RVR

Moody + Delicious: Dim lighting, Bold Flavors: A Japanese Food Experience in Venice, CA

RVR had me charmed from the moment we walked in. The green plants and wall full of vinyl records immediately made me want to stay awhile. Even before we reached our table, the hostess made an impression. She greeted us with the most welcoming smile and a beautiful burgundy afro that Angela Davis would have been proud of.

Since the menu is designed around shareable plates, ordering quickly became a group project. With four opinions and a menu full of tempting choices, things got delightfully complicated. One of my favorite things about friend groups is that everyone brings something different to the experience. There's the adventurous one who wants to try something unexpected, the reliable favorite-picker, the person who notices the hidden gems on the menu, and the organizer who somehow keeps the whole operation moving. In our case, we were lucky to have our multitasking supermom and queen of efficiency, Ashley, keeping everything organized. She quickly pulled out her phone and started taking notes, somehow managing to keep track of every dish we wanted to try.

Eight selections later, we were rewarded with a feast of hand rolls, dumplings, ramen, and several other delicious dishes. The table was packed with food, but my favorite part was seeing how everyone's choices came together to create a meal none of us would have ordered on our own.