Everyone knows the only place to hang out at a house party is the kitchen, and this uber-stylish spot in Venice is equally irresistible. The Tasting Kitchen champions farm-to-table fare, and when there’s a real olive tree taking centre stage in the restaurant, then you know seasonality is gonna be high on the priority list. This place takes ‘rustic elegance' to a whole new level. Abbott Kinney is one of the trendiest shopping streets in Santa Monica, with a surprisingly low bar-to-boutique ratio. This is why The Tasting Kitchen is a much-needed oasis of calm, class and cracking cocktails.
Start with an English Garden - the combo of gin, cucumber, fennel and lime make this a thirst-quenching and refreshing antidote for those hot LA afternoons. If you’re after a classic then you can’t go wrong with a crisp Vesper or punchy Negroni. Obviously with a name like The Tasting Kitchen, you have to try out the food. Burrata and prosciutto are served with little pockets of fried dough for the ultimate snack. Or get involved with the homemade pasta if you’re here for dinner - this is the kind of restaurant where romance rates highly. Music is also on point, bringing the chilled beats of LA to the Santa Monica streets via regular DJ nights. Then there's the wine list. Whether you class yourself as a bit of a snob or just like to guzzle some quality grape juice from time to time, we defy you not to find something you'll love on their mega menu. Let the tasting commence.