WHAT:  A wine and tapas bar

WHERE:  Venice (on Rose Ave)

WHEN:  Brunch, lunch, and dinner. I highly suggest meandering over after a day at the beach for a little afternoon pick me up or making it for happy hour or dinner.

WHAT TO ORDER:  Honestly, you can’t really go wrong. Here are a few: The chocolate brownie bites ($7) are TO-DIE. No matter what time of day, you need them in your life. They’re drizzled in nutella, powdered sugar, and strawberries and are served 3 to an order, each on a mini spoon. The most heavenly item you’ll find (they ran out last time and I almost lost it). You will be so happy with any assortment of cheese ($7 each) and charcuterie ($7 each) which is served with mustards, cornichon pickles, and a WARM baguette. The bacon wrapped dates ($6) stuffed with blue cheese and pomegranate molasses never get old and always just feels like the perfect meal opener. And any of the hot pots or paninis (served with truffle chips) are delish (can you tell I love this place?) Also, you need wine. It is called VB Wines afterall.

WHAT TO SKIP:  I tried their brunch once and wasn’t impressed. So I would skip it and stick to the post-brunch menu.

WHERE TO SIT: The place is tiny with a little covered patio and maybe 2 tables inside. You definitely want to snag a patio seat (and not at the tall tables lining the entrance because those high stools are UN-comfortable and all the people waiting are breathing on your neck hairs).

WHO TO BRING: You SHOULD bring anyone and everyone (but not when I’m going because I hate waiting for a table). But try and limit it to a small group of 2-4 because of the small size of the place. And they don’t take reservations. Date night — highly recommend (if someone took me on a date here…well, let’s just say they would be happy they chose this place).

WHAT TO WEAR:  I mean it’s Venice, so dress homeless? No but really, I’ve come straight from the beach and super sandy to looking cute before a night out. So up to you. But leave the tight dresses and stripper heels at home.

WHO YOU’LL SEE: Locals biking up to the place or just anyone looking for some good food and a chill, no nonsense vibe.

WHO YOU WON’T SEE: Any business execs (at least not in business attire) or slutty girls going to a club later.

WHAT TO KNOW:  Prepare yourself to spend a good amount of time here. A quick dinner turns into a few bottles of wine because you just won’t want to leave. Also, put the brownie bite order in with the rest of your food (unless you’re trying to linger) because they typically take 15-20 minutes to make (love some fresh brownies). Additionally, the owners of VBW also own Oscar’s Cerveteca next door which is equally as delish but definitely a different vibe.

EEDR LIFE LESSON:  Bigger isn’t always better; this small place is a haven and just wouldn’t have the same vibe if it accommodated more people.

A² FINAL THOUGHT:  Get VBW into your rotation now. It serves as its own reason to make the trek to the Westside.

Brownie Bites Foreva-Eva,

Alie