A2 Rating Scale (out of 5):
THE DISH:
WHAT TO ORDER: Mimosas & Bloody’s – opt for the bottomless ($10 w/ purchase of an entrée) and your drink of choice is interchangeable & delicious. (Note: this is a wine bar so the bloody’s are made with Soju, not vodka). Also the Lobster Benny (benedict – duh / $16). I mean, it’s a seafood bar people…go with the fresh fish!
WHAT TO SKIP: Farmers Market Kale and Quinoa Salad ($12) – not enough substance if you’re on the bottomless bubbly bandwagon (when will we finally grow up and get it?). WARNING: The Anchor Lobster Roll ($16) – the black truffle in this is profuse! So go for it if you’re into that but steer clear if you’re not a huge fan. And it’s pretty tiny, so make sure to order something else to go along with it.
WHERE TO PARK: if you’re getting bottomless, you should uber, duh (look at EDDR preventing DUIs). But if you’re the DD, good luck finding some metered street parking. Especially on a beautiful Summer Day. There’s also those little Venice lots for like $12/ half day down the street.
WHERE TO SIT: The place is SMALL. Probably about 5 tables total inside. And it’s all. about. the. patio. So sit outside.
WHO YOU’LL SEE: Venice locals and annoying 20-something year olds like us running around trying to take advantage of the bottomless and celebrate a birthday.
WHO TO BRING: A friend, a date, or a group. Obviously call ahead if you’re celebrating something, but they let us a make a reservation for a big group without putting a CC down (do you know how rare that is?? we’re definitely not in Kansas anymore)
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU GO: This is a wine bar. So if you’re looking to get some crazy strong drinks, look elsewhere. Also, they don’t have Iced Tea or any type of milk other than regular. I thought we were in Venice…don’t they have hemp milk or something? Stop by your local coffee shop on the way- you’ll be much more satisfied.
*KUDOS*: The restaurant crew was AWESOME. Such good sports. They let us take over most of the patio, left pitchers of mimosas at the table so our glasses were never empty, split our check 25 ways, and let us get all up in their kitchen to prepare our Bday girl’s surprise [donut] cake. And they never gave us ‘TUDE once!!! We can’t tell you how appreciated it was!!!
EDDR LIFE LESSON: Many times you realize in life it’s not where you are but who you’re surrounded by. [BONUS LIFE LESSON: More food = less hangover (obvious to most but a few pitchers in and it’s easily forgettable)]
A2 FINAL THOUGHT: If you live on the Westside and are looking for some solid seafood with a laid back staff, or trying to rage on a nice sunny day without paying $12/drink (times 10), head on over. If you’re looking for a beautiful ambiance, extensive menu, fancy drinks, or live East of the 405, you may want to save your miles.
PS – The donuts are from California Donuts and were a HIT [CA Donuts]. Also featured as a “sweet tooth” quickie…
Retired from mimosas (ok maybe just for a few weekends),
A2
The Anchor ↔235 Main Street, Venice, CA, 90201 ↔ 310-664-9696
eat.drink.dish.repeat. 
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