Really small but cute new spot on Abbot Kinney... Really overpriced but the good food. The glass of wine we paid $14 for small and the cheese and meat plate was a joke for $16 each. The pizza was fair size for the deal. Spent $90 and went to have sushi after because we were still hungry. Gjelina is a much better deal for the price.
Review Source:Thought this place was in the heart of Venice but it's tucked in this plaza at the border of marina del rey. The owner was very friendly and recommended lots of great wine to try. The food selection is small but the thin crust pizzas are delicious. It's a small cozy little wine bar that's great for small groups. Hope to go back soon.
Review Source:So I've been to this place twice now, both times for the pizza. Each time it has been some of the tastiest pizza I've had in my life.
The first time I had the High Sign which has some delectably savory bacon while second time I had the Kinney which is essentially a Caprese pizza. The crust has a great texture that artfully combines crispiness with just a bit of the foldable chew and the ingredients are fresh, aromatic, and on point.
In addition, the host, Mario, was friendly and the service was expedient.
Lastly, I'll mention that although the hours are from 8AM-11PM, the kitchen is only open from 4-10 which has left me wanting several times during lunch.
I own a business up the street from this place and was excited to try out a new neighborhood eatery. Moreover, I love pizza and had read about the background of the owners (Mozza, Piccolo Venice, Barbershop) and was eager to add another local spot to my go-to list.
I got there at 3:50PM and although the doors were open, I was told that I'd have to come back at 4:00PM for the start of dinner service. When I came back, it was 4:05PM and the place was essentially empty (save a guy nursing a beer at the long communal table). I saw the server and what I assumed to be the manager behind the bar going over receipts/other business matters and so I just asked "Sit anywhere?" to get their attention.
So, I'm sitting there for the better part of 10 mins. waiting for someone to bring me a menu or even glance my way, until I had to just get up and walk over to the bar to grab the one that was sitting right in front of the manager. The manager sees this, and then walks around the bar with a handful of menus and asks "Did you want to see a menu?" to which I replied "Already got one.". He pours me a glass of water takes my order and then goes back to teaching the absentee server how to sell wine.
So it's nearly 30 mins. since I sat down, and no one's bothered to top my tiny 4oz. water glass off. Again, oblivious to the fact that there is actually only one diner in their establishment that requires their attention, the server and manager go on doing whatever it is they're doing. I have to actually get up and walk over to the bar again to grab the water bottle to refill my own glass! This time, I just brought the bottle over to my seat. The manager sees this and laughs "Oh, I was just going to ask you if you wanted more water.". GTFO.
Finally, nearly 40 mins. after sitting down, my pizza comes. If it weren't for the fact that the pizza was somewhat good (which could've been influenced by the fact that I was starving at that point), I would have happily given this place 1 star. Â
3 Stars for Food + -1 Star for Service = 2 Stars
I can count on one hand the times I've purposely left a $0 tip for inexcusably poor service. In fact, it annoys me when Yelpers go on and on about how they weren't treated like kings/queens and go on to give a vapidly scathing review. I get that sometimes things happen that are out of the server's control (i.e. the kitchen gets unexpectedly slammed, there's a huge rush of people showing up at the same time, etc..) that can effect service. I WAS THE ONLY DINER IN ENTIRE G.D. RESTAURANT!!!! The server didn't serve me ANYTHING! I sat myself. I had to grab my own menu. I had to grab water and serve myself.
I left South End 5 mins. shy of an hour. Keep in mind that I was the only diner in the restaurant. There're plenty of great dining options, $ to $$$$, in and around Venice. This place is located in a cramped, hard-to-find strip mall behind a gas station next to crap fast food joints (e.g. Johnnie's Pizza, Wacky Wok, etc.). At first I thought the location was curious given the relatively higher end concept. After my experience at South End today, the location totally makes sense.
This is a new place on Abbott Kinney and Washington. It's a cozy wine bar with terrific food. I wish the menu were a bit larger because the food we had was so good. But I think their kitchen is probably small, too.
Anyway, Mario owns the place and he is a very gracious host who knows a lot about wine. He brought us three kinds of whites to sample and two kinds of reds and he knew so much about all of them.
We ordered the salmon-leek-creme fraiche tart and the Asian mushroom pizza. Both were outstanding. The salmon and crust were perfect on the tart.
The pizza crust was fresh with just the right amount of crisp. The toppings - the cheese, hot peppers and mushrooms -- were the perfect combination. It was just as good as Pizzeria Mozza's, if not better (I believe Mario comes from PIzzeria Mozza, hence the comparison).
We went on a Monday so it was not too crowded or too loud. We will definitely return.
It starts with easy parking in a quiet strip mall right off Abbot Kinney. South End is small but packs a lot of warmth with the wood wall and communal seating.
The wine selection is amazing and no better person to pour it than the owner Mario--he is a sommelier and knows his wines.
We ordered the most delish Caesar salad--prepared perfectly. Nice and clean taste like when you are in Italy. Â Our pizza was AMAZING! Â The crust, sauce and homemade mozzarella cheese was simply wonderful. We had a great bottle of Italian Sangiovise with our meal.
Its a hip crowd and got completely packed.
I am excited to have this new place in our neighborhood without the crowds of Abbot Kinney, the parking issues and especially the high price of food and wine.
Will be my new hangout for friends, food and wine!
So, so good. Mario was an amazing host. His food and wine recommendations where great. The onion and brie flat bread was crisp and full of flavor. The peaches were the cherry on the cake for this flat bread. The Battaglini wine, mmmmm.
Please don't go, I don't want the place to become too popular ;)
Before you go, realize that this is more of a wine bar then a restaurant. Therefore there is a limited menu and a bit more crowded and loud then you may be accustomed to with a traditional restaurant.
With that being said, the pizza really is terrific and worth the trip just for that.
The service is exceptional as well - the owner is VERY active and genuinely concerned with everyone enjoying the food and company.
We were there on a busy Saturday night and he personally greeted everyone that walked in with a handshake. Who does that?!?! Classy.
The restaurant was actually a few minutes late with the reservation - and he offered us 2 glasses of wine. Really wasn't necessary and above and beyond the call of duty.
I definitely recommend, we went home with a full belly and felt it was $ well spent.
Bravo.
I almost don't want to review this place because once word gets out, I'll lose my new favorite local spot. Â The space is great (albeit small), parking easy, the staff incredibly nice and enthusiastic and I had the best piece of cheesecake that I have had in my life (sorry Mom!). Â I'll be back!
Review Source:I thought it'd be more in Venice with the Abbot Kinney address, but it's more on the cusp of Venice and Marina Del Rey off Washington Blvd.
Had the mushroom & pepper pizza; it was perfect (as expected from a Mozza vet). There's a heavier emphasis on the Wine Bar aspect. It's small. It's intimate. A great spot for amazing pizza if you're in Santa Monica, Venice, or Marina del Rey.
First off, the chef at South End used to run the kitchen at Pizzeria Mozza which is a great start. Second, they spent 6 months building the interior so it's a nice space. Third, it's only half a block from my house. Fourth, the staff is wonderful. Fifth, the wine selection is very nice and Sixth, the food is wonderful. All of this adds up to a welcome addition to the Venice community. You won't go wrong with South End.
Review Source:This place is a new hidden gem. The pizza is incredible and made without yeast. They also have a great selection of wine. The service is impeccable and the manager is on his game and super charming. This place WILL blow up. Great vibe and cozy space. Will definitely be returning to try the rest of the menu! Go now before there is a wait to get in.
Review Source:As soon as you walk through the doors you can tell this place is something special. Wine bottles to the right on shelves all the way up to the ceiling, an amazing full wall painting to the left and old school light bulbs providing just the right amount of light. The pizza is incredible. Had 3 total pie's, the margarita, pepperoni and mushroom and it seemed like each one that we ordered got better and better. The crust has a sour dough hint to it that really accents the pie. The wine list is the perfect size, just a page of a little bit of everything. I don't remember the first bottle of cab we got but went to order another of the same and the manager upgraded us to the next highest for the same price. Great recommendation too. Â The customer service was right on as well. Even with the manager busy as hell he still came over to welcome us and gave us a little history on the place, his cook and his professional history. Between the 2nd and 3rd pie there was a bit of a wait but he actually brought over a salami appetizer on the house and made sure our wine glasses were never empty. He took a very hands on approach with all of his customers making sure everything was to their liking and engaging is brief conversations. I always appreciate a manager that does this. Â Water glasses were continuously refilled and when paying, the waitress just brings her iPad to the table for you to look at the bill and swipe you card. This place is sure to blow up!! Â DEF will be going back!!
Review Source:Go now! This place had a soft opening, and once the word gets out, it will be impossible to get into.
Everything we had, including the little gem salad, the smoked salmon, onion & peach, and pepperoni pizzas and the house-made cheesecake was delicious.
Mario and the crew were great, if a bit overwhelmed by the crowd. They have a good wine list, but when we got in a bit after 7:30, a bunch of the wines had sold out, but that wasn't a problem, as they still had some very good wines.
Doors are open!! Get there before it gets too busy because once people discover this gem it will be packed.
They offer a beautiful selection of pizzas and boutique wines that can't be found just anywhere. Be SURE to order a pizza. I was there yesterday for the first time and had dreams about their beautiful authentic crust and freshest of fresh ingredients. I had the Hongos pizza and I have a feeling I will very quickly attain my goal of trying each pizza on the menu. Â The owner also owns a bakery in LA and his baguettes and cookies are just as beautiful as his pizzas, and available at this location as well.
It is a smaller menu, but everything on there is spot on and you will leave very satisfied.
I foresee this spot quickly becoming the happy hour go to in the neighborhood. And I will certainly be one of the attendees.
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