced us to try them (you guys just haaaaave to), we did and immediately regretted that decision. Just nothing unique and definitely not worth that price minus the large serving size. Guess we see a theme w/ the brussel sprouts chez Rose Cafe…

THAT VIBE THOUGH:  This place is HUGE. There are 2 back outdoor areas, a large inside area with communal tables, bar seating, coffee counter seating, and a front sidewalk patio area. There are succulents hanging from the ceiling, lanterns strung outside, tiled floors, brightly colored walls, hip photographs…it’s where you want to be.

WHERE TO SIT: For brunch you can do anywhere. The front sidewalk patio is my least fav bc you sort of miss out on the vibe of the restaurant…and it’s a good vibe so you want in on that action. But, when it’s 12PM and you’ve been waiting 30 minutes and your stomach is making noises, you take what you can get. If you’re there alone to do work or read, sit inside at any of the communal tables. With a group, one of the back outdoor rooms. Oh, and this place would be GREAT to rent out for a party or perfect to host a group dinner.

WHO TO BRING:  We went for a girl’s catch up brunch and then a double dinner date…so anyone. Friends, dates, family, work drinks…keep in mind in can be a little loud inside…

WHAT TO WEAR:  It’s Venice Beach so anything goes but remember that they dress it down on that side of town.

WHO YOU’LL SEE:  From cool Venice locals just trying to grub to basic bitches trying to get that perfect insta, to everyone in between. Not gonna lie we may have been guilty of the BB at our brunch after 2 glasses of Rose…

SHOUT OUT TO:  Madison for letting me drag her to Venice to indulge me in both brunch and dinner at this snazzy new fav of ours.

EDDR LIFE LESSON:  Sometimes the trek to the Westside is worth it.

A² FINAL THOUGHT:  Rose Cafe…I dig you. I’ll be back.

so much to try, so little time, 

Alie

Rose Cafe ↔ 220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291 ↔ 310-399-3711