Brentwood-Westwood, Los Angeles · restaurant
Wilkes occupies a beautifully preserved 1954 Streamline Moderne space, complete with a Rossi marble bar, leather booths, and a fireplace that gives the room a sense of history newer restaurants spend years trying to manufacture. The Steakhouse Manhattan is bacon-infused, the chicken schnitzel comes wrapped in a latke crust, and the wine program spotlights a different winemaker each season. Start with the molasses bread and salted date butter, then take your time deciding the rest.
Iceberg in tangy vinaigrette drowning in Point Reyes blue cheese and crispy prosciutto
Bacon-infused bourbon and rye — less gimmicky than it sounds, more balanced than expected
Charred meaty maitakes with breadcrumb topping and rich peppercorn butter
Wilted greens in roasted garlic cream sauce with a blanket of parmesan
Juicy chicken cutlet with crispy potato crust, served with dill creme fraiche