They didn’t even have carrot cake today. WTF???
Hi @A5KOBE,
Boo. Although, sometimes they might not have had it ready yet. There was one time last month when we went that they didn’t have the Carrot Cake (nor the Pumpernickel Fudge Brownies). As we were walking out (after eating), I noticed them bringing out the Carrot Cake. 
They were late that day. 
The pastrami reuben was pretty tasty, and also got the prime fuckin reeeeb. This beet and smoked whatever greens/cabbage/treviso??? salad was quite tasty.
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So good!
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Gjusta Gjusta Gjusta
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Wow, thanks for sharing your feast with us, @Chowseeker1999! I really need to get that smoked fish plate, like, NOW!
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Whiling away the time on a beautiful, spring afternoon at Gjusta. There were humming birds and blooming flowers and little trees bedecked with ripe kumquats.
Pozole
The hominy was a bit chewy, and there was too much napa, but my god, they make an excellent broth.
I made a friend.
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Hi @Bookwich,
What?! Did I miss our FTC Gjusta Club Weekly Luncheon?! Darn it. 
Nice pics. I need to try the Pozole on the next visit… if I can resist their Smoked Seafood Case… and their Carrot Cake… and their Sandwiches. 
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I got a carrot cake to go, and a baguette, and a brisket plate for the child’s dinner.
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Beautiful photos! 
Do you think the Italian sandwich would travel well, as a takeaway, or does it need to be eaten right away? It looks pretty sturdy…
Hi @SpoonLicker,
Thanks. Yes, as @A5KOBE and others have tried, their Italian does travel pretty well. The flavors deepen.
I do think you should enjoy half of it right there immediately to see how fantastic it is fresh, and then take the other half to go.
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Thank you – I like your plan! I’ll do some field testing: half sandwich eaten on the spot (gotta enjoy the scene there, right?), the other half eaten at the beach. All in the interest of science, of course.
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Confirmed: Italian sandwich travels with aplomb.
I went out for a little afternoon snack, and came back with a feast:
(Sorry for the fuzzy photo – I was too impatient to hold the camera steady!)
Other half of the sandwich was still really great 5 hours later.
I didn’t really care for the pastry (something-or-other brest)…the schmear was super-duper-sweet – too much so for my palate. But for someone with more of a sweet tooth, it would probably be lovely.
The preserve that came with the biscuit was amazing; the tangerine shrub was refreshing with a nice “nip” to it.
I think late afternoon will be my witching hour a Gjusta…the vibe is more low key, and the service was really lovely and a little relaxed and goofy around the edges (my favorite kind of service).
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Hi @SpoonLicker,
Nice! Love that Italian Sandwich at Gjusta. So glad you enjoyed it as well. I’m now craving one, darn you.
Have you tried their Smoked Seafood selections yet? Also worth checking out (Salmon Belly, Hamachi, Kanpachi, Trout, Sardines, Lox, Gravlax, etc.).
Highly recommend their romanesco antipasto salad if you like their Italian sandwich. Grab it if it is available.
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I love Gjusta’s biscuit, with or without the preserves. I still haven’t tried the Italian sub because I’m full-on addicted to the veggie sandwich. For the record - it does not travel well. but I still often take home half for the next day’s lunch, at which time I disassemble it, toast the bread to de-soggify it, and then put the fillings back in. Also I don’t know how often it’s on the menu, but they had an Italian chopped antipasto salad a couple months ago that was basically the Italian sandwich fillings in salad form. Really really good.
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Yeah, I had to deconstruct my sandwich too, due to the fact I have a small mouth. So, it sort of became an antipasto salad, with bread on the side. (I also had the actual antipasto salad a few months back, and loved it so much.)
I also had to basically wear a lobster bib while eating the sandwich (at home) – I like that they aren’t shy with the oil! Super juicy.
I am all fired up to try those sardines! They look soooo pretty in the photos. The plating looks really appealing.
Def gonna hit Gjusta again soon for a late afternoon fish-fest…maybe settle in at the bar area with another shrub and a fish sampler. 
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That was probably a Paris Brest.
Update 13:
Market Salad: Dandelion Greens, Herbed Vinaigrette, Toasted Breadcrumbs:
Pleasantly bitter, vibrant and a great way to start the day at Gjusta. 
Pozole Verde:
Thanks to @Bookwich for the recommendation! Their Pozole Verde was indeed lovely: It tasted like the most pure, vibrant Pozole Soup we’ve ever had. The piquantness of the Tomatillo, the brightness of the Herbs and Vegetables, the earthiness of the Hominy. The side of fresh, Housemade Toasted Wheat Sourdough to dip into the Soup just made it even better.
Market Salad: Asparagus with Bottarga:
The Asparagus were tender yet still crisp enough, but it was the pairing of generous shavings of Bottarga that made this dish really standout! The Cured Fish Roe… so distinct in its beautiful brininess worked so well with the Asparagus.
Sprouted Rye Toast (Almond Butter, Honey, Olive Oil, Sea Salt):
I love Almond Butter, and realized this might be a good way to try Gjusta’s own Housemade, Fresh Almond Butter. Their Housemade Almond Butter is fantastic! So nutty and clean, it is just an excellent product. The generous spread on their fresh-baked Sprouted Rye Toast works well, except that we forgot how serious their Sprouted Rye Bread is! 
I like Grains, I love healthier multi-grain Breads, but Gjusta’s own Sprouted Rye is serious business! It’s hardcore Bread, dense (but really nutty) and it stood up to their own fantastic Almond Butter, Honey, Olive Oil and Sea Salt and just brushed it all aside. 
I think this would be amazing on any of their other 7 different types of fresh-made Bread, but the Sprouted Rye is too bold I think. 
I bought a jar of their Housemade Almond Butter for a friend of mine, and she’s been letting me know repeatedly how amazing it is.
Mergeuz Sandwich (Tatziki, Cucumber & Radish, Fermented Chili Sauce, Pickle Red Onion, Herbs & Sprouts):
Because of course Gjusta makes their own Housemade Merguez Sausage. 
Yes, a new Sandwich has appeared, and in Gjusta-level execution, it is superb! Their Handmade Merguez Sausage hits you immediately with its Lamb-y gaminess, enticing notes of Cumin, Harissa, Coriander and other spices. It is really delicious!
Add in their stellar crusty, crunchy Housemade Sesame Baguette, the crunch of Pickled Red Onions, the refreshing Cucumber and Radish and Sprouts… and this is another standout Sandwich worth ordering. It might not dethrone @CiaoBob’s legendary Prime Rib Butcher, but it’s pretty good.
Sparkling Ginger Lemonade:
Their Sparkling Ginger Lemonade… so powerful, so bracing, a blast of Fresh Ground Ginger, Housemade Lemonade. So good! 
Smoked Brisket Banh Mi (Baguette, Smoked Brisket, Pickled Daikon, Carrot, Cucumber, Cilantro, Chili Dressing, Garlic Aioli):
The one Sandwich on Gjusta’s menu that we’re not a fan of has been their Banh Mi Americano. It just doesn’t taste like “Banh Mi” at all, even though their ingredients are impeccable. So against our better judgement we decided to try their Smoked Brisket Banh Mi. Mainly to try their Housemade Smoked Brisket.
This one held up better in terms of reflecting what a traditional Banh Mi tastes like. It still isn’t there, but it’s better than their Americano. Their Smoked Brisket is beautifully smoky, tender, but it’s not the super tender, low-and-slow BBQ-style Brisket. More like smoky slices of their Prime Rib Butcher, but not as sublime. We’d probably skip this Sandwich.
Multi-Grain Porridge Waffle (Butter & Syrup):
The last time we ordered this, it was one of the highlights of our week. This is Gjusta’s Housemade Multi-Grain Porridge, that they take and use as a base to create a Waffle out of it(!). 
This time it was slightly less crispy than the last time, but still nicely toasted and slightly crisped.
But with some of their Butter & Syrup…
This is an extremely nutty, aromatic, outstanding Waffle! Really unique and my favorite recently (along with Howlin’ Ray’s Waffle). 
Veggie Sandwich (Whole Wheat, Roasted Peppers, Tomato, Fennel, Radish, Pickled Turnips, Avocado, Sprouts, Tahini):
It had been too long… Gjusta’s simply named “Veggie Sandwich” is just so beautiful in its balance of flavors: The Roasted Peppers, Avocado, Tahini are the core of creaminess, mix in the Tomato, Fennel and Pickled Turnips that take your taste buds in pleasing directions, the Sprouts and Radish giving it that Spring-time note, and their Housemade Whole Wheat Bread. This is nothing like a typical “Vegetarian Sandwich” at all! My favorite! 
Housemade Chili Hummus:
I confess, I’m now a Gjusta Chili Hummus addict! Darn you @A5KOBE! Why didn’t you tell us about this earlier?!! (j/k) 
I finally remembered to look at Gjusta’s To-Go Refrigerated Case, and I found the innocuous-looking container that @A5KOBE said was like crack.
Oh I wish I resisted the warning… I just tried some this afternoon with some Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips…
It is SO GOOD!!!
We couldn’t stop eating it! In another example of ridiculousness, Gjusta makes their own Hummus, and they top it with a Fermented Chili Sauce, which is basically “Crack.” 
It’s got a noticeable heat that hits you with from the Fresno Chili, but it’s mellowed out by the Fish Sauce and Grapeseed Oil. It’s got this really crave-worthy savory aspect; that’s really the best way to describe it.
And it is one of the best Hummus I’ve ever had!
On another visit, we met a friend and I vowed I’d just order a few Market Salads for lunch. And then I stupidly looked into their Smoked Seafood Case…
So… we started with a Market Salad at least…
Market Salad: Barley, Turnips & Swiss Chard Salad:
Farmers market fresh Roasted Turnips, toothsome, earthy Barley, and the soft, beautiful Swiss Chard. A great way to start.
Tuna Conserva (Olive Bread, Caper Aioli, Roasted Peppers, Salted Cucumbers, Radish, Sprouts, Tapenade):
Best Tuna Sandwich I’ve ever had! This is so much better than the one at Wax Paper (which is a good improvement over most Sandwich / Delis’ version of a “Tuna Sandwich”). The Housemade Olive Bread is incredible, soft, pillowy, nice crust on the outside, the Caper Aioli was on point, the Radish, Sprouts and Olive Tapenade all add a textural contrast to the Sandwich, and of course the Tuna. It truly is so much more than just a “Tuna Sandwich.” A must order!
And because of the glance into the Smoked Seafood Case, sigh…
Fish Plate (Small):
Cold Smoked Kanpachi:
It’s back! Their amazing, supple, subtle Cold Smoked Kanpachi is so worth ordering! @MaladyNelson @bulavinaka @wienermobile.
Smoked Wild Black Cod:
Their Smoked Wild Black Cod was meatier, but still flaky and tender. It was a much more pronounced smokiness. So good!
Smoked Salmon Belly:
Their Smoked Salmon Belly has ranged from very good to the best that Gjusta has to offer. For this meal, it was perfect! Luscious, delicate, buttery, just outstanding!
Their Housemade Sourdough was excellent with the fish today:
Praline Paris-Brest:
Gjusta has a new Dessert Pastry. Which meant we had to try it once.
Their Housemade Choux Pastry shell is sufficiently light and delicate, and it gives way to the most amazing Praline Cream I’ve ever had! After taking one bite, and closing my eyes, I looked down and the rest of my half of the Paris-Brest was gone! Somehow it “magically” disappeared, devoured in seconds.
This is now a Must Order every time we go back! @PorkyBelly @Bookwich and others, don’t miss this!
Gjusta
320 Sunset Ave.
Venice, CA 90291
Tel: (310) 314-0320
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