The ambiance is great and the food was very good (for the most part) at Wilshire. The pricing policies are ridiculous, though. Do they know there's a recession and they should be doing everything... More

The ambiance is great and the food was very good (for the most part) at Wilshire. The pricing policies are ridiculous, though. Do they know there's a recession and they should be doing everything in their power to get us to come back? 1st case in point: Martinis were good, but they're $11-14 each, plus a $3 charge if you want a martini glass!! Huh? When was the last time you ordered a martini and it didn't come in a martini glass??? 2nd point: We also brought our own bottle of wine, plus ordered a $50 bottle from the wine list (one of the cheapest bottles, actually). According to the wine list, corkage fees are waived if you order wine from the wine list. Unfortunately, after we gave the waitress our credit cards, we noticed we got charged a $20 corkage fee. We asked the manager about these issues. His response: too bad for us. If we come back, maybe he'd give us some sort of discount. I'm not going to hold my breath. Regarding the food, most of it was very good. Pear salad - okay. Gnocchi -- good but a little bland. One duck potpie had no duck in it (waiter's response: too bad, it happens sometimes), but the others were excellent. Moroccan lamb stew was very good, but the side garnished didn't really work with the stew. The apple tart was just mediocre. The espresso float with cinnamon donuts was AMAZING. Will we go back? No way. Too many other great restaurants in LA with better service and pricing. Pros: Ambiance, most of the food, donuts for dessert! Cons: Ridiculous upcharges, poor service
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Genuinely Lackluster. Wilshire was a better restaurant when it opened!!! In just a few years it has gone from progressive to downright precocious. Absolutely no maturity coming out of the Kitchen... More

Genuinely Lackluster. Wilshire was a better restaurant when it opened!!! In just a few years it has gone from progressive to downright precocious. Absolutely no maturity coming out of the Kitchen let alone the Front of the House. One of the worst wait staffs occupying the entire Westside, which is a massive statement. For a restaurant which prides itself on healthy, sustainable food, the energy at the Wilshire is completely inorganic and often unsettling. Many better choices for a nice night out then his overpriced, overdone, and under achieving Santa Monica newbie.
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I have been to the Wilshire a few times and have only had great experiences there. The food is fantastic, and the drinks are delicious! The atmosphere is also awesome - there is a small indoor bar,... More

I have been to the Wilshire a few times and have only had great experiences there. The food is fantastic, and the drinks are delicious! The atmosphere is also awesome - there is a small indoor bar, an indoor restaurant, an outdoor restaurant, and a hidden back patio with it's own bar. So whether you want to be inside, outside, with a lot of people, in a quiet area... you can find it here! My only con is it's overpriced. Don't be surprised if dinner for one costs you close to $100. We went out as a group and split the bill, and it came out to almost $100 each. But, I was very happy with my meal and the service, so I was not too bitter about it. Pros: Great food, great atmosphere, great service Cons: Overpriced, front of the building looks old when you drive past
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The food is really delicious. When I came, Larry David was there from Curb your entuthisiasm with some blond. That was interesting. Try the venison!!!! It is amazing, and also the other food was... More

The food is really delicious. When I came, Larry David was there from Curb your entuthisiasm with some blond. That was interesting. Try the venison!!!! It is amazing, and also the other food was really good.
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We've been here on several occasions, sometimes just for drinks, sometimes for dinner. It's always an occasion. Wilshire has a great menu with excellent specials and a truly beautiful environment.... More

We've been here on several occasions, sometimes just for drinks, sometimes for dinner. It's always an occasion. Wilshire has a great menu with excellent specials and a truly beautiful environment. Prices are consistent with the upscale casual style of Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. What's different here is a unique mix of totally original indoor and outdoor spaces, each with attractive areas for bar, lounge and dining seating. Fireplaces are creatively designed and plentiful, helping to make the atmosphere more elegant and intimate than at Holly's West , located next door. The two share customers as well as the valet parking service in between. Thursday night is busy at the main bar (in front) and any day is good for dinner. Like most good restaurants in the area, reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends.
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I love to just sit out on the back patio, share a bottle of wine and a few appetizers...perfect way to spend an early Sunday evening. Was there last night, had a GREAT bottle of Italian red from... More

I love to just sit out on the back patio, share a bottle of wine and a few appetizers...perfect way to spend an early Sunday evening. Was there last night, had a GREAT bottle of Italian red from Puglia and a dish of the mac n' cheese and all I can say is it is the BEST mac n' cheese I've ever had!!! Totally mellow, romantic, easy going vibe....love this place!! Pros: great patio, interesting wine list Cons: a little pricey
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i had to write a review especially after reading the last few . i am a local in sm and went last week for a business meeting. the cocktails though $15 were the size of a big gulp and were unique... More

i had to write a review especially after reading the last few . i am a local in sm and went last week for a business meeting. the cocktails though $15 were the size of a big gulp and were unique and tasty. we had a great, professional, yet funny waitress (adrienne? spell), the appetizers were delicious and our main courses were the same. we were told the portions were small, but i have to say for a fine dinning restaurant ,i did not feel that way, we all left very satisfied and had a GREAT restaurant experience Pros: food,service,patio
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