Restaurant Review: Gjelina, Los Angeles, California

My first Los Angeles review is of my recently-discovered new favorite: Gjelina.  Located in Venice, on expensively quaint Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Gjelina is categorized as Mediterranean in flavor; I am not quite sure that it follows Mediterranean cuisine too closely, but the wide variety of flavors and options do mimic the diversity of said region.

Gjelina is rather small, with several smaller tables and two large tables for parties to share or for the larger groups.  It reminded me of Magnolia, which I blogged about several weeks ago, in decor: plenty of wood, and such quirks as the alcohol bottles for water serving and dish towels instead of napkins.  However, Gjelina is much lighter and more airy in terms of atmosphere.

The first time I ventured into this spot, it was about 3 PM and crowded; my friend Torie and I were seated at one of the larger tables, side by side, across from and next to other patrons.  The side-by-side arrangement was a bit awkward, but worked out in the end when the guy next to me passed me his homemade ice cream to finish.  I marveled at the menu for quite awhile before deciding what to order; it was lengthy and had a significant variety of foods and flavors.  I was delighted because there seemed to be far less of what I dislike (onions, mushrooms, beef) than in other restaurants of similar caliber.  I ended up with the artisan cheese plate (a must for me if it is on any menu) and a side of sunchokes (a bit like artichokes but harder in texture).  The cheese plate was delicious, although I have no idea what I was eating and would have preferred some sort of explanation before digging in.  I was pleasantly surprised by the honeycomb that was included on the plate, as it went marvelously with all of the cheese and on the cranberry and walnut toasts.  Also included: almonds, dates, and deliciously oily olives.  I also devoured an interesting orange substance included on the plate, though I do not know what it was (again, some kind of introduction would have been welcome).  I found that the sunchokes, as well as all of the vegetable sides, are probably best shared; they were spicy and very good, but I could only finish about half before I tired of the flavors.

Now, about the ice cream.  Like I said, I did not order it nor did I see it anywhere on the menu, but I was handed a bowl with two small scoops by the person next to me and I was floored by how unique and delicious the tastes were.  The first was an almond-butter flavor topped with salt, and the second was a mint chocolate chip, though not conventional by any means.  The mint was poignant and fresh, not like the sweetness one usually receives from the ice cream flavor.  I recommend asking about the ice cream to anyone going; the scoops are tiny but the flavor is huge.

I went again to Gjelina this weekend, with James.  I was excited to introduce him to my new favorite, and we arrived at about 11:30 AM on Saturday.  We started with coffee (J) and orange juice (me).  The coffee received rave reviews and I must say, the orange juice was impeccable.  I had to, of course, re-order the cheese plate, and this time it was very different.  There was a brie, and James detected that one was sheep's milk; the final two were a cheddar and a bleu.  Again, I really would have liked to have been told what was being served to me.  We loved the cheddar and the brie most (two of my favorites altogether), and again the honeycomb dominated.  I ordered a prosciutto and melon plate for myself--a nice brunch, I thought, while James decided to order heavy and settled on the Niman lamb burger with french fries.  My plate arrived fresh from the charcuterie straight away, but we grew dismayed at the significant wait that accompanied the lamb burger.  I sat, tempted by the fresh melon and prosciutto, waiting for at least fifteen to twenty minutes before James's plate arrived.  We had hit the point where he said, "two minutes and I cancel the order" when the burger was set in front of him.  Also annoying was our over-attentive waiter, who came by more than enough times to ask if our food was satisfactory.  It was.  For the hassle we endured, our food was more than worth it.  My prosciutto was absolutely magnificent; there was hardly any fat on it and it was pure flavor.  Prosciutto and melon is one of my favorite combinations and although it is a simple dish, Gjelina did a fantastic job.  The cantaloupe was light and juicy, almost like the one I ate on the beach in Italy, and its sweetness paired perfectly with the salty ham.

James's lamb burger was also very good, and it tasted almost like pork sausage (to me).  The french fries were nice as well, but what caught our eye was the pizza being served at the table next to us.  We drooled and plotted to order pizza next time we were there, as apparently it is infamously good.  

So, for next time: cheese plate (I cannot help myself), beer or wine (I'll likely be 21 by then!  Also, they are a beer-and-wine-only establishment), and pizza (any kind, any kind at all).  The mushroom and truffle-oil looks very good, except that is it, of course, mushrooms.  The devil.  Anyway, Gjelina: high marks, very good.  Go!  And enjoy the boutique-y Abbot Kinney stores afterwards; the boulevard provides a nice way to walk off the food that just put a smile on your face.

:]

Restaurant Review: Magnolia Pub and Brewery, San Francisco, California

Because my boyfriend lives just three blocks from the infamous Haight-Ashbury, we spend many of our meals in one of the varied restaurants of the area.  One of our hands-down favorites is Magnolia Pub and Brewery, a small and quirky restaurant and bar on the corner of Haight and Masonic.  I had many times passed over the restaurant upon viewing the menu outside the door, but I am under the impression that the restaurant has undergone a significant makeover since my disregards.

About twenty to twenty-five tables are stuffed inside, and five or so metal tables and chairs are outside for the nicer days on Haight.  Dark wood decorates the interior, bringing the patron mind to reminisce of an old English pub.  Small quirks add finishing touches of charm to Magnolia, such as the dishtowels for napkins and old alcohol bottles for serving water.  They brew their own beer and declare a significant fondness for the drink on their website; I am not twenty-one yet, but intend to try their beer immediately upon turning so.  Judging by the food, I'm assuming their beer is damn good.

The first time James and I tried Magnolia was for lunch; I had a chickpea sandwich that is no longer on the menu and James had the sausage and sauerkraut sandwich.  We vowed to return.  My favorite time to eat there is for breakfast, as they do my favorite meal vast justice with their unique menu items, such as fig-stuffed french toast and crispy pork belly.  I applaud James because he is braver than I am with ordering daunting food; I am always afraid to find a rogue onion that was ignored by the person creating the menu options.  He ordered the crispy pork belly one day for breakfast, and he had a hard time keeping my fork away.  The pork crisps sit atop a bed of black-eyed peas and chimichurri and are coated with a fried egg.  It is an impeccable dish and my favorite from Magnolia.  Highly, highly recommended.

Another excellent (but very very sweet) dish is the stuffed french toast.  What exactly it is stuffed with varies, but whether it is caramelized figs and pear sauce or peaches and apples, it is very good.  It is huge, though, served as giant triangular cakes, and so heed this warning: only order the french toast if you are sharing or if you have a high metabolism and a gigantic sweet tooth.

One dish I will advise future patrons to stay away from is the duck egg and toast.  Perhaps it was just the one day, but Magnolia seems to apply the vinegar quite generously when they poach their eggs; this leaves a very acidic taste in one's mouth--none too pleasant when you are trying to enjoy your eggs.  The staff is very accommodating, however, as when the duck egg was returned, they took off its charge as well as the charges for the two coffee pots we ordered--this brings me to another breakfast staple: coffee.  I don't drink it, but James raves about Magnolia's coffee (Bluebottle), which has apparent San Franciscan fame for being something special.  I prefer the orange juice, which at Magnolia is just sweet enough and not too sour.

Also try the sides; the bacon and homemade sausage are VERY GOOD, but beware of the sausage if you do not like spicy food.  With a side of (non-poached) eggs, it makes a fantastic breakfast.  Sides are also cheap, at $4 each or three for $10.  I have been told the pancakes, while small, are also delicious, but I don't think one can go wrong with much of anything on Magnolia's menu.

For lunch, strong recommendations lie in the fried chicken and blue cheese sandwich and sausage and sauerkraut sandwich, which are both favorites of James.  Their french fries are superb, and it is worth going for lunch just to try them.

But, restaurant-goers, beware!  Come your check, you will find that Magnolia has charged you an extra 4% to donate to their current passion-cause: a San Francisco health care initiative for workers.  They are very involved in liberal causes around San Francisco, and by exploring their website, you can find out more and support them if you desire.

I have not yet tried dinner at Magnolia, but I promise that another update on this magnificent pub will come after my November birthday (my 21st), when I can enjoy their beer and their food.  For now, go!  And enjoy a unique and delicious breakfast (or lunch!).