Whenever I visit my sister in Los Angeles, we take a day and drive to Venice Beach. We walk among the beautiful bungalows; we sit on the beach; we shop for crystals. And we stop at Butcher’s Daughter for dinner.
My sister is a vegan, and as a former-vegetarian-turned-vegetable-lover, this plant-based restaurant with a view is the perfect spot for us.
My sister’s favorite thing on the menu is the lasagna: made with mushroom bolognese and cashew cheese, it’s rich and hearty and flavorful.
On a recent visit, I, meanwhile, ordered one of the house pizzas: a sweet-and-savory combo of gorgonzola, chili flakes, honey, pear, fig jam, and arugula.
We also split a spicy kale caesar with avocado, toasted almonds, crispy shallots, breadcrumbs, and almond parmesan. Rich in umami despite the lack of anchovy or cheese, this delicious salad balanced out the hearty mains we chose.
I also tried a smoky cocktail with a spiced salt rim; mezcal will always be my drink.
The food at Butcher’s Daughter is my kind of comfort food: rich in flavor but not in fat; filling without being heavy. It’s the perfect tradition to share with one of my favorite people.
The Butcher’s Daughter – 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA