The logo for Companion, the new Venice restaurant from Gnarwhal Coffee owner Nick Monica and his wife Dakota, was sketched on a notecard five years ago. Since then, the simple line drawing of a couple holding hands has been hanging in the Monicas’ home kitchen as a reminder of their shared dream to open a restaurant. The vision is finally coming to fruition on September 18, 2024, when Companion opens its doors serving coffee, sandwiches, and pastries by day and an Italian-influenced menu from chef Jack Goode (formerly of Quarter Sheets, Bab’s, Jac’s on Bond) at night.

The restaurant’s name comes from the Latin origin of companion — com panis — which translates to “with bread,” since the restaurant is a place to gather over good food, pastries, and wine. The daytime menu offers coffee, tea, and espresso, plus specials like cereal milk matcha and an affogato made with a double ristretto shot and homemade ice cream. A selection of pastries from Ed Cornell and the Cafe Tropical team, including pecan sticky buns and maritozzi, are available with gluten-free and vegan options to come. From Wednesday to Sunday, Companion serves sandwiches stuffed with porchetta, chicken Parmesan, vegetables, and Bolognese sauce.

For dinner, Goode is building an Italian menu using California produce. The restaurant’s previous tenant, Double Zero, left behind a pizza oven that the chef will make use of. Nick describes the pizza as “Jack style,” blending Neapolitan dough with New York-style touches and a New Haven structure. Companion’s two specialty pizzas come topped with Peads & Barnetts spicy sausage and clams with a garlic cream sauce.

The evening menu will also feature a Caesar salad that swaps lettuce for Romano beans, a panzanella salad, rigatoni Bolognese, and a wagyu New York Strip. Dessert consists of an olive oil cake, ice cream, and a decaf affogato. Companion’s wine menu includes 10 by-the-glass options starting at $12, plus a list of 20-plus bottles and a reserve list of rare and hard-to-find wines; it specifically highlights small Italian producers dedicated to regenerative agriculture with a handful of locally made options.

The Monicas tapped Venice resident Glen Bell of Studio Dex to design the space, which they wanted to feel like someone’s living room. “Dakota and I had a vision for the space, and he really gave us the professional layer and the punch up on everything that we dreamed about,” Nick says. The result is a light, airy dining room with natural wood shelving and a short chef’s counter-style bar. Green subway tile made by Nick’s father adorns the curved bank above the pizza oven, adding a colorful contrast to the stark white walls and counter. A pink ceiling sits overhead, bringing an air of relaxed whimsy to the dining room, and vintage furniture sourced by Monica adds character to the design.

In addition to Goode’s culinary talents, he also brought his passion for music to Companion — helping the Monicas design and build a high-fidelity sound system. The centerpiece of the dining room is a tall bookcase decked out with speakers, vinyl, and record decks. The cafe streams music during the day, but spins vinyls sourced from local shops like Angel City in Santa Monica at night. “We’re all actively interacting with it throughout the night as we change to the next tune,” Nick says. “I think it kind of gives you the feeling of a living room.”

Before opening Gnarwhal, Nick managed the now-closed Espresso Cielo, while Dakota worked at a nearby yoga studio. For Companion’s staff, both tapped into their local community networks; most workers live within a few blocks of the restaurant. To meet the needs of Companion and Gnarwhal’s diverse customers, both businesses accept cash payments. “I think offering cash as an option to sell products is another good way of incorporating some people that have been here for generations,” Nick says.

Companion is currently open for limited daytime service as the grand opening approaches. Nick is splitting his time between the two shops daily, while Goode is putting the final touches on the menus. The trio is excited to finally open the doors all day — to put some vinyl on the decks and welcome diners into their living room.

Companion is currently open for limited daytime service, with dinner set to start on September 18. It is located at 1700 Lincoln Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291.