Best Restaurants for Foodies in Culver City

New Years Day and we wanted some place that we knew would be fantastic, so where else but Gjelina? It was busy but the hosts and servers were unfailingly polite. We ordered 6 things from the menu. My wife's vegan so she had the vegetable sandwich (she had to fight me for it, it was so good). Brussel sprouts, grilled fennel, and the frites were all great. My son and I split the anchovy and burrata toast - a first for me - and it's my new favorite. Finished with the excellent pomodoro pizza - no cheese and none needed, because the jammy tomato confit is the star of the dish. I love this place. It never lets me down. Happy 2025!

First, I wanna say thank you to our server Hassan T. He was great and saved me from being disappointed in ordering how I was going to order. I still got what I wanted but in a way it made sense. You have to appreciate a person that does that. He was doing his job but it didn’t feel like a job. He wasn’t overly friendly but wasn’t matter of fact. He was warm and fun. Observant as well. Good at reading the room. I ordered the lamb shank, collard green lasagna and the parker house rolls. Let me say that the collard green lasagna ISNT a lasagna. I thought it was along the lines of pasta with collard greens. It’s more like a spinach artichoke dip and instead of eating it with chips you eat it with the bread. IT WAS FIRE but I wouldn’t suggest it as an entree. It is definitely a starter. The rolls were fluffy and light. I’m not a fan of truffle butter but the butter on the parker house rolls was just the right amount. It came with butter on the side but I didn’t use it so I can’t rate it. The lamb wasn’t for me. The sauce it was in was good. It was cooked well just light on the flavor. The polenta was not good. It wasn’t horrible I just didn’t like it. I had the Sir Davis drink. Very good. The music, ambience and energy was very good. When I made my reservations I knew I was going to put on “real clothes” and it was nice to see my community is a space that makes them want to put on “real clothes”. I loved that I didn’t have to go far to have an upscale experience. I loved seeing elderly couples dressed up and enjoying themselves, knowing they didn’t have to drive far either. Overall it was just BAHM experience. I can’t wait to go back I brought the rest of my collard greens and rolls to my grandmother and she loved it. She’s ready to go try it lol. I guess she’s about to make her own reservation.

Vespertine delivered one of the most extraordinary dining experiences we’ve ever had in the United States, rivaling the caliber of Michelin three-star restaurants abroad, such as Boragó in Santiago. The food was a stunning combination of originality, flavor, and artistry, each dish a masterpiece that delighted the palate and the eye. Service was impeccable, with the timing of each course orchestrated to perfection. The building itself is a marvel, adding a unique and modern dimension to the experience. While the evening was nearly flawless, there were a few minor areas for improvement. The final dessert felt overly elaborate and heavy, making it challenging to fully enjoy at the end of such a substantial meal. The dessert room, located near the entrance, was uncomfortably chilly on a cool evening, requiring us to retrieve our coats. Lastly, the $20 valet charge came as an unwelcome surprise, especially considering the restaurant’s high price point and the fact that the parking lot is private and on-site. A clearer sign or complimentary parking would have better matched the overall premium experience. These small critiques aside, Vespertine was a truly unforgettable dining journey—one we would highly recommend to anyone seeking a world-class culinary adventure in Los Angeles.

The staff was absolutely amazing when we came on Christmas Day. Our party was running past 15 minutes and after arriving they were able to accommodate us after waiting patiently to be squeezed in. I can’t thank the manager and his staff enough for how amazing and their graciousness for allowing us to be able to experience their Christmas menu! Thank you again and happy holidays!

We go here for my wife's birthday which is on Christmas Eve. Not many places are open then and we really like the food and hospitality of AOC. Even though they don't take requests, they had a nice table for us indoors. It made it extra special to have carolers as well.