No Thanks--Is that a sea bass on your plate?

[kandykane]

I can't believe this place is still in business-
(Via Veneto on Main Street in Venice/Santa Monica))

I had dined here about 10 years ago and remember it being very nice with excellent service and food-
Wow has it changed-
The food just average
the prices too high
and the service poor-

Sorry-- the cute interior design and cozy seating is sweet ....on a slow day-
BUT the rest is not up to par-
In this town I would think they would have a killer menu- and food to match-
creating a delicious old world italian vibe-

Please get it together-
SO much to improve on-

[kandykane]

REVISE-My MISTAKE

I have revised my scathing review-
After I talked to the fish monger he did said that indeed
there is a mediterrean sea bass which is like a trout-thin white flakey fish-
I was familiar only with the chilian sea bass -thick and white solid type-
SO perhaps that is what they were serving at Via Veneto-
But I still did not like the waiter ;(

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Via Veneto
3009 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[fishyak]

Sea Bass is probably the most abused fish label in a restaurant. There is no species called just "Sea Bass". Chilean Sea Bass is in fact Patagonian Toothfish. It have been overfished and we should avoid it. (None of it is caught off of Patagonia any more.) White Sea Bass is a recovering California native and is a delectable member of the croaker family. But again, not a bass. Stripped bass is a bass and can be farm raised or wild. The mediterrean fish mentioned here might have been Branzino, which is now farm raised. Sea bass used to be the overall term for any of the 16 varieties of rockfish caught off the California coast.

Never accept the label sea bass at a restaurant. Ask for the specific species and whether it is wild caught or farm raised. Then you will know what you are ordering. (If the restaurant is honest is what it serves. I had another place offer "Santa Barbara spotted prawns" and what I got was really good shrimp. There is a taste difference.) Getting good fish takes some education on the part of the consumer.

[maudies5]

Great post. I can not tell you how many waiters or Maitre'd's will pledge that their Branzino is wild raised and imported from Italy. Ask if the fish if farm raised?
Their are some restauranteurs who are totally trustworthy:
Piero Selvaggio @ Valentino; Celestino Drago is a man of honor as are his brothers; Branzino at Vincenti, of course. Even our little nearby trattoria, Toscana, will tell you if they have farm raised or wild.

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Vincenti Restaurant
11930 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Drago Restaurant
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Toscana Restaurant
11633 San Vicente Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90049

[whatsfordinner]

I think people either love Via Veneto or hate it, depending on the waiter. Luckily, my experiences have all been pleasant. I can't comment on the fish, but I do disagree with your review of the pasta, which I find to be very authentic, and always perfectly cooked and sauced. The linguine with Santa Barbara prawns and bottarga is absolutely delicious.

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Via Veneto
3009 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[westsidegal]

kandykane:
Thank you for warning us about Via Veneto.
You took one for the team.
Greatly appreciated.

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Via Veneto
3009 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405