Part 2: The 5th Annual Taste of Venice’s Walking Tasting Tour

After the VIP Reception, from 4:30pm-6:30pm, guests enjoyed a unique restaurant walking/tasting tour on famed Abbot Kinney Boulevard and sample signature dishes, wine, beer, and cocktails.

Our first stop, just a few steps away from the Electric Lodge, is Abbot’s Pizza. Opened in 1995 with a simple concept – make delicious food, top-notch friendly service, and maintain a clean, safe restaurant. Owner Richard has a very zen-like attitude, “Take care of your community and employees and in turn, they will take care of you”. It’s been working for almost 20 years so I think he’s on the right track. When you walk in through the doors, it reminds you of an east coast pizzeria, just a few stools to sit on and enjoy a slice before you’re on your way. The service is super-friendly. Glass-walled warmers hold the pies so you can see them. The scent of the freshly baked crust fills the air like a bakery. The first thing you’ll notice is the crust – beautiful color and a rim of poppy and sesame seeds on the outer crust. They call it the “Bagel Crust”. Yes, most people don’t eat that part of the pizza, but you don’t want to miss the crust on these. It’s like a pizza, and then an artisan breadstick to end your meal. The outside is like a crusty French baguette and the inside is tender, yet a little chewy. The Gypsy Pie is topped with spinach, mushroom, onion, tomato, ricotta & mozzarella cheeses on an olive pesto sauce. The olive pesto makes this pizza better than any other veggie pizza around – slightly salty, with a green flavor making all of the fresh veggies on top shine. Chicken Curry is topped with marinated chicken, honey, curry, onion, pineapple, mozzarella cheese, and alfredo sauce. This is amazing! If you like Hawaiian Pizza, but want chicken with a little more flavor, you have to try this. It is unlike any flavor you’ve ever experienced on a pizza. It has an Indian spice scent from the curry, but then the sweetness from the honey and the pineapple almost make it tropical. I would definitely order this one again! They are more than pizza. They also make calzones, salads, and gourmet cookies. 

To read more and see slide show, please visit: http://www.examiner.com/review/part-2-the-5th-annual-taste-of-venice-s-walking-tasting-tour

Mahalo and hope to see you next year!

OC Food Diva