Best Contemporary European Restaurants in Venice

My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Each dish was savory and creatively and artfully displayed. We were puzzled by one dish: the obsidian mirror. We discovered that the "food" was the thin layer of black smoked mussel and plum resting on top of the black round container. We used a large mussel shell as our spoon, which was different. Our favorites: seasonal paradox (full of flowers with peas and kiwi), oat porridge bread, sea urchin (a supplemental with a splash of Pedro Ximénez 1931 sherry - such a unique combination for dessert!), and layers, the last dessert of the evening. Service was excellent. Vespertine ranks high among the Michelin starred restaurants we've enjoyed throughout the years.

I've been a customer for decades. I was concerned when the ownership recently changed. But it is the same great place that it's always been! The new owners are awesome and came to check on us! Highly recommend!

Definitely a top 5 restaurant in LA. I will be back soon. Great service!

Joliet is, without a doubt, the best spot in LA for whatever it is you're looking for. My boyfriend and I are absolutely obsessed with it - when a group of our friends decided to have a night out the 6 of us, we came to Joliet and there is something perfect for everyone. By day, it is the cutest spot for coffee, tea, a dirty chai, a pastry, and/or a sandwich. I recommend bringing your laptop or a book and staying a while, striking up a conversation with Alejandro or Olivia at the bar, and trying one or several of their fantastic options. You TRULY cannot go wrong. I had a pistachio croissant that absolutely changed my life. The egg sandwich made my jaw drop. Come nighttime, Joliet is a sexy speakeasy that boasts outstanding cocktails, great music, date-night ambience, and a whole different menu of mouthwatering options. My boyfriend loves the lobster roll, and I am obsessed with the mezze platter. The espresso martini is elevated and vibrant, and the spicy marg was better than imagined. Alejandro's attention to detail is incredibly extraordinary - he adds a special touch to everything he does, whether it's shaving an extra layer of cheese on your sandwich, or adding a cute little flower to your cocktail, or just taking the time to get to know you, it's really such a special experience.