Whenever my sister Lisa comes to visit, we try to find an interesting new place to eat. Last night was no exception. With the re-opening and renovation of Barnyard on Pacific Avenue, chef
Larry Monaco has a hit! After working at Gramercy Tavern and Tabla in New York;serving as corporate chef for Nordstrom Cafes; and running his own successful catering corporation Monaco brings over 20 years experience to Barnyard. The rustic interior of the
restaurant hints at what the menu offers. We started with glasses of Dourthe Sauvignon Blanc ($10), Brezette Rose ($12), and Smog City American Amber Ale ($8). The menu changes often as Barnyard relies on local farms for produce and local sources for meat
and dairy. This week we lucked out! For a small bite, we had the house-made Grilled Ciabatta ($5) served (on the side) with mustard, fresh blueberry preserves and butter. This was, by far, the most amazing ciabatta bread I have ever tasted! We could
have eaten about three orders, but I'm glad we saved room for dinner! For dinner we enjoyed the Fried Chicken ($26) with waffle batter, maple glaze, bacon braised collard greens and polenta. The chicken was fantastic with a sweet crunch and juicy; perfectly
cooked inside. We also had the 7 oz. New York Steak ($28) with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. The steak was a nice portion with wonderful flavor. Our server, Paris, was amazing and recommended all of our dishes. We are so excited that Barnyard has
re-opened! Barnyard 1715 Pacific Avenue, Venice. (310)581-1015 Reservations necessary. Hours: Dinner: Tuesday-Saturday: 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Happy Hour: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Recommended Dishes:Fried Chicken, Grilled Ciabatta Bread, New York Steak.