New chefs, new menu and new decor at the Canal Club! Check out the Media Preview event photos.

Oct. 17.13. Canal Club Media Preview event

Article by Venice Paparazzi’s correspondent Josh Black, and photos by VP’s Edizen Stowell

The Canal Club hosted a special presentation to celebrate finding the long sought after executive kitchen staff. The event was well attended by a group representing the diverse culture in Venice. The guests were treated to a sampling of newer small plate dishes to their already eclectic menu. The invited were treated to a preview of the new additions to the menu. The staff served wave after wave of small plates. It was enough for everyone in attendance to walk away with a satisfied belly. Some of the highlights, veggie lettuce cups, a simple plate. A lettuce cup served with kale, pickled carrots. Pork Belly Cups, house-made pork belly, nice and tender with a garnish of Asian slaw. Short Rib Tacos, one of the favorites. A light corn tortilla stuffed with tender short ribs and topped with gochujang (a Korean hot pepper paste) and pico de gallo. The sushi chef also prepared a number of plates that the group raved about, Greek

Yellowtail Crispy Rice, a light tasty bite drizzled with greek yogurt and honey. The Taku Roll didn’t last long, fried shimp, crab, albacore tuna, topped with ponzu mayonaise and onion. The Dream roll, perfectly fried shimp, crab, avocado, nitsumo and a spicy mayo. The dish that won the crowd over, hands down, Bacon Egg Udon, served with aged cheddar, and a perfectly prepared house-made pork belly. The chefs pleased the crowd with all of their small plates; however this one hit it out of the park. A pleasant surprise, they also served a small plate, that wasn’t noted on the preview menu, Kim Chi Fried Rice, a very simple, traditional Korean pickled cabbage and crispy fried rice. An unexpected amazing pairing, the rice and a house special, the Ginger Martini, the kick of ginger from the drink and the Kim Chi were a perfect balance. Neither overwhelmed the other. For those with an appreciation for spice, it is a highly recommended pairing. For desert, the chefs prepared Pumpkin Cheesecake and Key Lime bites. The key lime was a refreshing treat. The desert matches up with the better key limes found on the West Coast.

The newly added plates to the menu offer a nice balance between sushi plates, several vegetarian and vegan options, and Cali/Mexican fusion for the omnivore. It is a very well rounded tapas style menu.

The staff were gracious hosts. The service was prompt and they had pleasant personalities all around. In the invited crowd many of the guests were on a first name basis with the servers and bartenders, always a good sign in a local restaurant.

The event was also an invitation to see a glimpse of the new concept for the backroom at Canal. Daniel Samakow and James Evans, co-owners are very involved and tremendous hosts dubbed the event a “construction party”. The room is well on its way to becoming Venice’s best tiki lounge, if not the West Side. It has been decades since the beach community has had a Polynesian inspired hangout. With their vision the locals and our international guests will have a new place inside the Canal Club to call their new swanky hangout.

The room is continuing to evolve. One can already see the vision, thatched palms on the ceiling, bamboo on the walls and kitchy velvet paintings on the walls. Daniel noted one of the wall coverings is as legend says once hung in the playboy club. The room is spacious enough for a few dozen to socialize and imbibe on tropical cocktails.

The VP team also had the pleasure of speaking with the two chefs who proudly created the menu. Executive sushi chef Takuma Ieto has called Canal club home for over a year. He was previously the chef for the very popular Glowfish food truck and he performed his skills at Osaka in Hollywood. Before he brought his talents to L.A., he worked in Las Vegas at Yellowtail at the Bellagio. He is a student of Peruvian cuisine. He enjoys fusing his influences of South American flavors with his incredible talent for preparing exciting sushi dishes. He is a well rounded chef schooled in Italian and French cuisine as well.

His kitchen mate, executive chef Jorge Valines is the chef James and Daniel sought after to complete their talented kitchen duo. Jorge arrived at the Canal Club after displaying his amazing skills at the short lived Dry Tour. James and Daniel thankfully realized the talented chef is just the right fit for partnering with chef Ieto. Prior to calling Los Angeles home, Jorge honed his skills in Miami, Spain and his native Puerto Rico. He also has an affinity for Peruvian foods. He brings his creativity and world experience to each plate. His concepts (he shares with chef Ieto), continues to evolve the menu seasonally, and to be the late night spot for a late night snack.

VP Says, Canal Club is one of the most popular joints in our beach community deservedly so. It is central to the surrounding neighborhood and a quick few steps from the sand. Now the venue has an amazing pair of chefs who share a love for food culture and presenting it in a simple and creative style. Now the Canal is creating a tiki lounge atmosphere in the separate back room that Venice noticeably has missed for generations. If you and your friends haven’t experienced the Canal Club for awhile, it’s time to go back, for the first time all over again.

Canal Club. 2025 Pacific Ave. Venice, CA 90291. www.CanalClubVenice.com

10.17.13 Canal Club menu. Double click on it for larger version of menu.

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Check out the Canal Club menu and 10.17.13 event photo highlights below!

Click here to view all 10.17.13 Media Tasting event photos!

Executive Sushi Chef Takuma leto, Canal Club owners Daniel Samakow and James Evans, and Executive Chef Jorge Valines.

Veggie Lettuce Cups – kale, pickled carrots

Dream Roll – fried shrimp, crab, advocado, nitsumo, spicy mayo

Organice Margarita, Cava Sangria and Mojito

Ginger Martini

Greek yellowtail Crispy Rice with Greek yogurt and honey

Halibut Ceviche – leche de tigre, choclo corn nuts

Pork Belly Cups – housemade pork belly, asian coleslaw

Sashimi Pizza- tuna sashimi and mustard ponzu with truffle powder

Short Rib Tacos – gochujang and pico de gallo

Additional Canal Club info:

Name of Venue: Canal Club
Location: 2025 Pacific Ave. Venice, CA 90291
Hours of Service: M – W 5PM – 10:30PM, Th. – Sa. 5PM- 1:30PM, Su. 3PM – 10:30PM
Happy Hour: Sunday-Wed. 5 p.m.- Close and Thurs-Sat 5-7 p.m.
Style/Cuisine: Pan-Asian/California Mexican fusion
Website: http://canalclubvenice.com
Price Range: Under $5 – $16
Payment Method(s): Cash, Credit
Delivery/Takeout: Yes
Catering: Yes – also offers private room for events
Family Friendly: Yes
Parking/Transportation to Location: street parking, public pay lot at the beach
Sit Down Service: Yes
Ambiance/Type of Crowd: Casual, locals, and eclectic mix of personalities
Attire/Dress Code: Casual