It’s been a bustling few weeks for Neighbor, the sunny Venice newcomer with the appealing back patio situated at the far end of Abbot Kinney. This is the former Willie Jane space, but reimagined as an even more casual eatery with a compact, seasonal menu.
Unlike its previous tenant, Neighbor seeks to eschew typical borderlines like the South or even California, opting instead for a roster of dishes from chef Joshua Luce that moves from garden peas and burrata with flowering mint to turmeric and yogurt-laced broccolini to buckwheat noodles with black garlic and scallions. There’s salmon with miso mustard, the requisite Mary’s chicken, and steak for those in need.
On the drinks side, expect a full bar backing up a cocktail list that hovers in the $15 range, with wines by the glass priced similarly and craft beer hitting about half that mark.
As for the space itself, Neighbor takes plenty of cues from the rest of sunny seaside Venice. A casual interior with rattan seating and a lounge section adorns the interior. Greenery abounds both indoor and out, with the patio laced at night with string lights and shade. Mosaic tables and a worn brick and tile floor help complete the chic appeal.
Neighbor officially opens this Friday along Abbot Kinney, keeping dinner hours only to start from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with an expansion to midnight (and into brunch eventually) down the line.
Neighbor
1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA