The Tasting Kitchen

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The Tasting Kitchen
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The Tasting Kitchen

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Address:
1633 Abbot Kinney Road
Venice, CA 90291

Neighborhood:
Venice

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Comfort Food

Price: $30 and under

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More Details ›

The Tasting Kitchen Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://www.thetastingkitchen.com
Email: reservations@akinvenice.com
Phone: (310) 392-6644
Hours of Operation: Dinner: Sunday - Saturday: 6:00pm - 11:00pm Saturday - Sunday: 10:30am - 2pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Organic, International
Executive Chef: Casey Lane
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Liquor, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Fireplace, Full Bar, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
Catering: Please contact The Tasting Kitchen.

Getting there

Cross Street: Venice
Parking: Valet
Parking Details: Free and paid parking is available on adjacent streets and lots.

A word from The Tasting Kitchen

The Tasting Kitchen is an eclectic mix of food, atmosphere and clientele, capturing the heart & soul of New American dining. The dimly lit dining room is the ultimate in intimate upscale dining while remaining a place you would be comfortable finishing a bottle of wine with friends until closing… time. The menu changes daily and exemplifies our scratch kitchen philosophy, with pastas made by hand daily, meats cured in-house, produce from the local farmers' market, and everything made and sold the same day. We offer handcrafted neo-classical food, epic design and atmosphere, and service that is both guide and companion throughout the experience. Come, ask questions, and enjoyContinued

The Tasting Kitchen

4.4

140 $30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies
Diners' Choice WinnerHot Spot

More awards ›

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

139 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

139 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.2 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(112)
neighborhood gem(80)
hot spot(76)

vibrant bar scene(60)
special occasion(49)
notable wine list(39)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (139)

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

The Tasting Kitchen is a great

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/13/2012

2007

Dined on 04/13/2012

2007

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The Tasting Kitchen is a great stable for reliable consistent food including exceptional homemade pasta. Bring your own sweeteners if you don't like brown and white sugar cubes. Service would have been very good with the exception of this evening's busgirl who perhaps to her favor could not hear us well. She had to be asked a couple times for what we wanted and her response was not always the best. The waitstaff was informed and quite good. It did get loud and cold in the atrium the evening I went."

Dined on 04/13/2012

2007

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great creative menu. Always

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/09/2012

2006

Dined on 04/09/2012

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Great creative menu. Always consistently good"

Dined on 04/09/2012

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Been there twice. First time

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/04/2012

2010

Dined on 04/04/2012

2010

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Been there twice. First time was a good experience although the prices seem very high, wine and food, considering the level of food, ambience and just general comparisons... Comparatively high for any restaurant in any city, any location and highest culinary quality.
This week's experience was not very good, took over two years to receive our entrees, slow and inconsistent delivery of food, served paltry portions of cheese without bread, had to ask for olive oil, salt and pepper, water, and for each of our three courses.

Finally asked for check after two hours and fifteen minutes with no entree in sight...

Asked to speak to a manager, never came til we were exiting. Very disappointed in service and execution. Prices are unreasonably"

Dined on 04/04/2012

2010

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Great place, fantastic food

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/03/2012

2009

Dined on 04/03/2012

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The Tasting Kitchen is very unassuming from the outside but very cool and buzzy inside. We arrived slightly early - the place was packed and there's not really anywhere to hang, but our table was ready quickly so another time we'll just go on time!
Once we were seated our waiter talked us through the menu, and without another look we decided to go for the 5 course tasting menu. The food was superb - tomato arancini, wild mushrooms and morels, foie gras (best ever, anywhere), blue cheese salad, raviolo (insane), halibut, and pork (three ways), finishing with bread pudding and chocolate tart with hazelnuts. And mustn't forget the warm fresh bread with salted butter at the beginning, and hand made chocolates at the end. Very highly recommend."

Dined on 04/03/2012

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Food was amazing, service

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/01/2012

2011

Dined on 04/01/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Food was amazing, service was great. A little pricey, but worth it.
I will definitely return again."

Dined on 04/01/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Perfect dinner

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/31/2012

2005

Dined on 03/31/2012

2005

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We have been several times and ALWAYS had a great meal. Gnocco fritto with burrata is my favorite. the menu changes everyday but all their pastas with mushrooms and all their pork (might be a roast or a chop or a belly) are amazing. stay clear of spaghetti with bottarga, the only disappointing item I ever had there."

Dined on 03/31/2012

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Serious new-American fare.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2009

Dined on 03/30/2012

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Serious new-American fare. Not easy on my wallet, but impressive all around."

Dined on 03/30/2012

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Once you weed your way through

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/26/2012

2007

Dined on 03/26/2012

2007

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Once you weed your way through the menu your taste buds experience pure delight"

Dined on 03/26/2012

2007

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Outstanding service and cocktails

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2012

2011

Dined on 03/23/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Outstanding service and cocktails with interesting menu."

Dined on 03/23/2012

2011

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Savory Sunday night

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/18/2012

2010

Dined on 03/18/2012

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"We had a group of 3 adults and all enjoyed the experience here. The menu was trendy and it helped to have a smart phone to check some of the more unusual ingredients. We all started with a butter lettuce salad with blue cheese dressing that was delicious.Cocktails were an interesting mix. The wine list was impressive, but I'd have liked at least a few California choices. Two of us chose beef for dinner and one had pasta. Both were delicious! The main floor and bar area became very lively and packed by 7 PM on Sunday night; it was a popular spot! We liked sitting upstairs in the "library" room overlooking the main floor with a nice city and mountain view out the tall windows. The wait staff was informative and helpful, not hovering.YUM!"