The Tasting Kitchen... Aka heaven

Brunch is hands down the greatest meal ever created. Period.

One of my favorite places for brunch is The Tasting Kitchen on Abbott Kinney in Venice, CA. This industrial looking restaurant has minimalist décor, however the food is anything but. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I decided to branch out from our usual M Street Kitchen brunch, and when 26 Beach had a line out the door, we decided to try The Tasting Kitchen.

We were offered seats at the main bar because the restaurant was filled up, however we had plenty of elbow room and a purse hook underneath (so clutch!) I ordered a mimosa to start, and then we eventually decided on the short rib hash and croque Madame. As we waited for our meals I watched the gentleman next to me devour a bacon-wrapped sticky bun….. enough said.

Our food arrived shortly after, and it was amazing. No complaints. The eggs were perfectly cooked. The brioche was crispy. Chris’s short rib was nice and tender. All and all it was a truly delightful brunch.

That being said, I decided to go for a round two with my girlfriend this past weekend. We arrived and were seated at the overflow bar (it was that or one of the communal tables). We were immediately greeted by our server, ordered two coffees and two mimosas (our standard Sunday drink order) and looked over the menu.

Cheers!

 I will say the menu can be somewhat cryptic to a non-foodie (for example: roasted tomato and white cheddar cheese = tomato grilled cheese), so don’t be afraid to ask questions! I was torn between the chicken ("fried clucks") and waffles or the grilled cheese, but ultimately went with the grilled cheese. My friend Ally went with the bacon stuffed waffles. We sat sipping our mimosas, anticipating our food’s arrival.

When the food arrived it was like the gods delivered it from heaven. (Or more realistically that one of their servants did).

My grilled cheese was pan fried in butter, with white cheddar cheese and roasted tomatoes on thick crispy toast. It was literally one of the most amazing things I’ve ever eaten. Cheesy, buttery goodness.

Grilled Cheese and tomato

Now to Ally’s…. hers was equally as buttery and delicious (well almost as delicious as mine). It was a large waffle, with each crevice filled with butter and syrup, and then when you cut into it there was a thin layer of crunchy bacon to be discovered. The waffles were light and fluffy, and I would definitely consider ordering this to go the next time I have brunch there (since I’ll obviously be ordering the grilled cheese again).

Waffles stuffed with bacon.... iphone on the table.... bad ally

All and all this was another delightfully delicious brunch, and I look forward to trying their dinner entrees in the near future. Stay tuned for a dinner post coming soon! And if anyone has eaten dinner there please tweet me your suggestions! @dyellrutherford