The Hit List / Venice By Neada Jane
Venice, California has a storied history with strong ties to the art community of Los Angeles. The area has slowly gentrified over the years, but the undercurrent of artistic sensibilities remains – and there are endless options to explore. Here are some of the neighborhood’s highlights.
Rose Cafe
Revamped in recent years, the Rose Cafe's large courtyard is an inviting prospect for any meal. You may run into Twyla artist Guy Dill - this is his favorite spot for out of the studio meetings.
Menotti's
Though Guy Dill tends to favor a takeout coffee from Blue Bottle when strolling through the neighborhood with his daughter, Menotti’s delivers more of a local feel. Right by the boardwalk, it’s the perfect pit stop before a beach stroll.
Hinano Cafe
Less café and more bar, Hinanos is a Venice institution that has been serving up beers and burgers to locals for decades. If you want an authentic Venice experience, come and get it.
Gjusta
The little sister to famed west side eatery Gjelina, Gjusta serves up equally as impressive food with a more laidback attitude. Primarily a bakery, the lunch options are extensive and will have you wanting to return – especially for the charming ramshackle courtyard that locals love.
Tortoise General Store
Home to all beautiful things. Tortoise functions somewhat as a local gallery for those who wish to peruse a highly curated selection of home wares and design pieces.
Surfing Cowboys
This store encapsulates the Venice lifestyle with vintage surfboards lining the walls and midcentury vintage furniture items indicative of a community with strong art inclinations. Expect to find only the most unique items.
General Store
A carefully curated mix of clothing, jewelry, books, and beauty products make this the ultimate stop for a small gift or memento. It is almost impossible to leave without purchasing something you never knew you needed, but will now love forever.
L.A. Louver
With a focus on contemporary American and European artists, this is surprisingly one of the few galleries in the neighborhood. Famous Californian artists such as Ed Moses and Ken Price have exhibited here.
Mosaic Tile House
Embodying the eccentricity of the neighborhood that still ripples below the surface of gentrification, the mosaic tile house is something a little wild and completely different.
