- Story / Photo By PAIGE PETRONE
Open for a few weeks without fanfare, 12 Kitchen & Italian Eatery will officially open the first week of August. Located on the corner of Washington Boulevard at Venice Beach Pier, 12 offers up fine Italian dining to its local beach community. Newly renovated and taken over by Mercede Ahrablou, owner of Mercede’s Grille (located next door and celebrating 25 years!), this place is completely transformed and feels very inviting and quite chic.The style of food is Mercede’s take on California-inspired Italian cuisine. The menu offers light appetizers and salads, original pastas, and grilled fish and steak complete with house made tiramisu and cannoli. All can be paired with any of the refined wine choices.
On my recent visit, we sampled the Gnocchi with a decadent creamy gorgonzola cheese sauce. Yum! Then we had the Chicken Pesto Linguine with balsamic grapes. Sweet, tangy, and delicious. We also shared the Branzino Filet, which was really lovely with lemon and fresh herbs and topped with toasted garlic. We finished with a lighter and crispy (yes, crispy!) take on Tiramisu. Very nice.
A must have is the Straciatella Burrata & Tropical Bruschetta with cherry tomato and sweet mango! Open daily. I suggest going around sunset and to enjoy a lively Happy Hour while enjoying your bruschetta and wine. Go!
For menu and reservations, click here.
