Inside this small neighborhood bar lies a well hidden secret.
It’s actually advertised on the outside of the building, but you probably will never notice it.
What is it?
A place where you get to play Executive Chef for the evening.
It’s a steak dinner, which includes a salad, baked potato and a dinner roll.
All for the bargain price of $13.50.
As you enter, you immediately encounter a large bar that gradually encircles much of the room. There is also a piano where they also sing karaoke where they seem to sing whenever one of the locals feel like it. There is a small attached dining room, where a nice big gas grill greets you. To begin the steak dinner, you are directed towards a rather small salad bar. There is a small refrigerator underneath the salad bar in which plates are chilled. The salad bar consists only of iceberg lettuce, but is a nice and refreshing way to start the meal. There is an array of salad dressings to finish off your salad.
You are then presented a plate with a baked potato, a French roll and a raw strip steak. Next to the grill is wide variety of spices and condiments to season your steak before throwing it on the grill. The great thing about this place is that your steak will be season and cooked to your liking. If it’s not the way you like it, you have no one to blame but yourself.
The dining room is dimly lit and is a throwback to the 50’s with faux leather banquettes lining both walls. A huge mural of the canals in Venice adorn one wall. If you didn’t know any better you would think you were in an Italian restaurant given the establishments name and décor.
The steak is a nice and thick and probably weighs at least 12 ounces. A nice fat cap encircles one side and has just enough fat to help give it that extra boost of flavor. The steaks are nice and juicy and are bursting with flavor. This certainly isn’t a Prime cut of meat, but it is still full of flavor nonetheless.
For a great hands on and fun dining experience at a great price, The Venice Room can’t be beat.
The Venice Room
2428 S. Garfield Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(323) 722-3075
4 comments:
Thanks for the great find. Will have to try it out someday.
Dave,
If you're ever in the area, it is a fun place to go, but certainly not a destination spot by any means. For the price, it's very hard to beat.
I have been a VR "regular" for many years but at lunch time as my business was in Commerce. It's a great place for lunch. Paul the "Mixologist" does a great job and is appreciated by his customers. We sit at the bar to eat, have some wine and chat. My favorite lunch spot.
wnims10372,
Thanks for the tip. Will have to look up Paul if I ever make it there for lunch. Looked like most of the "regulars" hung out at the bar and sang karaoke.
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