RVR
Japanese restaurant · Venice
1305 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Highlights
Japanese izakaya with California bounty, ramen, hand rolls
Japanese izakaya with California bounty, ramen, hand rolls
"Brunch at RVR looks pretty similar to dinner, with a nearly identical menu and people sipping highballs at the bar. However, the crowds are smaller, the pace is slower, and this California-filtered izakaya on Abbot Kinney sprinkles in a few daytime specials that we love, including their incredible mochi beignets served warm in sweet-salty miso-orange syrup. Dunk these into a clean-tasting Japanese pour-over and consider your morning off to an excellent start. Online reservations are released 30 days out at midnight daily. For walk-ins, plan on lining up before doors open at 5pm, or arriving after 8:30pm—you'll likely be seated at the wrap-around bar either way." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"Brunch at RVR looks similar to dinner, with a nearly identical menu and people sipping highballs at the bar. However, the crowds are smaller, the pace is slower, and this California-filtered izakaya on Abbot Kinney sprinkles in a few daytime specials, including mochi beignets served warm in sweet and salty miso-orange syrup. Dunk these into a Japanese-style pour-over and consider your morning off to an excellent start Online reservations are released 30 days out at midnight daily. For walk-ins, plan on lining up before doors open at 5pm, or arriving after 8:30pm—you'll likely be seated at the wrap-around bar either way." - sylvio martins, cathy park, jess basser sanders
"RVR is a reboot of the dearly departed MTN, and as both restaurants’ aversion to vowels suggests, not much has changed at this izakaya from the former Gjelina chef. The dim, brooding room is packed with dates drinking highballs and Venice dads who show up on an electric motorcycle. It’s the liveliest we’ve seen Abbot Kinney since the Birkenstock store’s end-of-summer sale. Booking a table takes some effort, but it's worth it for delicious, pared-down Japanese small plates that lean traditional while also swerving totally Californian. That means smoked shoyu in the little gem salad, crispy pork belly gyoza you’ll want to order by the dozen, and assertively grilled vegetables that might not be in season next week. Don’t underestimate the simple clam ramen—the noodles are rolled fresh and the shellfish broth is sweet and oceanic. Online reservations are released 30 days out at midnight daily. For walk-ins, plan on lining up before doors open at 5pm, or arriving after 8:30pm—you'll likely be seated at the wrap-around bar either way." - brant cox, sylvio martins, nikko duren
"The sexy and brooding izakaya from the former Gjelina chef is a Venice restaurant through and through: Beanie-clad dads pull up to dinner on electric motorcycles, agency folks are on dates with graphic designers, and no one hears the lo-fi vinyl playlist over conversations about surf camp in Nicaragua. RVR late night is the liveliest we’ve seen Abbot Kinney since the Birkenstock store’s end-of-summer sale, and ideal for a Westside rendezvous with someone you want to impress. Booking a table takes some effort, but it's worth it for delicious, pared-down Japanese small plates that lean traditional while also swerving totally Californian. Online reservations are released 30 days out at midnight daily. For walk-ins, plan on lining up before doors open at 5pm, or arriving after 8:30pm—you'll likely be seated at the wrap-around bar either way." - sylvio martins, brant cox, cathy park
"Verdict: This moody California-leaning izakaya from the former Gjelina chef has Abbot Kinney buzzing. Booking a table could take a week, but the payoff includes fun highball cocktails and delicious, pared-down Japanese small like little gems with smoked shoyu, pork belly gyoza you’ll want to order by the dozen, and assertively grilled vegetables that might not be in season next week. Online reservations are released 30 days out at midnight daily. For walk-ins, plan on lining up before doors open at 5pm, or arriving after 8:30pm—you'll likely be seated at the wrap-around bar either way." - brant cox, sylvio martins
