Hash
A bit of the patio seating area. (Eric Rosen)
Nestled into the cozy l obby of Joie De Vivre's new Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach, Hash is slinging up some classic American dishes with trippy Venice touches. Though the restaurant only has a few tables inside, there is a secluded little patio tucked into a corner of the driveway that, though bordering busy Pacific Avenue, still manages to feel intimate.

Chef Micah Fields trained in some of the best-known kitchens in town, including those of the Patina Group, so he has brought a gourmet sensibility to otherwise mainstream dishes like a tiger prawn cocktail with ancho chili cocktail sauce, or an ahi tuna tartare with cucumber and an avocado-lemon crème topping dressed with red pepper coulis. The dish is luscious, refreshing, and has a striking color palette.

For the main course, there are plates like a chicken confit with several kinds of mushrooms and potatoes mixed in, and the juicy cast-iron-seared Wagyu beef burger on a toasted pretzel bun with aioli, white cheddar, onions and tangy cherry tomatoes served with a side of simple mac 'n cheese. There is also usually a "catch of the day" like sablefish served in a light lemon-panko bread crumb crust over enormous, dark honey-roasted beets with a few drops of cream and celery-almond pesto.

S'mores, and strawberry shortcake top the short dessert list. The wine list, though small, is quite respectable, with a few wines by the glass, and specialty cocktails like the "Joie de Veev," which packs an alcoholic anti-oxidant punch with vodka, Veev açai liqueur, pomegranate nectar, lemon juice and fresh blueberries in a sugar-rimmed glass.

Though not formally part of the restaurant, we'd also suggest taking your date up for the best sunset view in the city or one last nightcap at the rooftop bar, High. It has views that stretch from Catalina Island to downtown, with some good boardwalk people-watching thrown in.

Address: 1697 Pacific Ave.
Cross Street: Windward Ct.
Neighborhood: Venice
Phone: (310) 452-1111
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-11:30 am, Sat-Sun 8:00am-1:00pm, Tues-Sat 6:00-9:00pm
Type: American, Californian
Price: $$