LA’s Iconic California-Cool Restaurant Gjelina Is Opening at the Venetian Las Vegas

Just one day after announcing that a Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse is moving into the Venetian Las Vegas, the Strip resort has confirmed that California-based Gjelina will debut within the property later this year. The Venice Beach darling earned a following for its crackly California-Neapolitan pizzas, vegetable-centric menu, and rustic beachy decor that contrasts with $15 porridge in a way that is quintessentially LA. In a week that is already a big one for the Venetian — much of the world’s top culinary talent and its associated media is currently swarming the property for the World’s 50 Best event — the forthcoming Gjelina is a reminder that the resort has $1.5 billion at its disposal for renovations and it’s doubling down on food and beverage.

Named for owner Fran Camaj’s mother, Gjelina opened in Los Angeles in 2008 and gained popularity for its wood-fired pizza, pastas like a saffron spaghetti with bottarga and confit tomato, and salads like one of escarole, smoked almonds, parmesan, and lemon vinaigrette. The original Gjelina opened out of Camaj’s apartment and has since opened a location in New York — though a fire has kept the restaurant closed for more than a year.

Gjelina at the Venetian will open in the casino’s Restaurant Row area, near Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. Bishop Pass, the design firm behind Stripsteak by Michael Mina and Kassi Beach, is designing Gjelina Las Vegas along with the Gjelina Group. Both the Venetian and Gjelina were tight-lipped when reached by Eater for more details, with Gjelina partner and CEO Shelley Armistead issuing a statement, saying, “We’re eager to bring our relaxed Venice Beach sensibility to the bustling atmosphere of The Venetian Resort.”

The new Gjelina location will follow the same menu format as those in Los Angeles and New York — which means lunch options of grilled kabocha squash with miso glaze and vegetable sandwiches, and dinner offerings of oysters, charcuterie, mixed mushroom pizza, and orecchiette in beef cheek bolognese.

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The Gjelina Group also operates Gjusta bakery, Gjusta Grocer, and the Vitorrja hotel. And it closed its casual — but beloved — takeaway spot on Sunday, June 2. When it opens later this year, Gjelina will join Venetian restaurants from a growing roster of industry talent, including the likes of chefs Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Tetsuya Wakuda, Lorena Garcia, and Eyal Shani. Early next year, the Michelin-starred Cote Vegas will open down the hall in a 10,000-square-foot restaurant space.

Patrick Nichols, the Venetian’s president and CEO, told Eater Vegas on Monday, June 4 during a dinner in celebration of 50 Best only that “more” restaurant reveals would be shared within the coming months. And with a billion and a half dollars to play with, it looks like the casino is betting big on out-of-state talent.