Wallflower

"There aren't a ton of cocktail bars out there that are as serious about their drinks as they are about their EEEEEATS. If there were, you'd see us review more of them. We love a good liquor den here at The Infatuation, but after a drink or two, we're usually starving and looking to grub. Enter Wallflower, a snuggly little spot that makes a killer drink, but also has a worthwhile food menu. Cozy up with their Betty Draper cocktail and a foie gras sandwich on a cold winter night and you're in good shape. Wallflower was created by a former bartender at Daniel, so the fact that this high-end watering hole has things on lock down doesn't surprise us. The menu is a nice compilation of crudo, cheese, pâté, and terrines for a light graze, along with things like short ribs and duck sausage for those looking to go all in. Overall, we were impressed with the level of technique on display here, but everything on the menu is accordingly expensive. At least take solace in the fact that following the below Food Rundown will guarantee that you spend your money well. Save it for a [perfect_for slug="first-early-in-the-game-dates"]First/Early in the Game Date[/perfect_for]. One that'll be worth it. Food Rundown Black Bass Crudo A rather simple raw fish appetizer with hints of apple and seaweed. The black bass is fresh and delicious, and it pairs incredibly well with one of their "Adam & Eve" cocktails of calvados, sherry, and spiced apple cider. Foie Gras Sandwich We loved this foie gras sandwich, an ideal snack to accompany fancy drinks. Unfortunately, foie gras ain't cheap. At least we're allowed to eat it here. Suck it California. Sea Scallops Seared scallops with smoked caviar, celery, and pomegranate. The dish was cooked perfectly, with lots of flavor and a great consistency. Duck Sausage Don't sleep on the sausage. You get a relatively small link for $25, along with some beans and some kale. This is a big boy dish, both in flavor and in price tag. Beef Short Ribs Short ribs are generally hit or miss, and these are a smash. Served with bacon, onions, mushroom, and potatoes, we've been thinking about these tender short ribs ever since coming into contact with them. Best thing on the menu." - Andrew Steinthal

"Wallflower is a mostly Indonesian restaurant that offers a welcomed change of pace to Venice’s Italian and “New American” options. This Rose Ave. spot also happens to serve some of the best craft cocktails in town at its moody, candlelit bar, perfect for a drink date that potentially spills into a dinner date. Similar to the restaurant’s Southeast Asian menu, drinks here are aromatic and busy with lots of flavors that actually work. Order the Smoking Lemongrass for a tangy blend of mezcal verde, bourbon, egg whites, and, of course, fresh lemongrass. The final product is spicy, tart, delicately creamy, and so delicious that we feel obliged to order a second round." - Sylvio Martins, Brant Cox, Nikko Duren, Garrett Snyder

"Wallflower is a mostly-Indonesian restaurant that makes some of the best craft cocktails we’ve had in recent memory. Besides the excelllent, golden, flaky duck lumpia, everything else on the menu is fairly good and flavorful without necessarily blowing us away. But this solid Rose Ave. spot serves a very important purpose in this part of town, which is offering a much-needed alternative to Venice’s abundance of Italian and “New American” restaurants. Come here for some family-style dining, a nice outdoor patio, and a cool, dimly-lit bar that’s perfect for drink dates that potentially spill into dinner." - Sylvio Martins

"Venice’s Wallflower merges craft cocktails with Indonesian flavors, with a variety of drinks available for takeaway daily. The restaurant also offers beer, wine, and sake to go." - Farley Elliott

"Wallflower offers a comforting atmosphere with Indonesian dishes, including a standout beef stew called rendang mamak and a blue crab rendang dip." - Eater Staff