Zinqué

Love this place

I’m a huge fan of the zinque on Melrose. Their tartines have so much flavor and I always indulge with the mussels and fries. I was in the Venice area and decided to try the other location. I was quiet disappointed with the seating. It feels very low key compare to the buzzing Zinque on Melrose. I ordered their Vegan coconut spinach and cilantro soup and it was to strong in flavor and not really like a soup. We then got the avocado tomato tartine and it was bland compare to their location on Melrose. Their mussels were fresh and was decent but lacked a bit of flavor. I would highly discourage going to the Venice location and enjoy the Zinque on Melrose instead.

This place is amazing. I came for happy hour last week and the place was packed (a really good sign). The service was surprisingly good and fast for the amount of people at the restaurant. The waitress recommended a special red wine and so my boyfriend and I ordered it and my girlfriend got the sangria. When we got our drinks we were all very pleased with the recommendations of the waitress.
The only reason why I took one star off is because we also ordered food but it just was not as amazing as it should have been. We ordered the Quiche Lorraine, which supposedly had pancetta in it. There was a bite of pancetta in the quiche, it was very disappointing. However it was still pretty tasty.
I am going to come back just to give the place another try, specially since it is pretty close to where my boyfriend lives and the happy hour was pretty fun.

Came here in the evening when «First Friday» was taking place to avoid the food trucks and grab some drinks with friends. The contained outdoor seating, with greenery and stringing lights made for a really cool atmosphere. Ordered different beers from the menu but thought the cocktails and such were way overpriced. Understandably so, it’s Abbot Kinney. Any who, none of the food really looked appealing so we stuck with drinks. Gets crowded and waited on our check forever. Cool spot, but just needs some refinement.

The vibe of this Zinque is different from that in Weho. There, it’s a bit more upscale and formal. Here, it’s a true café where people can whip out their laptops and get some writing done, which I appreciate. When I was here, all the side windows/​doors were open, so there was a nice breeze. The high tables were perfect for a quiet conversation.
I got the coffee, which was just OK, and the banana bread pastry. The pastry was a disappointment, being quite hard and dry. It had so much potential! Too bad. Hopefully, the food is better.
Service was good though.

I will start this with saying this is a review on service not their food. Food was good and I very much enjoyed my evening, in the beginning.
My food and first waiter were solid. He brought out all my food but couldn’t finish out service. He told us that and even said a girl will be taking over our table. After he left, no one came around to check on us. We wanted more drinks and dessert but never had a chance to order. After 30 – 40 minutes of sitting at our table with nothing we contemplated walking out as it was clear no one had any care about us. I walked up trying to find a manager, or anyone in charge with no luck. The hostess (who was sweet) helped us finally get our waitress and our bill. I now regret not walking out on the bill, $ 100 dinner between 2 with the worst service I’ve ever experienced in Venice, maybe even LA as a whole, is not worth it.

terrible service that i had few times, usually after lunch time, including once by a guy with an accent wearing a white beanie, couldnt believe how terrible he was, sort of lookin down on me and cool (just to let u know)…
and my first review that i wrote got deleted… ???

Best English muffin breakfast sandwich in Venice, bar none. Just be sure to add prosciutto! Great coffee and pastries as well. Easily one of my favorite breakfast spots in town, much more chill vibe than most places on Abbot Kinney.

Great by day for coffee, croissants, and my personal favorite the breakfast sandwich. Fantastic night spot for wine, Flatbread, cheese, olives, apple tart…
Think french café meets wine bar!

This place was terrible,
I never had such horrible service.
For starters,
No one acknowledge us at the door, no hello or even an eye contact, we were standing waiting to be greeted or seated for like 10 minutes.
We thought if we set at the table we’ll get some help but the waitress walked by us few times ignoring our presence completely because she rather engage in a long conversation with another couple who seem to be her friends.
My wife went to ask where the bathroom was while I was waiting and she said that another woman that worked there told her «I can’t help u right now» while she was carrying a bottle and wine glasses under her arm pits.
We ended up leaving and one again without being noticed.
I will never go back there again.

They had me at Poilaine bread, flown from Paris. That’s special. In the years we’ve been coming here, the food’s been consistently good, the wine list reasonable and interesting and the coffee beverages the best. Attentive, casual service is as good as it gets in the Venice genre. They’ve finally cracked down on the «laptop campers,» so one can actually get seated even during prime time.

I haven’t been to Zinque in a while so thought I’d stop by for lunch. The panini are ok, but the latte tastes burnt — not so yummy. The place is packed with young hipsters. The upholstery on the seats is ripped & stained — really quite disgusting to look at while eating lunch. The soundtrack is cool and the overall vibe hums with conversation.
Given pricing is the same I’d recommend the Rose or Gjelina instead — better food, crowd & atmosphere is easily found nearby.

Positive: This is my favorite spot to hang out with friends. The space is super cute, very Venice vibe, and during the day it’s a coffee shop. They have an okay happy hour, (happy hour wine is $ 8 regular wine is 16) but the food is really good! Their flat bread and tuna tar tar never get old.
Negative: The wine is okay, I’ve never had wine there that I really would care to have to order again and for the price of each glass, you’d think it would be better wine. The service is not good. The waitresses are spaced out and it takes a very long time to get someone’s attention. I’ve been here countless times and I never really have had good service. Even if you sit at the bar, unless you know the bartenders well, they aren’t very attentive.
All in all, it’s one of two wine bars in Venice and I always have a good time here regardless. :)

I really long for the time when office people hung out in offices.
Frenchy nouveau bohemian spot without the bohemians or a single piece of art on the grey walls («design» choices). Good La Colombe coffee and tea. $ 20 glasses of Pinot Noir or Sancerre. Good tinder-​date spot. Interesting music and in the morning you can meet the rudest barista in LA, which is part of the design as well since it reminds us of Paris. Fun staff at night, flatbreads, salads, paninis and free parking in front.

I really long for the time when office people hung out in offices.
Frenchy nouveau bohemian spot without the bohemians or art on the grey walls. Good La Colombe coffee and tea. Pinot Noir or Sancerre are over $ 20 a glass once you add tax and the mandatory 18% tip (yes, we’re all suckers). Good tinder-​date spot. Interesting music and in the morning or lunch you can meet Manu the rudest barista in LA which is ok since it reminds us of Paris :-) Fun staff at night, flatbreads, eclectic salads, paninis and free parking in front.

We always drive by and finally went!
The place looks magical inside which had the best thing going for it!
I would love to give this place more stars but most of the reviews are true.
Our food was sitting out for at least 15 minutes before someone could bring it to us, I almost went and got it myself, breakfast sandwich was good but over rated in side :(
I had coffee and they don’t offer refills when you eat at the restaurant which is a big disappointment for me.
I was hoping this place was much more but the looks of the restaurant is all that’s great, no customer service either which is another let down

Outstanding service with their fantastic motivation, my mission to the place is very successful.
This is realy great of thinking about the srong wine drinking. The location is easy and highly gorgeous decoration of that place. Avoiding not at all of that place. I will be back to the place again.

To my fellow caffeine addicts,
Order their americano. You can thank me later. (Don’t let the size of the cup fool you)
They have a small parking lot (free) but there’s usually free street parking on Abbot Kinney or Venice Blvd. Chill ambience. I come here in the mornings when it’s nice and quiet to get work done.
Their food though is just a-​okay. The service is good although there is a gentleman that works at the bar who’s a bit rude but he can be ignored.

My friend who is a local around here took me to Zinque, after I asked her to take me to her favorite spot. Upon looking at the menu, I was thinking inflated prices, but since it was Saturday brunch, there was a pretty good deal going on for the brunch menu– a quiche, panini or sandwich of your choice with fries or salad and a mimosa for $ 17 before tax and tip.
The food came out fairly quickly and the mimosas were pretty strong (though it’s hard to tell since I make my mimosas much stronger than most restaurants). My friend and I got to swap sandwiches and I have to say that I much preferred mine, even though hers was good as well.
Upon our server’s recommendation, I got the Marinated Peppers, Burrata and Prosciutto with pesto sandwich. Damn, this was good. It was a warm and cool at the same time– and the peppers! So good! The best part was the fresh burrata falling everywhere from my sandwich! Can anyone say yum?!
The Egg, Tomato, Lettuce and Gruyère was cool and perfect for the hot weather as well, with a light taste. The salad was very nice, although a bit too dressed up and tangy so you should order dressing on the side if you’re sensitive to those things. I loved the parmesan on the salad as well!
We had a wonderful experience and sitting by the open windows near the patio, we saw many butterflies brushing past our table. There were also many people working with their laptops during the daytime, as they are not allowed to once dinner rush starts. Pretty cool place and I may be a sucker for French places.

Cute place, good food, annoying bougie Abbot-​Kinney clientele. Try to go during off hours and maybe it will be surrounded by less pretentious people. I hate to say that as it’s not the fault of the restaurant but more their choice in location.
I went in with some friends and had a great lunch. I had a tune tartare tartine and a nice glass of sauvignon blanc. the wine markup is what you’d expect on abbot-​kinney which is to say it’s ridiculous.
You order at the counter and then sit with your number and wait for your food. So in that sense it’s like Pitfire pizza except way more pricy.
I’ve been a couple times and if the restaurant were located somewhere other than this stretch of Venice I’d go more often. As it is, you’re at the mercy of the other diners. If and when Abbot Kinney real estate goes bust like Melrose, and people move to other hipper neighborhoods, then Zinque could become a regular hangout. Until then, it’s reserved for special occasions or when coworkers want to lunch here.

I love Zinque.
I come to this particular location at least three times a month with girlfriends.
The food, service, and ambiance are all exactly what I need to veg out, be social, and eat comfort food. I do not by any means come here to seek people or impress. Ive even been caught on my own in yoga pants taking down a salad right after my practice.
Some may consider this a great date spot, I consider it a great self-​date spot (Love yourself people!)
My favorites always include the house sangria, cappuccino, mushroom flatbread, and lasagna.
My FAVORITE item on the entire menu is the quinoa and arugula salad (ADD Chicken).
The entire dessert menu is scrumptious, and they even have a flowerless chocolate cake which tastes nothing like «flourless» cake.
FYI Zinque actually gets fairly busy so we generally make reservations before we drop in.
The outside seating area is preferred by my group of friends, but when I’m self-​dating I prefer a corner near the bar to indulge.
I could continue, but honestly it’s Zinque. Look at the pictures, read the reviews, and go already.
If you see me say Hello Unilocalers! xxx

Great Mediterranean fare. Very popular with the 30 somethings. Large selection of fine wines and some beers on tap as well as a full bar.
One of the favorites is Le Bowl. A combination of rice, salad vegetables and your choice of proteins. I had the chicken one and it comes with a fantastic sauce.
It’s quite loud inside but the patio is better
The high seats are not very comfortable. There are a few bench style seats with seat cushions and these are better but there are few of them.
The service was excellent and the staff extremely friendly and accommodating. Hint: ask to be seated outside on a bench.

I will not be returning. Two reasons:
1) while sitting at the countertop, I witnessed the lead waiter argue with a customer on the phone about an automatic 10% tip they were charged, and then listened to him complain about the customer with his colleagues 2 – 3 more times. I’m appalled by such rude behavior. (note: apparently they auto-​charge you a 10% tip?)
2) the lead waiter went on for at least 5 mins antagonizing me on a joke bit about charging me $ 2.27 for water «during the drought.» He wouldn’t let it go and was really rude about it. My café companion felt uncomfortable.
I will also say that the agressiveness doesn’t stop there. They fling cups of coffee down on the table, rattling the glass. They run and walk exceedingly fast, making the ambiance feel anxious. Behind the counter they’re constantly clanking, yelling, and shouting expletives to one another.
It’s just not a place I’d rather go to again.

Love both Zinques now! My first Zinque date was at the Weho location and I was curious to see if her Westside older sister was as alluring. She is indeed!
We sat outside on a Sunday and shared the tuna nicoise tartine and the rotisserie chicken salad. These are my go-​to dishes at Zinque, although, I must admit the brown rice bowl is divine as well, just a little heavier. Their rotisserie chicken is so juicy and cuts through the peppery arugula nicely. Thin slices of Parmesan and tomatoes add a bit of zest! The nicoise tartine is on Poilane Parisian bread, maybe the best bread in the world. Bread so good, that I sent it as Christmas gifts to my husband’s family.
Service is always pleasant and friendly and they allow dogs on the outside patio.

I really enjoy having this place walking distance from my apartment. I love the wine selection and the food is good too. Yes it’s a little overpriced, but I’ve always liked everything I’ve had.
I have yet to try their coffee or breakfast but would definitely give it a go.
The space is small and sometimes too packed so I suggest going with only 2 – 3 people. Anymore and you will have trouble finding a table.
The service has always been good as well.

Came here for happy hour which is from 4−630PM. Menu isn’t as extensive as I’d like (drinks wise) they only offer 2 beers and few wines. I gotta admit, all of their wines are fabulous. I mean, we are at a brasserie.
The day I came in, their beer tap was broken :(So no beer options for happy hour. Instead, I got a glass a glass of their happy hour pinot grigio which was dry and crisp.
FOOD:
As for food, I ordered french fries ($ 3) which came with a yummy aioli and ketchup. Fries were on the thinner side but had a nice crunch to it. Best all of all, they weren’t oily at all. ⁴⁄₅
Ordered their flatbread (forgot the exact name of it) but it had tomato sauce and cheese to it. This wasn’t anything special. The flatbread was soggy and the sauce was whatever. Wish the crust was crispier and had a char to it. ²⁄₅
Lastly, I got the order of the pâté which is served on top of some bread served with some pickles. The pâté was wonderful — not too gamey but had a little livery hint. The pickles were super tangy and added a nice freshness to it. The wine complemented it perfectly. ⁴⁄₅
SERVICE:
Surprisingly pretty good. The place was packed and our server was able to take our order immediately. I came 10 minutes right before happy hour ended and she constantly kept making sure we got all of our orders in before it ended.
AMBIANCE:
Cute brasserie. Free wifi! I see people doing some work on their laptops while sipping on a glass of wine. Seriously, what a great way to do some work.
I also love their bathrooms here. They kinda have a rustic feel to it.
PARKING:
Sucks. Their lot is really small and gets full quick. Since this place is in Venice, they only offer street parking as well. Due to the fact that they are near Abbot Kinney, you better hope that you get lucky with finding a spot.

Read in the tone of Faye Dunaway’s Classic scene with Jack Nicolson from the movie Chinatown…“it’s a café (whack), it’s a wine bar (whack) it’s a café and a wine bar, ahhh, now we’re getting to the bottom of things! (if you don’t get this see the movie… it’s a classic)
So Zinque, which I like, assumes multiple identities depending on which way you face in the joint, what time of day you are there and what you are ordering. During the day it’s a laid back café with large windows, lots of sunlight, high wood beam ceilings, wood high top and round brasserie style tables, communal tables, outdoor seating surrounded by plants, very laid back. Simple focused menu is high quality, tasty and reasonably priced. People hanging with their laptops sucking down lattes and craft beers.
Kind of laid back LA «hipster light» vibe going on with the crew and then there is Keo, our server buddy who is beyond cool and adorable. Big fabulous smile and hair thing going on. We loved her. You will too!
Oh yeah, the food… my friend ordered the breakfast sandwich which Keo said was great and he agreed. My Nicoise Salad was reasonably portioned, priced, fresh and tasty.
In the evening, we were actually there last night for a bit, it hops with a trendier crowd, more buzz, wine and cheese scene and definitely a fun hang out vibe. Good place!

Coucou à toute l’équipe Le Zinque!
Nous souhaitons vous remercier pour votre excellent accueil et extrême gentillesse, serviabilité et efficacité tout au long de nos soirées chez vous. On s’éclate à chaque fois! En bref, des soirées toujours inoubliables qui restent en nous comme des moments magiques.
Merci Le Zinque et à toute l’equipe!