early sunday brunch by marina del rey

[veee]

Hi- we're looking to reserve a table that can accommodate ~10-15 people for an early-ish Sunday brunch/breakfast at around 9am, near Marina Del Rey. A couple people need to leave from LAX immediately after, so we don't want to stray too far.

A nice setting by the beach would be ideal, but good food is a must.

First choice was Cafe Del Rey but it's not open until 10:30am.

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Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

[veee]

reporting back... we ended up being a group of 7 and went to Casa Del Mar's Catch... we had a great table, right by the large windows facing the ocean. the setting was beautiful but the food was disappointing.

i had the chicken hash and it was dry and unflavorful. had to add a bunch of pico de gallo to make it more edible.

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Casa Del Mar
4552 Riverside Dr, Chino, CA 91710

[Servorg]

"...the setting was beautiful but the food was disappointing..."

Thank goodness that no one on this thread recommended it then... ;-D>

[sablouwho]

I was going to suggest Gjelina but many others have beaten me to it. I will add that I was recently there early on a Sunday morning and it wasn't too crowded, so it is a GREAT time to go. Still would make a reservation nonetheless.

By the way, I had the Sunny Duck egg with hash and grainy mustard for b'fast and it was wonderful.

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[veee]

Our group has shrunk in size and so Gjelina won't take reservations for us... but we might try Fig. or Casa Del Mar's Catch.

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Casa Del Mar
4552 Riverside Dr, Chino, CA 91710

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[sablouwho]

How many are in your party as of now?

I ask because, even w/out reservations, I think you'd be fine at Gjelina at that time of day. I was surprised to see how uncrowded it was, but then, it was 9am on a Sunday in Venice, LOL, and I think many of the hipsters were still asleep. There were MANY tables open, both inside and on the patio.

I enjoy Fig for lunch/dinner, and they will take a reservations for breakfast, but I've had early breakfast there a few times (at times of morning when you can ONLY get breakfast, not the brunch/lunch options) and I have to say that no one in my party was impressed with the food. As much as I enjoy Fig for lunch/dinner I would really steer you away from an early breakfast there when you cannot get any lunch/brunch menu items--it just isn't worth the price and wasn't that tasty.

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[westsidegal]

with no reservation AND a plane to catch afterwards, i would feel very uncomfortable betting on speedy seating/service at Gjelina. also, if the car is parked filled with luggage, i'd feel even more uncomfortable going there. . . ..

not saying it isn't possible/probable to get seated quickly, but there are far too many "ifs" imho. (speaking as a former road warrior who spent decades traversing the country going from airport to airport)

the food, though, imho, can't be beat.

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[Servorg]

This is on a Sunday, so traffic to the airport afterward is going to be light to non existent. And the odds of someones luggage being stolen out of their car is probably about the same as getting struck by lightning while eating out on the patio at Gjelina (in fact you are at a much greater statistical risk of having a traffic accident while driving TO the airport, than you are getting your luggage swiped while you are briefly at breakfast in the full light of day around Abbot Kinney).

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[bulavinaka]

I wouldn't be surprised if the cars for this group parked right in front and around Gjelina in making their nine o'clock. I go pretty regularly to GTA on the weekends, and parking's a breeze in the AM on weekends.

[westsidegal]

i'll give it a try going at your times, bula.
i've NEVER been able to park close by when i've gone either in the afternoons or in the evenings.

[veee]

what about Fig?

[wienermobile]

I am a big fan of Fig, Love their Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes with
Almond-Blueberry Butter. Breakfast starts daily at 7am and their brunch menu starts at 11am on Sundays.

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Fig
100 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[cookie monster]

Coast at Shutters is good, and it's on the beach. Also I think Gjelina opens at 9am on weekends.

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[veee]

Gjelina is a great idea!!!! Thank you!!!!

Do you think we need reservations if we go right at 9am? for a group of our size (10-15)?

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[wienermobile]

For that size group always make reservations, even if it's just to give a restaurant and the kitchen a heads up that a large group is coming in so they can be ready for you.

[cookie monster]

Yes, for sure. Even if the place is empty (which Gjelina never is), they're going to need to rearrange some tables for a group that size.

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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[westsidegal]

absolutely YES,
make those reservations NOW.

[bulavinaka]

Request the patio - I think that at 9AM they might accommodate this request. Assuming you folks will be done around 10-10:30, the usual brunch crowd will just be showing up. Please keep in mind that while the breakfast menu will be available, I don't think the rest of the menu is offered until after 10:30.

[Servorg]

26 Beach

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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[veee]

is 26 Beach the one on Washington Bl? went there for dinner one time and was not that impressed but I have heard good things about the brunch...

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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[Servorg]

If you don't want to chance 26 Beach then what about the Ritz Carlton in the Marina?

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Jer-ne Restaurant + Bar at The Ritz-Carlton
4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

[BSW6490]

I recall the food being good at Shutters at the Beach by the Santa Monica pier.

[veee]

comparisons to Shutters vs Catch at Casa Del Mar?