La Ventura (11929 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, 91604) comes from Chef Jeffrey Saad, who was a finalist on The Next Food Network Star Season Five and host of United Tastes of America on Cooking Channel. Expect a menu of modern Mexican including starters like Roasted Garlic Guac & Chips and Meatballs with charred pasilla chile sauce, Cotija cheese and corn chips. Sandwiches including Open Faced Grilled Steak with pasilla red chile sauce, avocado, and caramelized onions and Yucateco Chicken with habañero, pickled red onions, shedded greens and avocado. Tacos and burritos include the Sweet Heat Calamari, Achiote Chicken, and even a vegan option. As for entrees, order up Duck Confit Mole, Masa Crepes, and Half Roasted Jidori Chicken Pipian.
The weekend brunch includes the tacos and burritos that’s on their previous menu in addition to breakfast favorites like French toast, Roasted Chile Scramble, and Huevos Rancheros.
There’s also a full bar serving up local beers and specialty cocktails including ginger mojitos; Blackberry, basil, mint margaritas; Smoked Citrus with mezcal, grapefruit and aperaol; Boulevardier with bourbon, Antica sweet vermouth, and Campari; and Mexican Tonic which is a gin and tonic with rosemary and jalapeño. Open daily from 11 am-11 pm, with weekend brunch beginning at 9 am.
