Gjelina is most certainly in my top 10 LA restaurants. I’ve been here 3 times for crying out loud, and I just don’t do that.

If I’m sacrificing a new Bun Boy blog entry for a repeat restaurant visit, the place better be damn good.

And Gjelina, thankfully, is not just damn good, but effing good. Sorry mom, but harsh language was vital in making my important point.

I never branch out here, I don’t ever explore the menu. I always get a pizza. The pizzas are some of the best in LA.

Super thin, airy crust, a nice char on the outer edges. Excellent, tasty toppings. The kind of pizza you could demonically devour in minutes while feverishly slapping away anyone’s attempts at grabbing a slice. Gjelina’s pizza turns you into an starving animal, it’s a fact.

The last time I was here I also ordered two other necessary dishes that I ended up ordering again this time.

The Kale salad is simple and very tasty and sorta kinda makes up for the fact that you’re about to shove an entire pizza down your gross gullet.

However, you’re going to throw all that down the tubes when you finish your meal at Gjelina (I do have a few, tiny issues with the name) with the absolutely crucial Butterscotch Pot de crème.

It’s even better than Mozza’s Butterscotch Budino! Honest! (It’s slightly thicker, so takes longer to eat).

I firmly believe it’s my favorite dessert in LA. After careful consideration. Seriously, folks. Also, don’t forget to ask for the incredible olive table bread. It’s…well…incredible.

This Venice hotspot is still one of the busiest, trendiest restaurants in LA and please don’t be dissuaded when Gwyneth Paltrow say’s its one of her favs.

Just make sure you don’t show up without a reservation (annoying wait) and maybe even say you’re John or Jane Paltrow and see if that gets you a better table.

1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 450-1429
gjelina.com