Tag Archives: Venice Grind

The Venice Grind Revisited and Reviewed

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The Venice Grind is our Mar Vista coffee house default. It’s the perfect spot to meet with friends and hang out over coffee, and of course, since there’s free Open Mar Vista Wi-Fi, it’s a great spot to sit and work, too. And now the Venice Grind has made some subtle changes that are making a big impact.

I have to admit, in the past, I didn’t love the coffee there: too bitter for me. However, when I was recently at the Venice Grind for the launch of the OPEN Daily, I treated myself to a latte and Loved it! First of all, a-dor-able foam art, but more importantly, a delicious, smooth — key element — hot beverage. Turns out the Venice Grind now serves Stumptown roasters coffee, which I admit I’d never heard of before last week, but I can assure you, it’s worth knowing about. Excellent coffee.

The other change I noticed, and happily so, was the quiche. I’ve eaten their quiche many times, and, again, in the past, I felt it was perfectly passable but nothing to write home (or a blog post) about. However, the quiche is now lighter, with a sweeter custard and a lovely herb mix. I really like the improvement; I’ll be back for more.

Check out the Venice Grind on UpTake.com as well.

The Venice Grind, 12224 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista 90066

Big Announcement: The OPEN Daily Launch Party 2/23

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Mar Vista Mom has teamed up with the founders of Open Mar Vista/Open Neighborhoods, James Brennan and John Ayers, to create The OPEN Daily, a daily email Essential Guide to the Westside. Free subscription, free listings (and paid advertising as well), the OPEN Daily is designed to promote local businesses, offer updates from Westside schools, and keep you informed about community action items. We’ll also feature local bloggers and great deals and giveaways. Check it out: TheOPENDaily.com.

Click here to submit your free listings.

Oh, and if you’re on the Westside on Tuesday, February 23rd at 8:30am, stop by the Venice Grind, 12224 Venice Blvd. 90066, for a free cup of coffee on us! Yvonne’s Gluten-Free Goodies, too! Come on by!Free Coffee at the Venice Grind 2/23 8:30am

Behind The Scenes At Earl’s Gourmet Grub

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Today I got a sneak peek at Earl’s Gourmet Grub, Look at that cool detail in the ceiling!a new restaurant set to open next door to the Venice Grind soon. They’re still under construction, but it’s going to be amazing. Yvonne McDonald and Dean HaradaI met the owners — Yvonne McDonald and Dean Harada — and they’re really trying to make something here. Not just a food joint.

But of course there will be food! Earl’s Gourmet will serve lots of grub: sandwiches, some grilled, some not, big salads and deli salads (like with orzo and quinoa), and there will be cheeses and a retail grocery section as well. I, for one, can’t wait!

Stay tuned for opening day details…

Earl’s Gourmet Grub, 12226 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista 90066

More Marijuana in Mar Vista? Say It Ain’t So!

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marijuanaThere’s a chance a marijuana dispensary will open up on Venice Blvd, just west of Grand View. We call it our little downtown business area, and many of us don’t want to see that kind of a storefront there. I certainly don’t.

I already know about 2 other dispensaries in the neighborhood (one just about 1.5 blocks west on Venice Blvd. on the north side, and the other on Washington Place just east of McLaughlin), and I am a middle-aged mom. There are probably others I’m completely unaware of.

This location is 2 blocks from my kids’ school, and much closer to 2 preschools. And I realize that the actual marijuana for medical purposes is legal. But isn’t there a moritorium on opening any new dispensaries in the city of LA?

And here’s my strictly business question: have these guys done their market research? I mean, can Mar Vista really support that many dispensaries? I certainly hope it’s a no answer. But it begs the question: if not this, what businesses are going to fill the empty store fronts along our little downtown corridor?

I fully understand that rents need to be paid, and some of these buildings have sat unused for a nearly a year. Mar Vista Mom has profiled The Curious Palate and Floyd’s Barbershop, which have both recently opened, bravely, it might seem, in this economy — and I salute them and support them. They are the kind of businesses I am happy to see in my neighborhood and would love to see something open up there I could really get behind.

Because, as you might have guessed, I am not the target customer for the dispensary. No surprise, right? I am really looking for some cute retail options, some places to browse through (and buy from) after I’ve had my hair done at Floyd’s, with a Venice Grind coffee in my one hand, my Farmer’s Market veggies in the other. So if you’ve got a notion to open a store like that, please check out Mar Vista. There are leases to be had!

Got 2 cents to share on this one? Leave a comment.

 

An original post by Sarah Auerswald.