Love this place! Never disappointed. Great food. Excellent waitstaff.
(5)
Carina F.
One of my new favorite restaurants in San Diego. What used to be FRESH is now Whisknladle - more of a Hillcrest-type atmosphere. And what I mean specifically by that is just that it's a newer fresher hipper place with excellent food. Key La Jolla location with a nice ambiance. Heated large outdoor patio with nice seating as well as an indoor full bar and private dining room. The music was pretty random and at one point got pretty loud. While I didn't particularly mind it, I'm sure the older patrons might. We ate pretty late too so maybe they were trying to get us to move on with our night. We saw dozens of bar-goers on their way to Jack's for their Saturday night festivities while finishing up our meal... Whisk has a paper menu which I'm assuming is because the food is fresh, seasonal, and rotates often at the chef's whim. Included on that menu was the first order of the night: specialty cocktails. I had the Passionfruit Sangria - ooh la la. I had thought sangria had standard ingredients, since in Spain it was red wine, and fruit soaked in goodness. But this version had Maker's Mark in it. I didn't actually get any fruit in my drink until my second glass. It was easy to drink and surprisingly strong. Bonus! My friend got a Lychee Martini but then got the Sangria for her second drink. My bf got a Fat Tire - he liked that that was available...Water is served in a bottle, cucumber and lemon infused. I ordered their soup of the day - green garlic soup. It wasn't described very elegantly and I was sort of confused when I tried to get more 411 from the waiter. With more prodding, it came out that it had some leeks and veggie broth, perhaps some potatoes. It was served on a thin wooden cutting board for presentation and perhaps easier handling for a hot dish. It was similar to a potato leek - I loved it. My friend got the caesar. It looked good - but her peeve was that the menu had mentioned anchovies but it didn't come with any. When she asked for them, she was charged $2.50. Thought that was kind of lame. Anyway, I tried some of my bf's salad and it was really good - super, super fresh with a light dressing. Bread: a warm small loaf of rye-ish bread. Good stuff. The menu is split up into a few categories, one being smaller plates, one for larger entrees, and another called "More Food(ies)" that had stuff like a side of grilled asparagus. I had my heart set on trying the Brick Chicken with Risotto on the online menu, but, alas, it'd been replaced with Fried Chicken. So I got the Paparadelle Bolognese. Small plate, $15, but it was a good sauce and a perfect amount in the age of oversized plates that no one has the need to eat. My bf's Hangar Steak was awesome - perfectly tender meat with watercress (?) on top and the fries were perfection as well. He was in love. My other friend got the special which was scallops and shrimp - they were on top of some grilled cauliflower and zucchini. I'd say we all really enjoyed our food - all plates left the table empty. Dessert: got the Blood Orange Chocolate Souffle - I'll post the picture. Very light and tasty - perfect hint of orange, topped with fresh whipped cream. Wow I use that word "fresh" a lot in this review, sorry, but it's true!!! The service was probably a 9/10. Drinks always refilled (never had to ask). Dinner service was perfectly timed - no long waits in between courses. It was spot on. After ordering, bread, boom, appetizer, boom, entree, boom, dessert, boom, drinks, yes! Props to the staff!!! Overall, I'm definitely adding this to my favorites and on to the rotation. Good idea to go here for dinner before heading to Jack's! Or to go to with family or friends. It is a bit on the pricier side so you wouldn't come every other week or anything... Already recommended to several friends so definitely check it out!
(5)
Amy H.
I can't tell you how many times I've been here in the past couple months because I lost count. The food, service and ambiance is always superb, which keeps me coming back! The menu here is not very big, and the menu items also change frequently. This can be a good thing, if you want to try something new. But, can be a bad thing, when you liked what you got last time and it is no longer on the menu. For instance, the Saffron Spaghetti, which I LOVED but is no longer on the menu. It had spaghetti noodles slightly crispier than the norm with clams in a red sauce topped with aioli. Yum-to-the-O! ! I told who I think may be the owner to get rid of the Bolognese pasta dish and bring back the Saffron Spaghetti, and he just walked away. Sheesh! it was just a suggestion! Don't take it personal homey. I just want my Saffron Spaghetti. =) They also changed their Jidori Chicken dish. I wouldn't recommend the Jidori Chicken dish that is being served now (with the garlic cream sauce). Although the chicken itself was very moist and cooked well, the flavor was just too heavy and not appetizing. The Jidori Chicken dish before was better. Bring that back too sonny! A new addition to the menu that I do like is the Rosemary Lemon Gnocchi. It has calamari, almonds, capers smothered in some red sauce goodness. Please don't even think of getting the smaller portion. I can't even imagine how microscopic that would be because the large portion is not very big. Yesterday, I tried the Corn Ravioli. It was ok but definitely far from amazing. I did like the hazelnuts that definitely enhanced the flavor. But once again, please don't get the small portion. We just don't go there. It'll be the biggest mistake you ever made in your whole life. I've tried the mussels and fries, and although they seem to be a hit here, I wasn't that impressed. If you like mussels, I would try the mussels at Mastros Ocean Club. Now those are some bomb diggity mussels. The Whisknladle burger is worth sinking your teeth into. I love fried eggs on my burger. The yoke that spilleth into the rest of the hamburger gives it a punch of flavor and gooey goodness will make your salivary glands work double time. Always start off with the flatbread. The flatbread changes everyday and is a good appetizer. I love that the dough is paper thin. I've gotten it everytime I've went, but I don't think subsequent flatbreads beat the first one I got, which had spinach, Gorgonzola cheese, dates, bacon. Wow that was stinkin good. The summer salad, which is new on the menu, is also definitely worth trying. I loved the chunks of roasted corn, avocado, grapefruit, celery mixed in a light dressing. Very delicious. I've always wanted to try the Bone Marrow, but have never got a chance to eat it. Namely because no one will eat it with me. I will try them one day! Till next time, WnL!
(5)
Sarah T.
O WOW! O WOW! O WOW! I never venture out to La Jolla, but found myself in the area after doing some shopping at UTC (getting my chocolates from Chuao!) This place popped up on the navigation when my BF and I decided to search for a restaurant to grab a bite to eat.. (seems like whenever this happens we find our selves dropping $100 bucks easily, and it's always so WORTH it!! Just as it happened at Indigo Grill, the BF and I have found another place that bring tears of joy to your eyes and an explosion of taste to our tongues!) We headed in around 6:30 and sat at the bar (our favorite place to be!!) Justin was our bartender and I will say he deserves praise from the man on top, cuz he was FANTASTIC!! It was happy hour so we decided to check out some of their tapas as well as 2 bottles of wine. Between 5-7 all bottles are 25% off and tapas are just $3 bucks a pop! So about the food: Steak Skewers: We ordered 2 and WOW the steak was thick and juicy SOOOO flavorful with a yummy tapenade that gave it a nice ZING! Flat Bread: I was bummed they only served 2 pieces per plate, ($3 for two flat cheesy pieces of bread was a little lame.) But it was good! It had cheese, bacon, and strangely enough cauliflower - really zany but very tasty! Lamb Shank & Butter Beans: Oh. My. God. I thought I'd died and went to heaven. This was phenomenal. So tender. So juicy. So AMAZING! Another dish PLEASE! (Too bad they had stopped serving the tapas.. I was in LOVE!) I'll go back for this again! Black Risotto: Allergic or not I had to try it!! LoL! I took two small bites just to get a taste and let me just say this: If after even one bite I'd had an allergic reaction.... It would have been 100% worth it! Boy that was good! After allll of that Justin had recommended the WNL Brandt Burger a $17 burger that was sure to hit the spot! This thing was amazing! Just the description had my mouth salivating!! (Artisan Cheeses, House Cured Bacon, Caramelized Onions & Fried Egg) I'd never had a fried egg on a burger but I was willing to give it a shot! We'd shared everything else that night so Justin was really cool to have it sent out split in two! We got our plates and I was in awe at this beautiful mess of a burger on my plate! How do I eat this thing? Well just DIG ON IN! I slid the bun on top picked it up and took a massive bite oozing with so much delicious flavor I was in lust with this meaty beast! (I ended up eating it with a fork cuz it was such a mess) Everything about this burger was wonderful! The bun was so soft, the meat was so flavorful, the bacon so crispy, caramelized onions (need I say more?), a delicious mix of melted cheese packed a punch, oh and the egg?! what a wonderful exquisite addition! The burger was served with a heaping side of shoe string french fries smothered in yummy chunks of garlic! Ooooh I was loving it! After enjoying that glutenous meal and our two bottles of delicious wine we got our check. Like I said: $100 bucks easy! Totally worth it though! Justin was a wonderful and very attentive. Made sure we were satisfied and completely happy! Good conversation and great service! Two negatives.. I may be a little silly or a tad neurotic but we never asked for the burger to be split, it was a nice gesture for him to have it brought out on two plates, but we ended up getting charged an extra $2.00 for it. It's not a big deal and it was only $2 bucks, but it was a bit surprising to be charged for something we didn't ask for.. Also, I'm a big safety nut (not one to live too dangerously..) and one of the exit signs was covered by a big pan as well as chairs in front of the door. I know it's not a big deal, but it bothered me just a tad. Other than those two minor things this place rocked! The menu is unique and definitely fresh! I loved the ambience, the decor, and the food! It was all very enjoyable and made for a great night! Thanks Whisknladdle, we'll see you again soon!
(4)
Celine J.
I originally went to have the tapas for 3.75 but didn't realize until after we had sat down that you can only have the tapas at the back bar. We moved to the back bar that was really crowded and sat down. We ordered one of everything and the bone marrow. Everything was delicious, but some of the portions, like the clams, were a little too small for the price. Bone marrow is something everyone should try once especially if you come here.
(4)
Will E.
I dined there this evening with my family and this place definitely ranks as a San Diego dining best bet. This would be a good place to bring a date or an out of town business associate who you want to impress. We were greeted and seated promptly on the enclosed patio. Our server asked about our choice of water, and then the water was on the table within 2 minutes. He covered the day's soup and flatbread and then took our drink and appetizer orders. The service was excellent throughout the meal. Our server, and everyone who delivered a plate was knowledgeable about the menu. I never saw a busser standing around; everyone was in motion clearing plates, refilling glasses, and checking on diners. Here, having a party of 4 worked to our advantage since we were able to sample a wide range of dishes. Many selections come in a small plate/large plate option (presented as two prices with a slash: 18 / 24, for example). I would recommend ordering many small plates, because that is what worked for us. My brother and I each had the house sangria, one red, one white. They were good, but not knock-it-out-of-the-park good. I am used to sangria with fruit or fruit pulp in the glass and a pronounced spice flavor. This tasted like slightly sweet, fruit-infused wine. I finished the drink, but I wished I had gotten a different cocktail. Next time I will try the honey cucumber mimosa, or the hibiscus margarita. For appetizers we had: The small cutting board. This came with artisanal cured meats, cheese, olives, pickles, raisins on the vine, tapenade, a pork meat spread, marcona almonds, some grainy mustard, and toasted bread. We tore into it. I could easily see getting the large version as an entree or even a full lunch. Excellent. The flatbread. Tonight it was prepared with gruyere cheese, bacon, arugula, and pickled ramps. It was crispy and delicious. Your mileage may vary since it seems they change the flatbread every night. Charred bone marrow. Served with toast points and garnished with capers, shallots, parsley and lemon. Bone marrow, if you have never had it, is mostly fat with a touch of protein, so spread on toast it is buttery and unctuous. One of my mom's favorite dishes so we were happy to see it on the menu and happy it was done well. I thought it could have used a touch more lemon, but everyone else thought it was seasoned just right. We ran out of toast before we ran out of bones, but it was even better on the flatbread. Chorizo date fritters in Moroccan tomato sauce. These were perfect. I thought they had just the right balance of flavors. Our mains: Stuffed roasted Jidori chicken, Olive oil poached ono, Niman Ranch burger, farm green salad. The chicken and fish were perfect. My chicken had a crispy skin (looks like it was pressed under a brick) but was juicy throughout. It was filled with pickled onions, kale, and pancetta. The broth was so good I wanted to lift the plate and drink it, but settled for sopping it up with bread instead. The fries I sampled were crispy and perfectly seasoned. Basically, no dish was a miss. Desserts: Well, maybe next time. They all sounded wonderful, but we were stuffed.
(5)
Keely H.
I'm not a five-star review whore, so know these five stars are deserved and given with gusto. Four of my peeps and I decided to drive to La Jolla one lovely Sunday evening after hearing wonderous things about this place. Low lighting, large tables and a dining area that can be transformed from an indoor to an al fresco experience on warm nights gives the restaurant great ambiance. The tables weren't full when we arrived, it was 8:30pm on a Sunday after all, but I hear it's difficult to get a reservation on those Fridays and Saturdays. Having been there before, my brother suggested some dishes and ordered eight small plates: the seared scallops, mussels and fries, gnocchi, spaghetti with clams, the flatbread, their Caesar salad, the grilled escolar and...bone marrow. We asked for them to be brought out in three 'courses' and the waiter to pick a wine for each. It's difficult for me to narrow down which entrees I liked the most because all were delicious and beautifully presented, however a few were stand-outs... Definitely try: -Grilled Escolar (with yummy basil mashed potatoes, oooo) -Seared Scallops (five large on the small plate, perfect for our group and cooked to perfection) -Mussels and Fries (quite possibly the best mussels I've had, and the sauce was so good you could've given it to me in a go-cup with a straw) -Charred Bone Marrow (from the femur of a steer) -One or two or three of their wines (I think they have a fairly extensive collection) Ok so the bone marrow...gross, right? I thought the very same thing and felt the escolar and scallops rising even as the plate was being set on the table. There are about five chunks to a plate, sprinkled with garlic and parsley, and served with a few thick slices of toast. It took some coaxing before I agreed to suck it up and give it a try and I started to question my decision as soon as that gelatinous-looking mass was spread over toast and handed to me. I figured since it was in front of me I'd go ahead with it, after all bone marrow isn't something I'd order on my own...ever. So, provided you spread it over toast (for this is the only way I tried it), the verdict can be summed up in two words: LIKE BUTTA!
(5)
San Diego R.
Went yesterday for lunch and had the most amazing experience. The layout is great with this awesome patio with comfy booths. The service was outstanding, Eric was our main server and he knew his stuff. The way he described the food, the mimosas and overall concept had our mouth watering even before we saw any food. I loved the vibe and the food was perfect. I will be back and will recommend my hotel guests cause this spot is my new favorite in La Jolla. Thank you again to all the staff members for really making a casual lunch turn into a magical fun experience.
(5)
Megan M.
They have very interesting drinks....like cucumber vodka and cava mixed. We had several appetizers which all were interesting combinations. Next time I am coming here for dinner!
(5)
Drew P.
Any place that offers chorizo date fritters is ok by me. Didn't have a reservation on a full night, but we still got a table within 15 minutes. My scallops were cooked perfectly. Sounds crazy, but I have a hard time finding restaurants that can cook them right. My wife's pasta dish was tasty as well and had very fresh ricotta with it. Definitely the best dinner I had during my visit to the San Diego area.
(5)
Tanya R.
Came here on a Friday for their happy hour before seeing a lecture at the MCASD (about 4 blocks away if you want to walk there from the restaurant). We got here around 5:30 and you have to sit in bar area for happy hour. Wasn't too crowded which was nice, come 6:30 it was slammed and standing room only! Started with some alcohol of course, and saw the pitcher of sangria (choice of white or red; we got the red) was $20 on the happy hour menu...WHAT?! Most expensive pitcher of sangria EVER...but than the pitcher came...it seemed like it was almost a gallons worth! So made the price seem more reasonable. But the excitement of the large amount that was given was diminished by the lack of flavor. Don't think you can call it sangria. No fruit in it, had wine for sure, but didn't pick up any flavors of spices or fruit. Costa Brava still holds the title of best Sangria. I wasnt too impressed with the happy hour tapas selection with a choice of maybe 7 things (shrimp, potatas bravas, grilled peppers, olives, calamari pea ragu, flat bread) at $3 a pop. the plates were quite small except for the potatoes. You get maybe 4 shrimp, so price is probably accurate to quantity. The Ragu was okay, but was more minced calamari, so couldnt pick up on the wonderful texture of calamari, and smelled a little not fresh to me. Not impressed with the potatas bravas, and I've had a few from different places (The Turquoise and Costa Bravas are good). The shrimp was the best and was very good, cooked to perfection. Perhaps the regular menu items might be better quality or more impressive flavors, but they definitely skimp out on the happy hour tapas. By having just their tapas, one might conclude that perhaps their full menu is something left to be desired. If there wasn't a budget, I would've tried something on the regular menu, like the bone marrow or muscles and fries, but the prices were a bit steap for me. Decor was relaxed, and cool. And people seemed...well...like La Jolla people. Trying to get a reasonable priced restaurant experience serves to be near impossible in La Jolla. But this place might be one of your best bets.
(3)
Elena A.
I'd heard great things about this place from one of my professors and decided to treat my boyfriend to lunch here. I absolutely LOVE this place! The water that they serve has this delicious, crisp lemon/cucumber flavor that's slightly salty---I could drink it all day. I tried the Ahi Tuna Sandwich and it came with a great garden salad and some homemade potato crisps. My boyfriend had the fish tacos, and it was his first time trying this dish, so I'm glad that the Whisknladle rendition left a good impression. The lunch menu is wonderful, and now I'll have to come back for dinner.
(5)
Susan D.
Made it back for happy hour and the sangria is bomb!! Tried the flatbread that day with short rib and gruyere--yumm but wish the serving was larger. The skirt steak with golden beets was pretty amazing as well and my friend's chorizo stuffed dates were to die for. Basically, $20 pitchers of sangria make everything ok. And you can't go wrong with the tapas, bring friends so you can try lots :)
(5)
Ruben L.
I'd actually say a 3.75, but our waiter was that fabulous that he brought it up. My sister, wife and I checked this place out on Tuesday nite. I had never heard about this place, but my sister seemed to be pretty stoked about trying it. The place is pretty posh (as one might expect of La Jolla). The decor inside was black and white, and seemed hip and modern. Our host sat us outside (where a majority of the people were dining actually). I can imagine that this place is pretty cool to check out in the summer, but it wasn't that bad- they had the heat lamps going over head so we were fairly comfortable. The menu was not too big, but had some very tasty options. They have a rotating menu, so things can change at any given time. We started out with the Sea Scallops (served on sweet potatoes) and the cutting board which was basically a meat and cheese sampler. The scallops were excellent, and complemented well by the sweet potato. The meat and cheese sampler too was quite tasty. We had a spicy chorizo, salami, and some other meat I can't pronounce. Along with that we had a goat cheese, and some hard cheese I didn't care for too much, but my wife and sister really enjoyed. Following that, my party and I decided to split a Caesar salad, lobster bisque, and Jidori chicken. The salad and bisque were just ok, but the Jidori chicken was FABULOUS. The server likened it to Kobe beef, and said every bite was juicy and delicious. He was dead on. I've never had chicken quite that good (sorry KFC). To be honest though, I think the whole dining exp. was made by our server. Not only was he super knowledgable about the menu, but he was very attentive, and quite charming. Each time we ordered something, he seemed so happy. He almost sold us on some dessert, but it was getting late and we wanted to get going. The good: food was of a high quality, organic, and everything made from scratch The bad: between our first order, and our second, there seemed to be about a 15-20 minute wait. Dinner lasted 2 hours! The ugly: I'm still trying to develop my appreciation for "fine dining" but the price on some of these things was kinda nuts. $11 for a caesar salad? $15 for 2 scallops? It was good, but c'mon. Overall- I don't know if I'd come back to this place immediately, but in time I think I would. This is definitely a place you could turn a meal into an entire evening. Kudos to the servers!
(4)
Mike H.
This place was really good the time I went. I got the paddle with different cheeses and ham and crackers. Very flavorful and great atmosphere!
(4)
Lola Z.
Wish I lived closer, would frequent everyday. Nice restaurant, great wine list, bone marrow, attentive, friendly service.
(5)
wolf t.
At this point of my jaded foodie career, it's hard to find something new. But charred bone marrow was a revelation. You know how foie gras is meat butter? This is even butterier. Get it, and don't let the server talk you out of it. Also, the Cutting Board charcuterie plate was wonderful. Octopus gnocchi is not rubbery at all. Wine list is short but carefully-chosen. Relaxed ambiance. Prices are surprisingly reasonable given the food quality. My only regret is that we didn't have enough room for dessert.
(5)
Bonnie L.
My mom was in town visiting me and I wanted to treat her to dinner for her birthday. I chose Whisknladle because I wanted a fantastic meal with an inviting atmosphere so we could spend some quality time together. We went to an early dinner at about 5:30 and were promptly greeted and seated at a great little table next to the open air. Our waitress was Catherine. She was attentive and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, which was extremely helpful when trying to decide what to order! My mom saw the summer salad and immediately knew that it was what we should start with. I ordered the Striploin with chanterelles and potatoes, and Catherine recommended the Albacore with beets, braised cucumber and celery in a mustard creme sauce to my mom. First of all, the summer salad is one of my favorite salads I have ever consumed. It has corn, avocado, celery, hearts of palm, and grapefruit with a balsamic type dressing. I usually hate grapefruit but it was so amazing in this salad! All of the ingredients seemed to work so well together, I couldn't stop eating it. It probably took me all of 30 seconds to down the thing. The Striploin was incredibly juicy and flavorful, and the potatoes were so tender and tasty that they must have been cooked in some kind of butter or yummy fat. Not only did I hear this a million times from my mom, who by the way never steps out of the box when it comes to food, but the Albacore was sensational (just as our waitress said). We had never has braised celery before, and it was great! The mustard creme sauce was the perfect addition to the lightly seared albacore on the plate. Just like the salad, all of the elements worked together perfectly. To finish off the meal, my mom ordered a scoop of the blackberry sorbet and I had a scoop of the pineapple. The blackberry was great, but the pineapple was definitely something to write home about! It had a chili flavor in it which made it absolutely phenomenal. All in all, the perfect end to our mother - daughter meal. I think a real restaurant experience should have great food, great service, and a great atmosphere, and I think Whisknladle possesses all of these components. I will definitely be back and will recommend it to all of my friends!
(5)
Jen S.
Who knew happy hours could be so pricey? $246.00 for five people?!?! It must have been all the good food and wine that this fine establishment offers. Sunny was very accommodating as our party drifted in on a Friday night. The bar seating isn't the most ideal set up for a group but we make due with what we had. I started with a glass of Merlot and the banana mouse dessert. I had a rough week and this contained my favorite three foods, bananas, peanut butter and chocolate! It was rich. The Merlot added a nice flavor to the banana. The potato's with aioli sauce. Good but since they were on the $3.00 tapas menu there were only like five small potatoes. The Caesar salad was a pretty good portion, tasted how most other restaurants do. Not sure what else to say about that. In fact the whole experience was pretty good. Sunny was on top of the drinks for us and the food runners kept accidentally bring us out food that had already been served. Chorizo Date Fritters I didn't have but the table loved them. I had the butternut squash which was really good. The only down side was that the squash was little tough but the flavor was good. The half board was an actual cutting board served with raisins still on the vine, pickles, cheese and a variety of meats. This was a big hit. The rest of our tab went to the drinks. I was disappointed with the sangria selection for the night. It was a similar flavor to a bloody mary with pepper, tequila and I don't remember what else but I didn't see any pitchers on any tables. We stuck with wine. BTW the total tab included a 20% gratuity. I'm not sure why but check your receipt before you pay. ***Update: After my review I was contacted by Arturo the owner and he was kind enough to provide me with some helpful information. 1.) It is 18% for parties of six or more. We were charged 20% since it was restaurant week. We were not notified however like I mentioned earlier or party wandered in slowly and not all at the same time. 2.) Next time order a bottle of wine instead of individual glasses. Yeah I know this however we were all drinking different things. And we did order a 1/2 bottle of wine for $15.00. 3.) The food that the server was accidentally bringing out was no accident. Wink, wink. 4.) He took note to offering another Sangria option instead of just one. So I know that I will get slack for this but I'm going to bump this place up a star for it's customer service. My initial three star was by no means over a bad experience. It was what three stars means "A OK". I think it's great that Arturo reads the reviews on his place and even cares enough about my experience to contact me and invite me back. I will gladly take my business to a place where my opinion matters. Thanks for the clarification.
(4)
Lindsay S.
Sigh. Dinner started strong here. And then we had high hopes. Sadly, we were let down. Let me start with the positives. Service: A+- Kirsten was awesome! Super friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. She was very attentive and wanted us to really enjoy our meals. I would recommend her highly. Food: B/B-. The apps were quite tasty. I had the pork pasta and my husband had the carving board ( dried meats and cheese) and we both thoroughly enjoyed them. The pasta could have had a bit more flavor. I just felt there was a little something missing but overall good. Move on to the entrees and this is where it starts to go down hill. I got the scallops and the hubs got the sea bass. My scallops were slightly undercooked and didn't have a good sear. I hated the polenta that came with my scallops but I don't really care for polenta much to begin with. Both texture and taste were off. The sauce was just ok- neither liked nor strongly disliked it. The hubs's sea bass was poached (so they tell us) which gives it a half cooked half raw texture. Neither one of us liked it. It would have been better if it was straight sashimi or cooked more thoroughly. And the sauce on that was REALLY buttery- rich and heavy which didn't go well with the sea bass. Because my husband questioned our server about his fish, she offered us an extra dessert for free (we already had a Bloomspot which was for 2 starters, 2 entrees and a shared dessert). So we decided to get the cookie plate and the blueberry cobbler. Unfortunately neither was that good. The biscuits in the cobbler were overcooked- dry and not flaky and soft like they should be. Therefore, the blueberry mixture itself was also a bit overdone. On the cookie plate, the salted caramel chocolate tart was good but nothing else was that memorable. The tiramisu piece was dry and unflavorful. The chocolate chip cookie was crunchy and flavor was OK but I make better cookies! And the truffle and the sandwich cookie were just meh. Sadly we started strong and progressively went downhill. If you paid full price for a meal here, it would NOT be worth it. But the ambiance/setting is nice and the service was perfect. The food just let us down.
(3)
Tiffie L.
I always loved the name "Whisknladle" and the restaurant caught my eye whenever I was in downton La Jolla. Last week, my boyfriend took me here for dinner on a weeknight and wow, the place was packed! We had to wait about 20 minutes and finally landed a table around 8:30 pm. I love the ambience of Whisknladle; it really is the perfect setting for the dinner. The front half of the restaurant is outdoors, but covered with a roof. At night, there are Christmas like lights along the walls, providing a dimly lit and romantic atmosphere. Inside, there is a bar and the kitchen is open for view. There's something for everyone. Our server was quite friendly and obviously loved his job and the food there. He recommended the flatbread, which we ordered and shared. The flatbread is SO thin, but the ingredients are fresh, unique and blend together so well to make a wonderful appetizer. I ordered the Crows Pass Bloomsdale Spinach Salad -- omg. That's some real, organic, huge pieces of spinach. You felt healthiness in each bite! And the dressing was so unique - a slow poached egg with mustard bacon vinaigrette. I asked for the dressing on the side, but the waiter assured me it was light and to just have it mixed. It was a very light dressing, but the spiciness of the mustard was still a bit strong for me. And I cannot stop thinking about the BRIOCHE CROUTONS. Delish. My boyfriend had the Squid Ink Fettucini. That was YUM. I loved the prawns - so tender. The fettucini was perfectly cooked - al dente and chewy. Dessert, however, was a bit disappointing. We ordered the Apricot Blueberry Galette, which I have had on other occasions... the crust here was less than satisfactory. It was neither a pure flaky crust nor the hard, cookie crust... but somewhere in between. And it was not sweet enough to complement the tartness of the apricots & blueberries. I was disappointed, but perhaps ordered the wrong dessert on the menu. I hear raving reviews for brunch and would definitely come back to try brunch!
(4)
J L.
Alot of hype for nothing. The food was ok but they burnt the crap out of my pasta all around the edges. It was like potato chips when i recieved it. But the middle of my pasta was normal and that part tasted ok.
(2)
Sarah C.
My brother and his fiance got us a gift card to Whisknladle for Christmas this year; they've never been, but as my brother said, "It looked like a place you'd enjoy, and even I would go." So, there you go. The pool at the Y was closed last night, so I took the opportunity to schedule a date night for Nate and I - the Y and Ironman training is what our lives are revolving around currently :) I made a reservation online at Open Table; I probably didn't necessarily NEED to make one, but the place was hoppin' when we arrived at 7:30pm on Friday night, so I was glad I did. We got there early, took a walk around the block, and our table was ready by the time we got back. The atmosphere was different. There's a bar/lounge inside, but the rest of the seating is on the patio. They've done the place up so you don't feel like you're on a patio, especially when you are seated near the back, as we were. Low lights, cozy tables - perfect date night. Emily, our server, was fantastic. She was quick to refill our drinks, and didn't mind spending five minutes with us while we asked her questions about the menu. We took her recommendations, and were SO HAPPY with our meal. FIrst, we started with a small Cutting Board. It came with three types of cured meats, two cheeses, bread, olives, homemade raisins, mustard, olive tapanade, pickles, onions, and these really, really tasty nuts - some were pumpkin seeds, and there were other varieties mixed in. A large Cutting Board could easily be a meal for two - we were feeling slightly full just from the small one! Next, the main course. I ordered the special of the evening - white Sea Bass with clams, beans, and Swiss Chard. The fish was perfectly prepared; it had a wonderful sear on it on fell apart at just the touch of my fork, The beans (I can't remember what kind they were) were also delicious - they were large, meaty, and added a nice texture to the dish. I had never had clams before, and decided after trying a couple that they just aren't my thing - I don't like the chewy texture or feeling like I'm eating the bottom of the ocean :). However, they were a nice touch to the presentation of the dish. Nate ordered the Braised Pork Cheeks. These were also done perfectly. They melted in your mouth and had a sweet flavor due to, we think, the dates and currents (?) in the dish. They were served on polenta, which added some heaviness to the dish. I preferred my fish, but Nate enjoyed the pork. For dessert, on Emily's recommendation again, I ordered a scoop of the Coconut Hibiscus Sorbet, and Nate ordered a scoop of the Oatmeal Ice Cream. The sorbet was refreshing and very sweet; the ice cream was AMAZING. I know Oatmeal Ice Cream sounds strange, but it was really, really good. There was a hint of cinnamon, not overwhelming, and even though it was ice cream, the flavors made it tast warm, like oatmeal! All in all, a great meal. It is on the expensive side, which is not unusual in La Jolla. They pride themselves on their local, organic food, and on making so much stuff in house, and I have to say, based on our meal, they should be proud of that. This is a great place when you are looking for something extra special. I'm very happy my brother chose Whisknladle for our Christmas present. :)
Tried this place one day because we heard it was good and one item we wanted to try was the bone marrow. Took a seat at the bar and turned out to be a great night. The bar tender recommended some great dishes to try, and we opted for the pork shoulder. It was tender and very good. The main item we wanted to try was the bone marrow, and it was worth it. Just not enough marrow if you ask us. It was buttery and just tasted good on toasted bread. The drinks were very good. Tried some Blue Label, and it was smooth. Cant beat a good meal and even some Blue Label. Next time will try the steak, heard it was good, but we were out and about shopping and came across so thought it would be nice to give this place a try and was not disappointed. Good atmosphere, however the only downside is finding parking. But once you find a place, your set. After dinner, you can walk towards Prospect drive and just have a stroll and grab a coffee or go window shopping at the boutiques. We however were enjoying the flow of drinks so the evening was just great all around. If your in the area, should at least give it a try for yourself.
Full review with pics on site "So this first visit to WhisknLadle was a pleasant one. No one in our party was blown away, but I wouldn't say anyone was let down. I wouldn't mind seeing what their monthly supper club has to offer, sampling more of the menu during happy hour""
(3)
Wendy A.
Flatbread makes a yummy, light appetizer. Pork verde was good and hearty. Omelette special was ok.
(4)
Cathy W.
Came here with a few friends for dinner and this place didn't really turn out all that they hyped it up to be...I do have to say that the service is pretty superb here - as soon as we arrived, they seated us right away, came by get our order soon after, and refilled out water maybe a few too many times throughout the night. They also serve bread - delicious & with soft butter, definitely can't complain! We ended up ordering: 1. Cutting Board - appetizer-like except we got the full size and there was definitely a lot of food even for 4 people! the board comes with baked bread, cheese, cured meats, pickles, and mustard/spread...everything was delicious on this board! 2. Carlsbad Aquafarm Mussels & Fries - my friend got this dish & this was one of the best mussels I've ever had! they were in a cream-based sauce and it was extremely flavorful! (and the fries are definitely a bonus!) 3. Seared Maine Scallops - I only tried a small bite and it was more than enough for me to taste the flavor throughout the entire scallop! this is probably the very first time I've ever had scallop that was seared through and through with the flavors...very impressed! 4. Cauliflower Ravioli - this dish was mediocre IMO...nothing really stood out about this dish, unfortunately... 5. Hand Made Gnocchi - I got this dish and it had octopus in it...it was my very first time eating gnocchi & it was pretty good. they also put interesting octopus parts in the dish (including the tentacles)...that was unique...but I just didn't really feel the "wow" factor from this dish! After the meal, we were all pretty stuffed, so we didn't order any dessert. But the waiter was nice enough to bring over a plate of dessert (I forgot the name) on the house when he delivered our check. That was a pretty nice little surprise. =) Overall, I was impressed with the service and some of the dishes; however, it's pretty pricey here and I just didn't feel that the food is worth that much (probably because my gnocchi sucked in comparison to all the other dishes). In addition, because this place is in downtown La Jolla, it takes some effort to find parking especially on the weekends. Other than that, I'm not so sure if I'd ever come back here when I can get delicious food at a lower price elsewhere!
(3)
Heather R.
Great happy hour and brunch spot with friends. Good vibes, good bartenders, great beers, can hear yourselves talk, but fills up quickly with people. Definitely try the cucumber mimosa!
(4)
Damian T.
Excellent breakfast food, great service, great location, great vibe. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Joe S.
Had dinner here last week. My wife her sister both joined me. Food was amazing and our favorite Waiter Bob was there to take excellent care of us. Really appreciate great food with a great presentation and the superior personal service of Bob.
(5)
Capri S.
I have eaten at whisknladle a few times now. They are what I like to call faux sustainable. They talk the talk. Their menu sounds good. The food is decent. Yet, when I ask for cream in my coffee, they serve me Alta Dena. They are not fully in integrity with their supposed intentions. As an individual concerned with food quality and humane treatment of animals, I obviously am not pleased with this. Alta Dena is the epitome of what is wrong with our food system. Whisknladle, my message to you is, get better half-and-half.
(2)
Bailey Z.
We came here for Sunday brunch after a night partying out on the town. We had reservations for noon and the place was half-empty so I didn't really understand us having to wait outside for ten minutes when our table was already ready. They said they were waiting on another group, but nobody else was there. They asked another group of customers to wait ten minutes despite the fact that the place had plenty of empty tables. Anyway, my first impression is organic, fresh, and green. The menus were made of recycled paper, which made this place seem even more environmentally friendly. You can help yourself to free coffee, but don't be deceived by the pastry bar! They actually cost $3.00 each. As for the actual food here, it's not really brunch food. They are quite limited in their breakfast items and everything is more so geared toward lunch. They open at 11:00 AM, which might explain their lack of a larger selection for breakfast. The tuna melt seemed like a popular item as half the people at our table got it. It tasted pretty good, minus the capers. I chose the Cubano, which is a Cuban sandwich with slowly braised pork and ham. Although the bread was good, traditional Cuban sandwiches use rolls, which are then sliced diagonally into two after they are pressed. I would have liked to see something like that, especially since they bake their own bread. It was still very tasty and you can taste the quality of ingredients that they use. It's true that you get what you pay for. Their motto outside their restaurant awning is "You get out of the pot what you put into the pot," which definitely holds true. I also got to try the grilled fish tacos, which were a bit on the soggy side, but had great taste, and also the Cutting Board, which was an assortment of cured meats and artisan cheese. I think the best thing about this place is that everything is made from scratch. Despite the smaller portions, I definitely got more satisfaction out of every bite. I think the low point of the meal was the french fries because they weren't very crispy. In fact, they were just like fries from In-N-Out. Lastly, the water they serve is interesting because it is cucumber-lemon flavored. I like the food, but I would love to see a larger breakfast menu in the future.
(4)
Marsha R.
Love love love this place! The brunch is my favorite. Best chilaquiles I've ever had!
(5)
JS O.
Awesome food. Lots of organic options. Excellent service. Well worth the price.
(5)
George O.
Just back from the newly remodeled space now housing Whisknladle (the former site of Fresh/er). We went based on passing by the previous evening after we had already had dinner and a) being intrigued by the menu (especially dessert, of which more later), and b) having a couple of the staff actually invite us in for a tour--their enthusiasm in showing of the place was infectious. If you go to the bar, look for the silver pig. The service was friendly and impeccable. Admittedly, we were there on a Wed. evening, so it wasn't terribly busy. The waiter knew the menu and appeared at the table the right amount--not hovering, but there when needed. Glasses were refilled appropriately. Very well done. The menu provides a series of small plates and a very few larger servings. We opted for a mix. We like to taste and share, so we ordered soup, vegetable, risotto, and fish, and shared across the table. This behavior was condoned and seemingly even enjoyed by the staff. The asparagus was superb--perfectly sauteed with a shaving of manchego--a perfect cheese for asparagus. All the dishes were excellent. A series of small plates is akin to a tasting menu, and theswe are quite small, but the above, plus dessert was just right for us. We didn't sample the cocktails on this outing, but they looked quite nice, and the bar was well attended and convivial. Some interesting signature cocktails are on the list. The wine list is respectable, not extensive, but well-chosen. We settled on a split bottle of Pinot Noir that was perfect for us. Dessert--ah, dessert. This is what had intrigued us the preceding evening. In point of fact, it was the chocolate-orange fallen-souffle torte, and it was well worth the evening. My life partner was transported. Sweet-tooth boy that I am, I also ordered the chocolate-peanut butter vacherine. The ice cream was wonderfully smooth and the fudge sauce was perfect, only the meringue on which it rested was below expectation (still good, though). Bonus points: the host remembered that we had come back from the preceding evening on the strength of the torte, and comped it. Not an inexpensive place; bring money (not at the top end of La Jolla, but that is not saying a lot). Looking to wow your gf/bf/spouse/partner? It's a lovely spot, the service is attentive without being overwhelming, it's friendly, the food (esp dessert) is sensual, and the decor is attractive--definitely a romantic spot.
(4)
Justin B.
Went here for our anniversary and it was fantastic. The food, the service, the atmosphere was all perfect. All the fresh and natural ingredients they use really make a difference as everything we had was very tasty... Flatbread appetizer, Caesar salad, Chino Farms Kabocha Squash Ravioli, & Tagliatelle Bolognese. Plus the 1/2 bottle wine recommendation of the 2007 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir was excellent. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Kim P.
very comfortable environment - covered, open air seating amazing and unique food selection creative cocktail list, full wine list, plus some local beers amazing design & thoughtful level of detail to everything Plus, the waitstaff was very friendly and prices seems reasonable Highly recommended
(5)
Jill S.
Absolutely love this place. Great food, great staff super yummy drinks.
(5)
Andres M.
Appetizer: Shared Entree-Sized Cutting Board artisan cured meats, artisan cheese, mustard & pickles Entree: Alaskan Halibut Tartare creme fraiche, meyer lemon relish & Crows Pass garden lettuce Wine: Albarino Entree: Steak and Fries Entree: Chicken stuffed with sausage over a bed of broccolini Dessert: Coffee Marscapone tres leches cake, cara cara oranges & caramelized cocoa nibs Dessert: Ice cream trio Dessert: Bacon Apple Crisp with Maple Ice cream Food: I was satisfied after the appetizer, full after the entree and stuffed after the dessert. The wine was aliquoted in the kitchen and poured from a smaller bottle at the table and there was no charge for corking - albeit, I did only order a glass and not a bottle. There was of course the pre-meal bread baguette and butter. Food: The appetizer was wonderful. We shared it between the three of us and I would have been good on the cheese/meats alone - in fact, I may do just that for a business meeting sometime! There was an oiled pork portion that was very good and the ground olives made me wish they sold it by the mini-jar for me to take home. The tartare was light and refreshing and the salad served with it was also surprisingly good for such simple greens. The presentation was a little sloppy as they didn't wipe the plate completely and there was definitely some stray sauce. The steak was nothing special, good texture, well-seasoned. The chicken was moist, but the broccolini lacked seasoning and texture. The dessert was by far the best experience of the night. The cake was light and refreshing, which is the way I like to go. The nibs were my favorite part as they worked well with the citrus. The cake at the bottom was a bit dry on top and viscous from soaking up the leche on the bottom. I tried the entrees and desserts for both The trio of ice cream was also good. The bacon apple crisp, however, was beyond amazing. Nice and tart from Granny Smith apples, creamy from the caramel and filling. A nice touch with some rosemary in the filling to give it an intriguing flavor, and the salty touch of the bacon put it over the top. The maple ice cream over the crisp was also great. Service: They're well-staffed and the servers are very good about keeping your glasses filled and checking in on your regularly throughout your meal. Andres did notice that after as the meal was winding down, the servers did begin to neglect the table but I would attribute this more to the restaurant being more filled than the empty that we started with. There was also a point where the server was unfamiliar with John's dessert options and had to ask the kitchen. To our server's credit, the wine he recommended went very well with my tartare. Overall: It's a nice and relaxed place to take someone out on a date for. Nicely decorated and the casual setting made it very comfortable. Reservations aren't really required on a Tuesday night when we went, but you can make them. But you can get $20 pitchers or red or white sangria which next time they have their happy hour. The menu is a bit difficult to digest before ordering if you're unfamiliar with a lot of terms, so you may need to bulk up on vocabulary before heading on over if you're not used to going out to eat.
(4)
Jenn S.
Great inventive mixed drinks. Really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Would definitely return when I am in town next and for sure refer to a friend.
(4)
Ariane B.
The atmosphere is pleasant & the food has potential... the young owner--Arturo--I believe he almost 28-- is quite ambitious in undertaking such a venture in the competitive & unforgiving culinary world. Our server was less than accommodating. He knew nothing from memory--had to check on specials, find out what the days's desserts were, forgot the simple requests--such as water & even failed to return our "doggie bag" leftovers to us at the end of the meal. There was, however, a friendly female--Jenny--who we flagged down to ask about the botrytis grapes still on the stem that arrived as an accompaniment to our charcuterie plate. She went out of her way to get us the information & stopped by several more times to give us updates & other "foodie" facts. Pork belly was equivalent to a Chinese sparerib--dry & faux-flavored. However, the sweetbreads were deliciously seasoned with pancetta, wilted greens & the overall savory/sweet combination that equaled DELIGHT! Wow! Sweet corn broth with mussels was so delicate & tasty--we passed the bowl & devoured every drop. It was a special offering, as the soup changes daily. We had all the items on the More Foodies list--to include date/chorizo fritters... most were good & I've already mentioned the stand-outs. Main courses looked less appealing, though all seafood dishes we tried received applause from the table. Bing cherry sorbet for dessert was tart, tangy & satisfying. The grapefruit sorbet was altogether awful--dry, crumbly & though it attempted to be a granita, it failed miserably in texture & consistency. The panna cotta was creamy, smooth & the perfect serving size. Prices were reasonable, except for the highway robbery CORKAGE fee of $25! Needless to say we did not open the bottle we brought--we even debated drinking it in the car beforehand! Service needs WORK, WORK & perhaps a bit of training... food will someday be as good as it strives to be--Ryan makes all the items in-house--kudos to his efforts! They will pay off! Addendum: Arturo, Whisknladle's owner, took the time to respond to the above review. His comments were fair and he acknowledged the establishment's shortcomings. Most of all his reply was appreciated by those of us who dined that evening (5 in all) -- we believe it shows professionalism & a committment to customer relations & overall service, Kudos to you Arturo!
(3)
Wyn F.
I haven't Yelped in a really long time, but I felt compelled to stop by here to reward some excellent behavior. The short version: the food and service were amazing, but do plan for a fairly pricey evening if you like to have a cocktail and want to be filled when you leave the restaurant. The long version: We were sure to call ahead and make a reservation. Although we were five minutes late, we were told that our table wouldn't be ready for a few minutes, so we went to the bar. 20 minutes later, after much consternation, we were finally seated. But the "WNL" people are very smart. They could tell our party was antsy (my parents, visiting from out of town, hadn't eaten in 8+ hours.) The WNL crew not only sent us a (delicious!! free!) flat bread at the bar, the service continued to be attentive and well-informed throughout the night. They also know how to earn a 5-star review on Yelp: we were further treated to a small appetizer and a great dessert on the house for our patience. In addition to the excellent service (a smart hostess, a bartender who could accurately describe the flavors of his cocktails, a friendly and well-versed in the merchandise server, and a personable manager), the cocktails were yummy, the wine selection very pleasing, and the menu selections original and exciting. One thing I will say, although we rolled out feeling 10 times our original sizes--thanks to cocktails, dessert and extras--I thought my ravioli dish was slightly undersized (even though I double-checked that I had received the requested "entree" size.) My boyfriend's order of baby octopus also looked small to me, but the burger platter was huge (and apparently amazing) and the bolognese was so tasty and a decent dinner size. FYI: the food and the cocktails are pricey, but if experiencing surprisingly great tastes is your aim, along with being treated to low key but excellent and friendly service, then Whisknladle is your place. I look forward to visiting its sister entity, Prepkitchen, in the future. I hope this review helps you decide where to spend your dineros!
(5)
Sean J.
On some rare occasions my parents visit in San Diego and I always try to find a new restaurant to try out to try to introduce them to things they wouldn't have otherwise found and tonight I think I hit the jackpot. My friend recently went to Whisknladle and gave it the 'must try' rating, but I had no idea what cullenary gems I would be treated to. Conveniently located in downtown La Jolla, Whiskenladle normally has a tough parking situation, but fortunately we had good timing and got a spot right across the street, so it was no big deal. I later looked on the website and found out that the hotel nearby validates parking which will be good to know in the future if I'm not as lucky. The restaurant itself is half inside half covered patio area. They have heaters throughout the patio so your never really cold which is a plus. The entire restaurant is decorated in black and white pictures of food (much like the website) and set a clean and simple feel which I like. Whiskenladle seems to take a lot of time and energy to make sure that the quality of the organic ingredients shows up in the quality of the finished product and it really evident in all aspects of the meal. They start with a crusted artisan bread with an herb butter spread and the classic cucumber flavored house water. If you are a water snob, they have the good stuff available as well, but the house stuff was good for me. I started out my meal with the Charred Bone Marrow with Capers, Shallots, Lemon, and Parsley on Toast and I have to say that it totally lived up to and exceeded my expectations. The salty and lemony flavors with the fatty texture on the crisp toast is really something that everyone should try. I followed this with Kabocha Squash Ravioli with Aged Balsamic, Sage, and Hazelnut Brown Butter which was another out of the park hit. The sweet squash and hazelnut butter contrasting with the aged balsamic was an unexpectedly awesome combination. My Mom got the Fennel Crusted Maine Scallops which were enormous and cooked perfectly, but my Dad's pick of the Sausage Stuffed Free Range Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash won the night hands down. The herb and salt mix on that perfectly prepared and moist bird with the sausage and potatoes is a perfect combination. We finished off the night with Concord Grape Ice Cream with Peanutbutter sauce and a Chocolate Torte which knocked me out for the count. There is alot left on the lunch menu and regular dinner menu that I can't wait to come back and try out and if its half as good as what Ive had so far, it will be worth the wait. An excellent meal in a fine atmosphere. If you want to see local food taken to the next level, I strongly recommend Wisknladle.
(5)
Emme F.
Love love love this place....
(5)
RJ A.
So I did return - I tried the pasta bolognese because of the raves - wow! I did not expect the wow factor from a bowl of pasta, but there you go - it made me like Whisknladle a little more. I was also wowed by the kumquat chutney, and I am usually ambivalent over chutney of any kind. So, I am giving it the five stars and planning to return. With the utmost respect, in regards to Matt P.'s review, there is a small microwave in the kitchen of the French Laundry, it is only used by pastry. Kudos Whisknladle for bringing good food to SD.
(5)
Alexis M.
Amazing house special of drinks. Loved the pomegranite mojito. Food was fresh and flavorful. Ingredient combinations were thoughtful - i.e. chorizo and sunny side up egg on flatbread with tomatoe sauce.
(4)
Barbara S.
The first thing that caught my eye was a Julia child quote on the menu. "You don`t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients. " That pretty much sums it up for Whisknladle. This place is very different than most places I've been to. The menu changes depending on what's in season and the ingredients are simple and uncomplicated. The food here is super fresh and you can totally taste it. The flavors are very defined and the ingredients though simple, come alive because of how they are perfectly paired. My friend and I started off with the Crispy Sweetbreads (mixed with chard, lentils & bacon.) A word of warning, there is no bread in this dish. This dish is composed of the thymus gland which is a pink-grey organ that lies underneath the top of the breast bone. In animals it is known as the sweetbreads. The waitress made sure to clarify this when we asked for the sweetbreads dish. When she explained we paused for a moment. Neither of us had ever eaten this and I guess we were feeling brave and adventurous because we ordered it anyway. It was a sweet and sour dish that had a very distinct flavor to it. Tasted kind of like chicken with a very soft texture. The bacon and chard it was paired with was perfect. It may be an acquired taste for some. The more I ate the more I liked it. I'm not sure I'd order it again but I'm glad i tried it. I feel more "worldly' now. We followed this with a grilled steak salad which came with fresh greens, marinated porchini mushrooms, light balsamic dressing and a fried egg topped w super thin crispy potatoes (super super thin and crispy fries, almost like crispy potato noodles). OMG this was melts in your mouth good. I was a little bewildered by the fried egg but it was perfect with the rest of the ingredients. The meat was very tender, the mushrooms were delicious. the ingredients all blended together complimented each other and totally exploded with every bite. So good. For dessert we shared a PB&J dessert. It was also fabulous and looked almost too good to eat. It was a fluffy chocolate lava cake,with peanuts and caramel on top paired with concord grape sorbet and dark chocolate. the sorbet had peanuts in it also. It was super good and such a creative take on a PB&J. Loved it. The perfect ending to our meal. The restaurant is located in the heart of La Jolla but doesn't have the stuffy vibe that some places in that area tend to exude. The ambiance is nice and relaxed. The decor is very sparse and modern. Clean lines. I like that. The staff is excellent, very friendly and helpful. If you come here, make sure to bring a credit card, it is a little on the pricier side but definitely worth every penny. I can't wait to come back here. Definitely a place to take someone you want to impress!
(5)
Evan C.
Fun and fresh dishes. Felt very adventurous. Had 5 or 6 dishes to share among 4 people. This is one of those once in while places unless you can afford it. Even then, the idea is to try new stuff and you don't want the adventure to wear out. I did notice that in the summer they have a deal with Cups where they baby sit and the kids watch movies and eat cupcakes while the parent go to whisk n ladle and get like 15 percent off the bill.
(5)
Edward J.
Day 10 hwy1 bicycle tour: We didn't bike here. We biked to Carlsbad and a friend there drove us claiming this place is her favourite place. It looks fancy like a west village restaurant. The interior is nice and I'm glad I showered before coming here after that long 70m bike ride. How was the food? Not good.......... So I got the squid ink pasta, I had squid ink pasta and it is good, this place didn't do its justice. The pasta noodle is not cooked enough, some of them tasted like hard dough... bad. My friend got the scallops with some sweet sauce. The scallops were good but the sauce was not. It was so much that it looked like a stew. Another friend got the trout with snap peas, simple enough? That tasted good. I should've got that. Though some of the snap peas didn't cook enough. SAD. Why so many uncooked meals? We should've got drinks... seems like that's the highlight of this place. I wouldn't come back here. PS: The dessert was good, I like the home made ice cream on almond cake. PSS: This place claim to use local goods... then why the high cost?
(3)
Justin C.
I noticed a lot of people come here for dinner and happy hour. While I've heard Whisknladle is fantastic for those meals, I came here for brunch, not expecting much, but coming out decently surprised. We ordered the French Toast with Pulled Pork Belly, the Chestnut Tagiatelle, and an orange juice. During brunch, they have free coffee, which, as any student can attest to, is basically jackpot. First things first: The French Toast is AMAZING. They added it to the menu only a week ago but it is just delicious. The French Toast itself plays a subtle base to the deliciously tangy orange marmalade and the earthy undercurrent of delectably artery-clogging pork belly. This French Toast is worth however many years I'm taking off my life ticker. Pork belly artherosclerosis is probably the coolest of all the artherosclerosi, I reasoned to myself, as I chowed down. Split it between two people... I can see the flavors being overwhelming after a while. The Chestnut Tagiatelle couldn't compare to the flavor EXPLOSION of the French Toast but it is still delicious, with a fantastically light white sauce on the side and a very flavorful combination of chestnut and mushrooms in the actual pasta. And the pasta is gluten free! For any of you suffering from Dermatitis Herpeformis... yeah that was a med school shout out. A very good subdued compliment to the look-at-me! taste of the French Toast. If you couldn't tell, I'm a sucker for great service. Our waiter explained the menu to us very well and was very attentive and friendly. The only downside? Whisknladle is a little overpriced if you ask me. I made sure me and my girlfriend finished our small cup of orange juice because it cost four dollars and fifty cents. I could get a whole gallon of pulpy Tropicana at that price! Regardless, I will be back... but probably for their cheaper happy hour fare. But if you're there for brunch... GET THE FRENCH TOAST.
(4)
Shawn B.
There is a HUGE problem at Whisknladle. And that is: deciding what to order from their fabulous menu, and then not stuffing yourself silly when you order too much. I came here with a group of 5 adults and 3 kids for brunch today. Other people have written very well about how Whisknladle delivers on its brunch menu, so I'll be brief. Food: Everything I ate was good, and everything I didn't eat looked good. I must try the octopus and spaghetti next time. Stars of the day: the cutting board (charcuterie and cheese) and the butterscotch budino. And the scones. Atmosphere: Not very crowded for a Sunday morning. I was surprised. Open and airy--there was even a sparrow that hopped around, delighting the kids. Pretty kid friendly place. Comfortable chairs. Service: Impeccable. Our server was courteous, prompt, and attentive. It didn't hurt that he was a cutie. He was also tolerant of snarky and indecisive diners. Case in point-- I was having a REALLY hard time deciding what to order, so I asked our server. He said for breakfast-y food, the chilaquiles. If I want salad, order the Caesar. For more lunch-y food, the tagliatelle bolognese. The fish tacos are also very good. My friend (the birthday boy, it so happens), looks at him and said, "Is there anything on the menu you haven't yet told us about?" (I don't quite recollect his exact words, I think it was a bit more clever than that. Nonetheless, he was being quite snarky.) I absolutely lost it; I was laughing so hard I was crying into my napkin. Our server graciously took everyone else's order while I attempted to regain my composure. I ordered the chilaquiles and they were very, very good. Okay, this was not quite as short as I planned in my mind. Brevity fail! Not to ignore the price factor--yes, it is on the pricey side, but it is worth it for the quality of the food, preparation, ambience and service. If you have the shekels, I highly recommend going here.
(5)
Jane S.
Four of us had dinner there on Saturday night. Everyone loved their meals. I had the chopped salad and the appetizer portion of scallops. We ordered some of the specialty drinks which two out of three were liked. I would give it 4.5 stars but not an option. Service was very good. Desserts were fine but nothing outstanding, but that may have been what we ordered. I had not been there for dinner in a while, only lunch, but will come again soon.
(4)
Bruce W.
HH here bombassh!t. $3 tapas, $5 sangrias - can't beat that! Bartenders Chris & Jake are knowledgible and great. -High-five guys!
(5)
Jenn T.
I wanted to try everything on the menu. Who ever invented those dishes is genius!
(4)
Jennifer R.
I took five of my girlfriends here for a girl's night out and it was absolutely the best meal I've had in a long time. Not only is the food amazing, fresh and innovative, but the portion sizes make it a great place to share so you can order a lot of different things and try the entire menu. The cocktails were delicious, nothing too syrupy or sweet, just fantastic concoctions made from real ingredients and our server Justin was fabulous (and adorable). Whisknladle has definitely jumped to the very top of my restaurant list in San Diego, it blows everything else out of the water.
(5)
Jackie E.
My boyfriend and I knew exactly where we wanted to go for Restaurant Week when we heard Whiskinladle wouldn't have a pre-fixe menu! It was $40 for an appetizer, entree, or dessert of your choice off the entire menu! All the servings were a good amount, so I was actually stuffed after our appetizers. APPETIZERS: Lamb Sugo Rigatoni (pretty much pasta w/ ground lamb beef): This was just OK to me. It was good enough for my boyfriend to finish every bit of it, but everyone has different taste buds =P Cutting Board (Artisan cured meats, cheeses, pickles, olives, mustards, bread): Mmmm loved this! This would be great to share between 2-3 people as an appetizer. I finished about half of it and saved the rest to make room for my entree. ENTREES: We both got the Pan Roasted Flat Iron Steak (steak served with potatoes and crispy onions): Delicious!!! I ordered mine medium rare and it was perfect! The potatoes were excellent as well. DESSERTS: Vanilla Bean Panna (vanilla custard/yogurt topped with tangerine sauce, served with sesame crackers): Don't forget to mix the gelee with the tangerine sauce because the sauce is very very sour! Once you mix it... mmm it's like a tangerine/vanilla yogurt! And the crackers it comes with are great! I wish I could buy a whole box of them to snack on! DRINK (not included in Restaurant Week price): A pitcher of Sangria (Red) $36: Tastes like fruit punch! Soo sweet but good and still got us a little buzzed. This would be great to share between 4-5 people. We almost finished it between the two of us, but I was so stuffed, I couldn't finish my last glass. Jojo's Cookie Plate (Chef's selection of three house baked cookies): You get two of each cookie. We got a chocolate chip cookie, coconut cookie, and something else I'm not sure of. My favorite was the coconut one, but they were all good! This may have been the cheapest of the desserts, but I ordered it because I was already full and knew I would need to pack it, and cookies are perfect to take to-go! We had a wonderful experience here! The entire staff was extremely welcoming, friendly, attentive, and the food was great!
(4)
Heather W.
well there you go...all I had to do was finally get an opportunity to eat dinner here to know they truly deserve 5 stars. by very bad luck the first attempt they were completely booked. yay for reservations! I tried some things I have never experienced before... 1. bone marrow - equally as scary as my first time eating oysters but they combine it with really great flavors and tasty garlic-like toast. 2. Chorizo & Date Fritters...this was probably the most unique appetizer i have ever experienced. the manager brought us a complimentary order due to not getting a table at our last attempted visit. very kind. she treated us like VIP the entire evening, further showing their great customer service. We were told that this appetizer has been served since day one at the restaurant. i can see why! 3. a cocktail made of rum, jalapeños and lime - WHOOOA..that is interesting. we couldn't finish it. it was intriguing...i kept wanting to try more, but the instant burning after swallowing began to creep into my ears and then i started to wonder what the 'later effects' of drinking almost pure jalapeños juice would do to my body...yeah not worth the risk. i think this would be a rocking shot though. 4. a chicken that made me feel like i had gotten the most special item on the menu. no joke...this was the best chicken on my life. ive never had something more flavorful and tender. maybe it's the fact that they use local organic ingredients...or maybe it's just because they rock. or both. yeah, probably both. but seriously, the jidori chicken is out of this world. we didn't manage to save room for dessert....and that pepper cocktail at the end was all I could handle...but they make their own sorbet and ice cream and id really like to try them next time. Overall, very impressed with the service and food. this place has a nice vibe and a young, hip ambiance to it. there is definitely a reason it is always busy..
(5)
Lynn C.
Whisknladle serves really, good and unique food. There's your review. But if you want to know more, like what to get specifically, when to go, and how much you expect to pay, read on! WHEN TO GO Sunday night. Ample parking and slow night for diners. WHAT TO GET House Water - ours was spiked with cucumber. Refreshing. Bone Marrow - a gelatinous, spreadable mixture from beef bones that has an incredible, smooth texture and a light beef flavor. You spread it over some salted, buttered toast and eat while simultaneously letting the other person know that they're sorry for not getting the same. Chorizo Date Fritters - all I can say is that this combination tastes what you expect but absolutely works from a flavor perspective. These flavors were meant to be together. Mussels and Fries - Their version of moules frittes. Incredible broth and crispy fries. Can't go wrong with that. Polenta Cake, Blood Orange Marmalade, Olive Oil (OO) Gelato, Pine Nut Brittle - I mean you should get this dish out of sheer curiosity but if they're serving this dessert that night you can guarantee it'll be a winner. The flavors mix so well together you might wonder why you've missed this obvious combination before. The cake is dense, slightly crumbly. The OO gelato is hard to describe. It's just really rich and creamy but doesn't necessarily have the flavor of olive oil in it. WHAT YOU WILL PAY It's not a cheap meal but the food is something I'd expect from a place that charges $25-30 per entree and about half of that for their appetizer portions. It's best to go with a lot of people like we did in case you want to try everything. A good dinner with a glass of vin, 1 entree or 2 appetizer portions, and a dessert will set you back around $65-80 with tax and tip included. Whisknladle is a great spot to relax, have amazing food, and dine. I don't think I'm easily impressed by any means but this restaurant's service and culinary endeavors have definitely converted me. I'll be dining here again.
(5)
Rosemarie S.
Very initimate setting and love their patio seating. Chef is fantastic and laid back crowd. Bar is small, Menu is amazing just dont order the TAR TAR lamb unless you like (RAW) lamb. lol
(4)
Bailey C.
Great restaurant! And the food is phenomenal. In addition to what everyone has said about Whisknladle - I would save room for dessert and try the "ricotta fritter" -- OMG!!! That's all I have to say :)
(4)
Paulina T.
Rich was an amazing waiter!!! :) Good food, great staff, great experience.
(5)
Tommy K.
I truly wish yelp would add in a 1/2 star system, as this place is much more a 90% than an 80% restaurant. Regardless of the ratings, however, this is definitely a restaurant anyone in the La Jolla area should try out. Incredible food, an outstanding drink menu and top-notch wait-staff make it a solid night out anytime you go. The Food: Having dined at WhisknLadle numerous times, I've had the great pleasure of trying a large variety of samplings from the ever changing menu. From their appetizers my stand out selections would have to be their Crunchy Sweetbreads, Charcuterie Plate and Roasted Bone Marrow. And you can never go wrong with their Chorizo Date Fritters or amazingly crunchy and flavorful Flatbreads.
(4)
Kathy C.
I went here with my family after my cousin graduated from UCSD for a celebratory dinner. He had heard from his friend that the bone marrow here was the best so we were all intrigued to check this place out. It's located in Downtown La Jolla so we were all expecting the food to be a bit pricier than your average restaurant, anticipating that quality and taste would compensate for the high prices we were expecting to pay. This was my first time eating at a higher-end restaurant like this, so maybe my opinion doesn't and shouldn't matter much. It's made known that they try to make as many things in-house, which is pretty awesome. Plus in the end, my aunt was paying for the bill so it didn't really hurt my wallet. :) Let's start off with the drinks and cocktails. These were actually very moderately priced. Prices you'd expect to pay for a cocktail, ranging from $8-12. I had the red sangria and my cousin had the Mint Cucumber Mimosa. They were both really refreshing and went well with the complimentary sour dough bread and butter they served. We ordered the Flatbread, Squid Ink Pasta, Scallops, Mussels, Bone Marrow, Seared Ahi Tuna, and Chorizo Date appetizer. Don't remember the names of the dishes verbatim.. My favorite out of all of them was the Scallops. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The others were alright. The Squid Ink Pasta was lukewarm when it came out and the shrimp served on top of it was just average. Nothing really special. The Seared Ahi Tuna was really good, but the consistency kept reminding me of Chicken From the Sea Tuna. But, again, I don't really know much about food, this is just my personal opinion purely based on taste. The service was okay. Our server was awesome, but some of the people coming during our meal to fill our waters or deliver dishes were rude and didn't really smile or answer our inquiries and requests politely, failing to create an ambiance of comfort that I was expecting out of such a high-tier restaurant. It's definitely a good place to try once for a special occasion or a pricey brunch while hanging out in Downtown La Jolla, to experience the unique flavors, but not somewhere to frequent.
(3)
Jim Z.
God, the food was great, I was really drunk, it was embarassing. Did you know that sweetbread is neither sweet nor bread and I hit on my ex-girlfriend as if we were still a couple? (As it turns out, we still are). EDIT: Got back with my girlfriend as it turns out, even though I was trying to cut her out of my life. Visit at your own peril.
(5)
Crystal H.
Came here for Restaurant Week with a group of friends. We were all excited to savor all the yumminess that we all read about on yelp. We arrived a little early before our reservations and were seated promptly. The open space and decor was amazing. I loved the simpleness of how everything was laid out and customer service was AWESOME! The wait staff were all attentive and worked together as a team. Made me happy to know that this establishment puts customers first. I love the fact that everything you consume in this restaurant is local and that certain parts of the menu changes daily to ensure the freshest ingredients. For starters I ordered the charred bone marrow, which tasted yummy. The lemon and capers added a nice tang to the bone marrow. The BF ordered the cutting board and it was a exciting spread I'd say. The assortment of cheese, meats, olives, tapenade, mustard, nuts, and toast. It was yummy! My friend ordered the mussels with fries, it was delicious. The broth definitely caught my eye in my palate; I'm already planning to order that the next time I go. For entrees, my BF ordered the Flatiron Steak. It was tender, juicy, and had all the right flavors in every bite. My friends ordered the scallop, I didn't try it, but they said it was cooked to perfection. Another friend ordered the chicken and I have a bite of it, it was juicy, tender, and lots of flavor. Now for my dish, I ordered the Duck Confit. It looked delicious on my plate, but unfortunately it failed to my palate. It was so salty that I couldn't finish it at all. It made me want to ask the waiter, "I ordered Duck Confit, not salt!" I was soooo sad and disappointed with my dish. The upside to this is, all the other dishes were good. Especially our pitcher of Sangrias, it was delicious! Definitely a must try. Whisknladle, as much as I would love love love to give you 5 stars, you were knocked down a star for the salted Duck Confit.
(4)
Julia P.
I absolutely love this place and I'm glad I found it on Yelp. My fiance and I were looking for a good place in La Jolla for brunch and this place was perfect. The service here was beyond phenomenal and the waitress who served us even went out of her way to book us reservations at George's at the Cove for dinner. The establishment itself is very cute and was a combination of both indoor and outdoor seating which I loved because I love people watching. Their bloody mary's were also fantastic! I highly recommend this place and will definitely come back on my next visit!
(5)
c l.
Good place for boys and girls in the 20s. Hottest is rude. We waited for an hour and it was not worth it at all. Very annoyingly fake environment. Food was bad and expensive. Very strange ingredients. I had something black in my pasta and it tasted like wax. Not a good experience over all - I'd rather had a foot massage with $$$$
(1)
Jessica L.
This place is amazing. It was love at first sight. The restaurant itself has a personality of its own. The menu is pretty small (fits on one piece of paper), but it is great. Quality over quantity here. I've tried the flatbread, cutting board, charred bone marrow, squid ink linguini, gnocchi, mussels and fries, duck pappardelle, and some beef dish. Everything was so delicious.. I don't really know how to explain this. The food is jam packed with flavor and brings my palate on an adventure. The price is pretty good for what you get.. I would say that this restaurant is up there with some of the best I've ever had. Oh yeah, try their drinks. Super yum and strong!
(5)
Trang N.
Okay, my first time trying this place and it was amazing! My girlfriend and I went and we had an amazing dinner. The scallops were cooked perfectly mussels and fries were pretty good and that in itself filled me up. The flatiron steak I ordered medium rare was prefectly cooked and well seasoned with a great wine reduction. The side of potatoes au gratin were perfectly cooked with a nice layer of golden grown cheesy crisp on top. And to top that off, the dessert was really good. My friend got the chocolate and I got the lemon dessert. They both had icecreams and I have to say the caramel icecream was my favorite. Although it took a long time to get our desserts, the waiter apologized for the long wait and even gave us free desserts for our next visit. With great food and excellent service, we'll definitely come back! I was debating whether to give this place a 4 or 5 star. But I think because of their excellent customer service and they support local farm goods, I had to give it 5 stars!!
(5)
Lauren M.
So... attempt number two to go here. (We came here a couple days ago and it was closed for a private event. I was pretty upset and ended up eating somewhere else in the area and then coming here the very next day). But anyway, Robert was a wonderful server and I wouldn't have chosen otherwise. I ordered their charred Bone Marrow ($14.50) with toast, as well as their Flatbread for the night (included goat cheese, spicy salami, basil, and tomato sauce) ($14). Jay ordered their Mussels with Fries ($17). For dessert, we shared their Chocolate Torte with Caramel Ice Cream ($10). The Charred Bone Marrow was really yummy. I have a thing for not eating oily or fatty foods, but the toast was a perfect compliment to the bone marrow and didn't taste too fatty. I now crave this thing. Even though it might not sound too good, its delicious! The flatbread was tasty and crispy. The salami was a little salty, but the cheese was a great compliment. Jay had their mussels, and by the time it came around, I was too full. But he says they were great and the fries were a great addition. For dessert, we had their Chocolate Torte with their Caramel Ice Cream. I completely melted along with the ice cream. It was to die for, and definitely something I'd order in the future. The ambiance was nice, candlelit on the patio, but the crowd is a little loud and not an ideal place if you're looking for a quiet date. It is romantic otherwise, because a walk on the beach afterwards makes it all. :)
(4)
Michelle T.
This is my favorite place to go during Restaurant Week. They offer the full menu and have never skimped on portions as I've had to take some food home in a doggie bag every time! The decor is rustic and modern which reflects their farm to table concept. They actually grow and use their own herbs in front of the restaurant. This is a solid restaurant and I have never been disappointed. Bone Marrow: This is where I first discovered bone marrow. They give a generous amount of this beefy, fatty goodness. Cutting board: Nice variety of charcuterie, cheeses, and pickled/marinated veggies. This is a must have if you're eating with a group. WNL Burger: Yummy burger, the meat itself is flavorful and the fried egg is just icing on the cake. Service is friendly and attentive. People are always checking on us. The prices may seem kind of high but I believe it is justified by the quality and taste of the food. If you're trying to figure out where to eat during your date night, I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Darcy C.
This place was amazing! We had arrived without reservations and three children and the staff was more than accommodating! The menu was comprised of ultra fresh uniquely prepared food! We had four different entrees between us and it was perhaps the best pasta I have ever eaten! Three cheers to whisknladle!
(5)
Kai D.
With Puesto next door serving the best tacos around I can't believe how bad these were. The most dry corn tortillas I've had to date and about an ounce maybe less of fish with 2 strings of cabbage. Straight up pathetic. my date and I were literally shocked and both agreed we were being punked. Only reason the 2nd star is up is because the buratta was really bomb but those tacos... unforgivable.
(2)
Jasmine Z.
This place is the BOMB!!! Everything we tasted is amazing, including the water. :-P It is La Jolla. So parking is a bit crazy. Arrive early.
(5)
Cassandra S.
Met a girlfriend here for lunch. It was lovely. The service was wonderful, drinks were yummy and the food is to die for. Will be coming back if I can convince my husband to go to La Jolla!!!
(4)
Christina H.
We got there right before happy hour ended, so luckily saved some money by ordering the Tuna Sashimi and Boquerones. Sashimi was fresh and delicious, and the boquerones were served over bread, which helped to balance out the saltiness of the boquerones. For our main dishes, we ordered the House-made Tagliatelle and the Scallops A La Plancha. the house-made pasta was super tasty. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the pork sausage ragu was not overpowering. The scallops dish was also really good, not overcooked, although the risotto nero was a little to salty, which is my only complaint about this place I guess. Service was great, the server was attentive, but not overbearing. He even knew how to use my instax mini 8 :)
(4)
Andrew M.
The manager reached out not once, but twice, after my previous 3-star review, wanting us to know Whsknladle's dedication to making our experience even better. Respect! And we'll give them another try next time. We loved prepkitchen and hope this family of restaurants continues to thrive!
(4)
Yvonne K.
Restaurant Week Dinner - January 2014 1. Love that they offer their full regular menu for restaurant week. 2a. Service was attentive until around dessert. With a few tables left in an almost empty restaurant you'd think they would be more attentive. Took a while for a waiter to appear to get our bill and some boxes. Also dessert took longer than I expected to come out even though there were a few tables left in the restaurant. 2b. A waiter or busboy came and folded our friend's napkin after she left her seat to go to the bathroom. But this only happened once though we all left at one point to go use the bathroom. 3. A three course meal here definitely fills you up, but I may have also had too much bread and water during the first course. I couldn't even finish my dessert which would have been the perfect portion if I had not been so full. Appetizers 1. Bone marrow was perfectly seasoned and soo good. Definitely a plate to share as it comes with three decently sized bones and ~ four triangles of thick buttery toast. 2. Cutting board is another good one for sharing. Three hungry girls couldn't even finish this one. Though the waiter described everything on the board before we dug in, it was still a delightful surprise tasting all the different items on the board. Wish this came with more bread or crackers though or had more bread delivered while we had the cutting board. 3. Pumpkin tortellini, which you can get either in an appetizer portion or an entree portion, was surprisingly one of the best things I tasted that night. It was perfectly sweet and savory and so well balanced. Appetizer portion is about 7 or 8 tortellinis. Overall, all the appetizers we ordered were great. Entree 1. Sea bass with posole broth- Great portion of fish but dish lacked texture contrast. Masa was mushy, fish was soft. Posole broth turned out more like a posole sauce. Fish was cooked perfectly though. Interesting concept but not very memorable. Not bad but the appetizers were so great that it set the bar high for the main course. Dessert 1. Cranberry and walnut galette with maple ginger ice cream- Cranberries were a nice tart surprise in this dessert. I thought that the best bites were the ones with the walnuts though. Galette crust is slightly too thick for me, Maple ginger ice cream was more ginger than maple but still a tasty ice cream. Caramel sauce was hidden underneath the galette though. Not sure what purpose it served.. 2. The chocolate torte was very prettily plated. Beet components aren't too beet-y. 3. White chocolate panna cotta- thought the lime curd on the panna cotta was lemon curd and wondered why it was so sour. Definitely eat the curd together with the panna cotta.
(4)
Jen A.
Cool place in San Diego. The atmosphere and food were current. I would recommend this place to a friend.
(5)
Mary D.
Not that thrilled for the price. The food lacked authenticity or distinctness in flavor. The ambience was nice but I wouldn't go back again.
(2)
Rose S.
I just had dinner at the whisk and ladle in La Jolla and the food was delicious very fresh the service was excellent and the place had really good ambience enjoyed it very much will be back
(5)
Joseph W.
Good food, good prices in an otherwise pricey La Jolla! I'd go back.
(4)
Karen H.
If you have tried Prepkitchen and enjoyed it, be sure to check out Whisknladle as well. If there is one thing that Whisknladle should be known for, it's their scallops. When I went there a while ago, I had their scallops with preserved lemons and peas with thin onion strings and it was so, SO good! The scallops were super tender and juicy and cooked perfectly! Too bad I asked my seafood-picky boyfriend to try some and he ate a whole one (there were 4-5 of them total) and started gagging. Trust, me, these scallops are amazing to those who enjoy scallops in general. Now, it look like that particular scallops dish has been replaced by another, but it's probably good as well if they've been able to cook the scallops as well as they did before. I also had their fresh oyster shooter of the day, and despite the fact that I'm very iffy about oyster, the one they had with a raspberry vinegar was pretty good. All in all, Whisknladle is a cute date place with very unique dishes. Don't hesitate to give it a try!
I passed by the restaurant at lunch time and was offered a seat in the bar. Helpful and friendly staff served interesting and novel dishes that I had not tried before. Good quality and a nice atmosphere, i will most go here again the next time I visit La Jolla,
(4)
Christina R.
Warning-they dont do restaurant week on Saturdays! Wish I had known that before we sat down. However, our waiter more than made up for it by bringing 2 desserts- so, essentially it was RW for us. I went to celebrate my birthday with a foodie friend and we started off with 2 cocktails, London's Burning: gin, jalapeno,avocado and lime- amazingly tasty! And a generic vodka-syrup-lemon (pick-your-fav-name) which is my standard go to apperitif. Food: Local Albacore Crudo: Fennel-Tarragon Mignonette, Tangerine and Pomegranate -my dinner guest happened to be quite the connoisseur of crudos and this didn't thrill her. Venison and Duck Pithivier: celeriac puree, roasted carrots, parsnips, roasted mushrooms and madeira jus - essentially a hybrid of a pot pie and beef wellington - entirely decadent yet profoundly comforting and homey at the same time. Fantastic jus! Lamb Shank Ragu: House-made gnocchi, Ricotta, Charred Radicchio and MInt - the radicchio and mint were lost as far as I could tell, but the rich brown gravy was fabulous! I sopped up every last drop with the table bread. The gnocchi could have been just slightly toasty to make them even better. They were just a bit on the gooey-side. Scallops a la plancha: Kabocha squash, Coppa, artichoke, Puntarelle Stretta, Basil Anchoiade, Chili Oil - my guest ordered this dish that tried to go too many places at the same time. Everything combined oddly. The wilted greens were entirely too salty and tasted like they had been drowned in soy sauce - they had a flavor that I would expect from Chinese fast food. It did have a very nice portion of scallops. Dessert: chocolate tart with beet ice cream - odd ice cream, we left it, but nice tart, not too sweet, which was perfect. we also had the panna cotta which my friend complained had the wrong consistency, but that didn't stop me from inhaling it! Overall, wait staff was charming and fast, parking was amazingly easy to find for early on a Saturday night (curbside) and the atmosphere was very stylish, not too hip, not too loud, just a bit vintage and very charming. Well worth 5 stars for the food I ordered, I think my friend would have given just 4, but hey, this is my review!
(5)
Selina P.
Wonderful dinner experience for a friend's 30th birthday. Friday night reservations at 9pm for a party of 11. When we arrived, there was a mix up and our reservation was taken down for next weekend. The hostess and staff were very apologetic and were quick to accommodate our group. We waited an extra 30 minutes to sit down, which was no biggie. I love the dim, slightly romantic lighting of the restaurant. Our server Kirsten was fabulous. The manager gave us 3 complimentary appetizers on the house for any inconveniences earlier. The food was amazing! The flatbread and charcuterie plate were delicious. For the meal we did a family-style of ordering with a pitcher of red sangria. We shared: - charred bone marrow - sea bass - grilled tri-tip - diver scallops - seared duck breast - bacon wrapped bleu cheese dates The bacon wrapped stuffed dated and charred bone marrow were by far my favorites items of the night. I feel like I'm sort of a bacon wrapped stuffed date connoisseur and these did not disappoint. Sweet, salty, crispy, and creamy...you can't go wrong. The bone marrow was a delectable rich buttery spread that melted upon the warm toast. Oh my...I want some more! Everyone at the table enjoyed their meal and we were all smiles when we left. Needless to say the birthday boy, two shots of tequila, a glass of sangria, and a fully belly was very happy as well.
(4)
Appolonia T.
Rapidly becoming one of my favorite restaurants ever. Went here for lunch with some friends and loved it! Great atmosphere and ambiance. Casually chic with good solid food. Great mushroom soup as a starter then we had their delicious Caesar with grilled chicken, grilled yellowtail on the arugula salad and some lovely potato, asparagus and salmon dish. Very nice. And the cocktails!! I got the Cove Side, which was so refreshing. My friends got the Corpse Reviver and the Casino. All wonderful. We also got the peanut butter pudding for dessert. Which brings us to today. After a disappointing visit to another local restaurant, I dragged my daughter to Whisknladle for their desserts. The peanut butter pudding had been fabulous and I told Ryan our friendly waiter that we were back for it. He brought out the pastry chef, who introduced herself and thanked us for coming back. Ryan was very sweet and treated me to an Americano and I can't wait to try them for dinner with friends! Fun place!
(5)
Christine B.
The food is always delicious and the service is always gracious. There is nothing on the menu that I dislike. The menu isn't large, but everything is fantastic. Probably my favorite restaurant in San Diego. Oh, and the WNL Burger? Yeah, totally worth $18 bucks. Fantastic.
(5)
Mark S.
Been coming here for years and it's still one of the best dishes in town. Solid staff and they always deliver on food. Steve, keep that place in check my good man. Xo
(4)
Emily M.
I work right on Girard Ave in La Jolla and this is my go to lunch spot when I feel like really treating myself. The staff is very friendly and attentive, which always enhances a dining experience. I am obsessed with the Burrata, Persimmon, Arugula Salad (when in season) and the Chicken Sandwich is also delicious! And for the iced tea, even unsweetened - I'll take 5 more please! The open, airy atmosphere is also a plus during lunch time when you want to get out of the office. If it wasn't clear already... I'll be back!
(5)
Ann C.
I met a friend here from out of town for brunch. The food was delish and the staff was incredibly warm and friendly. Can you ask for more?
(5)
Tyler P.
After trying Prepkitchen a while back, I have wanted to visit the older sibling Whisknladle. I have to say it did not dissapoint! I had the mussels as an appetizer, which were very good and a large portion size! Instead of fries/bread they come with home made potato chips however you still get bread, so it all worked out. My entree was the lamb ragu gnocchi, which was excellent. The lamb was very tender and tasty and the ghnocchi were done perfectly. I tried a few of the cocktails as well which were solid, and they had a decent tap selection (I stuck with the Mongo from Port). All in all, really cool place. The decor is funky and the location is very nice. My gripe is the prices unfortunately. I don't mind spending some extra money for quality food/service, but this place was too pricey for what you get. I'll probably be back here for happy hour or brunch, but not dinner (unless it's for restaurant week). It's worth trying out though for sure, especially for a date night.
(4)
Bailey C.
I have been here many times, but after last night's incredible service, I had to pen a review. We had a groupon, and usually when you open with that line, it's subpar from there, at best. Kirsten, our server, instead warmly encouraged us to get the most expensive items on the menu to get the best of our deal. We shared the bone marrow and the cutting board for appetizers, both were phenomenal. I'm not a fan of bone marrow, and couldn't get enough of theirs! The steak entree was filling and on point, and the London's Burning cocktail was rich and spicy. We couldn't decide which dessert to pick, so Kirsten surprised us with BOTH. If you haven't enjoyed Whisknladle yet, GET ON IT! And, as always, terrific jams all night long.
(5)
JOHN C.
Several years later and many return trips in the books, this place finally seems like it has all the kinks worked out. Service is great. Food is great. Drinks are great (and even a nice selection of draft beer). Even the dessert, which used to be my least favorite part, seems much better now. Definitely recommend checking this place out. One of the best spots in La Jolla Village.
(5)
ANHDAO N.
Found this place on yelp and I was thoroughly impressed by the super short wait time. Really liked the decoration (super modern) and the lively ambiance, as well as the service. We ordered fresh squeeze orange juice , shrimp Benedict, omelette of the day, and donuts --- they were all pretty good! The portions were just right for me -- small portions for the win! Overall, we had a pleasant experience here and would stop by this place again! :)
(5)
Dan P.
Went for Saturday Brunch. Awesome bloody marys, good food, great service. We'll be back!
(5)
Michelle R.
Delicious food, we used to come here a lot, but recently the menu has become saturated with BACON. Now I'm sure most of you are asking how that's a problem, but as I don't eat pork it makes it a bit difficult to pick something off the menu- especially since a lot of their items are pre baked/mixed. We love the self serve coffee and pastries in the mornings, great for the impatient or picky! They always have some super decant spread like dulce de leche, or blueberry lemon to pair with your pastries, but again these have recently been infiltrated by the sweaty sow.. Blech!! Who wants a scone with BACON. : /
The food was good. The restaurant appearance is clean, modern, and is very comfortable. The waiter we had was a little strange. The apparel is nice and clean looking, but our guy decided to wear his sunglass the entire night, and responded to my wife and I with "thumbs up". (i.e. "Can I please have a glass of Riesling?" ... waiter response "..." thumbs up). We had the Albacore Crudo "Kiwi, Avocado, Radish, Jalapeno, Basil, Cilantro & Key Lime Ginger Vinaigrette" as our appetizer. Evey bite we had, you can taste every ingredient. Just the right amount of heat from the Jalapeno. This was amazing For our entrees, we had the Seared Albacore Tuna ($29.75) and the Scallops ($34.75). Each was just good. There is a sauce under the Tuna which tasted cheap and just hurt the plate. The Saffron Buerre Fondue with the scallops was a little off, and needed more salt. It was good, but when the price is set as high as it is... you expect perfection. If it was 30% less expensive, it would have been better. For desert we, we had the Chocolate Peanut Butter Vacherine and my wife had the Chi-Chocoloate sorbet. The Vacherine was awesome, but I have a total sweet tooth. The Chi sorbet was completely over-ran by the Chi seasoning. It was also accompanied with baked barriers. They said it was to bring our the sweetness. In reality it was a little sweeter but, all the juices evaporated so it was like eating a bunch of seeds. All in all, it was good, not great. Mainly becuase of the price.
(3)
Jaci S.
My favorite spot in La Jolla! And one of my favorites in San Diego. Everything I've had here so far has been delicious. The flat bread pizza was perfect. And the service is what really makes it! Our server Kirstin is so on it! Her descriptions of the food made my mouth water. The signature cocktails are also delicious. Really, you can't go wrong here. Wasn't a fan of the cheeseboard, but that's my own fault because I don't like olives and pickles. Try the burger, though! Yum!
(5)
Doctor R.
The eggs benidict was SPOT ON! Love that they have a pastry chef there! Everything was delicious!! The coffee bar is odd & I would love to see a mini whisk for stirring the sugar & a ladle for the cream, on the tables. ;-) Just sayin'
(5)
Kevin M.
Favorite place to dine when I'm in La Jolla...wish I could do dinner and partake in the Whiskey selection.
(5)
Helen T.
I came twice, once during restaurant week with my boyfriend and another time with my family. The first time was amazing. I had their scallops, which were amazing and I don't even like scallops all that much. They were soft and tasted so fresh. I tried my boyfriend's lamb dish and it was delicious. The Gianduja Budino was also delicious. Everything we had there was amazing the first time! The second time I went, the food wasn't as good as the previous time I went. I raved about how amazing the food was, and my family wasn't blown away by the quality of the food. We ordered the flatbread which was okay, and the scallops my mom ordered weren't as good for some reason. I also sampled the other dishes my brother and my dad ordered, but it just wasn't that spectacular for some reason. For the price, they were expecting something more. Overall, because of the two times I've went, it was okay. I can't really remember the name of the items we ordered because they always change their menu every month! That's the good thing about this restaurant. However, I do have to say the service is was amazing both times I've been here.
So good, great service, a bit pricey. scallops were incredible. will be back, wish it was a tad more affordable.
(4)
Joe K.
Went for an anniversary dinner. Food was exceptional, ambiance was great. Location is great. Parking is a little tricky, and priced well. Arrive early and go to the bar. Small group, seems like family.
(4)
David P.
I did take out. I was going to give them 2 stars because they messed up my order but upon taking it back they fixed it and gave me the food they mistakenly thought I had ordered. So I decided they would get 4 stars. Then I ate the food. Delicious. The squid sauce was out of this world amazingness. The hamburger was perfect. Strawberry Salad with goat cheese had this green sauce that made it something I could not make at home. Overall this pushed me back up to 5 stars.
(5)
George F.
Amazing locale, wait staff are incredible. Try the old fashioned cocktail before dinner . Bread is awesome. Caesar salad unique, fresh and Huge! The parfait of chicken liver, YUM. And the half chicken was amazing.
(4)
Tara W.
SERVICE: Professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, with just enough of a casual feeling for lunch. FOOD: I ordered Grilled Fish Tacos, and my boyfriend had the Gnocchi. The fish was cooked perfectly, flaky and juicy. However, I felt like I wanted more from the taco in general. It verged on bland, and was not at all spicy. It seemed they were playing it safe...too safe. The taco came with a side of either salad, fries, or house made potato chips. Had to go with the potato chips cuz I wanted to see how skilled they were with them. And I was not disappointed!! They were soooo good, it was like Heroin. You try it once and you're addicted. (that's what I've heard about heroin anyway, no first hand knowledge :) I had a bite of the Gnocchi and it was a taste explosion!! I totally fell in love it. Fatty, lemony, and the gnocchi themselves were great. And I don't usually like gnocchi all that much. We heard such great things about this place, we decided to try a dessert. Espresso Macchiato Custard. Need I say more? I wanted to like the bowl it came in! ATMOSPHERE: the patio is casual, fun, peaceful even despite the current construction (they kept the large plastic windows down to keep the noise and dust out. I imagine they would be lovely when open in summer). Taking a peak inside I really like the layout. It could be a place to dress up a little and have a few nice cocktails at the bar or sit in the lounge. Great lighting. OVERALL: I will certainly be going back. I want to try more of the menu and great wine selection!
(4)
sara n.
Good food, cute concept and ambiance, and good service. Too expensive for what you're getting, so I probably won't frequent it. I've had similar experiences for lower prices in NY. That being said, this might be the type of place to go when your company's buying for an interesting change of venue contrasting George's.
(3)
Jessica S.
The private back room is a must for any special occasion. The wait staff are all wonderful and very catering. Fantastic food and a great atmosphere are sure to be expected. I reserved the back room for my birthday dinner which comfortably sat 12. I used the flat screen t.v. to show a picture DVD we made and had control of our own music choice. I choose to go the route of pre-selecting a menu for my guests. All dishes were presented elegantly and timing was perfect. I thought it was going to be a challenge to please the tastebuds of 11 others but everyone loved everything, truthfully! This a great restaurant for a group of friends or just a couple looking for a nice dinner out. The bar also has a great atmosphere. I'm not too certain of any happy hour specials, but if you had to wait for a table you could enjoy yourself there. Happy dining :)
(5)
Alicia S.
Nothing makes me feel quite so sneaky as fancy dinner out on a Monday night. Great service here. Menu is primarily seafood but they have a Niman Ranch steak with my name on it the next time I'm in La Jolla. My scallops were great, a tad salty, but I suppose that is part of eating something that lives in salt water. Inventive drinks put you outside your cocktail comfort zone... Give in to the peer pressure and order one. Had the Woodchop: scotch, housemade cream soda, and bitters. Creamy and smoky. A-OK.
(4)
Oryan M.
The boyfriend and I were in San Diego for a wedding this weekend and wanted to start our Sunday, post open bar at the wedding, with my favorite meal, brunch. After combing thru review after review I came upon Prep Kitchen and its sister restaurant, Whisknladle. I am always excited at the prospect of not one well received brunch places, but two! If we had the time I would have tried both, but boyfriend wanted the menu at Whisknladle so off we went. Cute environment. Comfy and busy, but not too loud. Let's get down to business! I racked my brain over the menu. Everything on the menu was up my alley (I will go back for the ricotta pancakes)...Here is what we got: Boyfriend - Flat bread of the day: panchetta, nettle, fennel, parmesean and a sunny side egg. super duper craker thin. His only regret was not taking advantage of their free coffee! Me - Soup of the day: Curry cauliflower soup. Soup was a puree. Curry flavor was just enough flair to make it a whole new experience. I will be recreating this at home. Ceasar Salad: I cant go to a restaurant without trying one. Dressing was obviously housemade and well prepared. Croutons were small and yummy. Wish the lettuce was ice cold, but that's a personal preference. I also got a pot of earl grey to keep myself from trying one of their cucumber honey mimosas. Next time! Overall a wonderful experience. Cant wait to try Prep Kitchen. Boyfriend just asked what was the one star and I'd say at 42 bucks before tip it was a bit more than I would spend every weekend. I understand the pricing, just a bit outside my every weekend range, but treat yourself and go!
(4)
Ali A.
Great place with great service. I have always had a terrific time here dinner and brunch. The bone marrow is simply decadent and yummy to the max.
(4)
Sean M.
The house philosophy -- use only seasonal ingredients and make everything from scratch -- is admirable, if not unoriginal. But it certainly sets Whisknladel apart from its competition in La Jolla. From the indie-heavy playlist to the dangling Edison lightbulbs, the vibe is young and energetic; just what the neighborhood needs. The food isn't bad either. If I have one criticism it's that the reverence for seasonal products doesn't extend to the menu design. On a sweltering Labor Day weekend, when it's technically September but the thermometer says otherwise, they serve a hearty cream of mushroom soup. How about a gazpacho, chilled avocado soup, or light seafood chowder? Likewise, the pastas are delicious -- Chino Farms squash ravioli and a tagliatelle bolognese -- but they're not exactly summer fare. A more appropriate seasonal pasta would be sweet corn agnolotti with tomato and basil consume, or tagliatelle with crab, asparagus, and lemon cream. But I digress. The cutting board platter, bone marrow (again, not a summer dish), and flatbread are all fantastic dishes to share with the table over cocktails. The steak and chicken are both solid entrees, the mussels are local, and the wines are reasonably priced. I'll definitely be back again the next time I'm in town to see how this place evolves.
(4)
Elena L.
Loved every part of our dinner from cocktails to dinner. Very inventive dishes that were excellent. Loved the atmosphere. Would definitely visit again.
(5)
Hayden R.
This place has some of the best food in town. The waiters are great, the atmosphere is awesome, and most importantly, the vibe is outstanding! If your looking for good food and a good time come here! The WNL burger is awesome! They also have some other locations but are of different restaurants, such as PrepKitchen. Overall, outstanding food!
(5)
J M.
Solid 4 stars. Top quality, relatively ambitious food. Great drinks, solid and truly helpful service. Menu is flexible enough to allow for lighter or tapas-style meal, or full apps and mains.
(4)
Diana I.
I decided to check out this place on a visit down to SD after reading such great reviews about it on Yelp. As soon as we stepped in, I really liked the place because it was really warm and cozy. They even had heated lamps above all of the tables indoors which was great because I tend to get cold pretty easily. Overall, the restaurant had a really nice vibe! The food overall was just okay. We ordered the scallops as an appetizer which were DELICIOUS! I really enjoyed them. They had some type of Indian spices and sauce on it which made it really good! I'm not that big of a fan of Indian food but these scallops were reallyyy good. Sadly, the plate only came with two, one for each of us. I think I could have eaten three by myself! As for entrees, they were ehhh~ mediocre. I ordered the tagliatelle which was like ribbon pasta with meat sauce. But the pasta was really dry and didn't seem cooked all the way, and the meat had an interesting kick to it that made me not want to eat a lot of it. My bf got the sea bass which was better than my pasta, but still just okay. Pretty plain and nothing special. The food was pricey and the portions were small, so overall, I think the restaurant is just okay. I wouldn't choose to come here again but I wouldn't mind coming back. Note: They also have a bar/lounge area in the back which was filled with people and seemed to be a much more popular area of the restaurant. Maybe I'll try sitting here next time, if there is ever the opportunity.
(3)
Lina G.
Have you ever met someone who explains things so well that you can taste it? That's Bobby for you. He knows his shit. Ask him about the basil cream. At first I was like that sounds gross! But his description made me want to have it, I didn't care if it was whipped up with worms. We got the spinach salad that had the most amazing 'vascular' spinach I've ever munched on. It was so green and tasty, it felt 'healthy'...I wanted to roll up my sleeves, show off my anchor tattoo and punch Bluto in the face. We also got the hamburger and a pasta dish. I can't rate pasta dishes unless they are better than mom's and THAT ladies and gents is impossible. The hamburger though had a fried egg on it! Anything with a fried egg on it is delicious in my book but this was off the hook! I took a bite out of this amazing juiciness AND had yolk running all over my hands...HEAVEN! Most everything is organic too. So much better than it's sister prepkitchen BUT this place is a bit pricey.
(5)
Mike H.
I have been to Whisknladle twice and both times the service and food was outstanding. This last time I had the chicken and it was so good and really moist. The hostess was really sweet. We didn't have a reservation and she was able to fit us in on a very busy Thursday night. Both times our waiter was really helpful and friendly. I'll definitely come back as this is one of my favorite restaurants in La Jolla.
(5)
Dan L.
Had lunch and enjoyed happy hour at whisknladle during a recent vacation. The shrimp sandwich was excellent along with the corn and bacon chowder. As for happy hour, the sizzling shrimp was amazing and I was extremely happy to find a bar that makes a great Sazerac. It certainly helped that I visited midweek when it is not busy, but I'll wait for a table the next time I'm in town for the great food and amazing cocktails.
(4)
Adeline C.
Came here with the bf for a date night on Saturday. It was already about 9:30 when we arrived, so there was no wait, and we were seated at a lovely booth in the front patio. For drinks, I had the Strawberry Julep, and he ordered the London's Burning. Both drinks were amazingly delicious. The London's Burning was so unique (gin, avocado, jalapenos...), and it tasted like an avocado gazpacho with alcohol. I was so impressed with how well the flavors complemented one another, even with the alcohol! For our entrees, I had the summer salad with grilled shrimp ($19), and the bf had the squid ink pasta with grilled shrimp ($28). I thought the entrees were very small considering the price, but the food really was delicious. The squid ink pasta had 2 portion sizes available, and we had already ordered the larger size. I can't imagine the plate being smaller than that for the half portion. However, the deliciousness of the food was well-worth the price tag. Would definitely recommend the squid ink pasta. The summer salad had grilled corn, avocado, grapefruit, and hearts of palm, all tossed in a white balsamic dressing. The flavors of each component complemented one another so well. My only complaint was that the salad had sliced celery in it also, which was not mentioned on the menu. I HATE celery. I spent quite a bit of time picking each piece out. We finished off our meal with a cookie platter. The cookie platter consisted of 4 different types of cookies/bars, 2 pieces of each. There was a white chocolate covered cream-sandwiched cookie (like a homemade oreo), a chocolate chip cookie, some sort of blonde bar (I think), and a dark chocolate with almonds (I tasted a light hint of fruitiness as well). Everything was good, not amazing. I have a sweet-tooth, and will most likely still order dessert here again, but I wouldn't highly recommend it or anything. All-in-all, a very successful date night.
(4)
Mrs. S.
I love this restaurant. I've been here multiple times for work dinners where we're hosting guests from overseas and we came here once for a work holiday dinner. We usually do a family style special menu where you order ahead because it's usually a group of 6-10 people, and WhisknLadle has never disappointed with its seasonal options of yumminess. I'll never forget my first taste of cheesy polenta at WhisknLadle - I've never had polenta as tasty anywhere else. The veggie options are always amazing, as are the desserts. The fig and endive salad is delicious, as is anything they do with beets. Their pastas are always delicious and although I don't eat beef, everyone raves about their spareribs when they are on the menu. One time we had this amazing sea salt and caramel chocolate torte... it put everyone in food happiness comas. I definitely recommend WhisknLadle.
(5)
Sarah J.
Took my mom here for happy hour one night when she was visiting from L.A. We found a seat right away in their bar seating area. The tables were a little bit awkward and uncomfortable for eating, but seems like they could be fun if you were just getting drinks. The food was pretty good, and reasonably priced if you're there for happy hour. We ordered partially from the full dinner menu and partially from the happy hour menu. I would recommend coming here with family or on a date. The atmosphere is chill, and the location is perfect for walking around before or after to go watch the sunset at seal beach.
(4)
Em S.
I will never forget my first visit to this restaurant. It was a random visit as I was walking around La Jolla enjoying the night out and just dropped in. Their bone marrow appetizer is one of their better appetizers; Wine selection is good; nice cocktail list. I think I even saw a sazerac drink on there or was it an old fashion?! Nonetheless, I love the market lights, their half-way outdoor patio seating or bar seating--and their service has always been good. I generally don't like it when waiters constantly smother me anyway, but I also don't like it when they don't know when to clear a table. However, I've never ran into this problem here. Good for a date night, double dates, happy hour, or meeting with a few people. I would make reservations for a party of four or larger.
(5)
B S.
Classy place with great original menu and really good cocktails.
(4)
Felix S.
Power outage! When the big power Outage happened in California we shut down work early and headed to this place to throw a few back. Being i work directly across the street it only made sense. A few of from work sat down and enjoyed some liquor. Their Martinis are to die for. Yummo. We didnt get to try the food cause it was already getting dark and no power. Duh. The staff was friendly. They even wanted me to open up the the doors to my work and they would bring some liquor over and we would all just drink away. I would if i could but couldn't. Want to head back and enjoy their food. Saw this place on The Real World San Diego and the food look to die for.
(4)
Gustavo B.
Group dinner for 12 and so we were ushered into the private dining room in the back and were forced to have a set menu for "family style" dining. As such, this review might not help everybody. I will say that I've been to this restaurant for dinner for the regular menu and really enjoy the food. Usually, not getting the option to choose from the full menu is a big no-no for me, since a group usually has very different tastes and not everybody necessarily feels like having just one or two main plates... however, this turned out real well. As the host it fell on me to get the menu together and having to make these decisions for everyone in your group is stressful. We went with the cutting board, the mixed greens salad and the flatbread pizza as starters. The entrees were the rigatoni bolognese and the braised short ribs, with mushrooms, sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes as sides. The desserts were the banana cake and the bread pudding. First off, the portions are absolutely massive. We all ate like crazy and everyone ended up taking two boxes full of leftovers. The appatizers were a little underwhelming with the best being the cutting board, but then again I am a sucker for any cheese plate. The entreees and sides were very rich and were HUGE, when you see so much food it's almost like you lose a little bit of your appetite. But everything was very, very good, my favorite being the mushrooms and the short ribs. The desserts were probably the best of the whole meal. Everyone was stuffed after the appatizers and entrees, but everybody still put away at least one serving of dessert. The banana cake was a hit and the bread pudding was perfect, but then again I'm also a sucker for bread pudding. If you have a large group I highly recommend doing the private dining room here. It's cozy, separated from the rest of the restaurant and service was excellent the whole night. Just be ready to eat A LOT. One gripe that you should look out for, it was first going to be a group of 14 and I then informed the restaurant that there would be 12 of us. I didn't realize until the next day, but we were billed for 13 people. At $50 a person, plus set tip, plus wine and corkage fees, it was not cheap and adding one more person was not appreciated, the only reason I'm not taking a point off for this is that I didn't notice it that night and I'm giving the restaurant the benefit of the doubt that if I had raised the issue it would have been taken care of.
(4)
David C.
A complimentary dessert coupon finally got me to Whisknladle. We had four in our group so I got to try a wide variety of selections including the summer salad, gnudi, pork sugo, crab tortellini and the scallops. Our favorite was definitely the scallops but the portion is TINY. Only four small scallops with chanterelles. They are melt in your mouth yummy but definitely won't fill you up. The best value was the sugo. The summer salad was refreshing with the grapefruit but you will have to look hard for avocado. I think anything you order will be good just make sure you aren't starving or you will pay $$$$. For dessert we had the peach/blackberry cobbler with a scoop of ice cream. We took the recommendation of our waiter which was a great idea! They will give your more dessert cards so you keep coming back. I really want to try the happy hour at the bar 5-7pm also for the cheaper small plates.
(4)
Ryan S.
Great food, interesting menu, superb wine list. No complaints here. The food for the most part is all local, organic and humanely raised so that's important to me. In the pricey/faux nice restaurant area of La Jolla it's a gem. The menu changes frequently and everything is seasonal. They also make their own side condiments, fixings, flavorings, mixes, etc. so big points for that.
(5)
Laura M.
This past Wednesday I had the choice of where I wanted to eat for my birthday, so I decided it was time to try somewhere new. I quickly logged onto yelp and up came Wisknladle. I was happy with the reviews it is close to my house(La Jolla) and the pictures of the food looked amazing! My party of 10 was sat before our actual reservation time, our server (Jared) was amazing. He took the time to explain each and every little thing on the menu and all of his recommendations were outstanding. To be honest everything I tried on the menu was like a party in my mouth. They use only local growers and they make everything from scratch incluing all of their deserts. If familiar dishes with interesting new flavors are what you are looking for, than go no further than Wisknladle. Oh and make sure if you have a large group to ask for Jared as your server. Oh and one other thing it is a bit pricey so be prepared, however what you get in food and service makes up for the check at the end.
(5)
Gin K.
I'm a teensy bit biased, but definitely for good reason. Whisknladle is one of very few restaurants that carry Merry Edwards (pinots and/or sauv blanc, depending on availability). And during happy hour, it's 20% off. asdklgsdj;flkdjf;hlskdjfkljsd :) I've had the scallops twice, prepared differently each time. Uhh good and super good, respectively. My friend had the mussels and fries, which was also good, but not very interesting - you can probably find similar flavors elsewhere. I'd say swing by during happy hour for the awesome booze deals (20% off all wine bottles, HH prices on select wines by the glass, plus a few tapas-like small plates for the not so hungry). They offer some beer, but I'd say stick with the vino and order yourself the cutting board to go with it. Holy schmoly, that thing is good. It boasts a few different cheeses ("chef's selection") with meats, dried fruits, homemade spreads, cornichons (who doesn't like fancy itty bitty pickles?), and a few other things that I'm forgetting. Go with the full. Trust me. My friend had to remind me that it was a board, not a shovel, and that it has no business being that close to my mouth.
(4)
R W.
Taking chances I'd visited previously before and left feeling pretty underwhelmed due largely in part to poor service. Understanding that even the best kitchen and wait staff can have an "off night" I was convinced to return and give WNL a second chance. Being adventurous seemed to be the recurring theme for our night. As an opener, my table decided to try the flatbread of the day (Lamb/Garlic/Capers/tomatoes). We admittedly weren't confident the ingredients would work for us, as some members in my party are admittedly picky eaters. To our surprise we each found it to be very very tasty. The steak offering for the night was a Flat-Iron steak. This wasn't the cut my dinner partner was hoping for, however the server explained the chef's preparation (including a Madeira sauce) as one of his favorite dishes. Spot-on!! This dish was a winner. I had a taste for seafood, eyeing the scallop dish on the menu. I was however, admittedly skeptical due to the preparation. The seared sea scallops were seasoned with Indian spices, served with grilled veggies and a raita sauce (for those not as familiar with Indian food this is a yogurt sauce which is very similar to greek tzatziki sauce). I had concern if the spices and yogurt sauce would work for me or ruin the scallop taste altogether. Again, the server noted that this was another favorite as well (I think his face actually lit up at one point *lol*) At his recommendation, I went for it. The scallops...... I liken this dish to a choir. Several different voices coming together to make one heavenly sound (and food). The combination of flavors worked perfectly. I wanted to order a second plate just to take home. To round off the meal the dessert menu included a variety of items, but one called out to me particularly. MMMmmmm.... Pumpkin bread pudding. Now while I like pumpkin bread, I never thought of working it into a bread pudding. This was a first as well. I'd been craving a good bread pudding for weeks and had high hopes and a lot riding on this dessert. By far, the best decision of the night!! The pumpkin bread was the great ingredient not to mention the Rum-spiced ice cream paired with it!! Here's to second chances, and exploring new tastes and flavors in an impeccable atmosphere. We trusted the staff and chef to lead the way and were all the better for it. WNL hits its mark successfully.
(4)
Jill M.
The only restaurant in San Diego that rivals anything in my former home of San Francisco. The burger. Get the burger. But it all rocks, and the service is impeccable. Get thee to Whisknladle!
(5)
Cathy T.
Came here for $3 tapas happy hour! (5-7 daily) Grilled skirt steak & salsa verde: well-seasoned and cooked but it was pre-grilled and served lukewarm Sizzlin shrimp: got 4 succulent shrimps, came out literally sizzling! Thumbs up! Flatbread: ours was topped w/ chorizo, scallions, onion, and cheese...we liked! And off the dinner menu... Charred bone marrow for $15(ish): huge portion! 7 thick bones w/ thick buttered toast...good but very heavy... shared it with bf but we could only eat 3 total! Happy hour is in the bar--you can sit right at the bar or on surrounding sofas if you want a private table.
(4)
Aaron G.
The ambiance inside the whisk and ladle is very nice. The majority of their seating is outside on the patio. The service is very good. I came here for Happy hour. We ordered a pitcher of Sangria which poured 5 or 6 classes. The Sangria was good but I prefer my sangria with more fruit. The patatas bravas were extremely well seasoned and melted in my mouth. The dish I enjoyed the most were the sweetbreads. The only way I can describe it is a chicken nugget with a huge flavor burst of complex flavors.
(5)
Zack L.
Overall, the $285 bill for a table of 4 during Restaunt Week left me feeling a bit ripped off. The waiters were less than friendly and informative and hard to track down when in the need of a refill or another glass of wine. Also, not one option of a domestic beer, all microbrews or imports, which comes across a little pretentious. All in all, next time in La Jolla, I will go elsewhere.
(2)
Debrin S.
This place has a great vibe & the service is par excellence! I also really liked the design & the style of the interior. Great seating layout. Bar /lounge gets tight but we enjoyed it none the less. The private dinning room is very cool- I need an excuse to rent it! The food was good- we went for HH. It wasn't excellent though. But some how I was not disappointed as the over all experience was really very nice. HH specials $3-8 per plate & select wine/cocktails too- very solid prices for what we had. Potatas Bravas- crunchy potatoes but the sauce was nat as flavorful as exspected, Catalan Shrimp is served in a mini- iron skilet w too much oliv oil & a cloce of garlic- dont bother ordering this. The highlight was the Charcuterie Board- EXCELLENT. we ordered the small(!) OMG- they cure all their meats/sausages, currents on the vine!, grainy mustard, marinated olives, salted Marcona Almonds- delish, local cheeses (we were only given 2 pieces so more would have made a better balance), Tuscan toast slices, prosciutto, Braciola. We enjoyed the white sangria *& glasses of the Spanish house red wine. Our server & the manager were accommodating, gracious & seamed to enjoy interacting w our small group. I look forward to going again- hopefully for dinner. Street parking.
(4)
Angie N.
Stopped here for Happy Hour and eats at 5:00 pm on a recent past Saturday evening. First off, great location right in the middle of many shops and eateries, nice open air design. We got there a bit early so we stopped into the bar first. High ceiling and homey feel, like a modern version of barn/loft. Kudos to whomever did the chalk artwork of the in-season veggies - very talented! Service was ok in the bar, took a few minutes to get some dishes cleared from the small sofa table area (there were 4 of us so it was the best spot for conversation sake). We each enjoyed a local beer and ordered the scallop app to share. Our table was ready before the app, so we had it delivered there instead. We shared the following plates: Scallop app - Cooked perfectly, very tasty starter. Halibut crudo - Delicious and savory, light and fresh. The habaneros did pack a punch though! Not for those that can't eat spicy (or make sure to take the tiny orange bits off before eating). Crispy Sweetbreads - Great dish, including maple glaze, braised lentils, bacon & brussel sprouts. Was a bit hard to share, the 4 pcs we got were different sizes. Would've like a couple more! Bone marrow w/toast - Impressive, fun-to-eat dish. Felt like I was going to have a heart attack because it was so rich, very good, but only for an occasional treat! Corn ravioli - This dish was just so-so for me. Fresh corn is a favorite of mine, and I got the sweetness, but there just wasn't enough flavor in the dish to elevate it beyond that. The kernels of corn were also loose inside the ravioli (no cheese or other binder to keep it together), so mine rolled out when I bit the ravioli - so if you try this dish, eat the entire ravioli at once! Lobster risotto - This dish was more subtle in flavor than the plates we started off with, but good nonetheless. Risotto was al dente and the lobster was fresh and tender. White sangria - We shared a pitcher between the 4 of us and it was outstanding! I had my reservations, thinking that it would clash w/the dishes we ordered, but the hub was right, it paired really well with everything. It was refreshing and fruity and not sweet...delish! Chino Fig & Hazelnut Gallette w/Honey Ice Cream & Balsamic Reduction - We had just enough room to share this dessert and it was fantastic! Tons of flavor and ooey goodness packed into a delicious gallette. Honey ice cream was a first and very delicious. Service in the dining room was great - attentive, well versed on the menu, good recommendations, and our water glasses were always filled (often overlooked but important point for me!) Overall great dining experience on a nice summer evening...and we were just getting started.
(4)
Nicole E.
If I had to pick a favorite restaurant Whisknladle would definitely be in the running. I love everything about this place. -Fresh local organic ingredient that are always changing and ALWAYS DELICIOUS. -Really cool ambiance whether you are meeting friends for dinner/drinks or want a romantic date. - Amazing specialty drinks and Sangria. -Happy hour every day, yes EVERY day with $3 tapas -Great service, servers are always very knowledgable. Another thing I love about this place is the owner...when he comes by to check on things you can tell he really cares and wants your feedback, he's not just making the rounds. Gotta respect that. If you haven't eaten here you should definitely check it out. Oh and they also own the Prep Kitchen which is equally yummy. *****Get the cutting board (house cured meats and cheese)!!!
(5)
B D.
First time visiting here was one of the best meals I have had in San Diego. It was during restaurant week and they gave you free range over the entire menu. Everything I had was incredible. The next time I had the pork, which wasn't my favorite, but everyone else thoroughly enjoyed themselves. THe drink menu is incredible, the flatbreads are always a favorite, the meats are made in house (so the cheese/meat board is a must have), and the staff is exceptional. definitely worth going to time and time again!
(4)
Cassandra B.
First off...my husband and I were here with our three...YES *gasp* THREE....children...this place was phenomenal. Our kids are well behaved. We take them out often to make sure they are accustomed to being out in a public setting. The waiter was insanely awesome. My husband compared him to a ninja. The head honcho is upfront and on hand. He's just so approachable and friendly. (Don't hesitate to go to him with compliments and complaints ....he's approachable and fabulous.) We frequent the Prepkitchen in Del Mar quite often but now La Jolla is added to our fav place to get some insanely qualified comfort food. We went in having one of the most stressful days we've had in a long time. Waited 20 minutes to get a table and stayed over an hour and a half. (that's quite a while for us) I suggest this place for quality "I NEED TO RELAX!" food. If you're kids are with you you shall not be shunned.....my son asked for a hundred add-ons for his sprite and our waiter brought each one with a smile. Life is good at the Whisknladle. Lap it up.
(5)
K. A.
While it is becoming a bit of a cliche, and marketing gimmick to serve "food with a story" (meaning locally sourced, organic, cows-that-get-reiki-while-being-slaughtered, etc...), Whisknladle was on the cutting edge of this stuff before it became a national phenomenon, and their authenticity is, well...authentic! Locally sourced, seasonal fare deserves to be applauded. But do not expect to have less than a ten minute conversation about what kind of butter has been drizzled over the green beans, and from what region of California it came from, in what season, and under what stage of the moon it was churned. Some people enjoy this. Yes, the wait staff is extremely knowledgeable about the food. Part of our response to food lies in our expectation, and the staff does a great job of framing that for us, and making us feel sophisticated (even though we may not be so sophisticated, after all). Ambiance was fine: with lots of attention to detail, such as surface finishes and lighting, with the perfect balance between the organic and the upscale (quintessentially "La Jolla"), feeling friendly, earthy and displaying conviction. Did the food live up to all the hype? Yeah, it was pretty good. Not quite 5 stars, but pretty good (I have to keep measuring everything against my old "gold-standard" Rouge, back in Philadelphia). Bone marrow is a novelty, but frankly I don't find it appetizing. Bland, rather. Came a long way (La Jolla!) to get Maine diver scallops (which might have flown to California on the same plane as me) but they were done quite well. My wife had a Pork Loin that was also quite nicely done in terms of garnish & flavor in the sauce. The flatbreads were just OK, and maybe the waiter shouldn't have raved so much about each item, because expectations were set VERY high. Every item was described as "the best you will ever eat," "to die for," "beyond your wildest imagination," etc...That was the only part of the experience that kept this from being a "5 star" joint. The waiter was TOO knowledgeable, and TOO enthusiastic, and TOO excited about everything that it would be impossible for any chef to deliver on such grandiose expectations! Nevertheless, it came close.
(4)
Edwin L.
I have been here several times and each time we go it get's better and better. Having been in the hotel/restaurant industry for 15 years, I do appreciate 3 things: Ambiance Service Quality of Food. Whisknladle has done all of the above. The restaurant is nice, lighting is perfect and for once, the place is not one of the typical La Jolla "stuck up" places like Georges, where it seems like a privilege to be there. The service was exceptional, very relaxed, yet attentive and for once knowledgeable of what is on the menu. Our waiter Bobby, was the best, no pressure of choosing the most expensive item. We had the Bone Marrow, Flatbread, Steak Frittes and deserts. The price for the quality of food is amazing, half of the norm in La Jolla and miles above the competition. If there is one thing, that they could improve on, it would be the interval between appetizer and dinner - do not rush it! Let the guests enjoy the savor of the organic foods and great wine selection. Lastly, the best martinis in town, can be found here! Keep doing what you are doing. The best of all is that Whisknladle a breath of fresh air into a real boring and pretentious town.
(5)
Bri G.
Went here with my gf on a Monday night for restaurant week assuming it wouldn't be packed since it was on a Monday. I couldn't have been more wrong!! The place packed to capacity and a big group of people waiting outside. I wasn't sure if this was the case because of restaurant week or if it's just full of people every night. On to the overall review of the restaurant. The environment was nice and quaint, it was dimly lit patio style seating. The tables were a bit too close in my opinion. For our appetizers we ended up ordering the scallop dish and mussels/fries. The scallop dish was fantastic as they were cooked to perfection...lightly seared on the outside and plump and juicy with each and every bite. Never heard of a mussel and fries combination before until our evening at Whisknladle, but it could not have been a better pairing. The bowl of mussels they served was enough to be an entree. They were so tender that some of the mussels freed themselves from the shells and were free floating in the delicious sauce (I think it was a white wine sauce). The fries were typical, good but nothing out of the ordinary. We ended up ordering the trout and steak. The trout seemed a little dry, but the veggies and accent sauce covered this dish well enough to make up for the fish. It wasn't bad at all, just not perfect. The steak however was fantastic!! I was served with a healthy amount of fried onions and the MOST delicious potatoes au gratin known to man. It looked like a slice of potato lasagna...I would go back to the restaurant just for the potatoes au gratin. Desserts (stressed backwards...haha, creative touch to their menu) we ordered were the Chocolate Truffle Tart and the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. I'll start off reviewing the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. If you're looking for a light, fruity dish after a very fulfilling meal, the Panna Cotta is what you'll want to order. The light and creamy Panna Cotta topped with fresh fruits and served with a Sesame Tuille is a perfect way to cap off a heavy meal. If you have extra room and don't mind running a couple miles the next day, then I would highly suggest ordering the Chocolate Truffle Tart. A smooth chocolate filling complete with a chocolate crust, served with a side of their homemad caramel ice. YUM!!!
(4)
Rick M.
Simply amazing! Great menu.... Tasty libations.... Great service... Definitely coming back here!
(4)
Matthew B.
Really inspirational and well implemented farm to table dining. I don't care that I'm paying more than I might typically, everything from cocktails to dessert is amazing. Ask the server what is not to be missed. The menu changes so frequently that I don't know that my recommendations would be helpful. If I ever have the occasion to head down south again, I will make sure to stop at this restaurant.
(5)
Meredith P.
Innovative American cuisine. Always a treat. Happy Hour is a lot of fun and the atmosphere is very modern and chic. Ambiance always enhances the experience. Supper Clubs: fantastic marketing idea. Can't wait to attend the event!
(4)
R F.
Went here for an anniversary dinner and overall had a very nice experience except for a few small negatives. Pros: Very nice decor; trendy and upscale without being too pretentious. Waiter seemed friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive... at least for a while (see Cons) Dinner was very tasty and portions were larger than expected (especially the appetizer-size version of the cutting board meat and cheese dish). Prices seemed a little steep, but not outrageous -- as a lot of restaurants can easily be. Cons: Seating on the patio was pretty tight. Wasn't an issue when we first arrived since it was somewhat quiet, but as it got busier and tables filled in, it was a little intrusive that the patrons seated next to us were literally less than a foot and a half away. The owner has since notified me that requests can be made for more private seating. Also, as the place filled in, the waitstaff seemed to disappear for longer and longer periods since there were suddenly far more tables to divide their time between. I don't think it was a matter of lazy/unprofessional waitstaff, but rather maybe them being a bit understaffed during peak hours. As a side note, the "house water" was interesting; the cucumber flavor to the water is very light and refreshing when brought out cold, but I suggest drinking it quickly since the flavor seemed to get a little "off" as it warmed to room temperature.
(4)
ted n.
Most of the time when you visit a fancy pants place and drop a benjamin you are still hungry afterwards and end up raiding your fridge at 2am. Not here, the portions are really nice. Fig and Persimmon salad- the real heroes are the carmelized onions, i could eat that all day Bone marrow- good, beefy Carlsbad Mussels- I usually don't like them, but these were cooked to perfection so soft and melting and how can you go wrong when you have fries with them suckling pig- it looks tiny, but is sooooooo rich, perfectly crunchy delicate skin. Will be back :)
(5)
Christie F.
I recently enjoyed a business lunch at Whisknladle and was pleased by menu, the atmosphere and the service. The eclectic menu has a very interesting mix of flavors that had me raising an eyebrow at first glance; however, everything I tried tasted wonderfully and left me feeling pleasantly surprised. Whisknladle loses a star for value. Some portions are small and there isn't much on the menu that isn't overpriced (can you say $13 for 2 fish tacos... Ouch!) Considering it's La Jolla and this work lunch was expensable, I can't much complain. I had the Soup of the Day, which was a pork tortilla soup with sweet corn. Three of us ordered it and all had positive things to say about it. The only negative was that mine was mainly broth while my lunch guests all had a bowl full of the good stuff. Also, the spoon was the smallest I've ever used, like a baby spoon. It took me forever to get through my broth and eventually I gave up before finishing. This is a case of form not following function. Get real spoons Whisknladle, I only have a 1 hour lunch break. For lunch I had the Chorizo Date Fritters, which were dates filled with spicy Chorizo and smothered in a wonderful marinara sauce. It was sweet, spicy and so rich that the small portion left me satisfied. The flavors were marvelous and unlike anything I have had before. My guests had salads or fish tacos and all said they enjoyed their meals as well. The atmosphere is clean and contemporary with a sophisticated neutral color scheme, fun industrial pendant lights, and lots of stylish design accents. It is very easy on the eyes. Whisknladle is definitely trendy enough for hot date or nice corporate lunch and the wait service was on par with the rest of the experience.
(4)
Mike D.
Maybe I was in a bad mood, but I think the place is generally overrated. Either be prepared to spend serious $, or don't go there hungry: the portion sizes were pathetic. Quality of food: 5 stars. Tasty, fresh, inventive, but one flavor -- no sides. Service: 2 stars. Hardly saw our waiter and assistant at all. Had to ask for everything. I can't put my finger on it, but there was something I didn't like about the waiter's personality. Quantity of food: 1 star. Admittedly my wife and I each had half portions to save a few bucks, but portions were minuscule. Location: 5 stars (nice corner in La Jolla across from Brooks Brothers clothing) next to Carl Strauss Brewery. Decor: 5 stars (Who would expect that bare light bulbs could be made to look good? Clear bulbs + huge filaments + low voltage = pleasing industrial look.) Overall I'm conflicted how to rate, but think 3 stars is about right. For my money, I'd much rather go across the street to the Coffee Cup for breakfast. Now that's quality and quantity at a reasonable price!
(3)
Anna V.
I love this place. We came here for a friend's birthday. We had reservations, but from what I know from my friend, they were so busy that it was so noisy in the background. So the night we went there and told them of our reservations, they were confused and thought that the reservation was for the following Friday. But because of such great customer service, they were very apologetic and said that they would clear a table for us (a group of 9) as soon as possible. So we walked over to the Karl Strauss Brewery next door to pass the time. It only took Whisknladle half an hour to ready our table. And because of the minor miscommunication, they gave us 3 appetizers for free. It was unnecessary, but very much appreciated. Our server (If I recall her name was either Kristen or Kirsten), was absolutely amazing. She got all our orders right, and was very friendly. The food was amazing. Each of us tasted each others' dish. And not one was bad or just mediocre. Everything was great. And we, of course, made sure to leave enough room for dessert. Heavenly! This is one place I would definitely go back to.
(5)
H L.
We decided to come here for Valentine's Day. The menu looked intriguing, that is why we decided to give the place a try. What their website does not tell is that all the food that is on the menu is organic and locally grown. On the back of the menu, it gives you information where their purchase their meat and vegetables. I have to say that I think this added to the taste of it. This is a small restaurant with a very cozy atmosphere. When we sat at the table, our waitress brought us homemade french baguette and butter that they churned themselves. Usually when I go to a restaurant, I always end up ordering steak. However, at this place they had gnocchi, one of my favorite things to eat. The only problem was that it had fish in it, when I asked the staff if I could substitute the Rock Cod for chicken, they were more then happy to accommodate me. So I had the Chicken with rosemary gnocchi, english peas, pancetta, braised greens & creme fraiche. I have a great dislike for frozen/can soggy peas, the fresh english peas were sweet and popped in your mouth. I was also surprised when my dish came with half a grilled chicken, I was expecting several pieces of chicken. I told my BF that "the chicken tasted chickeny", he laughed at my strange comment. After I gave him a taste of my chicken, he said that now he understand what I meant. The flavor of the chicken was deep and intense. The BF had the Pan Roasted Flat Iron Steak with hand cut french fries, bearnaise & watercress. The flat iron steak was lightly seasoned so that you could still taste the flavor of the beef. He enjoyed this dish a lot. The fries were a little soggy. For dessert we had the Ricotta Fritter with Olive Oil Zabaglione, Rosemary Pinenut Brittle & Citrus. This was a wonderful warm fritter in a cream sauce. This is a wonderful little place that is easy to miss. The service was a little slow. It took awhile before we got our meal. All in all though, the experience was very good.
(4)
James F.
Yum. We had dinner in a small group here and had a great experience. Appetizer: Flatbread. Rather delicious, but maybe a little pricey for what it is. If I had gotten this as part of tapa-style shared dinner, it would seem a bit light. Dinners: My stuffed roasted chicken was amazing. Marvelous flavors throughout - even the mashed potatoes were really good, and there was definitely enough to fill me up. One of our party had the mussels and fries, which came in a big bowl, and got devoured. My wife had a hanger steak with peppercorn sauce and fries, which she enjoyed. The service was helpful and friendly and made sure everything was good. The one drawback was that we were seated close to the bar area, and sometimes it was a little tough to hear our dinner conversation over the spillover of talk at the bar. Once the bar slowed down, we could enjoy our evening more. Whisknladle is good eats that impressed the folks.
(5)
david m.
The food was flavorful but they were so slow. They seem to chat with their friends and serve them first.
(4)
Mary M.
I've been here twice and enjoyed it both times. It's definitely a little pricey and always busy. But the quality of the food and atmosphere are worth it. My first trip I sat on the patio. I loved the hamburger. I felt like being adventurous and trying an egg on my burger... Amazing! The second time I went, I ate at the bar (because super long wait). Ate appetizers, soup and dessert. All good! And the bartenders were very attentive and willing to chat. Definitely a place to try
(4)
Justin R.
Third time I've eaten here and I finally find the need to say something. quick bit on service. Eric, awesome server, good stuff... The food: Flatbreads are a must, and they usually make different ones all the time Chorizo stuffed Dates: A+, What's not to love about that? Charred Bone Marrow: A+, First Time I've ever had it and definitely won't be the last. We also enjoyed the mussels, scallops, sirloin steak and seabass for our meals and loved it. Don't leave without getting the world known desserts. We shared the Tapioca, Macaroons and some of the guava curry sorbet. The food at this place sells itself... but it's definitely not standard fare! Bring a date with an open mind for anything! Limited appetites need not apply...
(5)
Jen T.
This restaurant is pretty good. The problem is they have changed some things around so my items are not prepared the same way as I used to love them. I used to love the scallops here. It was just simply seared and it was perfection. Absolute perfection the way they prepared the scallops. Now they coat it with this strong seasoning that I just dont care for. I feel the seasoning now, which has a curry hint is too overpowering for the delicate scallop. The scallop is still well prepared, but please, get rid of the seasoning. Their burger is very good here as well. It seems like it has a 1/2 pound of ground beef on it. It also comes with bacon, lettuce, an over easy egg, a cheese blend and some sort of sauce that is kind of like thousand island. Make no mistake this burger is rich. Very rich. The fries that come with it are very good, nice and fresh. Another good item is the tagliateli bolognase (sp?). Fresh home made thick cut pasta with a bolognasse sauce. Simple, fresh, and yummy. I find the desserts of this place forgettable, but the food is worth coming here for. They do have a great happy hour. $3 tappas
(4)
Anh ..
I don't remember much from this place..only that the atmosphere was really strange. Imagine if all the male employees from Abercrombie and Fitch were to become waiters and the result would be this place. You'll know what I mean if you go.... Not a good thing if you take your food seriously. However if you are hungry for other things, I'll leave that to your discretion. Probably an excellent place for cougars. The service was slow, but I judge solely on food - which was hit or miss. The only thing I recall are sprinklings of orange grinds on french fries, which was surprisingly refreshing.
(3)
Kitten S.
My boyfriend and I dined at Whisknladle for our main dining experience on vacation in La Jolla. A co worker recommended Crab Catcher but my boyfriend insisted it to be overpriced per yelp reviews. The false aroma of bbq attracted my boyfriend to Whisknladle. I reviewed the menu of Whisknladle and did not see an entree I would be interested in such as crab, lobster or possibly shrimp to take advantage of dining near the ocean. I decided to trust my boyfriend and yelp reviews and we approached the host stand. Whisknladle was vacant and we were seated upon arrival by a server. Whisknladle is tastefully decorated and clean with an exceptional patio we requested to be seated at. The service was accompanied by trainees during our visit for double the accommodation. The red sangria was served in a pottery pitcher that steamed due to the ice. $40 worth of red sangria did not initiate a buzz coming from a light weight. I recently noticed on whisknladle.com that $20 pitchers of sangria are offered between 5pm till 7pm everyday in which the time we visited and therefore over charged by $20. The grapefruit complimented the "Summer Salad" and included a unique and tasty ingredient hearts of palm. The "Summer Salad" was the size of a side salad and lacked the main ingredient of any salad in this particular case the "fancy" lettuce. My boyfriend ordered the least impressive large order of "Cavatelli" and the portion was pathetic. I ordered the "Locally Harvested Mussels & Fries". The "Locally Harvested Mussels" were large, light pink and had a spur of fuzz coming out the top similar to miniature vaginas with a playboy wax and the broth tasted of wasabi excluding the spiciness. The fries were standard. To avoid dissappointed with dessert we requested the $115 check. Exiting Whisknladle the snobby asian hostess ignored my boyfriend and I and did not thank us for our business probably her only task. IN RESPONSE TO ARTURO K. OF WHISKNLADLE: Yes "Crab Catcher" would have been a better choice even if it were overpriced. You clearly could care less about customer service and I am glad you posted your sarcastic thought for people to read and hopefully steer business away. You couldn't even apologize for your snobby hostess or over charging me by $20 and serving my boyfriend child portions for $28 that was obviously the half order not the full order! ***** This is yelp and I am posting my opinion regardless of what you call me such as rude, out of place and snarky. Yelp is a website for positive reviews and negative reviews. If Whisknladle is not about portions then you should lower your prices or find some new receipes because customers don't dine at a restaurant to pay $115 for two people to leave hungry. I am not asking for huge portions but a decent portion at least. As for my boyfriend's order...I don't double check his order let alone know that there were two different sizes at the time and he is not one for confrontation. Sounds like you don't meet Whisknladle expectations either similar to the hostess since you are unprofessional and have a snobby attitude. I did not read one "thank you" to the customer's that rated Whisknladle four and five stars and all the other comments posted to the lower rating really shows your mature level as an OWNER!
(1)
Andrew F.
Came for brunch on a saturday afternoon. Nice location and the outdoor seating is very relaxing. However, the food was so-so for the price. Good cuisine and friendly staff but I would only really go for special occasions.
(3)
Deepa S.
I was excited to try this place based on the reviews here, and they did not let me down! This restaurant is great! I started out with the sweetbread, which I understand changes everyday-- but it's so delicious! I ordered the small plate version of the lobster risotto. It was flavorful and just the right amount. My friend ordered the chicken breast, and it was moist and flavorful. I ordered a drink-- i can't remember what it was at the moment-- I think it had lavender in it, but I didn't like it at all. It tasted like Robitussin. I told our server, and he replaced it immediately. Yay!
(5)
Cindy T.
First time visiting and I came for restaurant week. I had the bone marrow, tuna, and apple upside down cake. The bone marrow was good at first, but then I ran out of capers. After that, the bone marrow tasted like pure fat on brioche. Not my thing. The tuna was amazing. It went really well with the beets and the dijon sauce. I would vote it best dish among our dishes (my friends got the salmon, the striploin, and taglatielle). I wasn't too happy with the dessert choices. I had decided to come based on the menu they had on their website and though they did not change the menu very much, the one choice I had for dessert was not there. I got the apple upside down cake because it sounded like I had a small chance of liking it, but no, it was still gross. I only sometimes like cooked apples. Odd flavors for their sorbet (ginger, blackberry zinfandel, and pineapple something that was unappetizingly spicy). On a side note, service was sloooooow. I thought it was because they were busy, but it got to the point where we were one of two tables left last night. The server only came out to help when he was going to help all the other tables, but we were left alone for the longest time in between visits. The dining area was empty and there was no one to flag down. The food came out fairly quickly after being ordered, so at least you don't have to wait for the food. If you already know what you want and don't like your dinner to take more than 2 hours, go ahead and order your meal while he's taking drink orders. That would be my suggestion.
(3)
L G.
I was recommended to this place from a girlfriend of mine. I used to live in San Diego so when I return, I tend to stick to my old favorites...glad I ventured out. We made a reservation just an hour or two before we came, and when we got there- no wait at all. And I should mention- ample parking around the place...maybe not a concern for most, but coming for Chicago- it's huge! My fiance loved the bourbon menu and ordered something new he hadn't tried, but heard lots about. I had a couple glasses of sangria throughout the dinner and it was alright, not bad, but I've had better. But the food...oh my gosh. We had a hard time deciding what to start with- the sweetbreads or a flatbread. Mainly because I had no clue what sweet breads were...once explained, I was down for something new and we got them. Buttermilk fried tender amazing-ness!!! I was so glad we got them, I've never had something so delish! But then, our sweetie of a waiter brought us out the flatbread too--- on the house! He said they had made an extra....it was the special flatbread of the day, and I can't member it's contents exactly, but it was great. And I loved he could tell we were eaters without being offensive....we demolished it. For maincourses, I had the mussels-- such a flavorful broth. That horseradish was perfect! The frittes were good...but I avoided them for the most part due to my tight jeans :) They did have some type of seasoning on them at was unique and flavorful...but I couldn't quite determine what it was. My fiance had some sort of pasta dish...with a bit of ricotta or someother creamy cheese on it. He said it was good, but nothing too crazy. Then we got the PB s'more dessert. It was really good, but not at all what we expected. As always, I could use more marshmallow in my desserts. But seriously, the wait staff was amazing....90% of the food was amazing and the other 10% was good. I would highly recommend!
(5)
Roland F.
Overrated but still worth trying. We tried this after reading all the reviews here and were impressed all the way through the appetizers. Sadly, that's where WNL got a little off track. The appetizers were out of this world delicious. I would make a dinner from the appetizers next time, and yes I would go back. The entres were another story entirely. Boring, bland chicken and meat dishes that no one at the table could believe merited the reviews this place gets. Then on to the desserts. They were spectacular too. So, what happened with the entres? No idea. No explanation. The salted caramel was beyond heaven. Anyway, I like the place. It's chic and cool and located in the heart of La Jolla. The service is so so, and they're a little full of themselves, at least our wait staff said that everything was "to die for" and honestly everything is never to die for. There are always weak points and I appreciate honesty from my server. Service was slow and drinks and water went unfilled, always a disappointment. Still, I'd go back, just skip the entrees.
(3)
E D.
4.5 Stars This, ladies and gents, is my first yelp review. It had to be Whisknladle for the mere fact that my stomach wishes to reside in San Diego and this was the last wholesome place I dined at in the city. Anyhow, took Mom here for birthday lunch and I have to say, I was impressed. The chorizo date fritters are a must as well as the cutting board. I wish I was there for dinner so I could have tried the charred bone marrow. Guess the gelatinous goodness will have to wait until next time. Docked half a point because of the sloooow service, but they comped not one, but TWO scrum-dee-lu-liscious desserts which made up for it!
(4)
Katie H.
We've wanted to try Whisknladle for a long time, so when Restaurant Week came up, and Wnl was offering their entire menu for the event, we decided to make a reservation. From start to finish, our experience was great, and we love the Farm to Table concept. We arrived a little bit early, so we were invited to sit in the bar. We were planning on ordering wine, but we saw the big jugs of white and red sangria and changed our minds. The bartender gave us tastes of each to help us decide, and ultimately, we went with one of each. They were both delicious. The white tastes very fruity, and the red is more of a traditional sangria. There were a ton of other creative choices on the drink menu. When we go back, I'll need to try some other selections. For starters we ordered the Chorizo Date Fritters and the Cutting Board. Both were delicious, and I was impressed that many of the items on the Cutting Board (including the cured meats) were made in house. For dinner I chose the Flat Iron Steak (came with yummy fries) and the hubby ordered the Chicken "a la Plancha." The steak was good, but not the best; I've definitely had better steaks before in San Diego. I wish I could remember the desserts that we ordered, but I can't. I recall them being good, but not really what we were hoping for. Our reservation was late in the evening, and they were out of our first two dessert selections, so we settled for two other items. Because of that, we were given free dessert coupons for Prepkitchen, which was a satisfactory fix in our opinion. All aspects of the service were excellent and attentive, from the hostess, to the bartender, to the serving staff. As for ambiance, it's a good pick for a swanky, slightly pricey date night. Do NOT bring your kids. I have a feeling that I'd give Whisknladle 5 stars on a normal day, but for our Restaurant Week experience, I'll do 4 1/2. Overall, very good.
(4)
Scott Z.
My partner and I have eaten here about five times. I believe it is his favorite San Diego restaurant. The bone marrow is always a favorite appetizer when we have dined with our friends. I always get a nice meaty entree, and he tries some fish, muscles, or other "exotic" meal. We are always pleased with the food and the drinks are really good too. Intimate (close) setting, but there is a great party room that can be reserved which is private from the restaurant dining area. The kitchen is fun to watch through the broad glass window that separates it from about 1/2 of the dining area. Very friendly staff that works well as a team. We have had chefs visit our table three times to check and see how we received their dishes, and host or manager have always checked with us every time we have dined. They make their own deserts and ice cream. All the ones we have had are yummy!
(5)
Jermaine M.
Me and my friends or like the unknown eaters around san diego see how great of a reputation as this place has we had to try it I ordered the " bbq" dish as a chef I got where the chef was goin with the dish but it was lackin on all levels to start it was way way overpriced and horribly exicuted. It was pork belly but it was more like a slice bacon although I get that they are the same cut there was no substance to it the bbq rib was just that a 3 inch one bone of baby back rib the only god part was the churriso " hot link" it was the only good thing on my plate the blackeye peas was dried out and stuck to the bottom of the castiron skillet it was served in and I didnt get any okra in mine like rt he person who I was dinning with. Im a true foodie and got the vision for what the chef wanted for this dish but it was awful and way over priced we ended up goin to a taco shop after leaving.
(1)
David G.
My wife and I shared one Restaurant Week meal because we do RW many nights and most places give us too much food for multi-night dining. Plus we are seniors and we don't burn calories like you "youngins". The RW menu offered us any one appetizer, any entree and any dessert for $40. We split the Mussels and Fries, the entree size Grilled Scallops and the Chocolate Malted Crunch Bar. We also asked for bread which we used to soak up the extra broth of the mussels. Anyway, that turned out to be the perfect amount of food for us. And it was all really excellent. Highly recommend these selections. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was they added a 20% gratuity on the meal and the TAX. I was taught you never tip on tax. But when a restaurant automatically adds a tip, state law makes them add it to the total bill including tax. I think you can tell them you want to add your own tip, and they'll take it off, but who wants that hassle?
(4)
Lindsay L.
This place reminds me of restaurants back in San Francisco. Features a rotating menu of lots of creative dishes that are awesome 90% of the time. The absolute best way to experience Whisknladle is bring FRIENDS (at least 2-3), and everyone tries everything. I had some pretty boring shrimp pasta here (shells, shrimp, tomatoes, olive oil), but a month or two before that, I had some pretty unbelievably outstanding shrimp pasta that I still dream about (saffron, cheese, shrimp, mussels, thick spaghetti with a sear on it). Not a HUGE fan of the cocktails here, although they are decent -- I know I'm in the minority. London Burning is interesting but heavy, and I can't drink Sangria. Oh, the agony. Desserts are good but not a revelation -- the trio of ice creams/sorbets are probably my favorites. The bone marrow, flatbread, burger, crispy sweetbreads, and mussels are ALWAYS winners. Come here if you're adventurous, willing to drop some cash, and won't cry too much if you order a baddy (you'll be picking off your friend's plate anyway, right?).
(4)
Phillip F.
Had flatbread today. It had tomato sauce, cabbage, parsley, and bits of lardons. All for about $15. What a rip-off. All you tasted was the tomato sauce and even that was bland. You could not tell that there were other ingredients there. Would have been better off walking down the street to Von's grocery store and bought their flatbread for $3 and a can of Hunt's tomato sauce for $4 and combined them myself. Only good thing was the impeccable service that I received.
(1)
Peter E.
My wife and I reserved the private room in the back for our reception dinner with our families, and Whisknladdle didn't disappoint! The Service was just great and made us all feel at home, the food was fantastic, and everyone had a great time. We simply cannot recommend this place enough, thanks again for the fantastic evening Whisknladdle!!
(5)
Thuy L.
Restaurant week! Got to love the fact that we got to try tons of different items on the menu and not limited to just a couple. How did I forget to rate this place? So this was my second time here the first time was last year. My sister in-law from Florida researched some places for Restaurant Week and this was one of her picks. She treated us to this spot and DAMN it was spectacular! We we're all so satisfied with everything from the service to the food they hit the spot. I have to admit this was by far the best pick for restaurant week. I'll have to come back again and again =)
(5)
Elaine L.
There aren't very many good restaurants in San Diego so having a restaurant like Whisknladle is refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed their homemade cured meats and cheeses. The best thing on the menu would be their Chocolate Peanut Butter Vacherin---this dessert is to die for!!!
(4)
scott p.
Solid 4 star review from a downtown yelper for a la jolla restaurant. Whisk n ladle has a vibe similar to the Guild and they execute their combination of small plates and mains with aplomb. Restaurant had a "young" vibe but with a mixed aged range. Everyone seemed to be having a good time- waitstaff included. Service was above average- only a few tiny slip ups. Would def. eat here again if I had cause to be in the area, and would def. recommend above nearby 910.
(4)
N C.
Went here for happy hour and plan on going back for sure! Mini brussel sprouts, pork belly, and patatas bravas were delicious. Be sure to ask what the flatbread is that day because we ordered one and it came topped with anchiovies, which I'm not a fan of. Only thing I would change is some of their portions were too small, even for tapas. Ambience is great!
(4)
Kristiana A.
I came here for a birthday dinner, and luckily it was birthday girls' boyfriends' treat. Because normally I couldn't afford a place like this :[ They were super accomadating. Birthday girl had a large party and they crafted a special birthday menu for her. Everyone had the same thing and it was all served family style. Spicy shrimp and flatbread pizza for an appetizer, and for dinner there were mashed potatoes, risotto, chicken and steak. I've never had steak so tender or chicken so moist. It was all cooked to perfection. As the birthday guests and most of the other customers trickled out, only the boyfriend and I, and birthday girl and her boyfriend remained. We chatted til what I would think was almost closing. I started to get antsy, wondering if maybe we should go before the staff gave us the evil eye. Quite the opposite happened. I think the owner or something came out with a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries for us, on the house. The atmosphere is great. It's very hip and the front patio is beautiful and warm enough that it feels like it's indoors. A must-try place, if you've got the money for it.
(5)
Billy C.
I really was hoping to avoid a three star review for a million reasons. The decor is great. (contemporary Cali cool) Our server (Jen from Cape Cod) was beyond amazing. The food was all organic and locally grown. Usually a good start. Unfortunately, the great parts didn't make a great experience. We started with drinks from their hand crafted mixologist list. Two of us had the London Broiler which is a spicy gin drink mixed with jalapeño. WAY too much jalapeño. My wife's review: "It was like giving a blow job to a jalapeño" and that was NOT a compliment. For apps we got a tomato salad and the cutting board to share and they were probably the culinary highlight. Different meats / different cheeses with toasted bread and all good. Recommended. However, the main courses were just average. Lobster with spicy marinara. Average....a little fishy. Duck.....a little gamey but not bad. Scallops. Pretty good, but nothing out of this world. The only thing that was above average was the Tagliatelle Bolognese. That was the big winner with the table. All in all - not bad, not great and a little too expensive for an average experience at $80 a head (including tip and two rounds of drinks)
(3)
Kim G.
If a guy took me here, it means he's classy, romantic, and RICHH RICH RICHH!!!! My amigo Sunny (so cool by the way!) was working the happy hour (5-7pm) on a wednesday night. We got 1. 2 orders of the beef skewers (THE BEST) 2. 2 orders of the feta cheese balls 3. 2 orders of the flat bread 4. one hot shrimp 5. one tapa of salami 6. a pitcher of corn sangria (sooo good!) we got some other ones of the $2 tapas..cant remember cuz..i mean in an altered state of consciousness if u know what i meannnnnzzzz!!!! but it came out to 50 something, 63 with tip. And this was happy hour!!! so, prepare to spend alot of money here, you men. cuz, its a pretty classy place ;)
(5)
David Z.
AMAZING restaurant!!! great romantic and intimate ambience, as well a great simple menu! there waiters know the wine list extensively which was very impressive!
(5)
Cindy T.
This is a great spot to stop for drinks after a long day (or week) at work. I love the hibiscus cosmopolitan. It is so delicious! This place also has a decent selection of tapas (small plates) to compliment your cocktails. The tapas menu changes frequently, but most of the ones I order have been very good. I especially recommend the patatas bravas. The restaurant has a large outdoor patio seating area, but I enjoy sitting in the bar area whenever I'm here. The reasons being that the happy hour specials and the tapas menu are only available in the bar area. I can't comment on the regular menu, but if the drinks and and the tapas are any indication, than I suspect the full menu items are just as tasty.
(4)
Norma N.
over rated.not worth it's expensive , small portions and not good for me. We just waste $150 for 2 people with very small portions. I won't come back again.
(1)
Midas M.
So nice I had to eat there twice (in one weekend!)... Diverse menu offers locally-grown, seasonal produce that satisfies the both healthy and lighter eaters. Fantastic cocktails. Lovely knowledgeable service. Highlights: - Help-yourself coffee/sweet & savory baked goods bar with delicious house-made jams, butters & sauces (Weekend Brunch) - House-made everything! - Perfectly cooked scallops with cara cara oranges (thanks, justin!)
(5)
Matt P.
*please reference the owner's comment when reading* Take a stroll to the b-room, you'll see the microwave. For the amount of money paid, that is b-s. Baked to order anything, BS. The simple fact is that top-class restaurants don't have microwaves. I guarantee that when you walk into the kitchen at French Laundry or Chez Panisse (other restaurants whose selling points are stellar, locally sourced products and simple, flavorful preparations) they don't have microwaves, it's lazy and shouldn't be tolerated at a place that charges so much and VALUES their product. It's about respecting and honoring the ingredients and the product. See the transcript of the Alice Waters interview seen on 60 Minutes, here's a quote "To prove to Stahl that healthy, slow food is worth the money, and can be fast and easy, she invited her to her house for breakfast. She was going to cook some eggs and make a salad with tomatoes. It was at the house that Stahl realized that Waters lives in a different world - for one, she doesn't have a microwave. Asked how she lives without one, Waters replied, "I don't know how you can sort of live with one." I'm absolutely positive she doesn't allow microwaves in her kitchen, and while Thomas Keller doesn't give nearly as many interviews, I can say confidently there is not one in the French Laundry restaurant either or any other place that is not just suckling at the teat of the original slow food movement. If the baked to order pastries take a half hour to prepare, that is something that can be solved with pro-active service. As someone who spent almost six years working in a kitchen, as a manager, and as a server, delivering what you promise, ie baked-to-order desserts, is paramount to being true to your product and customers. If your servers are selling something as baked-to-order, it should be just that, baked, not microwaved, to order. Arturo of WNL "We bake our pastries the morning of and then bring some of them or their sauces to temperature for serving in yes, a microwave." Gary Danko can get away with microwaving their famous sponge cake because they don't deceive people that it is baked to order, much like their microwaved brownie in a mug. A product baked in the morning and microwaved in the evening because it's quicker is NOT baked-to-order, just don't sell it as such, maybe warmed or some other euphemism would be better for you and your company. And I'll bet they don't hide the microwave in the back. As for the Paco Jet, the processes in making the ice cream or sorbets remain the same, unlike a microwave, an essential and important difference. No matter how good the product, microwaving has, and always will, degrade the integrity of that product. I'll accept it for my plastic cup of refried beans at Rubio's, not for expensive high-end desserts. Or just be honest about the preparation and let your product stand on it's own two legs. Trying to reconcile inferior cooking methods and deception with upwards of 20-30$ prices a plate and $15 for dessert is ridiculous. If the owner cops to microwaving the desserts, it makes you wonder what other corners are being cut with what other products they put out.
(1)
Alex S.
This place was great! The prices are a tad high, especially for the portion size but the quality is top notch, the service was great, the area is great, the ambiance is great. The big theme that his restaurant hangs its hat on is that the ingredients they use are all very fresh and it really shows up in the food. Between me and my date, we ordered the Mussels, Chorizo Dates, and a flatbread pizzaish thing. The Mussels were excellent as the portion was very large and the quality was very good. The white wine sauce was so good that I began to soak the complimentary bread in it to get the flavor. The chorizo dates were also very good, certainly very unique, but the flatbread was just "alright" to me and I wouldn't order it again. We didn't have room for dessert but we saw others order blueberry cobbler and it looked excellent. Our waiter was very nice though and brought us free chocolates because he said we should end the meal with something sweet. All in all, this was a great dining experience for me and I am looking forward to coming back. This place is freshness over quality, but it worked well for me and could be a go to date place for me in the future.
(4)
Rita A.
Ridiculously delicious food with charming, knowledgeable service. Great vibe on the patio. A nice treat for my friends birthday. It was so good all around, I will be heading to their other restaurant Prep Kitchen next time! My favorite was squid ink pasta it was so good. Deserts were great too. We tried Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme, and apple upside down cake, they were both delicious! Best in La Jolla, period. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Kelly M.
Whisk n Ladle is off the main strip of restaurants facing La Jolla cove, so it makes for a more intimate setting without a touristy menu. The meat and cheese plate alone was good enough for a whole meal, with everything cured in-house it was really spectacular. Also, the chef is constantly changing the menu items for season, so every dish is fresh, flavorful, and thoughtful. We also tried the swordfish and the tagatelle pasta bolognese. Something so simple, noodles with meat and tomato sauce, turned out to melt on my tounge with every bite. And who could forget dessert, the dark chocolate ice cream was the best I have ever had. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgabe, and could tell an entire story about the chef's creation for each item on the menu. I will definitely be back. This could be my new favorite restaurant in San Diego....
(5)
Jade P.
I love this place anytime of day, but my favorite time to go is for brunch. The outdoor feel to the seating, the signature mimosas and the always delicious food keeps me coming back time after time. I've never had to wait to be seated for brunch and there is a complimentary coffee and tea station that's continuously refreshed. Scones and house made ( I think) jam are here as well. The chef switches up the menu a bit so you never get bored, but never all at once. If u come for brunch on Saturday or Sunday ask for Colin. He is friendly, prompt, attentive and professional. His menu knowledge is superb and the way he describes each item makes me want to order everything on the menu. Even if I've had something before I ask Colin to describe it because he makes it sound that much more delicious!
(5)
H H.
Great tapas, they're not too expensive if you're on a budget and want to try the place out. The products are organic and grown from local farms. Great service!
(5)
Cynthia T.
Update: Within one hour of writing this review, the owner emailed me; asked for more feedback; and requested we try his restaurant again. I will definitely do so - it's really nice to see people who care about their businesses that much. Pros: Nice atmosphere. Interesting menu. The host, after telling us the restaurant was booked, got a cancellation and chased us down the street to give us a table. I thought that was very very nice :) Cons: Although the food was good and well-cooked, I think it was overpriced for what you got. The service was mediocre/average - somewhat attentive and not very friendly - our server and one of our busboys seemed a little too cool to care whether we were taken care of. Still, they didn't neglect us, so that was good. I'm interested in trying PrepKitchen - Whisknladle's cheaper sister. That place seems promising...
(3)
Lauren M.
The Whisknladle is some of the best dining I have experienced. Everything was cooked perfectly and as for my favorite dish so far, it's definitely a tie between the mushroom/truffle oil/goat cheese pizza and the calamari. My cousin and I tried the Bubble Pop Electric and Maria Sangria martini's and they were friggin amazing. Definitely trying the Lavender Cosmo next time I visit and whatever else looks tasty on the menu (It's seasonal so changes all the time). We sat at the bar and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere too. The bar is in a horse-shoe shape so it's easy to people watch and peek at the other yummy entrees served. Oh snap and since we went at dinner time, the front was enclosed off with mock-windows so when we passed the restaurant in the afternoon the next day, it was really pretty to see that the windows are taken away and the front seating area is open. Definitely sitting in the front area next time. Another thing I found really cool was how the kitchen area is fully visible and the chefs are all busy but make time to wave to regular customers. My cousin knew someone who worked there and he made time to come out and say hello and ask how our meal was. Great service. So basically, if you are in the area or not, you must try this place.
(5)
Jessica D.
I want to give this joint a better review, but.... I know it's just chance, but we had the worst service. Completely overlooked by the hostess after waiting an hour (supposedly the wait for non reservations was 45 minutes, which we happily agreed to). At the one hour mark she told us it would only be another 15 minutes, yet she sat a table of 4 without reservations ahead of us as we stood there. Petty, I know, but I'd rather my patronage be treated with respect. Shucks, I really wanted to like this place. With over 200 glowing reviews, tourists go at it!!
(2)
Jenny W.
Happy Hour: ($3) - solid patatas bravas - shrimp: really yummy, wish there was a little bit more though! - tortilla espanola: nice twist with broccoli in it - sangria: not too sweet, but could use a dash more wine Dinner: mussels + fries: I would really like them to be huge mussels but whatever, tastes good so no other real complaints Squid ink risotto: YUM. favorite is still at arriverdecci (hillcrest) but not bad here too chocolate mousse dessert: DELISH! perfect for sharing with 3-4 peeps. **if you are going to share the dish family style and not split it, make sure to say that or else they will split the dish and charge extra ** still love this place. solid happy hour. solid food that is ever changing.
(4)
Chanel B.
I ate dinner here with my boyfriend to celebrate our year and a half anniversary last Saturday night, riding on the heavy praise from my boss who visited it in January. Long story short, it didn't quite live up our expectations. Service was absolutely on point, with frequent water refills, and lots of attention to detail in the restaurant. However, this place comes with a VERY hefty price tag. We both ordered a cup of the vegetable soup (at a whopping $10 a piece) which was delicious, and we brought our own wine ($20 cork fee). I ordered the salmon for $30 which came out near cold. I started reading some other reviews of this place and it seems that cold salmon is the name of the game here. Cold, with no lemon, no seasoning. I would not describe the fish as bad, but nothing about it stood out. It was a straight from the sea kind of deal - with no flavor. My boyfriend ordered the $30 hangar steak, to keep things simple. He loves a good steak and surprisingly, he got a very fatty piece. He kept complaining that it was overly chewy and stringy. He wasn't satisfied, and it was disappointing because we were celebrating a special occasion. I liked my entree more than he did his, so I suppose I owe him a very fancy dinner - at another establishment. I'm trying to justify this places prices as simply La Jolla and on the fancy side of gastropub. The menu isn't particularly diverse, and I think it has been condensed since my boss first visited (he said his visit in January boasted a very large and diverse menu). The ambiance is nice here, and it was also nice to have a little getaway in La Jolla. But, our very friendly waitress and our outstanding bottle of wine (which we brought from a wine tasting trip) were the best parts about our meal. $130 bucks later, it's time to find a new restaurant.
(2)
Julie G.
Visited again prior to seeing a play at the La Jolla Playhouse. Sangria was awesome, as well as the meal.
(5)
John N.
This review is more of a overall review, taking into account all the times I've been here, from my first visit (New Year's 2008) to my most recent (last week). Here we go... Arguably one of the best restaurants I've been to, ever, probably ranking only below the local family owned places that only you or your race would know about (I'm Vietnamese, so in my case it would be that small Vietnamese places that only Viets go to...you know the ones I mean). Let's break this down in order of importance: DRINKS: 4.5/5 stars. To be honest, the first time I ever found this place, it was more (and still is) about the drinks than the food. I usually sit at the bar area with my two usual friends, because more often than not we like to drink first, then eat with drinks, then finish with more drinks. Sometimes we get inappropriately wasted, and leave with a $150 tab just from drinks (average $10/cocktail). Once they practically had to cut us off because we were enjoying them too much! But it's worth it, because Ian and Lucien (and Justin) make the best cocktails around. They are truly imaginative when it comes to making new drinks, and while some of them don't always work well (in my opinion), the majority of them do. Do try: The London's Burning, which is a regular. My personal favorites are the Apple Whiskey Sour, the New Fashioned, the Pico de Gallo, Melon Fresca and Ian's all time best creation ever, The Lime Cello. Unfortunately these are more seasonal than regular and I'm still hounding Ian to make the Lime Cello again. Just to illustrate how awesome the bartenders are here, Ian made me the Apple Whiskey sour mix (gastrique if we're fancy) so I could make my own at home, for FREE! I was willing to pay but he wouldn't hear of it. If you're ever unhappy with a cocktail (perhaps you ordered one thinking it would be good but it turned out to not be something you liked), they are happy to replace it with one more to your liking. The only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because like I mentioned above, not all the drinks are a hit with my palate, although I have observed many other people enjoying them. FOOD: 4.5/5 stars. Almost everything I've ever ordered here has been excellent. My go-to favorites are the Mussels and Fries, the Hanger steak and the Caesar salad. Lately I've just been stopping in for the Tapas, which are also excellent. The Sizzling Shrimp and the Steak skewers (which come with some kind of green maybe avocado-based paste, but used to come with a reddish-brown steak sauce) are my favorites. Again, Whisknladle went above and beyond and supplied me with the sauce to-go so I could use at home when cooking steaks. Unfortunately the name fails me at the moment, but if you ask them, they'll figure it out (they had an informal poll among the servers until we could figure out which sauce I wanted). They also emailed my friend the recipe at a later date. The reason the food isn't an outright 5 is because it's not always consistent. By which I mean, the food will be prepared or garnished differently from time to time and sometimes they'll change the recipe (like with the steak skewers). But of course with a place like this that is dependent on using local and seasonal ingredients, that is a side-effect. SERVICE: 6/5 stars. Fortunately, I've never experienced any of the horror stories that I've read here about the service. Maybe because most of the time, my friends and I sit at the bar, and the bartenders are very friendly and it could be a different story sitting at the tables. From the few times sitting at the tables, however, the service has been just as great as sitting at the bar. It could be because I'm a fairly frequent visitor or (IMHO) am a friendly guy who doesn't treat a waiter as just a waiter. Sometimes I've noticed people who come in who seem to carry in a bad attitude and take it out on the servers and then take any little thing that is not to their liking as some kind of personal offense that the server must have deliberately planned to slight them. I worked at fast-food joints when I was in HS so I like to think I'm nicer than average to servers. It does take some screwing up for me to become irate. But anyway, the servers here always treat me well. At first it was just good service, a strict Waiter to customer relationship. After the first few times, they become more friendly as they get to know you better (and hopefully you get to know them better! Hey Eric, your Patriots got nothing this year! Go Cowboys!). They are usually willing to hook you up with things (bread, butter, dishes that the cooks "accidentally" made too much of) and if something is not to your liking, they'll try their best to fix it. About sending food back, I do find that you should be specific about what you didn't like about the food, maybe even suggest what can be done to change it. In conclusion, If Ian, Lucien, Justin or Eric is helping you when you come in, you're going to be looked after. Period!
(5)
Mike L.
A foodies place to eat. Bone marrow, sweet breads...
(5)
Rex V.
Very good food!! Small portions though.
(4)
Robert W.
Fantastic! I'll start with the only thing our table of 4 didn't love, the oyster, nothing wrong with them egregious. However, I love Fanny Bays and I know it's summer but they were very lean and we had excellent plump Hood Canals just the day before. With that out of the way... The charcuterie plate: rabbit rillete, coppa ham, salami, blue cheese, kumquat relish/jam, great toasted sourdough bread, whole grain mustard. Loved it. Summer Salad: simple and good; nice combo of ingredients, light but complimentary dressing. Beef Tongue: Surprisingly mild (and I ain't afraid of not tongue mind you), delicious. Pork Cheeks: a favorite of the table, including a Raw-Vegan Chef recently reformed for health reasons. pink Sea Bass: although the sea bass was cooked just a touch more than we'd of liked the dish was great, only thing left on the plate was a bit of the fish. Seared Mary's Duck Breast: I liked it and thought the dish as a whole was very good but the duck itself was good not great. The fat in the skin was well rendered, seasoning nice; but in retrospect a bit chewy even for rosy med-rare duck and not as hot and dripping with salty duck grease and caramelized skin flavor as I'd of liked. Still tasty and good, I enjoyed it. Service was great, we felt very well taken care of even though they were packed. -Thank you Went back for brunch next day, Concord Grape Clafouti, fried fish tacos, crazy good brioche toast with scrambled eggs, nice bacon, nice coffee, cucumber mimosa, same friendly staff as last night. Again very happy with our experience.
(5)
Sarah N.
The atmosphere is very nice, welcoming and romantic. The food was excellent and our server Kiersten blew us away. We were able to sit right away which the hostess seemed surprised by even though it was Tuesday at 8pm. We started with a chorizo flatbread, it so good! I had tri-tip, my fiance had a huge delicious burger and his fries were nice and crispy. My mom had duck. The tri tip was cooked to perfection and paired nicely with heirloom tomatoes, shaved parm and arugula. It was a great choice for a healthy dinner without starchy carbs. The duck was very tasty. Their eclectic drink menu made for some fun new things to try. Kiersten was attentive, made great recommendations, and really knew her food, drinks, pairings very well. My fiance got up to use the restroom right before the food arrived and the expediter asked if he could warm the plate until he returned. A nice touch. I will definitely return to try more of their menu.
(5)
Kendra R.
"The Kitchen 6er".......best dessert ever and well deserved!!
(5)
Paul W.
Early dinner before a concert was outstanding! Terrific oysters from Baja (I need to find out where they get them), followed by the second best sweetbreads I've ever eaten (I long for you, Belgian Lion, so sorely missed). Also the pork cheeks with polenta, figs and dates were great. My only complaint was that I wanted more.
(5)
Brian Y.
Nice spot, I visited for lunch and had a beer with a fish sandwich. Solid sandwich and the homemade potato chips were cool (also huge) but a little too salty for me and I'm the king of loving salty food. Lovely layout of the restaurant and plenty of people so keep it up. This place is new and hope it keeps improving.
(3)
Jen T.
Delicious, delicious food. I've been wanting to try this place for a while, but I knew it was pricey, and as a college student, I just didn't have the funds (nor occasion) to splurge on a meal. And then...comes along my birthday. So my choice for early dinner/happy hour for a Saturday was Whisknladle. Luckily they have happy hour in their bar lounge 7 days a week, so it was perfect. We didn't sit in the restaurant but the lounge, but I loved the simplicity of the decor (bare, fatigued walls; simple, old-fashioned lightbulbs; black and white color scheme.. loved it!). We were originally going to just get the HH special of $3 tapas, but since all of us hadn't eaten anything since our early breakfast that morning, we also decided to order from their dinner menu, which was fine. We first shared the grilled steak skewers and swordfish tapas. For these, you get 3 steak skewers, and for the swordfish you get 2. I didn't try the swordfish, but my friends said it was good, but not as spectacular as the steak, which was amazinglyyy tender and juicy.. sooo worth the $3. For entrees, I had the Slow Roasted Pork Belly, which was complemented very well with the peanut curry sauce on the side.. but the portion was a little smaller than I expected. It was also probably delicious because my piece had a thick piece of fat in the middle. Yummy :P My friend ordered the Stuffed Grill Quail which was good, but I felt bad since he was a guy, and it was a lot smaller than what he thought it would be (but it was quail after all...). And my friend who got the WNL Brandt Burger ordered it mostly because it included a fried egg, but this was definitely a generous portion.. talk about a gourmet burger too! What I liked about the menu choices was that everything was local and fresh (one of the entrees even specified that the mussels were from Carlsbad.. yum!). I can tell a lot of thought is put into the quality of the ingredients in their food. I also had a hibiscus margarita (?) upon the recommendation of the server. It was strong, but not enough that it was too bitter. I thought it was interested cuz there was cracked pepper in the description, though I didn't really notice it. And because my friend embarassingly announced to our server (who gave us kids greattt service even in the lounge area) that it was my birthday, he brought us a complimentary apple strudel topped with homemade salty peanut ice cream. This. was. divine. and worth the entire visit! I might just have to come back here for dessert. Overall, a very memorable and good meal. Just wish I had enough money to come back and try another sit-down version of it (:
(5)
Josephine P.
I went for brunch and really wanted to order their pastry sampling option. I love pastries and I was really looking forward to it. When I got there I saw the options... They were all there and yeah they looked pretty good until I saw all the flies circling them. They leave the whole pantry out in the open, no cover or anything. I ditched the pastry idea. I ordered the fresh blueberry pancakes and was equally happy. My boyfriend ordered the black bean tostada. Both dishes were really hearty and flavorful. The coffee wasn't bad either. I like the location of the restaurant, but parking can be tough. This place is expensive, but if you want to go for a mid day relaxing experience, it might be worth it.
(3)
Colleen C.
We randomly walked into this place after strolling around in La Jolla. Loved my waiter-Sunny. loved our food, it was actually so good that we went back for another meal, on the same day.
(5)
Jonathan R.
This review is only for the happy hour/bar area. We went there to check out the $2 tapas (which is only served in the bar area) and planned to move to the restaurant area for dinner. The restaurant part was pretty empty when we got there at 6 pm but by the time we went to get a table around 7, there was a long wait so we stayed in the bar. The bar area is set up well with couches and high top tables, as well as the option to sit at the bar itself. I was looking forward to trying the sangria but it was white sangria with a strong grapefruit flavor so I decided to stick to wine. The tapas menu is pretty impressive, especially for $2. They also have 25% off bottles of wine. Yes, some of the portions are smaller but it is $2 after all. The highlights were the flat iron steak skewers, the potatoes with aoili, and the flatbread. The shrimp were good but swimming in oil and the swordfish was small and dry. We also tried the squash ravioli off the dinner menu which was also quite tasty. I'll definitely go back for HH and want to try more off the dinner menu.
Happy Hour specials here are great. In addition to the previously mentioned Tapas, there is a great selection of Sangria and flatbread (more like fancy thin cracker pizza) which was delicious! Service was great, everyone was friendly and attentive, and the overall dining experience was very nice.
I came here during restaurant week because Whisknladle offered their whole menu.. which is AMAZING.. I made a reservation and was seated immediately at a table where I had to sit side by side with my date.. I thought this was really entertaining because I think people watching is fun so I did not mind... I was in their outside patio seating area and thought it was a pretty chill place to sit. Even though many items on their menu are super expensive, this place does not seem pretentious at all and I felt comfortable being there. The service is AMAZING, five stars. I can't remember a time when someone WASN'T refilling my water. Our food came at a nice timely manner and I did not feel rushed at all. However, my bf and I were not completely happy with what we got (probably because we ordered the wrong thing). I ordered the scallops as an appetizer and the black squid ink pasta as my main entree and the semifreddo tiramisu for dessert. My bf ordered the tagliatelle for app, pork belly, salty rib, and housemade sausage for his entree, and chocolate pot de creme for dessert. I loved the scallops and thought they were cooked perfectly, however the bf did not like the curry sauce that it came with and was not impressed with the scallops and we both loved the tagliatelle. My black squid ink pasta, in my opinion, was very unappetizing because all I tasted was butter and it made me feel so heavy and greasy inside. It came with these little green peppers that made it taste somewhat better because it took out the butter taste, but I definitely wished I didn't order that for the entree.. The bf's entree was definitely not worth it either. It came with two small pieces of thick bacon (no the crispy type of bacon) that was almost all fat, one rib (which was definitely nothing special), the sausage (which was dry and not flavorful), and some beans (which I had to resort to eat because I was still hungry from not eating much of my squid ink pasta. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my semifreddo tiramisu dessert. It was amazing!! The chocolate pot de creme is something you don't have to order though, it was way too sweet and then had a sour aftertaste, such a weird combination. The banana bread that came with it was alright. The reason for the three stars, even though their service and ambiance were amazing, was because of their food which is just alright (and not worth $104, and that was for restaurant week) and I feel that yelp should mainly rate restaurant's food. I do want to come back and try the other dishes on their menu, I just might have to wait until the next restaurant week :/.
(3)
Kelly K.
Whisknladle was quite a surprise. We went for brunch on Sunday, 6/07/09. I wasn't expecting the quality of food, service, and ambiance we had, all very good... memorable. Chris was our server, and she was FANTASTIC. She has a way about her that makes everything sound absolutely delicious, and gave excellent recommendations. We shared everything. We ordered the Scallops, seared to perfection... I wish I could remember all it was served with. I remember cherry tomatoes and corn, and a foam.... argh, I waited too long to write my review. They were delicious! We also had the carrot soup, which was velvety and DIVINE, a side order of the pom frites, and a perfectly dressed mixed green salad with avocado, grapefruit, hearts of palm, and topped with 6 good sized grilled shrimp. Light, refreshing, and beautifully done. Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and flavorful. You can tell they care about what comes out of that kitchen. It was apparent in every bite. I should also mention, they serve water infused with cucumber... what a nice touch! So refreshing and delicious. :o) In fact, I would like to make some this weekend just to have in the fridge to enjoy. Mmm. All in all, I would normally consider this a 5 star experience. I am reluctant to give them 5 stars as this is the first time I've been. I can say this though, I WILL RETURN. If I have the same experience next time, this will easily turn into a 5 star review. As I mentioned before, everything was great... FOOD awesome, service on point, the ambiance was beautiful and upscale but had a great casual vibe. Safe to say, I loved this place. :o) My only wish is that they would open a location in San Francisco. What a treat it would be to have them in the City or the East Bay; they would be in the rotation in a heartbeat. I cannot wait to return.
(4)
Brian G.
At the recommendation of a colleague decided to try for dinner. Definitely better than my last experience. The food was good (steak fries and scallops for my guest), tasty, served promptly and hot. Wine overpriced at $12 a glass but hey this is La Jolla after all. A little crowded but nice ambience, good food and enjoyable. Worth trying.
(3)
Amanda M.
I made reservations for 5 at 5:45 and although we arrived late, at 6:30pm, our table was still available us. Yay! The patio is fantastic. It was an unusually chilly weekend in SD but the heaters worked wonders. It was a very comfortable space We ordered 3 steaks, 1 spaghetti, and 1 salmon. The steaks and salmon were cooked very well. My salmon was cooked medium (chef's suggestion) and the meat was so juicy and perfect! Steak was tasty but the au poivre sauce was a little salty and the fries were "boring". Customer service was AMAZING. The food was so fresh and the meat was so good on their own, but I must say that they focus of fresh ingredients and not so much creativity when it came to the dishes. Dessert was REALLY good. I ordered the strawberry shortcake. The strawberries tasted so fresh and served with fluffy basil whipped cream and buttermilk shortbread. My friend got the espresso custard which was sweet and smooth with the right amount of strength. I'd really like to try this place again...
(4)
Tawny R.
This place has great drinks, wonderful service and an amazing menue. Atmosphere was great, and I cant wait to go agian. Wonderful for special occasions or date nights.
I can't believe it has been two weeks since I've been here, and I haven't written a review yet! We met friends here on a Sunday for lunch and were floored by our waiter--- very knowledgeable, extremely attentive, funny, and friendly. Definitely the best service we've ever received, anywhere. My husband and I had the summer salad, which is so fresh with the highest quality ingredients. One of our friends ordered the muscles and said they were the best he's ever had. We left very satisfied, and then... We came back. We walked around La Jolla for a little bit, decided to stop back by for a beer at 3:30 and ended up waiting till happy hour started at 5:00, finally leaving around 7:00. Happy hour is a great deal-- $2 for each tapas, but most of the servings are very small, so you order a lot. The papas bravas are fantastic and very unique, the swordfish is apparently much softer/less tough than it usually is (I didn't try it, but even my picky husband liked it), the drinks are all very interesting, and the sorbets are to die for! My favorite was the strawberry/red pepper. I can't remember what it was, but there was a grape and chocolate desert that was amazing, too (I was a little tipsy at that point, and it's not listed on their online menu). Oh, and the sangria is not really like sangria. It's good, but I think it's made with grapefruit (?). Definitely a unique flavor profile. Overall, this place was impeccable from beginning to end. Friendly staff, quality food and drinks... It's pricey, but it is so worth it. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Kathryn K.
Fantastic seasonal menu
(5)
Michael W.
Good service, good location, good company at the table and bad food. Go somewhere else unless you're looking for flavorless cobb salad and a greasy ban mi sandwich.
(2)
Julio G.
A little spendy but if you eat at the bar, you can hit up the happy hour, which ends at 6pm. All the food is always top-notch.
(5)
Kelly H.
I went to this location on 1/18/2010 for restaurant week. I chose it because i read great things online and thought, 'why not!' Well i was thrilled with the service and thought it was top notch, but utterly disappointed with the food. I didn't bring it up at the time of dining since i was with a close friend playing 'catch up' so i wrote to the email address provided on their website and let them know the following: 1. That Crows Pass Farm Greens Salad was absolutely amazing, kudos! Very delicious and satisfying. 2. The Maine Scallops were not very good unfortunately. As soon as it was delivered, I could smell the 'fishy smell' which shouldn't really happen if it's fresh. But I didn't judge it based on that... so as I sampled it, it was gritty almost like there was still some sand on it? to be honest, I'm not sure why it was gritty. But the thing that was really bad was the salt. It was SUPER SALTY. I mean, I'm a salt lover and usually salt whatever, but this was so salty that I couldn't eat more than one scallop. I didn't even bother taking it home for left overs. 3. As for the desert, wasn't too pleased with that either. I ordered the Banana Mousse (the exact name escapes me) but there was no mousse at all. The banana filling had the texture of flan. I ate maybe two bites and was over it. The chocolate on top was congealed and very unappetizing. One would naturally think that they would apologize and try to regain my business with the well known motto ' kill them with kindness' but alas, this the response i get basically started off nice, but then the Managing Partner, Arturo Kassel, quickly changed the tone of the email and stated "When you don't let us know, you are not giving us a fair chance" as if it was my fault for not bringing it up in person... Unfortunately, I would never recommend this restaurant. Which is regrettable since I had high hopes based on the reviews I had read...So lesson learned: NEVER GO TO WHISKNLADLE!
(1)
Ryan M.
This was the first time I have been here and I have to say that it was amazing. I love the atmosphere, it is laid back and casual. But the food is not casual. Our server, Jessie, was very knowledgeable about the restaurant and the food. She helped make the experience as great as it was. They have some unique items on the menu, which is supposedly always changing, and I had the opportunity to try several of them including bone marrow. Everything I tried was delicious. I am definitely going to come back and I will be recommending them to my friends.
(5)
Eric Z.
Have been here several times and always enjoy myself. Went in for lunch today and had a great meal. I did however order the carrot soup, which in my opinion had too thin of a viscosity, and not enough carrot flavor. There seemed to be too much cilantro in there... Also had the hangar steak salad which was absolutely awesome. The chimichurri was some of the best I've ever had. I wish there was more steak and chimi on the salad. Will always come back and recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Tom C.
4 1/2 stars really. really good food, great service (really great service). I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a nice dinner. I would have liked to have seen a larger variety of local beers on tap, there were 3, but I was able to find one to my likeing.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Michel B.
Love this place! Never disappointed. Great food. Excellent waitstaff.
(5)Carina F.
One of my new favorite restaurants in San Diego. What used to be FRESH is now Whisknladle - more of a Hillcrest-type atmosphere. And what I mean specifically by that is just that it's a newer fresher hipper place with excellent food. Key La Jolla location with a nice ambiance. Heated large outdoor patio with nice seating as well as an indoor full bar and private dining room. The music was pretty random and at one point got pretty loud. While I didn't particularly mind it, I'm sure the older patrons might. We ate pretty late too so maybe they were trying to get us to move on with our night. We saw dozens of bar-goers on their way to Jack's for their Saturday night festivities while finishing up our meal... Whisk has a paper menu which I'm assuming is because the food is fresh, seasonal, and rotates often at the chef's whim. Included on that menu was the first order of the night: specialty cocktails. I had the Passionfruit Sangria - ooh la la. I had thought sangria had standard ingredients, since in Spain it was red wine, and fruit soaked in goodness. But this version had Maker's Mark in it. I didn't actually get any fruit in my drink until my second glass. It was easy to drink and surprisingly strong. Bonus! My friend got a Lychee Martini but then got the Sangria for her second drink. My bf got a Fat Tire - he liked that that was available...Water is served in a bottle, cucumber and lemon infused. I ordered their soup of the day - green garlic soup. It wasn't described very elegantly and I was sort of confused when I tried to get more 411 from the waiter. With more prodding, it came out that it had some leeks and veggie broth, perhaps some potatoes. It was served on a thin wooden cutting board for presentation and perhaps easier handling for a hot dish. It was similar to a potato leek - I loved it. My friend got the caesar. It looked good - but her peeve was that the menu had mentioned anchovies but it didn't come with any. When she asked for them, she was charged $2.50. Thought that was kind of lame. Anyway, I tried some of my bf's salad and it was really good - super, super fresh with a light dressing. Bread: a warm small loaf of rye-ish bread. Good stuff. The menu is split up into a few categories, one being smaller plates, one for larger entrees, and another called "More Food(ies)" that had stuff like a side of grilled asparagus. I had my heart set on trying the Brick Chicken with Risotto on the online menu, but, alas, it'd been replaced with Fried Chicken. So I got the Paparadelle Bolognese. Small plate, $15, but it was a good sauce and a perfect amount in the age of oversized plates that no one has the need to eat. My bf's Hangar Steak was awesome - perfectly tender meat with watercress (?) on top and the fries were perfection as well. He was in love. My other friend got the special which was scallops and shrimp - they were on top of some grilled cauliflower and zucchini. I'd say we all really enjoyed our food - all plates left the table empty. Dessert: got the Blood Orange Chocolate Souffle - I'll post the picture. Very light and tasty - perfect hint of orange, topped with fresh whipped cream. Wow I use that word "fresh" a lot in this review, sorry, but it's true!!! The service was probably a 9/10. Drinks always refilled (never had to ask). Dinner service was perfectly timed - no long waits in between courses. It was spot on. After ordering, bread, boom, appetizer, boom, entree, boom, dessert, boom, drinks, yes! Props to the staff!!! Overall, I'm definitely adding this to my favorites and on to the rotation. Good idea to go here for dinner before heading to Jack's! Or to go to with family or friends. It is a bit on the pricier side so you wouldn't come every other week or anything... Already recommended to several friends so definitely check it out!
(5)Amy H.
I can't tell you how many times I've been here in the past couple months because I lost count. The food, service and ambiance is always superb, which keeps me coming back! The menu here is not very big, and the menu items also change frequently. This can be a good thing, if you want to try something new. But, can be a bad thing, when you liked what you got last time and it is no longer on the menu. For instance, the Saffron Spaghetti, which I LOVED but is no longer on the menu. It had spaghetti noodles slightly crispier than the norm with clams in a red sauce topped with aioli. Yum-to-the-O! ! I told who I think may be the owner to get rid of the Bolognese pasta dish and bring back the Saffron Spaghetti, and he just walked away. Sheesh! it was just a suggestion! Don't take it personal homey. I just want my Saffron Spaghetti. =) They also changed their Jidori Chicken dish. I wouldn't recommend the Jidori Chicken dish that is being served now (with the garlic cream sauce). Although the chicken itself was very moist and cooked well, the flavor was just too heavy and not appetizing. The Jidori Chicken dish before was better. Bring that back too sonny! A new addition to the menu that I do like is the Rosemary Lemon Gnocchi. It has calamari, almonds, capers smothered in some red sauce goodness. Please don't even think of getting the smaller portion. I can't even imagine how microscopic that would be because the large portion is not very big. Yesterday, I tried the Corn Ravioli. It was ok but definitely far from amazing. I did like the hazelnuts that definitely enhanced the flavor. But once again, please don't get the small portion. We just don't go there. It'll be the biggest mistake you ever made in your whole life. I've tried the mussels and fries, and although they seem to be a hit here, I wasn't that impressed. If you like mussels, I would try the mussels at Mastros Ocean Club. Now those are some bomb diggity mussels. The Whisknladle burger is worth sinking your teeth into. I love fried eggs on my burger. The yoke that spilleth into the rest of the hamburger gives it a punch of flavor and gooey goodness will make your salivary glands work double time. Always start off with the flatbread. The flatbread changes everyday and is a good appetizer. I love that the dough is paper thin. I've gotten it everytime I've went, but I don't think subsequent flatbreads beat the first one I got, which had spinach, Gorgonzola cheese, dates, bacon. Wow that was stinkin good. The summer salad, which is new on the menu, is also definitely worth trying. I loved the chunks of roasted corn, avocado, grapefruit, celery mixed in a light dressing. Very delicious. I've always wanted to try the Bone Marrow, but have never got a chance to eat it. Namely because no one will eat it with me. I will try them one day! Till next time, WnL!
(5)Sarah T.
O WOW! O WOW! O WOW! I never venture out to La Jolla, but found myself in the area after doing some shopping at UTC (getting my chocolates from Chuao!) This place popped up on the navigation when my BF and I decided to search for a restaurant to grab a bite to eat.. (seems like whenever this happens we find our selves dropping $100 bucks easily, and it's always so WORTH it!! Just as it happened at Indigo Grill, the BF and I have found another place that bring tears of joy to your eyes and an explosion of taste to our tongues!) We headed in around 6:30 and sat at the bar (our favorite place to be!!) Justin was our bartender and I will say he deserves praise from the man on top, cuz he was FANTASTIC!! It was happy hour so we decided to check out some of their tapas as well as 2 bottles of wine. Between 5-7 all bottles are 25% off and tapas are just $3 bucks a pop! So about the food: Steak Skewers: We ordered 2 and WOW the steak was thick and juicy SOOOO flavorful with a yummy tapenade that gave it a nice ZING! Flat Bread: I was bummed they only served 2 pieces per plate, ($3 for two flat cheesy pieces of bread was a little lame.) But it was good! It had cheese, bacon, and strangely enough cauliflower - really zany but very tasty! Lamb Shank & Butter Beans: Oh. My. God. I thought I'd died and went to heaven. This was phenomenal. So tender. So juicy. So AMAZING! Another dish PLEASE! (Too bad they had stopped serving the tapas.. I was in LOVE!) I'll go back for this again! Black Risotto: Allergic or not I had to try it!! LoL! I took two small bites just to get a taste and let me just say this: If after even one bite I'd had an allergic reaction.... It would have been 100% worth it! Boy that was good! After allll of that Justin had recommended the WNL Brandt Burger a $17 burger that was sure to hit the spot! This thing was amazing! Just the description had my mouth salivating!! (Artisan Cheeses, House Cured Bacon, Caramelized Onions & Fried Egg) I'd never had a fried egg on a burger but I was willing to give it a shot! We'd shared everything else that night so Justin was really cool to have it sent out split in two! We got our plates and I was in awe at this beautiful mess of a burger on my plate! How do I eat this thing? Well just DIG ON IN! I slid the bun on top picked it up and took a massive bite oozing with so much delicious flavor I was in lust with this meaty beast! (I ended up eating it with a fork cuz it was such a mess) Everything about this burger was wonderful! The bun was so soft, the meat was so flavorful, the bacon so crispy, caramelized onions (need I say more?), a delicious mix of melted cheese packed a punch, oh and the egg?! what a wonderful exquisite addition! The burger was served with a heaping side of shoe string french fries smothered in yummy chunks of garlic! Ooooh I was loving it! After enjoying that glutenous meal and our two bottles of delicious wine we got our check. Like I said: $100 bucks easy! Totally worth it though! Justin was a wonderful and very attentive. Made sure we were satisfied and completely happy! Good conversation and great service! Two negatives.. I may be a little silly or a tad neurotic but we never asked for the burger to be split, it was a nice gesture for him to have it brought out on two plates, but we ended up getting charged an extra $2.00 for it. It's not a big deal and it was only $2 bucks, but it was a bit surprising to be charged for something we didn't ask for.. Also, I'm a big safety nut (not one to live too dangerously..) and one of the exit signs was covered by a big pan as well as chairs in front of the door. I know it's not a big deal, but it bothered me just a tad. Other than those two minor things this place rocked! The menu is unique and definitely fresh! I loved the ambience, the decor, and the food! It was all very enjoyable and made for a great night! Thanks Whisknladdle, we'll see you again soon!
(4)Celine J.
I originally went to have the tapas for 3.75 but didn't realize until after we had sat down that you can only have the tapas at the back bar. We moved to the back bar that was really crowded and sat down. We ordered one of everything and the bone marrow. Everything was delicious, but some of the portions, like the clams, were a little too small for the price. Bone marrow is something everyone should try once especially if you come here.
(4)Will E.
I dined there this evening with my family and this place definitely ranks as a San Diego dining best bet. This would be a good place to bring a date or an out of town business associate who you want to impress. We were greeted and seated promptly on the enclosed patio. Our server asked about our choice of water, and then the water was on the table within 2 minutes. He covered the day's soup and flatbread and then took our drink and appetizer orders. The service was excellent throughout the meal. Our server, and everyone who delivered a plate was knowledgeable about the menu. I never saw a busser standing around; everyone was in motion clearing plates, refilling glasses, and checking on diners. Here, having a party of 4 worked to our advantage since we were able to sample a wide range of dishes. Many selections come in a small plate/large plate option (presented as two prices with a slash: 18 / 24, for example). I would recommend ordering many small plates, because that is what worked for us. My brother and I each had the house sangria, one red, one white. They were good, but not knock-it-out-of-the-park good. I am used to sangria with fruit or fruit pulp in the glass and a pronounced spice flavor. This tasted like slightly sweet, fruit-infused wine. I finished the drink, but I wished I had gotten a different cocktail. Next time I will try the honey cucumber mimosa, or the hibiscus margarita. For appetizers we had: The small cutting board. This came with artisanal cured meats, cheese, olives, pickles, raisins on the vine, tapenade, a pork meat spread, marcona almonds, some grainy mustard, and toasted bread. We tore into it. I could easily see getting the large version as an entree or even a full lunch. Excellent. The flatbread. Tonight it was prepared with gruyere cheese, bacon, arugula, and pickled ramps. It was crispy and delicious. Your mileage may vary since it seems they change the flatbread every night. Charred bone marrow. Served with toast points and garnished with capers, shallots, parsley and lemon. Bone marrow, if you have never had it, is mostly fat with a touch of protein, so spread on toast it is buttery and unctuous. One of my mom's favorite dishes so we were happy to see it on the menu and happy it was done well. I thought it could have used a touch more lemon, but everyone else thought it was seasoned just right. We ran out of toast before we ran out of bones, but it was even better on the flatbread. Chorizo date fritters in Moroccan tomato sauce. These were perfect. I thought they had just the right balance of flavors. Our mains: Stuffed roasted Jidori chicken, Olive oil poached ono, Niman Ranch burger, farm green salad. The chicken and fish were perfect. My chicken had a crispy skin (looks like it was pressed under a brick) but was juicy throughout. It was filled with pickled onions, kale, and pancetta. The broth was so good I wanted to lift the plate and drink it, but settled for sopping it up with bread instead. The fries I sampled were crispy and perfectly seasoned. Basically, no dish was a miss. Desserts: Well, maybe next time. They all sounded wonderful, but we were stuffed.
(5)Keely H.
I'm not a five-star review whore, so know these five stars are deserved and given with gusto. Four of my peeps and I decided to drive to La Jolla one lovely Sunday evening after hearing wonderous things about this place. Low lighting, large tables and a dining area that can be transformed from an indoor to an al fresco experience on warm nights gives the restaurant great ambiance. The tables weren't full when we arrived, it was 8:30pm on a Sunday after all, but I hear it's difficult to get a reservation on those Fridays and Saturdays. Having been there before, my brother suggested some dishes and ordered eight small plates: the seared scallops, mussels and fries, gnocchi, spaghetti with clams, the flatbread, their Caesar salad, the grilled escolar and...bone marrow. We asked for them to be brought out in three 'courses' and the waiter to pick a wine for each. It's difficult for me to narrow down which entrees I liked the most because all were delicious and beautifully presented, however a few were stand-outs... Definitely try: -Grilled Escolar (with yummy basil mashed potatoes, oooo) -Seared Scallops (five large on the small plate, perfect for our group and cooked to perfection) -Mussels and Fries (quite possibly the best mussels I've had, and the sauce was so good you could've given it to me in a go-cup with a straw) -Charred Bone Marrow (from the femur of a steer) -One or two or three of their wines (I think they have a fairly extensive collection) Ok so the bone marrow...gross, right? I thought the very same thing and felt the escolar and scallops rising even as the plate was being set on the table. There are about five chunks to a plate, sprinkled with garlic and parsley, and served with a few thick slices of toast. It took some coaxing before I agreed to suck it up and give it a try and I started to question my decision as soon as that gelatinous-looking mass was spread over toast and handed to me. I figured since it was in front of me I'd go ahead with it, after all bone marrow isn't something I'd order on my own...ever. So, provided you spread it over toast (for this is the only way I tried it), the verdict can be summed up in two words: LIKE BUTTA!
(5)San Diego R.
Went yesterday for lunch and had the most amazing experience. The layout is great with this awesome patio with comfy booths. The service was outstanding, Eric was our main server and he knew his stuff. The way he described the food, the mimosas and overall concept had our mouth watering even before we saw any food. I loved the vibe and the food was perfect. I will be back and will recommend my hotel guests cause this spot is my new favorite in La Jolla. Thank you again to all the staff members for really making a casual lunch turn into a magical fun experience.
(5)Megan M.
They have very interesting drinks....like cucumber vodka and cava mixed. We had several appetizers which all were interesting combinations. Next time I am coming here for dinner!
(5)Drew P.
Any place that offers chorizo date fritters is ok by me. Didn't have a reservation on a full night, but we still got a table within 15 minutes. My scallops were cooked perfectly. Sounds crazy, but I have a hard time finding restaurants that can cook them right. My wife's pasta dish was tasty as well and had very fresh ricotta with it. Definitely the best dinner I had during my visit to the San Diego area.
(5)Tanya R.
Came here on a Friday for their happy hour before seeing a lecture at the MCASD (about 4 blocks away if you want to walk there from the restaurant). We got here around 5:30 and you have to sit in bar area for happy hour. Wasn't too crowded which was nice, come 6:30 it was slammed and standing room only! Started with some alcohol of course, and saw the pitcher of sangria (choice of white or red; we got the red) was $20 on the happy hour menu...WHAT?! Most expensive pitcher of sangria EVER...but than the pitcher came...it seemed like it was almost a gallons worth! So made the price seem more reasonable. But the excitement of the large amount that was given was diminished by the lack of flavor. Don't think you can call it sangria. No fruit in it, had wine for sure, but didn't pick up any flavors of spices or fruit. Costa Brava still holds the title of best Sangria. I wasnt too impressed with the happy hour tapas selection with a choice of maybe 7 things (shrimp, potatas bravas, grilled peppers, olives, calamari pea ragu, flat bread) at $3 a pop. the plates were quite small except for the potatoes. You get maybe 4 shrimp, so price is probably accurate to quantity. The Ragu was okay, but was more minced calamari, so couldnt pick up on the wonderful texture of calamari, and smelled a little not fresh to me. Not impressed with the potatas bravas, and I've had a few from different places (The Turquoise and Costa Bravas are good). The shrimp was the best and was very good, cooked to perfection. Perhaps the regular menu items might be better quality or more impressive flavors, but they definitely skimp out on the happy hour tapas. By having just their tapas, one might conclude that perhaps their full menu is something left to be desired. If there wasn't a budget, I would've tried something on the regular menu, like the bone marrow or muscles and fries, but the prices were a bit steap for me. Decor was relaxed, and cool. And people seemed...well...like La Jolla people. Trying to get a reasonable priced restaurant experience serves to be near impossible in La Jolla. But this place might be one of your best bets.
(3)Elena A.
I'd heard great things about this place from one of my professors and decided to treat my boyfriend to lunch here. I absolutely LOVE this place! The water that they serve has this delicious, crisp lemon/cucumber flavor that's slightly salty---I could drink it all day. I tried the Ahi Tuna Sandwich and it came with a great garden salad and some homemade potato crisps. My boyfriend had the fish tacos, and it was his first time trying this dish, so I'm glad that the Whisknladle rendition left a good impression. The lunch menu is wonderful, and now I'll have to come back for dinner.
(5)Susan D.
Made it back for happy hour and the sangria is bomb!! Tried the flatbread that day with short rib and gruyere--yumm but wish the serving was larger. The skirt steak with golden beets was pretty amazing as well and my friend's chorizo stuffed dates were to die for. Basically, $20 pitchers of sangria make everything ok. And you can't go wrong with the tapas, bring friends so you can try lots :)
(5)Ruben L.
I'd actually say a 3.75, but our waiter was that fabulous that he brought it up. My sister, wife and I checked this place out on Tuesday nite. I had never heard about this place, but my sister seemed to be pretty stoked about trying it. The place is pretty posh (as one might expect of La Jolla). The decor inside was black and white, and seemed hip and modern. Our host sat us outside (where a majority of the people were dining actually). I can imagine that this place is pretty cool to check out in the summer, but it wasn't that bad- they had the heat lamps going over head so we were fairly comfortable. The menu was not too big, but had some very tasty options. They have a rotating menu, so things can change at any given time. We started out with the Sea Scallops (served on sweet potatoes) and the cutting board which was basically a meat and cheese sampler. The scallops were excellent, and complemented well by the sweet potato. The meat and cheese sampler too was quite tasty. We had a spicy chorizo, salami, and some other meat I can't pronounce. Along with that we had a goat cheese, and some hard cheese I didn't care for too much, but my wife and sister really enjoyed. Following that, my party and I decided to split a Caesar salad, lobster bisque, and Jidori chicken. The salad and bisque were just ok, but the Jidori chicken was FABULOUS. The server likened it to Kobe beef, and said every bite was juicy and delicious. He was dead on. I've never had chicken quite that good (sorry KFC). To be honest though, I think the whole dining exp. was made by our server. Not only was he super knowledgable about the menu, but he was very attentive, and quite charming. Each time we ordered something, he seemed so happy. He almost sold us on some dessert, but it was getting late and we wanted to get going. The good: food was of a high quality, organic, and everything made from scratch The bad: between our first order, and our second, there seemed to be about a 15-20 minute wait. Dinner lasted 2 hours! The ugly: I'm still trying to develop my appreciation for "fine dining" but the price on some of these things was kinda nuts. $11 for a caesar salad? $15 for 2 scallops? It was good, but c'mon. Overall- I don't know if I'd come back to this place immediately, but in time I think I would. This is definitely a place you could turn a meal into an entire evening. Kudos to the servers!
(4)Mike H.
This place was really good the time I went. I got the paddle with different cheeses and ham and crackers. Very flavorful and great atmosphere!
(4)Lola Z.
Wish I lived closer, would frequent everyday. Nice restaurant, great wine list, bone marrow, attentive, friendly service.
(5)wolf t.
At this point of my jaded foodie career, it's hard to find something new. But charred bone marrow was a revelation. You know how foie gras is meat butter? This is even butterier. Get it, and don't let the server talk you out of it. Also, the Cutting Board charcuterie plate was wonderful. Octopus gnocchi is not rubbery at all. Wine list is short but carefully-chosen. Relaxed ambiance. Prices are surprisingly reasonable given the food quality. My only regret is that we didn't have enough room for dessert.
(5)Bonnie L.
My mom was in town visiting me and I wanted to treat her to dinner for her birthday. I chose Whisknladle because I wanted a fantastic meal with an inviting atmosphere so we could spend some quality time together. We went to an early dinner at about 5:30 and were promptly greeted and seated at a great little table next to the open air. Our waitress was Catherine. She was attentive and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, which was extremely helpful when trying to decide what to order! My mom saw the summer salad and immediately knew that it was what we should start with. I ordered the Striploin with chanterelles and potatoes, and Catherine recommended the Albacore with beets, braised cucumber and celery in a mustard creme sauce to my mom. First of all, the summer salad is one of my favorite salads I have ever consumed. It has corn, avocado, celery, hearts of palm, and grapefruit with a balsamic type dressing. I usually hate grapefruit but it was so amazing in this salad! All of the ingredients seemed to work so well together, I couldn't stop eating it. It probably took me all of 30 seconds to down the thing. The Striploin was incredibly juicy and flavorful, and the potatoes were so tender and tasty that they must have been cooked in some kind of butter or yummy fat. Not only did I hear this a million times from my mom, who by the way never steps out of the box when it comes to food, but the Albacore was sensational (just as our waitress said). We had never has braised celery before, and it was great! The mustard creme sauce was the perfect addition to the lightly seared albacore on the plate. Just like the salad, all of the elements worked together perfectly. To finish off the meal, my mom ordered a scoop of the blackberry sorbet and I had a scoop of the pineapple. The blackberry was great, but the pineapple was definitely something to write home about! It had a chili flavor in it which made it absolutely phenomenal. All in all, the perfect end to our mother - daughter meal. I think a real restaurant experience should have great food, great service, and a great atmosphere, and I think Whisknladle possesses all of these components. I will definitely be back and will recommend it to all of my friends!
(5)Jen S.
Who knew happy hours could be so pricey? $246.00 for five people?!?! It must have been all the good food and wine that this fine establishment offers. Sunny was very accommodating as our party drifted in on a Friday night. The bar seating isn't the most ideal set up for a group but we make due with what we had. I started with a glass of Merlot and the banana mouse dessert. I had a rough week and this contained my favorite three foods, bananas, peanut butter and chocolate! It was rich. The Merlot added a nice flavor to the banana. The potato's with aioli sauce. Good but since they were on the $3.00 tapas menu there were only like five small potatoes. The Caesar salad was a pretty good portion, tasted how most other restaurants do. Not sure what else to say about that. In fact the whole experience was pretty good. Sunny was on top of the drinks for us and the food runners kept accidentally bring us out food that had already been served. Chorizo Date Fritters I didn't have but the table loved them. I had the butternut squash which was really good. The only down side was that the squash was little tough but the flavor was good. The half board was an actual cutting board served with raisins still on the vine, pickles, cheese and a variety of meats. This was a big hit. The rest of our tab went to the drinks. I was disappointed with the sangria selection for the night. It was a similar flavor to a bloody mary with pepper, tequila and I don't remember what else but I didn't see any pitchers on any tables. We stuck with wine. BTW the total tab included a 20% gratuity. I'm not sure why but check your receipt before you pay. ***Update: After my review I was contacted by Arturo the owner and he was kind enough to provide me with some helpful information. 1.) It is 18% for parties of six or more. We were charged 20% since it was restaurant week. We were not notified however like I mentioned earlier or party wandered in slowly and not all at the same time. 2.) Next time order a bottle of wine instead of individual glasses. Yeah I know this however we were all drinking different things. And we did order a 1/2 bottle of wine for $15.00. 3.) The food that the server was accidentally bringing out was no accident. Wink, wink. 4.) He took note to offering another Sangria option instead of just one. So I know that I will get slack for this but I'm going to bump this place up a star for it's customer service. My initial three star was by no means over a bad experience. It was what three stars means "A OK". I think it's great that Arturo reads the reviews on his place and even cares enough about my experience to contact me and invite me back. I will gladly take my business to a place where my opinion matters. Thanks for the clarification.
(4)Lindsay S.
Sigh. Dinner started strong here. And then we had high hopes. Sadly, we were let down. Let me start with the positives. Service: A+- Kirsten was awesome! Super friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. She was very attentive and wanted us to really enjoy our meals. I would recommend her highly. Food: B/B-. The apps were quite tasty. I had the pork pasta and my husband had the carving board ( dried meats and cheese) and we both thoroughly enjoyed them. The pasta could have had a bit more flavor. I just felt there was a little something missing but overall good. Move on to the entrees and this is where it starts to go down hill. I got the scallops and the hubs got the sea bass. My scallops were slightly undercooked and didn't have a good sear. I hated the polenta that came with my scallops but I don't really care for polenta much to begin with. Both texture and taste were off. The sauce was just ok- neither liked nor strongly disliked it. The hubs's sea bass was poached (so they tell us) which gives it a half cooked half raw texture. Neither one of us liked it. It would have been better if it was straight sashimi or cooked more thoroughly. And the sauce on that was REALLY buttery- rich and heavy which didn't go well with the sea bass. Because my husband questioned our server about his fish, she offered us an extra dessert for free (we already had a Bloomspot which was for 2 starters, 2 entrees and a shared dessert). So we decided to get the cookie plate and the blueberry cobbler. Unfortunately neither was that good. The biscuits in the cobbler were overcooked- dry and not flaky and soft like they should be. Therefore, the blueberry mixture itself was also a bit overdone. On the cookie plate, the salted caramel chocolate tart was good but nothing else was that memorable. The tiramisu piece was dry and unflavorful. The chocolate chip cookie was crunchy and flavor was OK but I make better cookies! And the truffle and the sandwich cookie were just meh. Sadly we started strong and progressively went downhill. If you paid full price for a meal here, it would NOT be worth it. But the ambiance/setting is nice and the service was perfect. The food just let us down.
(3)Tiffie L.
I always loved the name "Whisknladle" and the restaurant caught my eye whenever I was in downton La Jolla. Last week, my boyfriend took me here for dinner on a weeknight and wow, the place was packed! We had to wait about 20 minutes and finally landed a table around 8:30 pm. I love the ambience of Whisknladle; it really is the perfect setting for the dinner. The front half of the restaurant is outdoors, but covered with a roof. At night, there are Christmas like lights along the walls, providing a dimly lit and romantic atmosphere. Inside, there is a bar and the kitchen is open for view. There's something for everyone. Our server was quite friendly and obviously loved his job and the food there. He recommended the flatbread, which we ordered and shared. The flatbread is SO thin, but the ingredients are fresh, unique and blend together so well to make a wonderful appetizer. I ordered the Crows Pass Bloomsdale Spinach Salad -- omg. That's some real, organic, huge pieces of spinach. You felt healthiness in each bite! And the dressing was so unique - a slow poached egg with mustard bacon vinaigrette. I asked for the dressing on the side, but the waiter assured me it was light and to just have it mixed. It was a very light dressing, but the spiciness of the mustard was still a bit strong for me. And I cannot stop thinking about the BRIOCHE CROUTONS. Delish. My boyfriend had the Squid Ink Fettucini. That was YUM. I loved the prawns - so tender. The fettucini was perfectly cooked - al dente and chewy. Dessert, however, was a bit disappointing. We ordered the Apricot Blueberry Galette, which I have had on other occasions... the crust here was less than satisfactory. It was neither a pure flaky crust nor the hard, cookie crust... but somewhere in between. And it was not sweet enough to complement the tartness of the apricots & blueberries. I was disappointed, but perhaps ordered the wrong dessert on the menu. I hear raving reviews for brunch and would definitely come back to try brunch!
(4)J L.
Alot of hype for nothing. The food was ok but they burnt the crap out of my pasta all around the edges. It was like potato chips when i recieved it. But the middle of my pasta was normal and that part tasted ok.
(2)Sarah C.
My brother and his fiance got us a gift card to Whisknladle for Christmas this year; they've never been, but as my brother said, "It looked like a place you'd enjoy, and even I would go." So, there you go. The pool at the Y was closed last night, so I took the opportunity to schedule a date night for Nate and I - the Y and Ironman training is what our lives are revolving around currently :) I made a reservation online at Open Table; I probably didn't necessarily NEED to make one, but the place was hoppin' when we arrived at 7:30pm on Friday night, so I was glad I did. We got there early, took a walk around the block, and our table was ready by the time we got back. The atmosphere was different. There's a bar/lounge inside, but the rest of the seating is on the patio. They've done the place up so you don't feel like you're on a patio, especially when you are seated near the back, as we were. Low lights, cozy tables - perfect date night. Emily, our server, was fantastic. She was quick to refill our drinks, and didn't mind spending five minutes with us while we asked her questions about the menu. We took her recommendations, and were SO HAPPY with our meal. FIrst, we started with a small Cutting Board. It came with three types of cured meats, two cheeses, bread, olives, homemade raisins, mustard, olive tapanade, pickles, onions, and these really, really tasty nuts - some were pumpkin seeds, and there were other varieties mixed in. A large Cutting Board could easily be a meal for two - we were feeling slightly full just from the small one! Next, the main course. I ordered the special of the evening - white Sea Bass with clams, beans, and Swiss Chard. The fish was perfectly prepared; it had a wonderful sear on it on fell apart at just the touch of my fork, The beans (I can't remember what kind they were) were also delicious - they were large, meaty, and added a nice texture to the dish. I had never had clams before, and decided after trying a couple that they just aren't my thing - I don't like the chewy texture or feeling like I'm eating the bottom of the ocean :). However, they were a nice touch to the presentation of the dish. Nate ordered the Braised Pork Cheeks. These were also done perfectly. They melted in your mouth and had a sweet flavor due to, we think, the dates and currents (?) in the dish. They were served on polenta, which added some heaviness to the dish. I preferred my fish, but Nate enjoyed the pork. For dessert, on Emily's recommendation again, I ordered a scoop of the Coconut Hibiscus Sorbet, and Nate ordered a scoop of the Oatmeal Ice Cream. The sorbet was refreshing and very sweet; the ice cream was AMAZING. I know Oatmeal Ice Cream sounds strange, but it was really, really good. There was a hint of cinnamon, not overwhelming, and even though it was ice cream, the flavors made it tast warm, like oatmeal! All in all, a great meal. It is on the expensive side, which is not unusual in La Jolla. They pride themselves on their local, organic food, and on making so much stuff in house, and I have to say, based on our meal, they should be proud of that. This is a great place when you are looking for something extra special. I'm very happy my brother chose Whisknladle for our Christmas present. :)
(4)Lesley C.
Heading to the Whisknladle for dinner, I was a little nervous, I won't lie. I took a look at the menu ahead of time and honestly didn't even know what half of the things were! But it was restaurant week and my friend had chosen the place, plus I'm a pretty adventurous eater, so off we went! And was I happy I did! Service: Amazing! From the manager changing our reservation day of, to our busboys constantly filling up our water glasses, to our server Emily being pleasant and accommodating and just plain sweet, the staff really made our night! Drinks: Besides having wine and beer my boyfriend and I each had a Margarita and a Manhattan. The drinks were strong and delicious! The bartenders sure know how to make em'! Food: Everything was delicious! We were able to pick anything off the entire menu and we were all surprised that the portions were plentiful (remember it was restaurant week). We even took leftovers home! Apps: We started off with bone marrow, steak tartare, scallops, and the meat & cheese plate. I could have eaten a million of those bone marrow plates! Delectable and melted in your mouth! I had never had steak tartare before and was skeptical when it was placed in front of me but it wound up being smooth and subtle and so pleasant! I should have realized a million chefs can't be wrong. Entrees: I chose the scallop dish as an entrée and it was amazing! It was so subtle and cooked perfectly. The best part was the massage that was on the scallops. It made the dish! My friend got the ink squid pasta which was creamy and incredible. Her dish made me double think my choice. My boyfriend got the gnocchi which was opulent and hearty with melted Brie on top. I couldn't stop stealing forkfuls. Dessert: I think we all could have called it quits after the appetizer and entrees but dessert was included after all. Tiramisu, Apple Upside Down Cake, and Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème. All super rich and decadent. None of us could even finish ours. None of us! And that's saying a lot since my boyfriend finishes his dessert no matter what! I don't give 5 start ratings out a lot so believe me when I tell you this place is worth it! I'm still thinking about that bone marrow and ink squid pasta. Mmmm.
(5)Hppn H.
Tried this place one day because we heard it was good and one item we wanted to try was the bone marrow. Took a seat at the bar and turned out to be a great night. The bar tender recommended some great dishes to try, and we opted for the pork shoulder. It was tender and very good. The main item we wanted to try was the bone marrow, and it was worth it. Just not enough marrow if you ask us. It was buttery and just tasted good on toasted bread. The drinks were very good. Tried some Blue Label, and it was smooth. Cant beat a good meal and even some Blue Label. Next time will try the steak, heard it was good, but we were out and about shopping and came across so thought it would be nice to give this place a try and was not disappointed. Good atmosphere, however the only downside is finding parking. But once you find a place, your set. After dinner, you can walk towards Prospect drive and just have a stroll and grab a coffee or go window shopping at the boutiques. We however were enjoying the flow of drinks so the evening was just great all around. If your in the area, should at least give it a try for yourself.
(4)Valentina M.
Oh Whisknladle, how delicious are you? I came here for Restaurant Week with my fiancée. We were super excited to find out that we were able to choose our courses from the restaurant's entire menu as opposed to the typical pre-fixed Restaurant Week menu situation. We came here on a Thursday and the place was pretty busy but we had a reservation so we were seated immediately. Our waiter was with us pretty quickly and took our drink orders. He was also very helpful in explaining the menu to us. I ordered the flat bread with apples, bacon, gruyere cheese, and arugula as my appetizer, the scallops for my entrée, and the gelato trio for dessert. My fiancée got the cutting board to start, the hanger steak for his entrée, and a s'mores pot the crème thingy for dessert. My flat bread was AMAZING! I loved the combination of sweet and salty and the crust was super thin so I didn't feel like I was eating a pizza... which is what most flatbreads are tending to taste like these days. It was also a pretty large size so I got to take about half of it home (leftovers for lunch ...woot!). I had a few items from the cutting board that my fiancée got. I liked the bruschetta and the cheeses were tasty. However, I was much happier with my flatbread decision because this cutting board was more spreads heavy and pretty light on the meats and cheeses, which I tend to enjoy more. My one complaint about the service here would be that it took a bit more time than usual before we got our entrees. But my scallops were totally worth the wait. They were seared to perfection and the corn that they came with was super fresh and delicious and went well with the sage brown butter sauce. I also took a bite of the hanger steak which I thought was very good, but the fries it comes with were nothing to write home about. However, this situation was somewhat remedied when my fiancée asked for a sauce to accompany his fries and the waiter brought him some sort of garlic aioli. As for the dessert, I have heard good things about the gelato and sorbet so I chose the gelato trio (vanilla, chocolate, and hazelnut). I really wanted to try the peach sorbet but the waiter told me that I couldn't switch out a gelato for a sorbet. I think that this is silly because scooping ice cream does not really involve too much work , especially because the platting was very simple. It also came with a crisp that tasted like a waffle cone. The hazelnut flavor was really tasty but the other two were kind of boring. I had a bite of the fiancee's s'mores dessert which was very good but kind of difficult to eat because of the toasted marshmallow on top. We also got a coupon for a free dessert at one of their sister restaurants (yay!). Definately 4 stars!
(4)Roddy G.
Full review with pics on site "So this first visit to WhisknLadle was a pleasant one. No one in our party was blown away, but I wouldn't say anyone was let down. I wouldn't mind seeing what their monthly supper club has to offer, sampling more of the menu during happy hour""
(3)Wendy A.
Flatbread makes a yummy, light appetizer. Pork verde was good and hearty. Omelette special was ok.
(4)Cathy W.
Came here with a few friends for dinner and this place didn't really turn out all that they hyped it up to be...I do have to say that the service is pretty superb here - as soon as we arrived, they seated us right away, came by get our order soon after, and refilled out water maybe a few too many times throughout the night. They also serve bread - delicious & with soft butter, definitely can't complain! We ended up ordering: 1. Cutting Board - appetizer-like except we got the full size and there was definitely a lot of food even for 4 people! the board comes with baked bread, cheese, cured meats, pickles, and mustard/spread...everything was delicious on this board! 2. Carlsbad Aquafarm Mussels & Fries - my friend got this dish & this was one of the best mussels I've ever had! they were in a cream-based sauce and it was extremely flavorful! (and the fries are definitely a bonus!) 3. Seared Maine Scallops - I only tried a small bite and it was more than enough for me to taste the flavor throughout the entire scallop! this is probably the very first time I've ever had scallop that was seared through and through with the flavors...very impressed! 4. Cauliflower Ravioli - this dish was mediocre IMO...nothing really stood out about this dish, unfortunately... 5. Hand Made Gnocchi - I got this dish and it had octopus in it...it was my very first time eating gnocchi & it was pretty good. they also put interesting octopus parts in the dish (including the tentacles)...that was unique...but I just didn't really feel the "wow" factor from this dish! After the meal, we were all pretty stuffed, so we didn't order any dessert. But the waiter was nice enough to bring over a plate of dessert (I forgot the name) on the house when he delivered our check. That was a pretty nice little surprise. =) Overall, I was impressed with the service and some of the dishes; however, it's pretty pricey here and I just didn't feel that the food is worth that much (probably because my gnocchi sucked in comparison to all the other dishes). In addition, because this place is in downtown La Jolla, it takes some effort to find parking especially on the weekends. Other than that, I'm not so sure if I'd ever come back here when I can get delicious food at a lower price elsewhere!
(3)Heather R.
Great happy hour and brunch spot with friends. Good vibes, good bartenders, great beers, can hear yourselves talk, but fills up quickly with people. Definitely try the cucumber mimosa!
(4)Damian T.
Excellent breakfast food, great service, great location, great vibe. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Joe S.
Had dinner here last week. My wife her sister both joined me. Food was amazing and our favorite Waiter Bob was there to take excellent care of us. Really appreciate great food with a great presentation and the superior personal service of Bob.
(5)Capri S.
I have eaten at whisknladle a few times now. They are what I like to call faux sustainable. They talk the talk. Their menu sounds good. The food is decent. Yet, when I ask for cream in my coffee, they serve me Alta Dena. They are not fully in integrity with their supposed intentions. As an individual concerned with food quality and humane treatment of animals, I obviously am not pleased with this. Alta Dena is the epitome of what is wrong with our food system. Whisknladle, my message to you is, get better half-and-half.
(2)Bailey Z.
We came here for Sunday brunch after a night partying out on the town. We had reservations for noon and the place was half-empty so I didn't really understand us having to wait outside for ten minutes when our table was already ready. They said they were waiting on another group, but nobody else was there. They asked another group of customers to wait ten minutes despite the fact that the place had plenty of empty tables. Anyway, my first impression is organic, fresh, and green. The menus were made of recycled paper, which made this place seem even more environmentally friendly. You can help yourself to free coffee, but don't be deceived by the pastry bar! They actually cost $3.00 each. As for the actual food here, it's not really brunch food. They are quite limited in their breakfast items and everything is more so geared toward lunch. They open at 11:00 AM, which might explain their lack of a larger selection for breakfast. The tuna melt seemed like a popular item as half the people at our table got it. It tasted pretty good, minus the capers. I chose the Cubano, which is a Cuban sandwich with slowly braised pork and ham. Although the bread was good, traditional Cuban sandwiches use rolls, which are then sliced diagonally into two after they are pressed. I would have liked to see something like that, especially since they bake their own bread. It was still very tasty and you can taste the quality of ingredients that they use. It's true that you get what you pay for. Their motto outside their restaurant awning is "You get out of the pot what you put into the pot," which definitely holds true. I also got to try the grilled fish tacos, which were a bit on the soggy side, but had great taste, and also the Cutting Board, which was an assortment of cured meats and artisan cheese. I think the best thing about this place is that everything is made from scratch. Despite the smaller portions, I definitely got more satisfaction out of every bite. I think the low point of the meal was the french fries because they weren't very crispy. In fact, they were just like fries from In-N-Out. Lastly, the water they serve is interesting because it is cucumber-lemon flavored. I like the food, but I would love to see a larger breakfast menu in the future.
(4)Marsha R.
Love love love this place! The brunch is my favorite. Best chilaquiles I've ever had!
(5)JS O.
Awesome food. Lots of organic options. Excellent service. Well worth the price.
(5)George O.
Just back from the newly remodeled space now housing Whisknladle (the former site of Fresh/er). We went based on passing by the previous evening after we had already had dinner and a) being intrigued by the menu (especially dessert, of which more later), and b) having a couple of the staff actually invite us in for a tour--their enthusiasm in showing of the place was infectious. If you go to the bar, look for the silver pig. The service was friendly and impeccable. Admittedly, we were there on a Wed. evening, so it wasn't terribly busy. The waiter knew the menu and appeared at the table the right amount--not hovering, but there when needed. Glasses were refilled appropriately. Very well done. The menu provides a series of small plates and a very few larger servings. We opted for a mix. We like to taste and share, so we ordered soup, vegetable, risotto, and fish, and shared across the table. This behavior was condoned and seemingly even enjoyed by the staff. The asparagus was superb--perfectly sauteed with a shaving of manchego--a perfect cheese for asparagus. All the dishes were excellent. A series of small plates is akin to a tasting menu, and theswe are quite small, but the above, plus dessert was just right for us. We didn't sample the cocktails on this outing, but they looked quite nice, and the bar was well attended and convivial. Some interesting signature cocktails are on the list. The wine list is respectable, not extensive, but well-chosen. We settled on a split bottle of Pinot Noir that was perfect for us. Dessert--ah, dessert. This is what had intrigued us the preceding evening. In point of fact, it was the chocolate-orange fallen-souffle torte, and it was well worth the evening. My life partner was transported. Sweet-tooth boy that I am, I also ordered the chocolate-peanut butter vacherine. The ice cream was wonderfully smooth and the fudge sauce was perfect, only the meringue on which it rested was below expectation (still good, though). Bonus points: the host remembered that we had come back from the preceding evening on the strength of the torte, and comped it. Not an inexpensive place; bring money (not at the top end of La Jolla, but that is not saying a lot). Looking to wow your gf/bf/spouse/partner? It's a lovely spot, the service is attentive without being overwhelming, it's friendly, the food (esp dessert) is sensual, and the decor is attractive--definitely a romantic spot.
(4)Justin B.
Went here for our anniversary and it was fantastic. The food, the service, the atmosphere was all perfect. All the fresh and natural ingredients they use really make a difference as everything we had was very tasty... Flatbread appetizer, Caesar salad, Chino Farms Kabocha Squash Ravioli, & Tagliatelle Bolognese. Plus the 1/2 bottle wine recommendation of the 2007 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir was excellent. Definitely will be back.
(5)Kim P.
very comfortable environment - covered, open air seating amazing and unique food selection creative cocktail list, full wine list, plus some local beers amazing design & thoughtful level of detail to everything Plus, the waitstaff was very friendly and prices seems reasonable Highly recommended
(5)Jill S.
Absolutely love this place. Great food, great staff super yummy drinks.
(5)Andres M.
Appetizer: Shared Entree-Sized Cutting Board artisan cured meats, artisan cheese, mustard & pickles Entree: Alaskan Halibut Tartare creme fraiche, meyer lemon relish & Crows Pass garden lettuce Wine: Albarino Entree: Steak and Fries Entree: Chicken stuffed with sausage over a bed of broccolini Dessert: Coffee Marscapone tres leches cake, cara cara oranges & caramelized cocoa nibs Dessert: Ice cream trio Dessert: Bacon Apple Crisp with Maple Ice cream Food: I was satisfied after the appetizer, full after the entree and stuffed after the dessert. The wine was aliquoted in the kitchen and poured from a smaller bottle at the table and there was no charge for corking - albeit, I did only order a glass and not a bottle. There was of course the pre-meal bread baguette and butter. Food: The appetizer was wonderful. We shared it between the three of us and I would have been good on the cheese/meats alone - in fact, I may do just that for a business meeting sometime! There was an oiled pork portion that was very good and the ground olives made me wish they sold it by the mini-jar for me to take home. The tartare was light and refreshing and the salad served with it was also surprisingly good for such simple greens. The presentation was a little sloppy as they didn't wipe the plate completely and there was definitely some stray sauce. The steak was nothing special, good texture, well-seasoned. The chicken was moist, but the broccolini lacked seasoning and texture. The dessert was by far the best experience of the night. The cake was light and refreshing, which is the way I like to go. The nibs were my favorite part as they worked well with the citrus. The cake at the bottom was a bit dry on top and viscous from soaking up the leche on the bottom. I tried the entrees and desserts for both The trio of ice cream was also good. The bacon apple crisp, however, was beyond amazing. Nice and tart from Granny Smith apples, creamy from the caramel and filling. A nice touch with some rosemary in the filling to give it an intriguing flavor, and the salty touch of the bacon put it over the top. The maple ice cream over the crisp was also great. Service: They're well-staffed and the servers are very good about keeping your glasses filled and checking in on your regularly throughout your meal. Andres did notice that after as the meal was winding down, the servers did begin to neglect the table but I would attribute this more to the restaurant being more filled than the empty that we started with. There was also a point where the server was unfamiliar with John's dessert options and had to ask the kitchen. To our server's credit, the wine he recommended went very well with my tartare. Overall: It's a nice and relaxed place to take someone out on a date for. Nicely decorated and the casual setting made it very comfortable. Reservations aren't really required on a Tuesday night when we went, but you can make them. But you can get $20 pitchers or red or white sangria which next time they have their happy hour. The menu is a bit difficult to digest before ordering if you're unfamiliar with a lot of terms, so you may need to bulk up on vocabulary before heading on over if you're not used to going out to eat.
(4)Jenn S.
Great inventive mixed drinks. Really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Would definitely return when I am in town next and for sure refer to a friend.
(4)Ariane B.
The atmosphere is pleasant & the food has potential... the young owner--Arturo--I believe he almost 28-- is quite ambitious in undertaking such a venture in the competitive & unforgiving culinary world. Our server was less than accommodating. He knew nothing from memory--had to check on specials, find out what the days's desserts were, forgot the simple requests--such as water & even failed to return our "doggie bag" leftovers to us at the end of the meal. There was, however, a friendly female--Jenny--who we flagged down to ask about the botrytis grapes still on the stem that arrived as an accompaniment to our charcuterie plate. She went out of her way to get us the information & stopped by several more times to give us updates & other "foodie" facts. Pork belly was equivalent to a Chinese sparerib--dry & faux-flavored. However, the sweetbreads were deliciously seasoned with pancetta, wilted greens & the overall savory/sweet combination that equaled DELIGHT! Wow! Sweet corn broth with mussels was so delicate & tasty--we passed the bowl & devoured every drop. It was a special offering, as the soup changes daily. We had all the items on the More Foodies list--to include date/chorizo fritters... most were good & I've already mentioned the stand-outs. Main courses looked less appealing, though all seafood dishes we tried received applause from the table. Bing cherry sorbet for dessert was tart, tangy & satisfying. The grapefruit sorbet was altogether awful--dry, crumbly & though it attempted to be a granita, it failed miserably in texture & consistency. The panna cotta was creamy, smooth & the perfect serving size. Prices were reasonable, except for the highway robbery CORKAGE fee of $25! Needless to say we did not open the bottle we brought--we even debated drinking it in the car beforehand! Service needs WORK, WORK & perhaps a bit of training... food will someday be as good as it strives to be--Ryan makes all the items in-house--kudos to his efforts! They will pay off! Addendum: Arturo, Whisknladle's owner, took the time to respond to the above review. His comments were fair and he acknowledged the establishment's shortcomings. Most of all his reply was appreciated by those of us who dined that evening (5 in all) -- we believe it shows professionalism & a committment to customer relations & overall service, Kudos to you Arturo!
(3)Wyn F.
I haven't Yelped in a really long time, but I felt compelled to stop by here to reward some excellent behavior. The short version: the food and service were amazing, but do plan for a fairly pricey evening if you like to have a cocktail and want to be filled when you leave the restaurant. The long version: We were sure to call ahead and make a reservation. Although we were five minutes late, we were told that our table wouldn't be ready for a few minutes, so we went to the bar. 20 minutes later, after much consternation, we were finally seated. But the "WNL" people are very smart. They could tell our party was antsy (my parents, visiting from out of town, hadn't eaten in 8+ hours.) The WNL crew not only sent us a (delicious!! free!) flat bread at the bar, the service continued to be attentive and well-informed throughout the night. They also know how to earn a 5-star review on Yelp: we were further treated to a small appetizer and a great dessert on the house for our patience. In addition to the excellent service (a smart hostess, a bartender who could accurately describe the flavors of his cocktails, a friendly and well-versed in the merchandise server, and a personable manager), the cocktails were yummy, the wine selection very pleasing, and the menu selections original and exciting. One thing I will say, although we rolled out feeling 10 times our original sizes--thanks to cocktails, dessert and extras--I thought my ravioli dish was slightly undersized (even though I double-checked that I had received the requested "entree" size.) My boyfriend's order of baby octopus also looked small to me, but the burger platter was huge (and apparently amazing) and the bolognese was so tasty and a decent dinner size. FYI: the food and the cocktails are pricey, but if experiencing surprisingly great tastes is your aim, along with being treated to low key but excellent and friendly service, then Whisknladle is your place. I look forward to visiting its sister entity, Prepkitchen, in the future. I hope this review helps you decide where to spend your dineros!
(5)Sean J.
On some rare occasions my parents visit in San Diego and I always try to find a new restaurant to try out to try to introduce them to things they wouldn't have otherwise found and tonight I think I hit the jackpot. My friend recently went to Whisknladle and gave it the 'must try' rating, but I had no idea what cullenary gems I would be treated to. Conveniently located in downtown La Jolla, Whiskenladle normally has a tough parking situation, but fortunately we had good timing and got a spot right across the street, so it was no big deal. I later looked on the website and found out that the hotel nearby validates parking which will be good to know in the future if I'm not as lucky. The restaurant itself is half inside half covered patio area. They have heaters throughout the patio so your never really cold which is a plus. The entire restaurant is decorated in black and white pictures of food (much like the website) and set a clean and simple feel which I like. Whiskenladle seems to take a lot of time and energy to make sure that the quality of the organic ingredients shows up in the quality of the finished product and it really evident in all aspects of the meal. They start with a crusted artisan bread with an herb butter spread and the classic cucumber flavored house water. If you are a water snob, they have the good stuff available as well, but the house stuff was good for me. I started out my meal with the Charred Bone Marrow with Capers, Shallots, Lemon, and Parsley on Toast and I have to say that it totally lived up to and exceeded my expectations. The salty and lemony flavors with the fatty texture on the crisp toast is really something that everyone should try. I followed this with Kabocha Squash Ravioli with Aged Balsamic, Sage, and Hazelnut Brown Butter which was another out of the park hit. The sweet squash and hazelnut butter contrasting with the aged balsamic was an unexpectedly awesome combination. My Mom got the Fennel Crusted Maine Scallops which were enormous and cooked perfectly, but my Dad's pick of the Sausage Stuffed Free Range Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash won the night hands down. The herb and salt mix on that perfectly prepared and moist bird with the sausage and potatoes is a perfect combination. We finished off the night with Concord Grape Ice Cream with Peanutbutter sauce and a Chocolate Torte which knocked me out for the count. There is alot left on the lunch menu and regular dinner menu that I can't wait to come back and try out and if its half as good as what Ive had so far, it will be worth the wait. An excellent meal in a fine atmosphere. If you want to see local food taken to the next level, I strongly recommend Wisknladle.
(5)Emme F.
Love love love this place....
(5)RJ A.
So I did return - I tried the pasta bolognese because of the raves - wow! I did not expect the wow factor from a bowl of pasta, but there you go - it made me like Whisknladle a little more. I was also wowed by the kumquat chutney, and I am usually ambivalent over chutney of any kind. So, I am giving it the five stars and planning to return. With the utmost respect, in regards to Matt P.'s review, there is a small microwave in the kitchen of the French Laundry, it is only used by pastry. Kudos Whisknladle for bringing good food to SD.
(5)Alexis M.
Amazing house special of drinks. Loved the pomegranite mojito. Food was fresh and flavorful. Ingredient combinations were thoughtful - i.e. chorizo and sunny side up egg on flatbread with tomatoe sauce.
(4)Barbara S.
The first thing that caught my eye was a Julia child quote on the menu. "You don`t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients. " That pretty much sums it up for Whisknladle. This place is very different than most places I've been to. The menu changes depending on what's in season and the ingredients are simple and uncomplicated. The food here is super fresh and you can totally taste it. The flavors are very defined and the ingredients though simple, come alive because of how they are perfectly paired. My friend and I started off with the Crispy Sweetbreads (mixed with chard, lentils & bacon.) A word of warning, there is no bread in this dish. This dish is composed of the thymus gland which is a pink-grey organ that lies underneath the top of the breast bone. In animals it is known as the sweetbreads. The waitress made sure to clarify this when we asked for the sweetbreads dish. When she explained we paused for a moment. Neither of us had ever eaten this and I guess we were feeling brave and adventurous because we ordered it anyway. It was a sweet and sour dish that had a very distinct flavor to it. Tasted kind of like chicken with a very soft texture. The bacon and chard it was paired with was perfect. It may be an acquired taste for some. The more I ate the more I liked it. I'm not sure I'd order it again but I'm glad i tried it. I feel more "worldly' now. We followed this with a grilled steak salad which came with fresh greens, marinated porchini mushrooms, light balsamic dressing and a fried egg topped w super thin crispy potatoes (super super thin and crispy fries, almost like crispy potato noodles). OMG this was melts in your mouth good. I was a little bewildered by the fried egg but it was perfect with the rest of the ingredients. The meat was very tender, the mushrooms were delicious. the ingredients all blended together complimented each other and totally exploded with every bite. So good. For dessert we shared a PB&J dessert. It was also fabulous and looked almost too good to eat. It was a fluffy chocolate lava cake,with peanuts and caramel on top paired with concord grape sorbet and dark chocolate. the sorbet had peanuts in it also. It was super good and such a creative take on a PB&J. Loved it. The perfect ending to our meal. The restaurant is located in the heart of La Jolla but doesn't have the stuffy vibe that some places in that area tend to exude. The ambiance is nice and relaxed. The decor is very sparse and modern. Clean lines. I like that. The staff is excellent, very friendly and helpful. If you come here, make sure to bring a credit card, it is a little on the pricier side but definitely worth every penny. I can't wait to come back here. Definitely a place to take someone you want to impress!
(5)Evan C.
Fun and fresh dishes. Felt very adventurous. Had 5 or 6 dishes to share among 4 people. This is one of those once in while places unless you can afford it. Even then, the idea is to try new stuff and you don't want the adventure to wear out. I did notice that in the summer they have a deal with Cups where they baby sit and the kids watch movies and eat cupcakes while the parent go to whisk n ladle and get like 15 percent off the bill.
(5)Edward J.
Day 10 hwy1 bicycle tour: We didn't bike here. We biked to Carlsbad and a friend there drove us claiming this place is her favourite place. It looks fancy like a west village restaurant. The interior is nice and I'm glad I showered before coming here after that long 70m bike ride. How was the food? Not good.......... So I got the squid ink pasta, I had squid ink pasta and it is good, this place didn't do its justice. The pasta noodle is not cooked enough, some of them tasted like hard dough... bad. My friend got the scallops with some sweet sauce. The scallops were good but the sauce was not. It was so much that it looked like a stew. Another friend got the trout with snap peas, simple enough? That tasted good. I should've got that. Though some of the snap peas didn't cook enough. SAD. Why so many uncooked meals? We should've got drinks... seems like that's the highlight of this place. I wouldn't come back here. PS: The dessert was good, I like the home made ice cream on almond cake. PSS: This place claim to use local goods... then why the high cost?
(3)Justin C.
I noticed a lot of people come here for dinner and happy hour. While I've heard Whisknladle is fantastic for those meals, I came here for brunch, not expecting much, but coming out decently surprised. We ordered the French Toast with Pulled Pork Belly, the Chestnut Tagiatelle, and an orange juice. During brunch, they have free coffee, which, as any student can attest to, is basically jackpot. First things first: The French Toast is AMAZING. They added it to the menu only a week ago but it is just delicious. The French Toast itself plays a subtle base to the deliciously tangy orange marmalade and the earthy undercurrent of delectably artery-clogging pork belly. This French Toast is worth however many years I'm taking off my life ticker. Pork belly artherosclerosis is probably the coolest of all the artherosclerosi, I reasoned to myself, as I chowed down. Split it between two people... I can see the flavors being overwhelming after a while. The Chestnut Tagiatelle couldn't compare to the flavor EXPLOSION of the French Toast but it is still delicious, with a fantastically light white sauce on the side and a very flavorful combination of chestnut and mushrooms in the actual pasta. And the pasta is gluten free! For any of you suffering from Dermatitis Herpeformis... yeah that was a med school shout out. A very good subdued compliment to the look-at-me! taste of the French Toast. If you couldn't tell, I'm a sucker for great service. Our waiter explained the menu to us very well and was very attentive and friendly. The only downside? Whisknladle is a little overpriced if you ask me. I made sure me and my girlfriend finished our small cup of orange juice because it cost four dollars and fifty cents. I could get a whole gallon of pulpy Tropicana at that price! Regardless, I will be back... but probably for their cheaper happy hour fare. But if you're there for brunch... GET THE FRENCH TOAST.
(4)Shawn B.
There is a HUGE problem at Whisknladle. And that is: deciding what to order from their fabulous menu, and then not stuffing yourself silly when you order too much. I came here with a group of 5 adults and 3 kids for brunch today. Other people have written very well about how Whisknladle delivers on its brunch menu, so I'll be brief. Food: Everything I ate was good, and everything I didn't eat looked good. I must try the octopus and spaghetti next time. Stars of the day: the cutting board (charcuterie and cheese) and the butterscotch budino. And the scones. Atmosphere: Not very crowded for a Sunday morning. I was surprised. Open and airy--there was even a sparrow that hopped around, delighting the kids. Pretty kid friendly place. Comfortable chairs. Service: Impeccable. Our server was courteous, prompt, and attentive. It didn't hurt that he was a cutie. He was also tolerant of snarky and indecisive diners. Case in point-- I was having a REALLY hard time deciding what to order, so I asked our server. He said for breakfast-y food, the chilaquiles. If I want salad, order the Caesar. For more lunch-y food, the tagliatelle bolognese. The fish tacos are also very good. My friend (the birthday boy, it so happens), looks at him and said, "Is there anything on the menu you haven't yet told us about?" (I don't quite recollect his exact words, I think it was a bit more clever than that. Nonetheless, he was being quite snarky.) I absolutely lost it; I was laughing so hard I was crying into my napkin. Our server graciously took everyone else's order while I attempted to regain my composure. I ordered the chilaquiles and they were very, very good. Okay, this was not quite as short as I planned in my mind. Brevity fail! Not to ignore the price factor--yes, it is on the pricey side, but it is worth it for the quality of the food, preparation, ambience and service. If you have the shekels, I highly recommend going here.
(5)Jane S.
Four of us had dinner there on Saturday night. Everyone loved their meals. I had the chopped salad and the appetizer portion of scallops. We ordered some of the specialty drinks which two out of three were liked. I would give it 4.5 stars but not an option. Service was very good. Desserts were fine but nothing outstanding, but that may have been what we ordered. I had not been there for dinner in a while, only lunch, but will come again soon.
(4)Bruce W.
HH here bombassh!t. $3 tapas, $5 sangrias - can't beat that! Bartenders Chris & Jake are knowledgible and great. -High-five guys!
(5)Jenn T.
I wanted to try everything on the menu. Who ever invented those dishes is genius!
(4)Jennifer R.
I took five of my girlfriends here for a girl's night out and it was absolutely the best meal I've had in a long time. Not only is the food amazing, fresh and innovative, but the portion sizes make it a great place to share so you can order a lot of different things and try the entire menu. The cocktails were delicious, nothing too syrupy or sweet, just fantastic concoctions made from real ingredients and our server Justin was fabulous (and adorable). Whisknladle has definitely jumped to the very top of my restaurant list in San Diego, it blows everything else out of the water.
(5)Jackie E.
My boyfriend and I knew exactly where we wanted to go for Restaurant Week when we heard Whiskinladle wouldn't have a pre-fixe menu! It was $40 for an appetizer, entree, or dessert of your choice off the entire menu! All the servings were a good amount, so I was actually stuffed after our appetizers. APPETIZERS: Lamb Sugo Rigatoni (pretty much pasta w/ ground lamb beef): This was just OK to me. It was good enough for my boyfriend to finish every bit of it, but everyone has different taste buds =P Cutting Board (Artisan cured meats, cheeses, pickles, olives, mustards, bread): Mmmm loved this! This would be great to share between 2-3 people as an appetizer. I finished about half of it and saved the rest to make room for my entree. ENTREES: We both got the Pan Roasted Flat Iron Steak (steak served with potatoes and crispy onions): Delicious!!! I ordered mine medium rare and it was perfect! The potatoes were excellent as well. DESSERTS: Vanilla Bean Panna (vanilla custard/yogurt topped with tangerine sauce, served with sesame crackers): Don't forget to mix the gelee with the tangerine sauce because the sauce is very very sour! Once you mix it... mmm it's like a tangerine/vanilla yogurt! And the crackers it comes with are great! I wish I could buy a whole box of them to snack on! DRINK (not included in Restaurant Week price): A pitcher of Sangria (Red) $36: Tastes like fruit punch! Soo sweet but good and still got us a little buzzed. This would be great to share between 4-5 people. We almost finished it between the two of us, but I was so stuffed, I couldn't finish my last glass. Jojo's Cookie Plate (Chef's selection of three house baked cookies): You get two of each cookie. We got a chocolate chip cookie, coconut cookie, and something else I'm not sure of. My favorite was the coconut one, but they were all good! This may have been the cheapest of the desserts, but I ordered it because I was already full and knew I would need to pack it, and cookies are perfect to take to-go! We had a wonderful experience here! The entire staff was extremely welcoming, friendly, attentive, and the food was great!
(4)Heather W.
well there you go...all I had to do was finally get an opportunity to eat dinner here to know they truly deserve 5 stars. by very bad luck the first attempt they were completely booked. yay for reservations! I tried some things I have never experienced before... 1. bone marrow - equally as scary as my first time eating oysters but they combine it with really great flavors and tasty garlic-like toast. 2. Chorizo & Date Fritters...this was probably the most unique appetizer i have ever experienced. the manager brought us a complimentary order due to not getting a table at our last attempted visit. very kind. she treated us like VIP the entire evening, further showing their great customer service. We were told that this appetizer has been served since day one at the restaurant. i can see why! 3. a cocktail made of rum, jalapeños and lime - WHOOOA..that is interesting. we couldn't finish it. it was intriguing...i kept wanting to try more, but the instant burning after swallowing began to creep into my ears and then i started to wonder what the 'later effects' of drinking almost pure jalapeños juice would do to my body...yeah not worth the risk. i think this would be a rocking shot though. 4. a chicken that made me feel like i had gotten the most special item on the menu. no joke...this was the best chicken on my life. ive never had something more flavorful and tender. maybe it's the fact that they use local organic ingredients...or maybe it's just because they rock. or both. yeah, probably both. but seriously, the jidori chicken is out of this world. we didn't manage to save room for dessert....and that pepper cocktail at the end was all I could handle...but they make their own sorbet and ice cream and id really like to try them next time. Overall, very impressed with the service and food. this place has a nice vibe and a young, hip ambiance to it. there is definitely a reason it is always busy..
(5)Lynn C.
Whisknladle serves really, good and unique food. There's your review. But if you want to know more, like what to get specifically, when to go, and how much you expect to pay, read on! WHEN TO GO Sunday night. Ample parking and slow night for diners. WHAT TO GET House Water - ours was spiked with cucumber. Refreshing. Bone Marrow - a gelatinous, spreadable mixture from beef bones that has an incredible, smooth texture and a light beef flavor. You spread it over some salted, buttered toast and eat while simultaneously letting the other person know that they're sorry for not getting the same. Chorizo Date Fritters - all I can say is that this combination tastes what you expect but absolutely works from a flavor perspective. These flavors were meant to be together. Mussels and Fries - Their version of moules frittes. Incredible broth and crispy fries. Can't go wrong with that. Polenta Cake, Blood Orange Marmalade, Olive Oil (OO) Gelato, Pine Nut Brittle - I mean you should get this dish out of sheer curiosity but if they're serving this dessert that night you can guarantee it'll be a winner. The flavors mix so well together you might wonder why you've missed this obvious combination before. The cake is dense, slightly crumbly. The OO gelato is hard to describe. It's just really rich and creamy but doesn't necessarily have the flavor of olive oil in it. WHAT YOU WILL PAY It's not a cheap meal but the food is something I'd expect from a place that charges $25-30 per entree and about half of that for their appetizer portions. It's best to go with a lot of people like we did in case you want to try everything. A good dinner with a glass of vin, 1 entree or 2 appetizer portions, and a dessert will set you back around $65-80 with tax and tip included. Whisknladle is a great spot to relax, have amazing food, and dine. I don't think I'm easily impressed by any means but this restaurant's service and culinary endeavors have definitely converted me. I'll be dining here again.
(5)Rosemarie S.
Very initimate setting and love their patio seating. Chef is fantastic and laid back crowd. Bar is small, Menu is amazing just dont order the TAR TAR lamb unless you like (RAW) lamb. lol
(4)Bailey C.
Great restaurant! And the food is phenomenal. In addition to what everyone has said about Whisknladle - I would save room for dessert and try the "ricotta fritter" -- OMG!!! That's all I have to say :)
(4)Paulina T.
Rich was an amazing waiter!!! :) Good food, great staff, great experience.
(5)Tommy K.
I truly wish yelp would add in a 1/2 star system, as this place is much more a 90% than an 80% restaurant. Regardless of the ratings, however, this is definitely a restaurant anyone in the La Jolla area should try out. Incredible food, an outstanding drink menu and top-notch wait-staff make it a solid night out anytime you go. The Food: Having dined at WhisknLadle numerous times, I've had the great pleasure of trying a large variety of samplings from the ever changing menu. From their appetizers my stand out selections would have to be their Crunchy Sweetbreads, Charcuterie Plate and Roasted Bone Marrow. And you can never go wrong with their Chorizo Date Fritters or amazingly crunchy and flavorful Flatbreads.
(4)Kathy C.
I went here with my family after my cousin graduated from UCSD for a celebratory dinner. He had heard from his friend that the bone marrow here was the best so we were all intrigued to check this place out. It's located in Downtown La Jolla so we were all expecting the food to be a bit pricier than your average restaurant, anticipating that quality and taste would compensate for the high prices we were expecting to pay. This was my first time eating at a higher-end restaurant like this, so maybe my opinion doesn't and shouldn't matter much. It's made known that they try to make as many things in-house, which is pretty awesome. Plus in the end, my aunt was paying for the bill so it didn't really hurt my wallet. :) Let's start off with the drinks and cocktails. These were actually very moderately priced. Prices you'd expect to pay for a cocktail, ranging from $8-12. I had the red sangria and my cousin had the Mint Cucumber Mimosa. They were both really refreshing and went well with the complimentary sour dough bread and butter they served. We ordered the Flatbread, Squid Ink Pasta, Scallops, Mussels, Bone Marrow, Seared Ahi Tuna, and Chorizo Date appetizer. Don't remember the names of the dishes verbatim.. My favorite out of all of them was the Scallops. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The others were alright. The Squid Ink Pasta was lukewarm when it came out and the shrimp served on top of it was just average. Nothing really special. The Seared Ahi Tuna was really good, but the consistency kept reminding me of Chicken From the Sea Tuna. But, again, I don't really know much about food, this is just my personal opinion purely based on taste. The service was okay. Our server was awesome, but some of the people coming during our meal to fill our waters or deliver dishes were rude and didn't really smile or answer our inquiries and requests politely, failing to create an ambiance of comfort that I was expecting out of such a high-tier restaurant. It's definitely a good place to try once for a special occasion or a pricey brunch while hanging out in Downtown La Jolla, to experience the unique flavors, but not somewhere to frequent.
(3)Jim Z.
God, the food was great, I was really drunk, it was embarassing. Did you know that sweetbread is neither sweet nor bread and I hit on my ex-girlfriend as if we were still a couple? (As it turns out, we still are). EDIT: Got back with my girlfriend as it turns out, even though I was trying to cut her out of my life. Visit at your own peril.
(5)Crystal H.
Came here for Restaurant Week with a group of friends. We were all excited to savor all the yumminess that we all read about on yelp. We arrived a little early before our reservations and were seated promptly. The open space and decor was amazing. I loved the simpleness of how everything was laid out and customer service was AWESOME! The wait staff were all attentive and worked together as a team. Made me happy to know that this establishment puts customers first. I love the fact that everything you consume in this restaurant is local and that certain parts of the menu changes daily to ensure the freshest ingredients. For starters I ordered the charred bone marrow, which tasted yummy. The lemon and capers added a nice tang to the bone marrow. The BF ordered the cutting board and it was a exciting spread I'd say. The assortment of cheese, meats, olives, tapenade, mustard, nuts, and toast. It was yummy! My friend ordered the mussels with fries, it was delicious. The broth definitely caught my eye in my palate; I'm already planning to order that the next time I go. For entrees, my BF ordered the Flatiron Steak. It was tender, juicy, and had all the right flavors in every bite. My friends ordered the scallop, I didn't try it, but they said it was cooked to perfection. Another friend ordered the chicken and I have a bite of it, it was juicy, tender, and lots of flavor. Now for my dish, I ordered the Duck Confit. It looked delicious on my plate, but unfortunately it failed to my palate. It was so salty that I couldn't finish it at all. It made me want to ask the waiter, "I ordered Duck Confit, not salt!" I was soooo sad and disappointed with my dish. The upside to this is, all the other dishes were good. Especially our pitcher of Sangrias, it was delicious! Definitely a must try. Whisknladle, as much as I would love love love to give you 5 stars, you were knocked down a star for the salted Duck Confit.
(4)Julia P.
I absolutely love this place and I'm glad I found it on Yelp. My fiance and I were looking for a good place in La Jolla for brunch and this place was perfect. The service here was beyond phenomenal and the waitress who served us even went out of her way to book us reservations at George's at the Cove for dinner. The establishment itself is very cute and was a combination of both indoor and outdoor seating which I loved because I love people watching. Their bloody mary's were also fantastic! I highly recommend this place and will definitely come back on my next visit!
(5)c l.
Good place for boys and girls in the 20s. Hottest is rude. We waited for an hour and it was not worth it at all. Very annoyingly fake environment. Food was bad and expensive. Very strange ingredients. I had something black in my pasta and it tasted like wax. Not a good experience over all - I'd rather had a foot massage with $$$$
(1)Jessica L.
This place is amazing. It was love at first sight. The restaurant itself has a personality of its own. The menu is pretty small (fits on one piece of paper), but it is great. Quality over quantity here. I've tried the flatbread, cutting board, charred bone marrow, squid ink linguini, gnocchi, mussels and fries, duck pappardelle, and some beef dish. Everything was so delicious.. I don't really know how to explain this. The food is jam packed with flavor and brings my palate on an adventure. The price is pretty good for what you get.. I would say that this restaurant is up there with some of the best I've ever had. Oh yeah, try their drinks. Super yum and strong!
(5)Trang N.
Okay, my first time trying this place and it was amazing! My girlfriend and I went and we had an amazing dinner. The scallops were cooked perfectly mussels and fries were pretty good and that in itself filled me up. The flatiron steak I ordered medium rare was prefectly cooked and well seasoned with a great wine reduction. The side of potatoes au gratin were perfectly cooked with a nice layer of golden grown cheesy crisp on top. And to top that off, the dessert was really good. My friend got the chocolate and I got the lemon dessert. They both had icecreams and I have to say the caramel icecream was my favorite. Although it took a long time to get our desserts, the waiter apologized for the long wait and even gave us free desserts for our next visit. With great food and excellent service, we'll definitely come back! I was debating whether to give this place a 4 or 5 star. But I think because of their excellent customer service and they support local farm goods, I had to give it 5 stars!!
(5)Lauren M.
So... attempt number two to go here. (We came here a couple days ago and it was closed for a private event. I was pretty upset and ended up eating somewhere else in the area and then coming here the very next day). But anyway, Robert was a wonderful server and I wouldn't have chosen otherwise. I ordered their charred Bone Marrow ($14.50) with toast, as well as their Flatbread for the night (included goat cheese, spicy salami, basil, and tomato sauce) ($14). Jay ordered their Mussels with Fries ($17). For dessert, we shared their Chocolate Torte with Caramel Ice Cream ($10). The Charred Bone Marrow was really yummy. I have a thing for not eating oily or fatty foods, but the toast was a perfect compliment to the bone marrow and didn't taste too fatty. I now crave this thing. Even though it might not sound too good, its delicious! The flatbread was tasty and crispy. The salami was a little salty, but the cheese was a great compliment. Jay had their mussels, and by the time it came around, I was too full. But he says they were great and the fries were a great addition. For dessert, we had their Chocolate Torte with their Caramel Ice Cream. I completely melted along with the ice cream. It was to die for, and definitely something I'd order in the future. The ambiance was nice, candlelit on the patio, but the crowd is a little loud and not an ideal place if you're looking for a quiet date. It is romantic otherwise, because a walk on the beach afterwards makes it all. :)
(4)Michelle T.
This is my favorite place to go during Restaurant Week. They offer the full menu and have never skimped on portions as I've had to take some food home in a doggie bag every time! The decor is rustic and modern which reflects their farm to table concept. They actually grow and use their own herbs in front of the restaurant. This is a solid restaurant and I have never been disappointed. Bone Marrow: This is where I first discovered bone marrow. They give a generous amount of this beefy, fatty goodness. Cutting board: Nice variety of charcuterie, cheeses, and pickled/marinated veggies. This is a must have if you're eating with a group. WNL Burger: Yummy burger, the meat itself is flavorful and the fried egg is just icing on the cake. Service is friendly and attentive. People are always checking on us. The prices may seem kind of high but I believe it is justified by the quality and taste of the food. If you're trying to figure out where to eat during your date night, I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Darcy C.
This place was amazing! We had arrived without reservations and three children and the staff was more than accommodating! The menu was comprised of ultra fresh uniquely prepared food! We had four different entrees between us and it was perhaps the best pasta I have ever eaten! Three cheers to whisknladle!
(5)Kai D.
With Puesto next door serving the best tacos around I can't believe how bad these were. The most dry corn tortillas I've had to date and about an ounce maybe less of fish with 2 strings of cabbage. Straight up pathetic. my date and I were literally shocked and both agreed we were being punked. Only reason the 2nd star is up is because the buratta was really bomb but those tacos... unforgivable.
(2)Jasmine Z.
This place is the BOMB!!! Everything we tasted is amazing, including the water. :-P It is La Jolla. So parking is a bit crazy. Arrive early.
(5)Cassandra S.
Met a girlfriend here for lunch. It was lovely. The service was wonderful, drinks were yummy and the food is to die for. Will be coming back if I can convince my husband to go to La Jolla!!!
(4)Christina H.
We got there right before happy hour ended, so luckily saved some money by ordering the Tuna Sashimi and Boquerones. Sashimi was fresh and delicious, and the boquerones were served over bread, which helped to balance out the saltiness of the boquerones. For our main dishes, we ordered the House-made Tagliatelle and the Scallops A La Plancha. the house-made pasta was super tasty. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the pork sausage ragu was not overpowering. The scallops dish was also really good, not overcooked, although the risotto nero was a little to salty, which is my only complaint about this place I guess. Service was great, the server was attentive, but not overbearing. He even knew how to use my instax mini 8 :)
(4)Andrew M.
The manager reached out not once, but twice, after my previous 3-star review, wanting us to know Whsknladle's dedication to making our experience even better. Respect! And we'll give them another try next time. We loved prepkitchen and hope this family of restaurants continues to thrive!
(4)Yvonne K.
Restaurant Week Dinner - January 2014 1. Love that they offer their full regular menu for restaurant week. 2a. Service was attentive until around dessert. With a few tables left in an almost empty restaurant you'd think they would be more attentive. Took a while for a waiter to appear to get our bill and some boxes. Also dessert took longer than I expected to come out even though there were a few tables left in the restaurant. 2b. A waiter or busboy came and folded our friend's napkin after she left her seat to go to the bathroom. But this only happened once though we all left at one point to go use the bathroom. 3. A three course meal here definitely fills you up, but I may have also had too much bread and water during the first course. I couldn't even finish my dessert which would have been the perfect portion if I had not been so full. Appetizers 1. Bone marrow was perfectly seasoned and soo good. Definitely a plate to share as it comes with three decently sized bones and ~ four triangles of thick buttery toast. 2. Cutting board is another good one for sharing. Three hungry girls couldn't even finish this one. Though the waiter described everything on the board before we dug in, it was still a delightful surprise tasting all the different items on the board. Wish this came with more bread or crackers though or had more bread delivered while we had the cutting board. 3. Pumpkin tortellini, which you can get either in an appetizer portion or an entree portion, was surprisingly one of the best things I tasted that night. It was perfectly sweet and savory and so well balanced. Appetizer portion is about 7 or 8 tortellinis. Overall, all the appetizers we ordered were great. Entree 1. Sea bass with posole broth- Great portion of fish but dish lacked texture contrast. Masa was mushy, fish was soft. Posole broth turned out more like a posole sauce. Fish was cooked perfectly though. Interesting concept but not very memorable. Not bad but the appetizers were so great that it set the bar high for the main course. Dessert 1. Cranberry and walnut galette with maple ginger ice cream- Cranberries were a nice tart surprise in this dessert. I thought that the best bites were the ones with the walnuts though. Galette crust is slightly too thick for me, Maple ginger ice cream was more ginger than maple but still a tasty ice cream. Caramel sauce was hidden underneath the galette though. Not sure what purpose it served.. 2. The chocolate torte was very prettily plated. Beet components aren't too beet-y. 3. White chocolate panna cotta- thought the lime curd on the panna cotta was lemon curd and wondered why it was so sour. Definitely eat the curd together with the panna cotta.
(4)Jen A.
Cool place in San Diego. The atmosphere and food were current. I would recommend this place to a friend.
(5)Mary D.
Not that thrilled for the price. The food lacked authenticity or distinctness in flavor. The ambience was nice but I wouldn't go back again.
(2)Rose S.
I just had dinner at the whisk and ladle in La Jolla and the food was delicious very fresh the service was excellent and the place had really good ambience enjoyed it very much will be back
(5)Joseph W.
Good food, good prices in an otherwise pricey La Jolla! I'd go back.
(4)Karen H.
If you have tried Prepkitchen and enjoyed it, be sure to check out Whisknladle as well. If there is one thing that Whisknladle should be known for, it's their scallops. When I went there a while ago, I had their scallops with preserved lemons and peas with thin onion strings and it was so, SO good! The scallops were super tender and juicy and cooked perfectly! Too bad I asked my seafood-picky boyfriend to try some and he ate a whole one (there were 4-5 of them total) and started gagging. Trust, me, these scallops are amazing to those who enjoy scallops in general. Now, it look like that particular scallops dish has been replaced by another, but it's probably good as well if they've been able to cook the scallops as well as they did before. I also had their fresh oyster shooter of the day, and despite the fact that I'm very iffy about oyster, the one they had with a raspberry vinegar was pretty good. All in all, Whisknladle is a cute date place with very unique dishes. Don't hesitate to give it a try!
(4)Evan W.
Wandered in here by chance following a failed attempt to dine at a place that had a private event going on. Wow is all I can say. The cocktail list alone was something to stop for. After finding out about the option to pick app - entree - dessert for $45, I was sold. We started off with a round of drinks - I highly recommend the The Good Listener or Nature's Remedy (subbed Rye for Bourbon) to any whiskey drinkers. For our combo's we ordered Appetizers - Mussels - one of the best mussel dishes I've ever had - Chef's choice of charcuterie - this was one of the nicest charcuterie boards I've ever seen. There was a nice array of olives, pickled vegetables, a sauce with a nice spice, a house mustard that was delectable, and the meats were to die for. There was a paté of pork shoulder? wrapped in bacon. Entrees - Amatriciana "alla mare" - amazing combination of house made pasta, whole prawns, & spanish octopus in a spicy red sauce. W - O - W - this was one of the best pasta dishes I've had. - Mary's Fried Chicken - I've been craving fried chicken for the last week for some odd reason, so much so that I made reservations for an Ad Hoc Fried Chicken Dinner in Nov. Well this was some of the best fried chicken I've ever tried. Our server explained they do a 24 hour chicken brine, 24 hour buttermilk soak - still trying to figure out how that works as I've been warned anything over a 12h brine over salts the chicken and makes it rubbery - this was not the case. After seeing that the executive chef had spent some time in Yountville at Bouchon, my idea on limits of brining a chicken were changed forever. Dessert - Caramel Corn Parfait - I ended up so full I switched this over to a 6 pack of beer for the kitchen - yes it was an option to buy the kitchen staff a 6 pack of beer as your dessert - The Panna Cotta - wow, better than my favorite Panna Cotta at Mike Isabella's Graffiato - this was a real treat, topped with fresh raspberries as well as some nicely candied or stewed figs, not sure what was done to them but they were delicious.
(5)Michael P.
I passed by the restaurant at lunch time and was offered a seat in the bar. Helpful and friendly staff served interesting and novel dishes that I had not tried before. Good quality and a nice atmosphere, i will most go here again the next time I visit La Jolla,
(4)Christina R.
Warning-they dont do restaurant week on Saturdays! Wish I had known that before we sat down. However, our waiter more than made up for it by bringing 2 desserts- so, essentially it was RW for us. I went to celebrate my birthday with a foodie friend and we started off with 2 cocktails, London's Burning: gin, jalapeno,avocado and lime- amazingly tasty! And a generic vodka-syrup-lemon (pick-your-fav-name) which is my standard go to apperitif. Food: Local Albacore Crudo: Fennel-Tarragon Mignonette, Tangerine and Pomegranate -my dinner guest happened to be quite the connoisseur of crudos and this didn't thrill her. Venison and Duck Pithivier: celeriac puree, roasted carrots, parsnips, roasted mushrooms and madeira jus - essentially a hybrid of a pot pie and beef wellington - entirely decadent yet profoundly comforting and homey at the same time. Fantastic jus! Lamb Shank Ragu: House-made gnocchi, Ricotta, Charred Radicchio and MInt - the radicchio and mint were lost as far as I could tell, but the rich brown gravy was fabulous! I sopped up every last drop with the table bread. The gnocchi could have been just slightly toasty to make them even better. They were just a bit on the gooey-side. Scallops a la plancha: Kabocha squash, Coppa, artichoke, Puntarelle Stretta, Basil Anchoiade, Chili Oil - my guest ordered this dish that tried to go too many places at the same time. Everything combined oddly. The wilted greens were entirely too salty and tasted like they had been drowned in soy sauce - they had a flavor that I would expect from Chinese fast food. It did have a very nice portion of scallops. Dessert: chocolate tart with beet ice cream - odd ice cream, we left it, but nice tart, not too sweet, which was perfect. we also had the panna cotta which my friend complained had the wrong consistency, but that didn't stop me from inhaling it! Overall, wait staff was charming and fast, parking was amazingly easy to find for early on a Saturday night (curbside) and the atmosphere was very stylish, not too hip, not too loud, just a bit vintage and very charming. Well worth 5 stars for the food I ordered, I think my friend would have given just 4, but hey, this is my review!
(5)Selina P.
Wonderful dinner experience for a friend's 30th birthday. Friday night reservations at 9pm for a party of 11. When we arrived, there was a mix up and our reservation was taken down for next weekend. The hostess and staff were very apologetic and were quick to accommodate our group. We waited an extra 30 minutes to sit down, which was no biggie. I love the dim, slightly romantic lighting of the restaurant. Our server Kirsten was fabulous. The manager gave us 3 complimentary appetizers on the house for any inconveniences earlier. The food was amazing! The flatbread and charcuterie plate were delicious. For the meal we did a family-style of ordering with a pitcher of red sangria. We shared: - charred bone marrow - sea bass - grilled tri-tip - diver scallops - seared duck breast - bacon wrapped bleu cheese dates The bacon wrapped stuffed dated and charred bone marrow were by far my favorites items of the night. I feel like I'm sort of a bacon wrapped stuffed date connoisseur and these did not disappoint. Sweet, salty, crispy, and creamy...you can't go wrong. The bone marrow was a delectable rich buttery spread that melted upon the warm toast. Oh my...I want some more! Everyone at the table enjoyed their meal and we were all smiles when we left. Needless to say the birthday boy, two shots of tequila, a glass of sangria, and a fully belly was very happy as well.
(4)Appolonia T.
Rapidly becoming one of my favorite restaurants ever. Went here for lunch with some friends and loved it! Great atmosphere and ambiance. Casually chic with good solid food. Great mushroom soup as a starter then we had their delicious Caesar with grilled chicken, grilled yellowtail on the arugula salad and some lovely potato, asparagus and salmon dish. Very nice. And the cocktails!! I got the Cove Side, which was so refreshing. My friends got the Corpse Reviver and the Casino. All wonderful. We also got the peanut butter pudding for dessert. Which brings us to today. After a disappointing visit to another local restaurant, I dragged my daughter to Whisknladle for their desserts. The peanut butter pudding had been fabulous and I told Ryan our friendly waiter that we were back for it. He brought out the pastry chef, who introduced herself and thanked us for coming back. Ryan was very sweet and treated me to an Americano and I can't wait to try them for dinner with friends! Fun place!
(5)Christine B.
The food is always delicious and the service is always gracious. There is nothing on the menu that I dislike. The menu isn't large, but everything is fantastic. Probably my favorite restaurant in San Diego. Oh, and the WNL Burger? Yeah, totally worth $18 bucks. Fantastic.
(5)Mark S.
Been coming here for years and it's still one of the best dishes in town. Solid staff and they always deliver on food. Steve, keep that place in check my good man. Xo
(4)Emily M.
I work right on Girard Ave in La Jolla and this is my go to lunch spot when I feel like really treating myself. The staff is very friendly and attentive, which always enhances a dining experience. I am obsessed with the Burrata, Persimmon, Arugula Salad (when in season) and the Chicken Sandwich is also delicious! And for the iced tea, even unsweetened - I'll take 5 more please! The open, airy atmosphere is also a plus during lunch time when you want to get out of the office. If it wasn't clear already... I'll be back!
(5)Ann C.
I met a friend here from out of town for brunch. The food was delish and the staff was incredibly warm and friendly. Can you ask for more?
(5)Tyler P.
After trying Prepkitchen a while back, I have wanted to visit the older sibling Whisknladle. I have to say it did not dissapoint! I had the mussels as an appetizer, which were very good and a large portion size! Instead of fries/bread they come with home made potato chips however you still get bread, so it all worked out. My entree was the lamb ragu gnocchi, which was excellent. The lamb was very tender and tasty and the ghnocchi were done perfectly. I tried a few of the cocktails as well which were solid, and they had a decent tap selection (I stuck with the Mongo from Port). All in all, really cool place. The decor is funky and the location is very nice. My gripe is the prices unfortunately. I don't mind spending some extra money for quality food/service, but this place was too pricey for what you get. I'll probably be back here for happy hour or brunch, but not dinner (unless it's for restaurant week). It's worth trying out though for sure, especially for a date night.
(4)Bailey C.
I have been here many times, but after last night's incredible service, I had to pen a review. We had a groupon, and usually when you open with that line, it's subpar from there, at best. Kirsten, our server, instead warmly encouraged us to get the most expensive items on the menu to get the best of our deal. We shared the bone marrow and the cutting board for appetizers, both were phenomenal. I'm not a fan of bone marrow, and couldn't get enough of theirs! The steak entree was filling and on point, and the London's Burning cocktail was rich and spicy. We couldn't decide which dessert to pick, so Kirsten surprised us with BOTH. If you haven't enjoyed Whisknladle yet, GET ON IT! And, as always, terrific jams all night long.
(5)JOHN C.
Several years later and many return trips in the books, this place finally seems like it has all the kinks worked out. Service is great. Food is great. Drinks are great (and even a nice selection of draft beer). Even the dessert, which used to be my least favorite part, seems much better now. Definitely recommend checking this place out. One of the best spots in La Jolla Village.
(5)ANHDAO N.
Found this place on yelp and I was thoroughly impressed by the super short wait time. Really liked the decoration (super modern) and the lively ambiance, as well as the service. We ordered fresh squeeze orange juice , shrimp Benedict, omelette of the day, and donuts --- they were all pretty good! The portions were just right for me -- small portions for the win! Overall, we had a pleasant experience here and would stop by this place again! :)
(5)Dan P.
Went for Saturday Brunch. Awesome bloody marys, good food, great service. We'll be back!
(5)Michelle R.
Delicious food, we used to come here a lot, but recently the menu has become saturated with BACON. Now I'm sure most of you are asking how that's a problem, but as I don't eat pork it makes it a bit difficult to pick something off the menu- especially since a lot of their items are pre baked/mixed. We love the self serve coffee and pastries in the mornings, great for the impatient or picky! They always have some super decant spread like dulce de leche, or blueberry lemon to pair with your pastries, but again these have recently been infiltrated by the sweaty sow.. Blech!! Who wants a scone with BACON. : /
(3)Brandon S.
This place is absolutely perfect. I have never had such amazing customer service with such flawless food. It seemed too good to be true. Our lovely waitress was Kirsten, she had my mouth watering by the way she was describing the menu to us. I normally order the WNL burger, which is hands down my favorite burger on the planet, but today I ordered a kick ass chicken entrée. So good! My mother ordered the steak entrée which was just as phenomenal. The presentation of each course should be posted on foodporndaily.
(5)Nicholas A.
The food was good. The restaurant appearance is clean, modern, and is very comfortable. The waiter we had was a little strange. The apparel is nice and clean looking, but our guy decided to wear his sunglass the entire night, and responded to my wife and I with "thumbs up". (i.e. "Can I please have a glass of Riesling?" ... waiter response "..." thumbs up). We had the Albacore Crudo "Kiwi, Avocado, Radish, Jalapeno, Basil, Cilantro & Key Lime Ginger Vinaigrette" as our appetizer. Evey bite we had, you can taste every ingredient. Just the right amount of heat from the Jalapeno. This was amazing For our entrees, we had the Seared Albacore Tuna ($29.75) and the Scallops ($34.75). Each was just good. There is a sauce under the Tuna which tasted cheap and just hurt the plate. The Saffron Buerre Fondue with the scallops was a little off, and needed more salt. It was good, but when the price is set as high as it is... you expect perfection. If it was 30% less expensive, it would have been better. For desert we, we had the Chocolate Peanut Butter Vacherine and my wife had the Chi-Chocoloate sorbet. The Vacherine was awesome, but I have a total sweet tooth. The Chi sorbet was completely over-ran by the Chi seasoning. It was also accompanied with baked barriers. They said it was to bring our the sweetness. In reality it was a little sweeter but, all the juices evaporated so it was like eating a bunch of seeds. All in all, it was good, not great. Mainly becuase of the price.
(3)Jaci S.
My favorite spot in La Jolla! And one of my favorites in San Diego. Everything I've had here so far has been delicious. The flat bread pizza was perfect. And the service is what really makes it! Our server Kirstin is so on it! Her descriptions of the food made my mouth water. The signature cocktails are also delicious. Really, you can't go wrong here. Wasn't a fan of the cheeseboard, but that's my own fault because I don't like olives and pickles. Try the burger, though! Yum!
(5)Doctor R.
The eggs benidict was SPOT ON! Love that they have a pastry chef there! Everything was delicious!! The coffee bar is odd & I would love to see a mini whisk for stirring the sugar & a ladle for the cream, on the tables. ;-) Just sayin'
(5)Kevin M.
Favorite place to dine when I'm in La Jolla...wish I could do dinner and partake in the Whiskey selection.
(5)Helen T.
I came twice, once during restaurant week with my boyfriend and another time with my family. The first time was amazing. I had their scallops, which were amazing and I don't even like scallops all that much. They were soft and tasted so fresh. I tried my boyfriend's lamb dish and it was delicious. The Gianduja Budino was also delicious. Everything we had there was amazing the first time! The second time I went, the food wasn't as good as the previous time I went. I raved about how amazing the food was, and my family wasn't blown away by the quality of the food. We ordered the flatbread which was okay, and the scallops my mom ordered weren't as good for some reason. I also sampled the other dishes my brother and my dad ordered, but it just wasn't that spectacular for some reason. For the price, they were expecting something more. Overall, because of the two times I've went, it was okay. I can't really remember the name of the items we ordered because they always change their menu every month! That's the good thing about this restaurant. However, I do have to say the service is was amazing both times I've been here.
(4)James M.
This is one of our favorite places - they take their food very seriously, treat it with respect and pride. On the latter point, they understand the difference between being proud and being precious. For that reason, and for the attentive service, my wife and I love coming here. However. We will probably not come again during Restaurant Week. One of the things we love about W's approach to Resto Week is that they offer their full menu, not a dumbed-down parade of Caesar salad, short ribs and creme brûlée that tempts and afflicts so many other restaurants. Having said all that, we noticed that the entree portions are substantially smaller during Resto Week. We know this because we had just eaten there three weeks earlier. I suppose it's an understandable practice, but we felt a little deceived by that. The strip steak was indeed a strip, surrounded by eight fingerling potatoes and a bakers' dozen of string beans. The salmon, cooked to perfection, was the size of a deck of playing cards. Also, the service. Normally, the service is solicitous, polished, friendly, a perfect complement to the artisinal products W is justifiably proud to showcase. Not so during Resto Week. There are lots of words to describe the service last Saturday. Frenetic. Confused. Chaotic. Rushed. It's Resto Week, I know. The place is packed to the gills with adventurers, bargain seekers, and the like. I get that. We were there, after all, and firmly in the latter category. And yet, I couldn't shake the sense that, had we not eaten there less than a month before - and had the benefit of enjoying W in its more natural state - we would not known that the W we experienced on the last Saturday of Resto Week is not the W that actually exists. For that reason, we'll gladly go back...just not in the middle of September.
(4)Megan F.
So good, great service, a bit pricey. scallops were incredible. will be back, wish it was a tad more affordable.
(4)Joe K.
Went for an anniversary dinner. Food was exceptional, ambiance was great. Location is great. Parking is a little tricky, and priced well. Arrive early and go to the bar. Small group, seems like family.
(4)David P.
I did take out. I was going to give them 2 stars because they messed up my order but upon taking it back they fixed it and gave me the food they mistakenly thought I had ordered. So I decided they would get 4 stars. Then I ate the food. Delicious. The squid sauce was out of this world amazingness. The hamburger was perfect. Strawberry Salad with goat cheese had this green sauce that made it something I could not make at home. Overall this pushed me back up to 5 stars.
(5)George F.
Amazing locale, wait staff are incredible. Try the old fashioned cocktail before dinner . Bread is awesome. Caesar salad unique, fresh and Huge! The parfait of chicken liver, YUM. And the half chicken was amazing.
(4)Tara W.
SERVICE: Professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, with just enough of a casual feeling for lunch. FOOD: I ordered Grilled Fish Tacos, and my boyfriend had the Gnocchi. The fish was cooked perfectly, flaky and juicy. However, I felt like I wanted more from the taco in general. It verged on bland, and was not at all spicy. It seemed they were playing it safe...too safe. The taco came with a side of either salad, fries, or house made potato chips. Had to go with the potato chips cuz I wanted to see how skilled they were with them. And I was not disappointed!! They were soooo good, it was like Heroin. You try it once and you're addicted. (that's what I've heard about heroin anyway, no first hand knowledge :) I had a bite of the Gnocchi and it was a taste explosion!! I totally fell in love it. Fatty, lemony, and the gnocchi themselves were great. And I don't usually like gnocchi all that much. We heard such great things about this place, we decided to try a dessert. Espresso Macchiato Custard. Need I say more? I wanted to like the bowl it came in! ATMOSPHERE: the patio is casual, fun, peaceful even despite the current construction (they kept the large plastic windows down to keep the noise and dust out. I imagine they would be lovely when open in summer). Taking a peak inside I really like the layout. It could be a place to dress up a little and have a few nice cocktails at the bar or sit in the lounge. Great lighting. OVERALL: I will certainly be going back. I want to try more of the menu and great wine selection!
(4)sara n.
Good food, cute concept and ambiance, and good service. Too expensive for what you're getting, so I probably won't frequent it. I've had similar experiences for lower prices in NY. That being said, this might be the type of place to go when your company's buying for an interesting change of venue contrasting George's.
(3)Jessica S.
The private back room is a must for any special occasion. The wait staff are all wonderful and very catering. Fantastic food and a great atmosphere are sure to be expected. I reserved the back room for my birthday dinner which comfortably sat 12. I used the flat screen t.v. to show a picture DVD we made and had control of our own music choice. I choose to go the route of pre-selecting a menu for my guests. All dishes were presented elegantly and timing was perfect. I thought it was going to be a challenge to please the tastebuds of 11 others but everyone loved everything, truthfully! This a great restaurant for a group of friends or just a couple looking for a nice dinner out. The bar also has a great atmosphere. I'm not too certain of any happy hour specials, but if you had to wait for a table you could enjoy yourself there. Happy dining :)
(5)Alicia S.
Nothing makes me feel quite so sneaky as fancy dinner out on a Monday night. Great service here. Menu is primarily seafood but they have a Niman Ranch steak with my name on it the next time I'm in La Jolla. My scallops were great, a tad salty, but I suppose that is part of eating something that lives in salt water. Inventive drinks put you outside your cocktail comfort zone... Give in to the peer pressure and order one. Had the Woodchop: scotch, housemade cream soda, and bitters. Creamy and smoky. A-OK.
(4)Oryan M.
The boyfriend and I were in San Diego for a wedding this weekend and wanted to start our Sunday, post open bar at the wedding, with my favorite meal, brunch. After combing thru review after review I came upon Prep Kitchen and its sister restaurant, Whisknladle. I am always excited at the prospect of not one well received brunch places, but two! If we had the time I would have tried both, but boyfriend wanted the menu at Whisknladle so off we went. Cute environment. Comfy and busy, but not too loud. Let's get down to business! I racked my brain over the menu. Everything on the menu was up my alley (I will go back for the ricotta pancakes)...Here is what we got: Boyfriend - Flat bread of the day: panchetta, nettle, fennel, parmesean and a sunny side egg. super duper craker thin. His only regret was not taking advantage of their free coffee! Me - Soup of the day: Curry cauliflower soup. Soup was a puree. Curry flavor was just enough flair to make it a whole new experience. I will be recreating this at home. Ceasar Salad: I cant go to a restaurant without trying one. Dressing was obviously housemade and well prepared. Croutons were small and yummy. Wish the lettuce was ice cold, but that's a personal preference. I also got a pot of earl grey to keep myself from trying one of their cucumber honey mimosas. Next time! Overall a wonderful experience. Cant wait to try Prep Kitchen. Boyfriend just asked what was the one star and I'd say at 42 bucks before tip it was a bit more than I would spend every weekend. I understand the pricing, just a bit outside my every weekend range, but treat yourself and go!
(4)Ali A.
Great place with great service. I have always had a terrific time here dinner and brunch. The bone marrow is simply decadent and yummy to the max.
(4)Sean M.
The house philosophy -- use only seasonal ingredients and make everything from scratch -- is admirable, if not unoriginal. But it certainly sets Whisknladel apart from its competition in La Jolla. From the indie-heavy playlist to the dangling Edison lightbulbs, the vibe is young and energetic; just what the neighborhood needs. The food isn't bad either. If I have one criticism it's that the reverence for seasonal products doesn't extend to the menu design. On a sweltering Labor Day weekend, when it's technically September but the thermometer says otherwise, they serve a hearty cream of mushroom soup. How about a gazpacho, chilled avocado soup, or light seafood chowder? Likewise, the pastas are delicious -- Chino Farms squash ravioli and a tagliatelle bolognese -- but they're not exactly summer fare. A more appropriate seasonal pasta would be sweet corn agnolotti with tomato and basil consume, or tagliatelle with crab, asparagus, and lemon cream. But I digress. The cutting board platter, bone marrow (again, not a summer dish), and flatbread are all fantastic dishes to share with the table over cocktails. The steak and chicken are both solid entrees, the mussels are local, and the wines are reasonably priced. I'll definitely be back again the next time I'm in town to see how this place evolves.
(4)Elena L.
Loved every part of our dinner from cocktails to dinner. Very inventive dishes that were excellent. Loved the atmosphere. Would definitely visit again.
(5)Hayden R.
This place has some of the best food in town. The waiters are great, the atmosphere is awesome, and most importantly, the vibe is outstanding! If your looking for good food and a good time come here! The WNL burger is awesome! They also have some other locations but are of different restaurants, such as PrepKitchen. Overall, outstanding food!
(5)J M.
Solid 4 stars. Top quality, relatively ambitious food. Great drinks, solid and truly helpful service. Menu is flexible enough to allow for lighter or tapas-style meal, or full apps and mains.
(4)Diana I.
I decided to check out this place on a visit down to SD after reading such great reviews about it on Yelp. As soon as we stepped in, I really liked the place because it was really warm and cozy. They even had heated lamps above all of the tables indoors which was great because I tend to get cold pretty easily. Overall, the restaurant had a really nice vibe! The food overall was just okay. We ordered the scallops as an appetizer which were DELICIOUS! I really enjoyed them. They had some type of Indian spices and sauce on it which made it really good! I'm not that big of a fan of Indian food but these scallops were reallyyy good. Sadly, the plate only came with two, one for each of us. I think I could have eaten three by myself! As for entrees, they were ehhh~ mediocre. I ordered the tagliatelle which was like ribbon pasta with meat sauce. But the pasta was really dry and didn't seem cooked all the way, and the meat had an interesting kick to it that made me not want to eat a lot of it. My bf got the sea bass which was better than my pasta, but still just okay. Pretty plain and nothing special. The food was pricey and the portions were small, so overall, I think the restaurant is just okay. I wouldn't choose to come here again but I wouldn't mind coming back. Note: They also have a bar/lounge area in the back which was filled with people and seemed to be a much more popular area of the restaurant. Maybe I'll try sitting here next time, if there is ever the opportunity.
(3)Lina G.
Have you ever met someone who explains things so well that you can taste it? That's Bobby for you. He knows his shit. Ask him about the basil cream. At first I was like that sounds gross! But his description made me want to have it, I didn't care if it was whipped up with worms. We got the spinach salad that had the most amazing 'vascular' spinach I've ever munched on. It was so green and tasty, it felt 'healthy'...I wanted to roll up my sleeves, show off my anchor tattoo and punch Bluto in the face. We also got the hamburger and a pasta dish. I can't rate pasta dishes unless they are better than mom's and THAT ladies and gents is impossible. The hamburger though had a fried egg on it! Anything with a fried egg on it is delicious in my book but this was off the hook! I took a bite out of this amazing juiciness AND had yolk running all over my hands...HEAVEN! Most everything is organic too. So much better than it's sister prepkitchen BUT this place is a bit pricey.
(5)Mike H.
I have been to Whisknladle twice and both times the service and food was outstanding. This last time I had the chicken and it was so good and really moist. The hostess was really sweet. We didn't have a reservation and she was able to fit us in on a very busy Thursday night. Both times our waiter was really helpful and friendly. I'll definitely come back as this is one of my favorite restaurants in La Jolla.
(5)Dan L.
Had lunch and enjoyed happy hour at whisknladle during a recent vacation. The shrimp sandwich was excellent along with the corn and bacon chowder. As for happy hour, the sizzling shrimp was amazing and I was extremely happy to find a bar that makes a great Sazerac. It certainly helped that I visited midweek when it is not busy, but I'll wait for a table the next time I'm in town for the great food and amazing cocktails.
(4)Adeline C.
Came here with the bf for a date night on Saturday. It was already about 9:30 when we arrived, so there was no wait, and we were seated at a lovely booth in the front patio. For drinks, I had the Strawberry Julep, and he ordered the London's Burning. Both drinks were amazingly delicious. The London's Burning was so unique (gin, avocado, jalapenos...), and it tasted like an avocado gazpacho with alcohol. I was so impressed with how well the flavors complemented one another, even with the alcohol! For our entrees, I had the summer salad with grilled shrimp ($19), and the bf had the squid ink pasta with grilled shrimp ($28). I thought the entrees were very small considering the price, but the food really was delicious. The squid ink pasta had 2 portion sizes available, and we had already ordered the larger size. I can't imagine the plate being smaller than that for the half portion. However, the deliciousness of the food was well-worth the price tag. Would definitely recommend the squid ink pasta. The summer salad had grilled corn, avocado, grapefruit, and hearts of palm, all tossed in a white balsamic dressing. The flavors of each component complemented one another so well. My only complaint was that the salad had sliced celery in it also, which was not mentioned on the menu. I HATE celery. I spent quite a bit of time picking each piece out. We finished off our meal with a cookie platter. The cookie platter consisted of 4 different types of cookies/bars, 2 pieces of each. There was a white chocolate covered cream-sandwiched cookie (like a homemade oreo), a chocolate chip cookie, some sort of blonde bar (I think), and a dark chocolate with almonds (I tasted a light hint of fruitiness as well). Everything was good, not amazing. I have a sweet-tooth, and will most likely still order dessert here again, but I wouldn't highly recommend it or anything. All-in-all, a very successful date night.
(4)Mrs. S.
I love this restaurant. I've been here multiple times for work dinners where we're hosting guests from overseas and we came here once for a work holiday dinner. We usually do a family style special menu where you order ahead because it's usually a group of 6-10 people, and WhisknLadle has never disappointed with its seasonal options of yumminess. I'll never forget my first taste of cheesy polenta at WhisknLadle - I've never had polenta as tasty anywhere else. The veggie options are always amazing, as are the desserts. The fig and endive salad is delicious, as is anything they do with beets. Their pastas are always delicious and although I don't eat beef, everyone raves about their spareribs when they are on the menu. One time we had this amazing sea salt and caramel chocolate torte... it put everyone in food happiness comas. I definitely recommend WhisknLadle.
(5)Sarah J.
Took my mom here for happy hour one night when she was visiting from L.A. We found a seat right away in their bar seating area. The tables were a little bit awkward and uncomfortable for eating, but seems like they could be fun if you were just getting drinks. The food was pretty good, and reasonably priced if you're there for happy hour. We ordered partially from the full dinner menu and partially from the happy hour menu. I would recommend coming here with family or on a date. The atmosphere is chill, and the location is perfect for walking around before or after to go watch the sunset at seal beach.
(4)Em S.
I will never forget my first visit to this restaurant. It was a random visit as I was walking around La Jolla enjoying the night out and just dropped in. Their bone marrow appetizer is one of their better appetizers; Wine selection is good; nice cocktail list. I think I even saw a sazerac drink on there or was it an old fashion?! Nonetheless, I love the market lights, their half-way outdoor patio seating or bar seating--and their service has always been good. I generally don't like it when waiters constantly smother me anyway, but I also don't like it when they don't know when to clear a table. However, I've never ran into this problem here. Good for a date night, double dates, happy hour, or meeting with a few people. I would make reservations for a party of four or larger.
(5)B S.
Classy place with great original menu and really good cocktails.
(4)Felix S.
Power outage! When the big power Outage happened in California we shut down work early and headed to this place to throw a few back. Being i work directly across the street it only made sense. A few of from work sat down and enjoyed some liquor. Their Martinis are to die for. Yummo. We didnt get to try the food cause it was already getting dark and no power. Duh. The staff was friendly. They even wanted me to open up the the doors to my work and they would bring some liquor over and we would all just drink away. I would if i could but couldn't. Want to head back and enjoy their food. Saw this place on The Real World San Diego and the food look to die for.
(4)Gustavo B.
Group dinner for 12 and so we were ushered into the private dining room in the back and were forced to have a set menu for "family style" dining. As such, this review might not help everybody. I will say that I've been to this restaurant for dinner for the regular menu and really enjoy the food. Usually, not getting the option to choose from the full menu is a big no-no for me, since a group usually has very different tastes and not everybody necessarily feels like having just one or two main plates... however, this turned out real well. As the host it fell on me to get the menu together and having to make these decisions for everyone in your group is stressful. We went with the cutting board, the mixed greens salad and the flatbread pizza as starters. The entrees were the rigatoni bolognese and the braised short ribs, with mushrooms, sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes as sides. The desserts were the banana cake and the bread pudding. First off, the portions are absolutely massive. We all ate like crazy and everyone ended up taking two boxes full of leftovers. The appatizers were a little underwhelming with the best being the cutting board, but then again I am a sucker for any cheese plate. The entreees and sides were very rich and were HUGE, when you see so much food it's almost like you lose a little bit of your appetite. But everything was very, very good, my favorite being the mushrooms and the short ribs. The desserts were probably the best of the whole meal. Everyone was stuffed after the appatizers and entrees, but everybody still put away at least one serving of dessert. The banana cake was a hit and the bread pudding was perfect, but then again I'm also a sucker for bread pudding. If you have a large group I highly recommend doing the private dining room here. It's cozy, separated from the rest of the restaurant and service was excellent the whole night. Just be ready to eat A LOT. One gripe that you should look out for, it was first going to be a group of 14 and I then informed the restaurant that there would be 12 of us. I didn't realize until the next day, but we were billed for 13 people. At $50 a person, plus set tip, plus wine and corkage fees, it was not cheap and adding one more person was not appreciated, the only reason I'm not taking a point off for this is that I didn't notice it that night and I'm giving the restaurant the benefit of the doubt that if I had raised the issue it would have been taken care of.
(4)David C.
A complimentary dessert coupon finally got me to Whisknladle. We had four in our group so I got to try a wide variety of selections including the summer salad, gnudi, pork sugo, crab tortellini and the scallops. Our favorite was definitely the scallops but the portion is TINY. Only four small scallops with chanterelles. They are melt in your mouth yummy but definitely won't fill you up. The best value was the sugo. The summer salad was refreshing with the grapefruit but you will have to look hard for avocado. I think anything you order will be good just make sure you aren't starving or you will pay $$$$. For dessert we had the peach/blackberry cobbler with a scoop of ice cream. We took the recommendation of our waiter which was a great idea! They will give your more dessert cards so you keep coming back. I really want to try the happy hour at the bar 5-7pm also for the cheaper small plates.
(4)Ryan S.
Great food, interesting menu, superb wine list. No complaints here. The food for the most part is all local, organic and humanely raised so that's important to me. In the pricey/faux nice restaurant area of La Jolla it's a gem. The menu changes frequently and everything is seasonal. They also make their own side condiments, fixings, flavorings, mixes, etc. so big points for that.
(5)Laura M.
This past Wednesday I had the choice of where I wanted to eat for my birthday, so I decided it was time to try somewhere new. I quickly logged onto yelp and up came Wisknladle. I was happy with the reviews it is close to my house(La Jolla) and the pictures of the food looked amazing! My party of 10 was sat before our actual reservation time, our server (Jared) was amazing. He took the time to explain each and every little thing on the menu and all of his recommendations were outstanding. To be honest everything I tried on the menu was like a party in my mouth. They use only local growers and they make everything from scratch incluing all of their deserts. If familiar dishes with interesting new flavors are what you are looking for, than go no further than Wisknladle. Oh and make sure if you have a large group to ask for Jared as your server. Oh and one other thing it is a bit pricey so be prepared, however what you get in food and service makes up for the check at the end.
(5)Gin K.
I'm a teensy bit biased, but definitely for good reason. Whisknladle is one of very few restaurants that carry Merry Edwards (pinots and/or sauv blanc, depending on availability). And during happy hour, it's 20% off. asdklgsdj;flkdjf;hlskdjfkljsd :) I've had the scallops twice, prepared differently each time. Uhh good and super good, respectively. My friend had the mussels and fries, which was also good, but not very interesting - you can probably find similar flavors elsewhere. I'd say swing by during happy hour for the awesome booze deals (20% off all wine bottles, HH prices on select wines by the glass, plus a few tapas-like small plates for the not so hungry). They offer some beer, but I'd say stick with the vino and order yourself the cutting board to go with it. Holy schmoly, that thing is good. It boasts a few different cheeses ("chef's selection") with meats, dried fruits, homemade spreads, cornichons (who doesn't like fancy itty bitty pickles?), and a few other things that I'm forgetting. Go with the full. Trust me. My friend had to remind me that it was a board, not a shovel, and that it has no business being that close to my mouth.
(4)R W.
Taking chances I'd visited previously before and left feeling pretty underwhelmed due largely in part to poor service. Understanding that even the best kitchen and wait staff can have an "off night" I was convinced to return and give WNL a second chance. Being adventurous seemed to be the recurring theme for our night. As an opener, my table decided to try the flatbread of the day (Lamb/Garlic/Capers/tomatoes). We admittedly weren't confident the ingredients would work for us, as some members in my party are admittedly picky eaters. To our surprise we each found it to be very very tasty. The steak offering for the night was a Flat-Iron steak. This wasn't the cut my dinner partner was hoping for, however the server explained the chef's preparation (including a Madeira sauce) as one of his favorite dishes. Spot-on!! This dish was a winner. I had a taste for seafood, eyeing the scallop dish on the menu. I was however, admittedly skeptical due to the preparation. The seared sea scallops were seasoned with Indian spices, served with grilled veggies and a raita sauce (for those not as familiar with Indian food this is a yogurt sauce which is very similar to greek tzatziki sauce). I had concern if the spices and yogurt sauce would work for me or ruin the scallop taste altogether. Again, the server noted that this was another favorite as well (I think his face actually lit up at one point *lol*) At his recommendation, I went for it. The scallops...... I liken this dish to a choir. Several different voices coming together to make one heavenly sound (and food). The combination of flavors worked perfectly. I wanted to order a second plate just to take home. To round off the meal the dessert menu included a variety of items, but one called out to me particularly. MMMmmmm.... Pumpkin bread pudding. Now while I like pumpkin bread, I never thought of working it into a bread pudding. This was a first as well. I'd been craving a good bread pudding for weeks and had high hopes and a lot riding on this dessert. By far, the best decision of the night!! The pumpkin bread was the great ingredient not to mention the Rum-spiced ice cream paired with it!! Here's to second chances, and exploring new tastes and flavors in an impeccable atmosphere. We trusted the staff and chef to lead the way and were all the better for it. WNL hits its mark successfully.
(4)Jill M.
The only restaurant in San Diego that rivals anything in my former home of San Francisco. The burger. Get the burger. But it all rocks, and the service is impeccable. Get thee to Whisknladle!
(5)Cathy T.
Came here for $3 tapas happy hour! (5-7 daily) Grilled skirt steak & salsa verde: well-seasoned and cooked but it was pre-grilled and served lukewarm Sizzlin shrimp: got 4 succulent shrimps, came out literally sizzling! Thumbs up! Flatbread: ours was topped w/ chorizo, scallions, onion, and cheese...we liked! And off the dinner menu... Charred bone marrow for $15(ish): huge portion! 7 thick bones w/ thick buttered toast...good but very heavy... shared it with bf but we could only eat 3 total! Happy hour is in the bar--you can sit right at the bar or on surrounding sofas if you want a private table.
(4)Aaron G.
The ambiance inside the whisk and ladle is very nice. The majority of their seating is outside on the patio. The service is very good. I came here for Happy hour. We ordered a pitcher of Sangria which poured 5 or 6 classes. The Sangria was good but I prefer my sangria with more fruit. The patatas bravas were extremely well seasoned and melted in my mouth. The dish I enjoyed the most were the sweetbreads. The only way I can describe it is a chicken nugget with a huge flavor burst of complex flavors.
(5)Zack L.
Overall, the $285 bill for a table of 4 during Restaunt Week left me feeling a bit ripped off. The waiters were less than friendly and informative and hard to track down when in the need of a refill or another glass of wine. Also, not one option of a domestic beer, all microbrews or imports, which comes across a little pretentious. All in all, next time in La Jolla, I will go elsewhere.
(2)Debrin S.
This place has a great vibe & the service is par excellence! I also really liked the design & the style of the interior. Great seating layout. Bar /lounge gets tight but we enjoyed it none the less. The private dinning room is very cool- I need an excuse to rent it! The food was good- we went for HH. It wasn't excellent though. But some how I was not disappointed as the over all experience was really very nice. HH specials $3-8 per plate & select wine/cocktails too- very solid prices for what we had. Potatas Bravas- crunchy potatoes but the sauce was nat as flavorful as exspected, Catalan Shrimp is served in a mini- iron skilet w too much oliv oil & a cloce of garlic- dont bother ordering this. The highlight was the Charcuterie Board- EXCELLENT. we ordered the small(!) OMG- they cure all their meats/sausages, currents on the vine!, grainy mustard, marinated olives, salted Marcona Almonds- delish, local cheeses (we were only given 2 pieces so more would have made a better balance), Tuscan toast slices, prosciutto, Braciola. We enjoyed the white sangria *& glasses of the Spanish house red wine. Our server & the manager were accommodating, gracious & seamed to enjoy interacting w our small group. I look forward to going again- hopefully for dinner. Street parking.
(4)Angie N.
Stopped here for Happy Hour and eats at 5:00 pm on a recent past Saturday evening. First off, great location right in the middle of many shops and eateries, nice open air design. We got there a bit early so we stopped into the bar first. High ceiling and homey feel, like a modern version of barn/loft. Kudos to whomever did the chalk artwork of the in-season veggies - very talented! Service was ok in the bar, took a few minutes to get some dishes cleared from the small sofa table area (there were 4 of us so it was the best spot for conversation sake). We each enjoyed a local beer and ordered the scallop app to share. Our table was ready before the app, so we had it delivered there instead. We shared the following plates: Scallop app - Cooked perfectly, very tasty starter. Halibut crudo - Delicious and savory, light and fresh. The habaneros did pack a punch though! Not for those that can't eat spicy (or make sure to take the tiny orange bits off before eating). Crispy Sweetbreads - Great dish, including maple glaze, braised lentils, bacon & brussel sprouts. Was a bit hard to share, the 4 pcs we got were different sizes. Would've like a couple more! Bone marrow w/toast - Impressive, fun-to-eat dish. Felt like I was going to have a heart attack because it was so rich, very good, but only for an occasional treat! Corn ravioli - This dish was just so-so for me. Fresh corn is a favorite of mine, and I got the sweetness, but there just wasn't enough flavor in the dish to elevate it beyond that. The kernels of corn were also loose inside the ravioli (no cheese or other binder to keep it together), so mine rolled out when I bit the ravioli - so if you try this dish, eat the entire ravioli at once! Lobster risotto - This dish was more subtle in flavor than the plates we started off with, but good nonetheless. Risotto was al dente and the lobster was fresh and tender. White sangria - We shared a pitcher between the 4 of us and it was outstanding! I had my reservations, thinking that it would clash w/the dishes we ordered, but the hub was right, it paired really well with everything. It was refreshing and fruity and not sweet...delish! Chino Fig & Hazelnut Gallette w/Honey Ice Cream & Balsamic Reduction - We had just enough room to share this dessert and it was fantastic! Tons of flavor and ooey goodness packed into a delicious gallette. Honey ice cream was a first and very delicious. Service in the dining room was great - attentive, well versed on the menu, good recommendations, and our water glasses were always filled (often overlooked but important point for me!) Overall great dining experience on a nice summer evening...and we were just getting started.
(4)Nicole E.
If I had to pick a favorite restaurant Whisknladle would definitely be in the running. I love everything about this place. -Fresh local organic ingredient that are always changing and ALWAYS DELICIOUS. -Really cool ambiance whether you are meeting friends for dinner/drinks or want a romantic date. - Amazing specialty drinks and Sangria. -Happy hour every day, yes EVERY day with $3 tapas -Great service, servers are always very knowledgable. Another thing I love about this place is the owner...when he comes by to check on things you can tell he really cares and wants your feedback, he's not just making the rounds. Gotta respect that. If you haven't eaten here you should definitely check it out. Oh and they also own the Prep Kitchen which is equally yummy. *****Get the cutting board (house cured meats and cheese)!!!
(5)B D.
First time visiting here was one of the best meals I have had in San Diego. It was during restaurant week and they gave you free range over the entire menu. Everything I had was incredible. The next time I had the pork, which wasn't my favorite, but everyone else thoroughly enjoyed themselves. THe drink menu is incredible, the flatbreads are always a favorite, the meats are made in house (so the cheese/meat board is a must have), and the staff is exceptional. definitely worth going to time and time again!
(4)Cassandra B.
First off...my husband and I were here with our three...YES *gasp* THREE....children...this place was phenomenal. Our kids are well behaved. We take them out often to make sure they are accustomed to being out in a public setting. The waiter was insanely awesome. My husband compared him to a ninja. The head honcho is upfront and on hand. He's just so approachable and friendly. (Don't hesitate to go to him with compliments and complaints ....he's approachable and fabulous.) We frequent the Prepkitchen in Del Mar quite often but now La Jolla is added to our fav place to get some insanely qualified comfort food. We went in having one of the most stressful days we've had in a long time. Waited 20 minutes to get a table and stayed over an hour and a half. (that's quite a while for us) I suggest this place for quality "I NEED TO RELAX!" food. If you're kids are with you you shall not be shunned.....my son asked for a hundred add-ons for his sprite and our waiter brought each one with a smile. Life is good at the Whisknladle. Lap it up.
(5)K. A.
While it is becoming a bit of a cliche, and marketing gimmick to serve "food with a story" (meaning locally sourced, organic, cows-that-get-reiki-while-being-slaughtered, etc...), Whisknladle was on the cutting edge of this stuff before it became a national phenomenon, and their authenticity is, well...authentic! Locally sourced, seasonal fare deserves to be applauded. But do not expect to have less than a ten minute conversation about what kind of butter has been drizzled over the green beans, and from what region of California it came from, in what season, and under what stage of the moon it was churned. Some people enjoy this. Yes, the wait staff is extremely knowledgeable about the food. Part of our response to food lies in our expectation, and the staff does a great job of framing that for us, and making us feel sophisticated (even though we may not be so sophisticated, after all). Ambiance was fine: with lots of attention to detail, such as surface finishes and lighting, with the perfect balance between the organic and the upscale (quintessentially "La Jolla"), feeling friendly, earthy and displaying conviction. Did the food live up to all the hype? Yeah, it was pretty good. Not quite 5 stars, but pretty good (I have to keep measuring everything against my old "gold-standard" Rouge, back in Philadelphia). Bone marrow is a novelty, but frankly I don't find it appetizing. Bland, rather. Came a long way (La Jolla!) to get Maine diver scallops (which might have flown to California on the same plane as me) but they were done quite well. My wife had a Pork Loin that was also quite nicely done in terms of garnish & flavor in the sauce. The flatbreads were just OK, and maybe the waiter shouldn't have raved so much about each item, because expectations were set VERY high. Every item was described as "the best you will ever eat," "to die for," "beyond your wildest imagination," etc...That was the only part of the experience that kept this from being a "5 star" joint. The waiter was TOO knowledgeable, and TOO enthusiastic, and TOO excited about everything that it would be impossible for any chef to deliver on such grandiose expectations! Nevertheless, it came close.
(4)Edwin L.
I have been here several times and each time we go it get's better and better. Having been in the hotel/restaurant industry for 15 years, I do appreciate 3 things: Ambiance Service Quality of Food. Whisknladle has done all of the above. The restaurant is nice, lighting is perfect and for once, the place is not one of the typical La Jolla "stuck up" places like Georges, where it seems like a privilege to be there. The service was exceptional, very relaxed, yet attentive and for once knowledgeable of what is on the menu. Our waiter Bobby, was the best, no pressure of choosing the most expensive item. We had the Bone Marrow, Flatbread, Steak Frittes and deserts. The price for the quality of food is amazing, half of the norm in La Jolla and miles above the competition. If there is one thing, that they could improve on, it would be the interval between appetizer and dinner - do not rush it! Let the guests enjoy the savor of the organic foods and great wine selection. Lastly, the best martinis in town, can be found here! Keep doing what you are doing. The best of all is that Whisknladle a breath of fresh air into a real boring and pretentious town.
(5)Bri G.
Went here with my gf on a Monday night for restaurant week assuming it wouldn't be packed since it was on a Monday. I couldn't have been more wrong!! The place packed to capacity and a big group of people waiting outside. I wasn't sure if this was the case because of restaurant week or if it's just full of people every night. On to the overall review of the restaurant. The environment was nice and quaint, it was dimly lit patio style seating. The tables were a bit too close in my opinion. For our appetizers we ended up ordering the scallop dish and mussels/fries. The scallop dish was fantastic as they were cooked to perfection...lightly seared on the outside and plump and juicy with each and every bite. Never heard of a mussel and fries combination before until our evening at Whisknladle, but it could not have been a better pairing. The bowl of mussels they served was enough to be an entree. They were so tender that some of the mussels freed themselves from the shells and were free floating in the delicious sauce (I think it was a white wine sauce). The fries were typical, good but nothing out of the ordinary. We ended up ordering the trout and steak. The trout seemed a little dry, but the veggies and accent sauce covered this dish well enough to make up for the fish. It wasn't bad at all, just not perfect. The steak however was fantastic!! I was served with a healthy amount of fried onions and the MOST delicious potatoes au gratin known to man. It looked like a slice of potato lasagna...I would go back to the restaurant just for the potatoes au gratin. Desserts (stressed backwards...haha, creative touch to their menu) we ordered were the Chocolate Truffle Tart and the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. I'll start off reviewing the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta. If you're looking for a light, fruity dish after a very fulfilling meal, the Panna Cotta is what you'll want to order. The light and creamy Panna Cotta topped with fresh fruits and served with a Sesame Tuille is a perfect way to cap off a heavy meal. If you have extra room and don't mind running a couple miles the next day, then I would highly suggest ordering the Chocolate Truffle Tart. A smooth chocolate filling complete with a chocolate crust, served with a side of their homemad caramel ice. YUM!!!
(4)Rick M.
Simply amazing! Great menu.... Tasty libations.... Great service... Definitely coming back here!
(4)Matthew B.
Really inspirational and well implemented farm to table dining. I don't care that I'm paying more than I might typically, everything from cocktails to dessert is amazing. Ask the server what is not to be missed. The menu changes so frequently that I don't know that my recommendations would be helpful. If I ever have the occasion to head down south again, I will make sure to stop at this restaurant.
(5)Meredith P.
Innovative American cuisine. Always a treat. Happy Hour is a lot of fun and the atmosphere is very modern and chic. Ambiance always enhances the experience. Supper Clubs: fantastic marketing idea. Can't wait to attend the event!
(4)R F.
Went here for an anniversary dinner and overall had a very nice experience except for a few small negatives. Pros: Very nice decor; trendy and upscale without being too pretentious. Waiter seemed friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive... at least for a while (see Cons) Dinner was very tasty and portions were larger than expected (especially the appetizer-size version of the cutting board meat and cheese dish). Prices seemed a little steep, but not outrageous -- as a lot of restaurants can easily be. Cons: Seating on the patio was pretty tight. Wasn't an issue when we first arrived since it was somewhat quiet, but as it got busier and tables filled in, it was a little intrusive that the patrons seated next to us were literally less than a foot and a half away. The owner has since notified me that requests can be made for more private seating. Also, as the place filled in, the waitstaff seemed to disappear for longer and longer periods since there were suddenly far more tables to divide their time between. I don't think it was a matter of lazy/unprofessional waitstaff, but rather maybe them being a bit understaffed during peak hours. As a side note, the "house water" was interesting; the cucumber flavor to the water is very light and refreshing when brought out cold, but I suggest drinking it quickly since the flavor seemed to get a little "off" as it warmed to room temperature.
(4)ted n.
Most of the time when you visit a fancy pants place and drop a benjamin you are still hungry afterwards and end up raiding your fridge at 2am. Not here, the portions are really nice. Fig and Persimmon salad- the real heroes are the carmelized onions, i could eat that all day Bone marrow- good, beefy Carlsbad Mussels- I usually don't like them, but these were cooked to perfection so soft and melting and how can you go wrong when you have fries with them suckling pig- it looks tiny, but is sooooooo rich, perfectly crunchy delicate skin. Will be back :)
(5)Christie F.
I recently enjoyed a business lunch at Whisknladle and was pleased by menu, the atmosphere and the service. The eclectic menu has a very interesting mix of flavors that had me raising an eyebrow at first glance; however, everything I tried tasted wonderfully and left me feeling pleasantly surprised. Whisknladle loses a star for value. Some portions are small and there isn't much on the menu that isn't overpriced (can you say $13 for 2 fish tacos... Ouch!) Considering it's La Jolla and this work lunch was expensable, I can't much complain. I had the Soup of the Day, which was a pork tortilla soup with sweet corn. Three of us ordered it and all had positive things to say about it. The only negative was that mine was mainly broth while my lunch guests all had a bowl full of the good stuff. Also, the spoon was the smallest I've ever used, like a baby spoon. It took me forever to get through my broth and eventually I gave up before finishing. This is a case of form not following function. Get real spoons Whisknladle, I only have a 1 hour lunch break. For lunch I had the Chorizo Date Fritters, which were dates filled with spicy Chorizo and smothered in a wonderful marinara sauce. It was sweet, spicy and so rich that the small portion left me satisfied. The flavors were marvelous and unlike anything I have had before. My guests had salads or fish tacos and all said they enjoyed their meals as well. The atmosphere is clean and contemporary with a sophisticated neutral color scheme, fun industrial pendant lights, and lots of stylish design accents. It is very easy on the eyes. Whisknladle is definitely trendy enough for hot date or nice corporate lunch and the wait service was on par with the rest of the experience.
(4)Mike D.
Maybe I was in a bad mood, but I think the place is generally overrated. Either be prepared to spend serious $, or don't go there hungry: the portion sizes were pathetic. Quality of food: 5 stars. Tasty, fresh, inventive, but one flavor -- no sides. Service: 2 stars. Hardly saw our waiter and assistant at all. Had to ask for everything. I can't put my finger on it, but there was something I didn't like about the waiter's personality. Quantity of food: 1 star. Admittedly my wife and I each had half portions to save a few bucks, but portions were minuscule. Location: 5 stars (nice corner in La Jolla across from Brooks Brothers clothing) next to Carl Strauss Brewery. Decor: 5 stars (Who would expect that bare light bulbs could be made to look good? Clear bulbs + huge filaments + low voltage = pleasing industrial look.) Overall I'm conflicted how to rate, but think 3 stars is about right. For my money, I'd much rather go across the street to the Coffee Cup for breakfast. Now that's quality and quantity at a reasonable price!
(3)Anna V.
I love this place. We came here for a friend's birthday. We had reservations, but from what I know from my friend, they were so busy that it was so noisy in the background. So the night we went there and told them of our reservations, they were confused and thought that the reservation was for the following Friday. But because of such great customer service, they were very apologetic and said that they would clear a table for us (a group of 9) as soon as possible. So we walked over to the Karl Strauss Brewery next door to pass the time. It only took Whisknladle half an hour to ready our table. And because of the minor miscommunication, they gave us 3 appetizers for free. It was unnecessary, but very much appreciated. Our server (If I recall her name was either Kristen or Kirsten), was absolutely amazing. She got all our orders right, and was very friendly. The food was amazing. Each of us tasted each others' dish. And not one was bad or just mediocre. Everything was great. And we, of course, made sure to leave enough room for dessert. Heavenly! This is one place I would definitely go back to.
(5)H L.
We decided to come here for Valentine's Day. The menu looked intriguing, that is why we decided to give the place a try. What their website does not tell is that all the food that is on the menu is organic and locally grown. On the back of the menu, it gives you information where their purchase their meat and vegetables. I have to say that I think this added to the taste of it. This is a small restaurant with a very cozy atmosphere. When we sat at the table, our waitress brought us homemade french baguette and butter that they churned themselves. Usually when I go to a restaurant, I always end up ordering steak. However, at this place they had gnocchi, one of my favorite things to eat. The only problem was that it had fish in it, when I asked the staff if I could substitute the Rock Cod for chicken, they were more then happy to accommodate me. So I had the Chicken with rosemary gnocchi, english peas, pancetta, braised greens & creme fraiche. I have a great dislike for frozen/can soggy peas, the fresh english peas were sweet and popped in your mouth. I was also surprised when my dish came with half a grilled chicken, I was expecting several pieces of chicken. I told my BF that "the chicken tasted chickeny", he laughed at my strange comment. After I gave him a taste of my chicken, he said that now he understand what I meant. The flavor of the chicken was deep and intense. The BF had the Pan Roasted Flat Iron Steak with hand cut french fries, bearnaise & watercress. The flat iron steak was lightly seasoned so that you could still taste the flavor of the beef. He enjoyed this dish a lot. The fries were a little soggy. For dessert we had the Ricotta Fritter with Olive Oil Zabaglione, Rosemary Pinenut Brittle & Citrus. This was a wonderful warm fritter in a cream sauce. This is a wonderful little place that is easy to miss. The service was a little slow. It took awhile before we got our meal. All in all though, the experience was very good.
(4)James F.
Yum. We had dinner in a small group here and had a great experience. Appetizer: Flatbread. Rather delicious, but maybe a little pricey for what it is. If I had gotten this as part of tapa-style shared dinner, it would seem a bit light. Dinners: My stuffed roasted chicken was amazing. Marvelous flavors throughout - even the mashed potatoes were really good, and there was definitely enough to fill me up. One of our party had the mussels and fries, which came in a big bowl, and got devoured. My wife had a hanger steak with peppercorn sauce and fries, which she enjoyed. The service was helpful and friendly and made sure everything was good. The one drawback was that we were seated close to the bar area, and sometimes it was a little tough to hear our dinner conversation over the spillover of talk at the bar. Once the bar slowed down, we could enjoy our evening more. Whisknladle is good eats that impressed the folks.
(5)david m.
The food was flavorful but they were so slow. They seem to chat with their friends and serve them first.
(4)Mary M.
I've been here twice and enjoyed it both times. It's definitely a little pricey and always busy. But the quality of the food and atmosphere are worth it. My first trip I sat on the patio. I loved the hamburger. I felt like being adventurous and trying an egg on my burger... Amazing! The second time I went, I ate at the bar (because super long wait). Ate appetizers, soup and dessert. All good! And the bartenders were very attentive and willing to chat. Definitely a place to try
(4)Justin R.
Third time I've eaten here and I finally find the need to say something. quick bit on service. Eric, awesome server, good stuff... The food: Flatbreads are a must, and they usually make different ones all the time Chorizo stuffed Dates: A+, What's not to love about that? Charred Bone Marrow: A+, First Time I've ever had it and definitely won't be the last. We also enjoyed the mussels, scallops, sirloin steak and seabass for our meals and loved it. Don't leave without getting the world known desserts. We shared the Tapioca, Macaroons and some of the guava curry sorbet. The food at this place sells itself... but it's definitely not standard fare! Bring a date with an open mind for anything! Limited appetites need not apply...
(5)Jen T.
This restaurant is pretty good. The problem is they have changed some things around so my items are not prepared the same way as I used to love them. I used to love the scallops here. It was just simply seared and it was perfection. Absolute perfection the way they prepared the scallops. Now they coat it with this strong seasoning that I just dont care for. I feel the seasoning now, which has a curry hint is too overpowering for the delicate scallop. The scallop is still well prepared, but please, get rid of the seasoning. Their burger is very good here as well. It seems like it has a 1/2 pound of ground beef on it. It also comes with bacon, lettuce, an over easy egg, a cheese blend and some sort of sauce that is kind of like thousand island. Make no mistake this burger is rich. Very rich. The fries that come with it are very good, nice and fresh. Another good item is the tagliateli bolognase (sp?). Fresh home made thick cut pasta with a bolognasse sauce. Simple, fresh, and yummy. I find the desserts of this place forgettable, but the food is worth coming here for. They do have a great happy hour. $3 tappas
(4)Anh ..
I don't remember much from this place..only that the atmosphere was really strange. Imagine if all the male employees from Abercrombie and Fitch were to become waiters and the result would be this place. You'll know what I mean if you go.... Not a good thing if you take your food seriously. However if you are hungry for other things, I'll leave that to your discretion. Probably an excellent place for cougars. The service was slow, but I judge solely on food - which was hit or miss. The only thing I recall are sprinklings of orange grinds on french fries, which was surprisingly refreshing.
(3)Kitten S.
My boyfriend and I dined at Whisknladle for our main dining experience on vacation in La Jolla. A co worker recommended Crab Catcher but my boyfriend insisted it to be overpriced per yelp reviews. The false aroma of bbq attracted my boyfriend to Whisknladle. I reviewed the menu of Whisknladle and did not see an entree I would be interested in such as crab, lobster or possibly shrimp to take advantage of dining near the ocean. I decided to trust my boyfriend and yelp reviews and we approached the host stand. Whisknladle was vacant and we were seated upon arrival by a server. Whisknladle is tastefully decorated and clean with an exceptional patio we requested to be seated at. The service was accompanied by trainees during our visit for double the accommodation. The red sangria was served in a pottery pitcher that steamed due to the ice. $40 worth of red sangria did not initiate a buzz coming from a light weight. I recently noticed on whisknladle.com that $20 pitchers of sangria are offered between 5pm till 7pm everyday in which the time we visited and therefore over charged by $20. The grapefruit complimented the "Summer Salad" and included a unique and tasty ingredient hearts of palm. The "Summer Salad" was the size of a side salad and lacked the main ingredient of any salad in this particular case the "fancy" lettuce. My boyfriend ordered the least impressive large order of "Cavatelli" and the portion was pathetic. I ordered the "Locally Harvested Mussels & Fries". The "Locally Harvested Mussels" were large, light pink and had a spur of fuzz coming out the top similar to miniature vaginas with a playboy wax and the broth tasted of wasabi excluding the spiciness. The fries were standard. To avoid dissappointed with dessert we requested the $115 check. Exiting Whisknladle the snobby asian hostess ignored my boyfriend and I and did not thank us for our business probably her only task. IN RESPONSE TO ARTURO K. OF WHISKNLADLE: Yes "Crab Catcher" would have been a better choice even if it were overpriced. You clearly could care less about customer service and I am glad you posted your sarcastic thought for people to read and hopefully steer business away. You couldn't even apologize for your snobby hostess or over charging me by $20 and serving my boyfriend child portions for $28 that was obviously the half order not the full order! ***** This is yelp and I am posting my opinion regardless of what you call me such as rude, out of place and snarky. Yelp is a website for positive reviews and negative reviews. If Whisknladle is not about portions then you should lower your prices or find some new receipes because customers don't dine at a restaurant to pay $115 for two people to leave hungry. I am not asking for huge portions but a decent portion at least. As for my boyfriend's order...I don't double check his order let alone know that there were two different sizes at the time and he is not one for confrontation. Sounds like you don't meet Whisknladle expectations either similar to the hostess since you are unprofessional and have a snobby attitude. I did not read one "thank you" to the customer's that rated Whisknladle four and five stars and all the other comments posted to the lower rating really shows your mature level as an OWNER!
(1)Andrew F.
Came for brunch on a saturday afternoon. Nice location and the outdoor seating is very relaxing. However, the food was so-so for the price. Good cuisine and friendly staff but I would only really go for special occasions.
(3)Deepa S.
I was excited to try this place based on the reviews here, and they did not let me down! This restaurant is great! I started out with the sweetbread, which I understand changes everyday-- but it's so delicious! I ordered the small plate version of the lobster risotto. It was flavorful and just the right amount. My friend ordered the chicken breast, and it was moist and flavorful. I ordered a drink-- i can't remember what it was at the moment-- I think it had lavender in it, but I didn't like it at all. It tasted like Robitussin. I told our server, and he replaced it immediately. Yay!
(5)Cindy T.
First time visiting and I came for restaurant week. I had the bone marrow, tuna, and apple upside down cake. The bone marrow was good at first, but then I ran out of capers. After that, the bone marrow tasted like pure fat on brioche. Not my thing. The tuna was amazing. It went really well with the beets and the dijon sauce. I would vote it best dish among our dishes (my friends got the salmon, the striploin, and taglatielle). I wasn't too happy with the dessert choices. I had decided to come based on the menu they had on their website and though they did not change the menu very much, the one choice I had for dessert was not there. I got the apple upside down cake because it sounded like I had a small chance of liking it, but no, it was still gross. I only sometimes like cooked apples. Odd flavors for their sorbet (ginger, blackberry zinfandel, and pineapple something that was unappetizingly spicy). On a side note, service was sloooooow. I thought it was because they were busy, but it got to the point where we were one of two tables left last night. The server only came out to help when he was going to help all the other tables, but we were left alone for the longest time in between visits. The dining area was empty and there was no one to flag down. The food came out fairly quickly after being ordered, so at least you don't have to wait for the food. If you already know what you want and don't like your dinner to take more than 2 hours, go ahead and order your meal while he's taking drink orders. That would be my suggestion.
(3)L G.
I was recommended to this place from a girlfriend of mine. I used to live in San Diego so when I return, I tend to stick to my old favorites...glad I ventured out. We made a reservation just an hour or two before we came, and when we got there- no wait at all. And I should mention- ample parking around the place...maybe not a concern for most, but coming for Chicago- it's huge! My fiance loved the bourbon menu and ordered something new he hadn't tried, but heard lots about. I had a couple glasses of sangria throughout the dinner and it was alright, not bad, but I've had better. But the food...oh my gosh. We had a hard time deciding what to start with- the sweetbreads or a flatbread. Mainly because I had no clue what sweet breads were...once explained, I was down for something new and we got them. Buttermilk fried tender amazing-ness!!! I was so glad we got them, I've never had something so delish! But then, our sweetie of a waiter brought us out the flatbread too--- on the house! He said they had made an extra....it was the special flatbread of the day, and I can't member it's contents exactly, but it was great. And I loved he could tell we were eaters without being offensive....we demolished it. For maincourses, I had the mussels-- such a flavorful broth. That horseradish was perfect! The frittes were good...but I avoided them for the most part due to my tight jeans :) They did have some type of seasoning on them at was unique and flavorful...but I couldn't quite determine what it was. My fiance had some sort of pasta dish...with a bit of ricotta or someother creamy cheese on it. He said it was good, but nothing too crazy. Then we got the PB s'more dessert. It was really good, but not at all what we expected. As always, I could use more marshmallow in my desserts. But seriously, the wait staff was amazing....90% of the food was amazing and the other 10% was good. I would highly recommend!
(5)Roland F.
Overrated but still worth trying. We tried this after reading all the reviews here and were impressed all the way through the appetizers. Sadly, that's where WNL got a little off track. The appetizers were out of this world delicious. I would make a dinner from the appetizers next time, and yes I would go back. The entres were another story entirely. Boring, bland chicken and meat dishes that no one at the table could believe merited the reviews this place gets. Then on to the desserts. They were spectacular too. So, what happened with the entres? No idea. No explanation. The salted caramel was beyond heaven. Anyway, I like the place. It's chic and cool and located in the heart of La Jolla. The service is so so, and they're a little full of themselves, at least our wait staff said that everything was "to die for" and honestly everything is never to die for. There are always weak points and I appreciate honesty from my server. Service was slow and drinks and water went unfilled, always a disappointment. Still, I'd go back, just skip the entrees.
(3)E D.
4.5 Stars This, ladies and gents, is my first yelp review. It had to be Whisknladle for the mere fact that my stomach wishes to reside in San Diego and this was the last wholesome place I dined at in the city. Anyhow, took Mom here for birthday lunch and I have to say, I was impressed. The chorizo date fritters are a must as well as the cutting board. I wish I was there for dinner so I could have tried the charred bone marrow. Guess the gelatinous goodness will have to wait until next time. Docked half a point because of the sloooow service, but they comped not one, but TWO scrum-dee-lu-liscious desserts which made up for it!
(4)Katie H.
We've wanted to try Whisknladle for a long time, so when Restaurant Week came up, and Wnl was offering their entire menu for the event, we decided to make a reservation. From start to finish, our experience was great, and we love the Farm to Table concept. We arrived a little bit early, so we were invited to sit in the bar. We were planning on ordering wine, but we saw the big jugs of white and red sangria and changed our minds. The bartender gave us tastes of each to help us decide, and ultimately, we went with one of each. They were both delicious. The white tastes very fruity, and the red is more of a traditional sangria. There were a ton of other creative choices on the drink menu. When we go back, I'll need to try some other selections. For starters we ordered the Chorizo Date Fritters and the Cutting Board. Both were delicious, and I was impressed that many of the items on the Cutting Board (including the cured meats) were made in house. For dinner I chose the Flat Iron Steak (came with yummy fries) and the hubby ordered the Chicken "a la Plancha." The steak was good, but not the best; I've definitely had better steaks before in San Diego. I wish I could remember the desserts that we ordered, but I can't. I recall them being good, but not really what we were hoping for. Our reservation was late in the evening, and they were out of our first two dessert selections, so we settled for two other items. Because of that, we were given free dessert coupons for Prepkitchen, which was a satisfactory fix in our opinion. All aspects of the service were excellent and attentive, from the hostess, to the bartender, to the serving staff. As for ambiance, it's a good pick for a swanky, slightly pricey date night. Do NOT bring your kids. I have a feeling that I'd give Whisknladle 5 stars on a normal day, but for our Restaurant Week experience, I'll do 4 1/2. Overall, very good.
(4)Scott Z.
My partner and I have eaten here about five times. I believe it is his favorite San Diego restaurant. The bone marrow is always a favorite appetizer when we have dined with our friends. I always get a nice meaty entree, and he tries some fish, muscles, or other "exotic" meal. We are always pleased with the food and the drinks are really good too. Intimate (close) setting, but there is a great party room that can be reserved which is private from the restaurant dining area. The kitchen is fun to watch through the broad glass window that separates it from about 1/2 of the dining area. Very friendly staff that works well as a team. We have had chefs visit our table three times to check and see how we received their dishes, and host or manager have always checked with us every time we have dined. They make their own deserts and ice cream. All the ones we have had are yummy!
(5)Jermaine M.
Me and my friends or like the unknown eaters around san diego see how great of a reputation as this place has we had to try it I ordered the " bbq" dish as a chef I got where the chef was goin with the dish but it was lackin on all levels to start it was way way overpriced and horribly exicuted. It was pork belly but it was more like a slice bacon although I get that they are the same cut there was no substance to it the bbq rib was just that a 3 inch one bone of baby back rib the only god part was the churriso " hot link" it was the only good thing on my plate the blackeye peas was dried out and stuck to the bottom of the castiron skillet it was served in and I didnt get any okra in mine like rt he person who I was dinning with. Im a true foodie and got the vision for what the chef wanted for this dish but it was awful and way over priced we ended up goin to a taco shop after leaving.
(1)David G.
My wife and I shared one Restaurant Week meal because we do RW many nights and most places give us too much food for multi-night dining. Plus we are seniors and we don't burn calories like you "youngins". The RW menu offered us any one appetizer, any entree and any dessert for $40. We split the Mussels and Fries, the entree size Grilled Scallops and the Chocolate Malted Crunch Bar. We also asked for bread which we used to soak up the extra broth of the mussels. Anyway, that turned out to be the perfect amount of food for us. And it was all really excellent. Highly recommend these selections. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was they added a 20% gratuity on the meal and the TAX. I was taught you never tip on tax. But when a restaurant automatically adds a tip, state law makes them add it to the total bill including tax. I think you can tell them you want to add your own tip, and they'll take it off, but who wants that hassle?
(4)Lindsay L.
This place reminds me of restaurants back in San Francisco. Features a rotating menu of lots of creative dishes that are awesome 90% of the time. The absolute best way to experience Whisknladle is bring FRIENDS (at least 2-3), and everyone tries everything. I had some pretty boring shrimp pasta here (shells, shrimp, tomatoes, olive oil), but a month or two before that, I had some pretty unbelievably outstanding shrimp pasta that I still dream about (saffron, cheese, shrimp, mussels, thick spaghetti with a sear on it). Not a HUGE fan of the cocktails here, although they are decent -- I know I'm in the minority. London Burning is interesting but heavy, and I can't drink Sangria. Oh, the agony. Desserts are good but not a revelation -- the trio of ice creams/sorbets are probably my favorites. The bone marrow, flatbread, burger, crispy sweetbreads, and mussels are ALWAYS winners. Come here if you're adventurous, willing to drop some cash, and won't cry too much if you order a baddy (you'll be picking off your friend's plate anyway, right?).
(4)Phillip F.
Had flatbread today. It had tomato sauce, cabbage, parsley, and bits of lardons. All for about $15. What a rip-off. All you tasted was the tomato sauce and even that was bland. You could not tell that there were other ingredients there. Would have been better off walking down the street to Von's grocery store and bought their flatbread for $3 and a can of Hunt's tomato sauce for $4 and combined them myself. Only good thing was the impeccable service that I received.
(1)Peter E.
My wife and I reserved the private room in the back for our reception dinner with our families, and Whisknladdle didn't disappoint! The Service was just great and made us all feel at home, the food was fantastic, and everyone had a great time. We simply cannot recommend this place enough, thanks again for the fantastic evening Whisknladdle!!
(5)Thuy L.
Restaurant week! Got to love the fact that we got to try tons of different items on the menu and not limited to just a couple. How did I forget to rate this place? So this was my second time here the first time was last year. My sister in-law from Florida researched some places for Restaurant Week and this was one of her picks. She treated us to this spot and DAMN it was spectacular! We we're all so satisfied with everything from the service to the food they hit the spot. I have to admit this was by far the best pick for restaurant week. I'll have to come back again and again =)
(5)Elaine L.
There aren't very many good restaurants in San Diego so having a restaurant like Whisknladle is refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed their homemade cured meats and cheeses. The best thing on the menu would be their Chocolate Peanut Butter Vacherin---this dessert is to die for!!!
(4)scott p.
Solid 4 star review from a downtown yelper for a la jolla restaurant. Whisk n ladle has a vibe similar to the Guild and they execute their combination of small plates and mains with aplomb. Restaurant had a "young" vibe but with a mixed aged range. Everyone seemed to be having a good time- waitstaff included. Service was above average- only a few tiny slip ups. Would def. eat here again if I had cause to be in the area, and would def. recommend above nearby 910.
(4)N C.
Went here for happy hour and plan on going back for sure! Mini brussel sprouts, pork belly, and patatas bravas were delicious. Be sure to ask what the flatbread is that day because we ordered one and it came topped with anchiovies, which I'm not a fan of. Only thing I would change is some of their portions were too small, even for tapas. Ambience is great!
(4)Kristiana A.
I came here for a birthday dinner, and luckily it was birthday girls' boyfriends' treat. Because normally I couldn't afford a place like this :[ They were super accomadating. Birthday girl had a large party and they crafted a special birthday menu for her. Everyone had the same thing and it was all served family style. Spicy shrimp and flatbread pizza for an appetizer, and for dinner there were mashed potatoes, risotto, chicken and steak. I've never had steak so tender or chicken so moist. It was all cooked to perfection. As the birthday guests and most of the other customers trickled out, only the boyfriend and I, and birthday girl and her boyfriend remained. We chatted til what I would think was almost closing. I started to get antsy, wondering if maybe we should go before the staff gave us the evil eye. Quite the opposite happened. I think the owner or something came out with a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries for us, on the house. The atmosphere is great. It's very hip and the front patio is beautiful and warm enough that it feels like it's indoors. A must-try place, if you've got the money for it.
(5)Billy C.
I really was hoping to avoid a three star review for a million reasons. The decor is great. (contemporary Cali cool) Our server (Jen from Cape Cod) was beyond amazing. The food was all organic and locally grown. Usually a good start. Unfortunately, the great parts didn't make a great experience. We started with drinks from their hand crafted mixologist list. Two of us had the London Broiler which is a spicy gin drink mixed with jalapeño. WAY too much jalapeño. My wife's review: "It was like giving a blow job to a jalapeño" and that was NOT a compliment. For apps we got a tomato salad and the cutting board to share and they were probably the culinary highlight. Different meats / different cheeses with toasted bread and all good. Recommended. However, the main courses were just average. Lobster with spicy marinara. Average....a little fishy. Duck.....a little gamey but not bad. Scallops. Pretty good, but nothing out of this world. The only thing that was above average was the Tagliatelle Bolognese. That was the big winner with the table. All in all - not bad, not great and a little too expensive for an average experience at $80 a head (including tip and two rounds of drinks)
(3)Kim G.
If a guy took me here, it means he's classy, romantic, and RICHH RICH RICHH!!!! My amigo Sunny (so cool by the way!) was working the happy hour (5-7pm) on a wednesday night. We got 1. 2 orders of the beef skewers (THE BEST) 2. 2 orders of the feta cheese balls 3. 2 orders of the flat bread 4. one hot shrimp 5. one tapa of salami 6. a pitcher of corn sangria (sooo good!) we got some other ones of the $2 tapas..cant remember cuz..i mean in an altered state of consciousness if u know what i meannnnnzzzz!!!! but it came out to 50 something, 63 with tip. And this was happy hour!!! so, prepare to spend alot of money here, you men. cuz, its a pretty classy place ;)
(5)David Z.
AMAZING restaurant!!! great romantic and intimate ambience, as well a great simple menu! there waiters know the wine list extensively which was very impressive!
(5)Cindy T.
This is a great spot to stop for drinks after a long day (or week) at work. I love the hibiscus cosmopolitan. It is so delicious! This place also has a decent selection of tapas (small plates) to compliment your cocktails. The tapas menu changes frequently, but most of the ones I order have been very good. I especially recommend the patatas bravas. The restaurant has a large outdoor patio seating area, but I enjoy sitting in the bar area whenever I'm here. The reasons being that the happy hour specials and the tapas menu are only available in the bar area. I can't comment on the regular menu, but if the drinks and and the tapas are any indication, than I suspect the full menu items are just as tasty.
(4)Norma N.
over rated.not worth it's expensive , small portions and not good for me. We just waste $150 for 2 people with very small portions. I won't come back again.
(1)Midas M.
So nice I had to eat there twice (in one weekend!)... Diverse menu offers locally-grown, seasonal produce that satisfies the both healthy and lighter eaters. Fantastic cocktails. Lovely knowledgeable service. Highlights: - Help-yourself coffee/sweet & savory baked goods bar with delicious house-made jams, butters & sauces (Weekend Brunch) - House-made everything! - Perfectly cooked scallops with cara cara oranges (thanks, justin!)
(5)Matt P.
*please reference the owner's comment when reading* Take a stroll to the b-room, you'll see the microwave. For the amount of money paid, that is b-s. Baked to order anything, BS. The simple fact is that top-class restaurants don't have microwaves. I guarantee that when you walk into the kitchen at French Laundry or Chez Panisse (other restaurants whose selling points are stellar, locally sourced products and simple, flavorful preparations) they don't have microwaves, it's lazy and shouldn't be tolerated at a place that charges so much and VALUES their product. It's about respecting and honoring the ingredients and the product. See the transcript of the Alice Waters interview seen on 60 Minutes, here's a quote "To prove to Stahl that healthy, slow food is worth the money, and can be fast and easy, she invited her to her house for breakfast. She was going to cook some eggs and make a salad with tomatoes. It was at the house that Stahl realized that Waters lives in a different world - for one, she doesn't have a microwave. Asked how she lives without one, Waters replied, "I don't know how you can sort of live with one." I'm absolutely positive she doesn't allow microwaves in her kitchen, and while Thomas Keller doesn't give nearly as many interviews, I can say confidently there is not one in the French Laundry restaurant either or any other place that is not just suckling at the teat of the original slow food movement. If the baked to order pastries take a half hour to prepare, that is something that can be solved with pro-active service. As someone who spent almost six years working in a kitchen, as a manager, and as a server, delivering what you promise, ie baked-to-order desserts, is paramount to being true to your product and customers. If your servers are selling something as baked-to-order, it should be just that, baked, not microwaved, to order. Arturo of WNL "We bake our pastries the morning of and then bring some of them or their sauces to temperature for serving in yes, a microwave." Gary Danko can get away with microwaving their famous sponge cake because they don't deceive people that it is baked to order, much like their microwaved brownie in a mug. A product baked in the morning and microwaved in the evening because it's quicker is NOT baked-to-order, just don't sell it as such, maybe warmed or some other euphemism would be better for you and your company. And I'll bet they don't hide the microwave in the back. As for the Paco Jet, the processes in making the ice cream or sorbets remain the same, unlike a microwave, an essential and important difference. No matter how good the product, microwaving has, and always will, degrade the integrity of that product. I'll accept it for my plastic cup of refried beans at Rubio's, not for expensive high-end desserts. Or just be honest about the preparation and let your product stand on it's own two legs. Trying to reconcile inferior cooking methods and deception with upwards of 20-30$ prices a plate and $15 for dessert is ridiculous. If the owner cops to microwaving the desserts, it makes you wonder what other corners are being cut with what other products they put out.
(1)Alex S.
This place was great! The prices are a tad high, especially for the portion size but the quality is top notch, the service was great, the area is great, the ambiance is great. The big theme that his restaurant hangs its hat on is that the ingredients they use are all very fresh and it really shows up in the food. Between me and my date, we ordered the Mussels, Chorizo Dates, and a flatbread pizzaish thing. The Mussels were excellent as the portion was very large and the quality was very good. The white wine sauce was so good that I began to soak the complimentary bread in it to get the flavor. The chorizo dates were also very good, certainly very unique, but the flatbread was just "alright" to me and I wouldn't order it again. We didn't have room for dessert but we saw others order blueberry cobbler and it looked excellent. Our waiter was very nice though and brought us free chocolates because he said we should end the meal with something sweet. All in all, this was a great dining experience for me and I am looking forward to coming back. This place is freshness over quality, but it worked well for me and could be a go to date place for me in the future.
(4)Rita A.
Ridiculously delicious food with charming, knowledgeable service. Great vibe on the patio. A nice treat for my friends birthday. It was so good all around, I will be heading to their other restaurant Prep Kitchen next time! My favorite was squid ink pasta it was so good. Deserts were great too. We tried Dark Chocolate Pots de Creme, and apple upside down cake, they were both delicious! Best in La Jolla, period. Can't wait to return.
(5)Kelly M.
Whisk n Ladle is off the main strip of restaurants facing La Jolla cove, so it makes for a more intimate setting without a touristy menu. The meat and cheese plate alone was good enough for a whole meal, with everything cured in-house it was really spectacular. Also, the chef is constantly changing the menu items for season, so every dish is fresh, flavorful, and thoughtful. We also tried the swordfish and the tagatelle pasta bolognese. Something so simple, noodles with meat and tomato sauce, turned out to melt on my tounge with every bite. And who could forget dessert, the dark chocolate ice cream was the best I have ever had. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgabe, and could tell an entire story about the chef's creation for each item on the menu. I will definitely be back. This could be my new favorite restaurant in San Diego....
(5)Jade P.
I love this place anytime of day, but my favorite time to go is for brunch. The outdoor feel to the seating, the signature mimosas and the always delicious food keeps me coming back time after time. I've never had to wait to be seated for brunch and there is a complimentary coffee and tea station that's continuously refreshed. Scones and house made ( I think) jam are here as well. The chef switches up the menu a bit so you never get bored, but never all at once. If u come for brunch on Saturday or Sunday ask for Colin. He is friendly, prompt, attentive and professional. His menu knowledge is superb and the way he describes each item makes me want to order everything on the menu. Even if I've had something before I ask Colin to describe it because he makes it sound that much more delicious!
(5)H H.
Great tapas, they're not too expensive if you're on a budget and want to try the place out. The products are organic and grown from local farms. Great service!
(5)Cynthia T.
Update: Within one hour of writing this review, the owner emailed me; asked for more feedback; and requested we try his restaurant again. I will definitely do so - it's really nice to see people who care about their businesses that much. Pros: Nice atmosphere. Interesting menu. The host, after telling us the restaurant was booked, got a cancellation and chased us down the street to give us a table. I thought that was very very nice :) Cons: Although the food was good and well-cooked, I think it was overpriced for what you got. The service was mediocre/average - somewhat attentive and not very friendly - our server and one of our busboys seemed a little too cool to care whether we were taken care of. Still, they didn't neglect us, so that was good. I'm interested in trying PrepKitchen - Whisknladle's cheaper sister. That place seems promising...
(3)Lauren M.
The Whisknladle is some of the best dining I have experienced. Everything was cooked perfectly and as for my favorite dish so far, it's definitely a tie between the mushroom/truffle oil/goat cheese pizza and the calamari. My cousin and I tried the Bubble Pop Electric and Maria Sangria martini's and they were friggin amazing. Definitely trying the Lavender Cosmo next time I visit and whatever else looks tasty on the menu (It's seasonal so changes all the time). We sat at the bar and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere too. The bar is in a horse-shoe shape so it's easy to people watch and peek at the other yummy entrees served. Oh snap and since we went at dinner time, the front was enclosed off with mock-windows so when we passed the restaurant in the afternoon the next day, it was really pretty to see that the windows are taken away and the front seating area is open. Definitely sitting in the front area next time. Another thing I found really cool was how the kitchen area is fully visible and the chefs are all busy but make time to wave to regular customers. My cousin knew someone who worked there and he made time to come out and say hello and ask how our meal was. Great service. So basically, if you are in the area or not, you must try this place.
(5)Jessica D.
I want to give this joint a better review, but.... I know it's just chance, but we had the worst service. Completely overlooked by the hostess after waiting an hour (supposedly the wait for non reservations was 45 minutes, which we happily agreed to). At the one hour mark she told us it would only be another 15 minutes, yet she sat a table of 4 without reservations ahead of us as we stood there. Petty, I know, but I'd rather my patronage be treated with respect. Shucks, I really wanted to like this place. With over 200 glowing reviews, tourists go at it!!
(2)Jenny W.
Happy Hour: ($3) - solid patatas bravas - shrimp: really yummy, wish there was a little bit more though! - tortilla espanola: nice twist with broccoli in it - sangria: not too sweet, but could use a dash more wine Dinner: mussels + fries: I would really like them to be huge mussels but whatever, tastes good so no other real complaints Squid ink risotto: YUM. favorite is still at arriverdecci (hillcrest) but not bad here too chocolate mousse dessert: DELISH! perfect for sharing with 3-4 peeps. **if you are going to share the dish family style and not split it, make sure to say that or else they will split the dish and charge extra ** still love this place. solid happy hour. solid food that is ever changing.
(4)Chanel B.
I ate dinner here with my boyfriend to celebrate our year and a half anniversary last Saturday night, riding on the heavy praise from my boss who visited it in January. Long story short, it didn't quite live up our expectations. Service was absolutely on point, with frequent water refills, and lots of attention to detail in the restaurant. However, this place comes with a VERY hefty price tag. We both ordered a cup of the vegetable soup (at a whopping $10 a piece) which was delicious, and we brought our own wine ($20 cork fee). I ordered the salmon for $30 which came out near cold. I started reading some other reviews of this place and it seems that cold salmon is the name of the game here. Cold, with no lemon, no seasoning. I would not describe the fish as bad, but nothing about it stood out. It was a straight from the sea kind of deal - with no flavor. My boyfriend ordered the $30 hangar steak, to keep things simple. He loves a good steak and surprisingly, he got a very fatty piece. He kept complaining that it was overly chewy and stringy. He wasn't satisfied, and it was disappointing because we were celebrating a special occasion. I liked my entree more than he did his, so I suppose I owe him a very fancy dinner - at another establishment. I'm trying to justify this places prices as simply La Jolla and on the fancy side of gastropub. The menu isn't particularly diverse, and I think it has been condensed since my boss first visited (he said his visit in January boasted a very large and diverse menu). The ambiance is nice here, and it was also nice to have a little getaway in La Jolla. But, our very friendly waitress and our outstanding bottle of wine (which we brought from a wine tasting trip) were the best parts about our meal. $130 bucks later, it's time to find a new restaurant.
(2)Julie G.
Visited again prior to seeing a play at the La Jolla Playhouse. Sangria was awesome, as well as the meal.
(5)John N.
This review is more of a overall review, taking into account all the times I've been here, from my first visit (New Year's 2008) to my most recent (last week). Here we go... Arguably one of the best restaurants I've been to, ever, probably ranking only below the local family owned places that only you or your race would know about (I'm Vietnamese, so in my case it would be that small Vietnamese places that only Viets go to...you know the ones I mean). Let's break this down in order of importance: DRINKS: 4.5/5 stars. To be honest, the first time I ever found this place, it was more (and still is) about the drinks than the food. I usually sit at the bar area with my two usual friends, because more often than not we like to drink first, then eat with drinks, then finish with more drinks. Sometimes we get inappropriately wasted, and leave with a $150 tab just from drinks (average $10/cocktail). Once they practically had to cut us off because we were enjoying them too much! But it's worth it, because Ian and Lucien (and Justin) make the best cocktails around. They are truly imaginative when it comes to making new drinks, and while some of them don't always work well (in my opinion), the majority of them do. Do try: The London's Burning, which is a regular. My personal favorites are the Apple Whiskey Sour, the New Fashioned, the Pico de Gallo, Melon Fresca and Ian's all time best creation ever, The Lime Cello. Unfortunately these are more seasonal than regular and I'm still hounding Ian to make the Lime Cello again. Just to illustrate how awesome the bartenders are here, Ian made me the Apple Whiskey sour mix (gastrique if we're fancy) so I could make my own at home, for FREE! I was willing to pay but he wouldn't hear of it. If you're ever unhappy with a cocktail (perhaps you ordered one thinking it would be good but it turned out to not be something you liked), they are happy to replace it with one more to your liking. The only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because like I mentioned above, not all the drinks are a hit with my palate, although I have observed many other people enjoying them. FOOD: 4.5/5 stars. Almost everything I've ever ordered here has been excellent. My go-to favorites are the Mussels and Fries, the Hanger steak and the Caesar salad. Lately I've just been stopping in for the Tapas, which are also excellent. The Sizzling Shrimp and the Steak skewers (which come with some kind of green maybe avocado-based paste, but used to come with a reddish-brown steak sauce) are my favorites. Again, Whisknladle went above and beyond and supplied me with the sauce to-go so I could use at home when cooking steaks. Unfortunately the name fails me at the moment, but if you ask them, they'll figure it out (they had an informal poll among the servers until we could figure out which sauce I wanted). They also emailed my friend the recipe at a later date. The reason the food isn't an outright 5 is because it's not always consistent. By which I mean, the food will be prepared or garnished differently from time to time and sometimes they'll change the recipe (like with the steak skewers). But of course with a place like this that is dependent on using local and seasonal ingredients, that is a side-effect. SERVICE: 6/5 stars. Fortunately, I've never experienced any of the horror stories that I've read here about the service. Maybe because most of the time, my friends and I sit at the bar, and the bartenders are very friendly and it could be a different story sitting at the tables. From the few times sitting at the tables, however, the service has been just as great as sitting at the bar. It could be because I'm a fairly frequent visitor or (IMHO) am a friendly guy who doesn't treat a waiter as just a waiter. Sometimes I've noticed people who come in who seem to carry in a bad attitude and take it out on the servers and then take any little thing that is not to their liking as some kind of personal offense that the server must have deliberately planned to slight them. I worked at fast-food joints when I was in HS so I like to think I'm nicer than average to servers. It does take some screwing up for me to become irate. But anyway, the servers here always treat me well. At first it was just good service, a strict Waiter to customer relationship. After the first few times, they become more friendly as they get to know you better (and hopefully you get to know them better! Hey Eric, your Patriots got nothing this year! Go Cowboys!). They are usually willing to hook you up with things (bread, butter, dishes that the cooks "accidentally" made too much of) and if something is not to your liking, they'll try their best to fix it. About sending food back, I do find that you should be specific about what you didn't like about the food, maybe even suggest what can be done to change it. In conclusion, If Ian, Lucien, Justin or Eric is helping you when you come in, you're going to be looked after. Period!
(5)Mike L.
A foodies place to eat. Bone marrow, sweet breads...
(5)Rex V.
Very good food!! Small portions though.
(4)Robert W.
Fantastic! I'll start with the only thing our table of 4 didn't love, the oyster, nothing wrong with them egregious. However, I love Fanny Bays and I know it's summer but they were very lean and we had excellent plump Hood Canals just the day before. With that out of the way... The charcuterie plate: rabbit rillete, coppa ham, salami, blue cheese, kumquat relish/jam, great toasted sourdough bread, whole grain mustard. Loved it. Summer Salad: simple and good; nice combo of ingredients, light but complimentary dressing. Beef Tongue: Surprisingly mild (and I ain't afraid of not tongue mind you), delicious. Pork Cheeks: a favorite of the table, including a Raw-Vegan Chef recently reformed for health reasons. pink Sea Bass: although the sea bass was cooked just a touch more than we'd of liked the dish was great, only thing left on the plate was a bit of the fish. Seared Mary's Duck Breast: I liked it and thought the dish as a whole was very good but the duck itself was good not great. The fat in the skin was well rendered, seasoning nice; but in retrospect a bit chewy even for rosy med-rare duck and not as hot and dripping with salty duck grease and caramelized skin flavor as I'd of liked. Still tasty and good, I enjoyed it. Service was great, we felt very well taken care of even though they were packed. -Thank you Went back for brunch next day, Concord Grape Clafouti, fried fish tacos, crazy good brioche toast with scrambled eggs, nice bacon, nice coffee, cucumber mimosa, same friendly staff as last night. Again very happy with our experience.
(5)Sarah N.
The atmosphere is very nice, welcoming and romantic. The food was excellent and our server Kiersten blew us away. We were able to sit right away which the hostess seemed surprised by even though it was Tuesday at 8pm. We started with a chorizo flatbread, it so good! I had tri-tip, my fiance had a huge delicious burger and his fries were nice and crispy. My mom had duck. The tri tip was cooked to perfection and paired nicely with heirloom tomatoes, shaved parm and arugula. It was a great choice for a healthy dinner without starchy carbs. The duck was very tasty. Their eclectic drink menu made for some fun new things to try. Kiersten was attentive, made great recommendations, and really knew her food, drinks, pairings very well. My fiance got up to use the restroom right before the food arrived and the expediter asked if he could warm the plate until he returned. A nice touch. I will definitely return to try more of their menu.
(5)Kendra R.
"The Kitchen 6er".......best dessert ever and well deserved!!
(5)Paul W.
Early dinner before a concert was outstanding! Terrific oysters from Baja (I need to find out where they get them), followed by the second best sweetbreads I've ever eaten (I long for you, Belgian Lion, so sorely missed). Also the pork cheeks with polenta, figs and dates were great. My only complaint was that I wanted more.
(5)Brian Y.
Nice spot, I visited for lunch and had a beer with a fish sandwich. Solid sandwich and the homemade potato chips were cool (also huge) but a little too salty for me and I'm the king of loving salty food. Lovely layout of the restaurant and plenty of people so keep it up. This place is new and hope it keeps improving.
(3)Jen T.
Delicious, delicious food. I've been wanting to try this place for a while, but I knew it was pricey, and as a college student, I just didn't have the funds (nor occasion) to splurge on a meal. And then...comes along my birthday. So my choice for early dinner/happy hour for a Saturday was Whisknladle. Luckily they have happy hour in their bar lounge 7 days a week, so it was perfect. We didn't sit in the restaurant but the lounge, but I loved the simplicity of the decor (bare, fatigued walls; simple, old-fashioned lightbulbs; black and white color scheme.. loved it!). We were originally going to just get the HH special of $3 tapas, but since all of us hadn't eaten anything since our early breakfast that morning, we also decided to order from their dinner menu, which was fine. We first shared the grilled steak skewers and swordfish tapas. For these, you get 3 steak skewers, and for the swordfish you get 2. I didn't try the swordfish, but my friends said it was good, but not as spectacular as the steak, which was amazinglyyy tender and juicy.. sooo worth the $3. For entrees, I had the Slow Roasted Pork Belly, which was complemented very well with the peanut curry sauce on the side.. but the portion was a little smaller than I expected. It was also probably delicious because my piece had a thick piece of fat in the middle. Yummy :P My friend ordered the Stuffed Grill Quail which was good, but I felt bad since he was a guy, and it was a lot smaller than what he thought it would be (but it was quail after all...). And my friend who got the WNL Brandt Burger ordered it mostly because it included a fried egg, but this was definitely a generous portion.. talk about a gourmet burger too! What I liked about the menu choices was that everything was local and fresh (one of the entrees even specified that the mussels were from Carlsbad.. yum!). I can tell a lot of thought is put into the quality of the ingredients in their food. I also had a hibiscus margarita (?) upon the recommendation of the server. It was strong, but not enough that it was too bitter. I thought it was interested cuz there was cracked pepper in the description, though I didn't really notice it. And because my friend embarassingly announced to our server (who gave us kids greattt service even in the lounge area) that it was my birthday, he brought us a complimentary apple strudel topped with homemade salty peanut ice cream. This. was. divine. and worth the entire visit! I might just have to come back here for dessert. Overall, a very memorable and good meal. Just wish I had enough money to come back and try another sit-down version of it (:
(5)Josephine P.
I went for brunch and really wanted to order their pastry sampling option. I love pastries and I was really looking forward to it. When I got there I saw the options... They were all there and yeah they looked pretty good until I saw all the flies circling them. They leave the whole pantry out in the open, no cover or anything. I ditched the pastry idea. I ordered the fresh blueberry pancakes and was equally happy. My boyfriend ordered the black bean tostada. Both dishes were really hearty and flavorful. The coffee wasn't bad either. I like the location of the restaurant, but parking can be tough. This place is expensive, but if you want to go for a mid day relaxing experience, it might be worth it.
(3)Colleen C.
We randomly walked into this place after strolling around in La Jolla. Loved my waiter-Sunny. loved our food, it was actually so good that we went back for another meal, on the same day.
(5)Jonathan R.
This review is only for the happy hour/bar area. We went there to check out the $2 tapas (which is only served in the bar area) and planned to move to the restaurant area for dinner. The restaurant part was pretty empty when we got there at 6 pm but by the time we went to get a table around 7, there was a long wait so we stayed in the bar. The bar area is set up well with couches and high top tables, as well as the option to sit at the bar itself. I was looking forward to trying the sangria but it was white sangria with a strong grapefruit flavor so I decided to stick to wine. The tapas menu is pretty impressive, especially for $2. They also have 25% off bottles of wine. Yes, some of the portions are smaller but it is $2 after all. The highlights were the flat iron steak skewers, the potatoes with aoili, and the flatbread. The shrimp were good but swimming in oil and the swordfish was small and dry. We also tried the squash ravioli off the dinner menu which was also quite tasty. I'll definitely go back for HH and want to try more off the dinner menu.
(5)Alina M.
1. Nick at the bar is the bees knees. 2. Headcheese. Just do it. 3. At the end of the day I want someone to guide me in the right direction of what to order. When pondering over which dessert to order: new menu item vs. goat cheese soufflé...Nick asked me "do you like goal chesse?" Me: I love goat cheese! Nick: well then get the goat cheese soufflé. I know...it's not rocket science but sometimes I'm just that easy! FYI: the puff pastry that goes with the goat cheese soufflé literally melts in your mouth. 4. How is it possible that EVERYONE at the bar was such good company, easy to carry a conversation with and fun!?!! Everyone loved their food so much we were all offering to share it with our stranger neighbor "you have to try the headcheese/bread/olives..." 5. I heard something about a nutella sandwich coming...or maybe they make their own nutella. Oh and there's 4 women that work all day on just the desserts...the proof is in the pudding. 6. If you need to learn how to do a proper bro shake or bro hug. Just ask! Seriously one of the best dining experiences I've ever had.
(5)Harshith A.
Happy Hour specials here are great. In addition to the previously mentioned Tapas, there is a great selection of Sangria and flatbread (more like fancy thin cracker pizza) which was delicious! Service was great, everyone was friendly and attentive, and the overall dining experience was very nice.
(4)Marlene G.
Cucumber Lemon Water = AMAZING
(4)Vina L.
This is more like a 4.5 star experience because the bread and butter were iffy. Be careful, one butter taste perfect, when they switch it out - it could become super salty :(. We were here for restaurant week and were disappointed to discover that some of the offerings (squid ink risotto, duck) were no longer on the menu. I'll break down the meal by course. Appetizer: We got the Diver Scallops and the Bone Marrow, both were excellent. the scallops were a little burned but the flavor, especially with the grapefruit was excellent. The only gripe we had with the scallops were the seeds in the grapefruit, my friend really didn't like finding seeds in her dish (there were 4). The Bone Marrow was exactly as expected, buttery and good. My friend had reservations about the capers on the dish but once she tried it with the bone marrow, she couldn't go back. VERY GOOD. Entrée: We ordered the Halibut and Pork Shoulder. Both were well done, though nothing amazing. The Pork shoulder was very moist but the fruit that they topped it with threw me off and the sweet sauce just didn't seem right for the dish. The halibut was very good, and the greens that they put on the dish complimented it well. Dessert: Lemon Soufflé and triple ice cream. The beginning and the end of the night were the highlights of the night. The Lemon Soufflé was light and gorgeous. It felt like a day at the carnival, not as intense as a trip to Disneyland but fun, sweet, and fluffy with a dash of sunshine to top it off. It had a coconut topper and the candied kumquats, you must eat it with all elements at the same time - there are no words to describe the burst of sunshine and daisies that your tastebuds will experience. The ice cream: chocolate, vanilla, and chunky monkey. Chocolate felt like that beautiful silk dress in your closet, you love it - you know that on the right day, it's beautiful on you - but it must be eaten slowly to enjoy the metaphor for life it feels like it's representing. The first taste of bitter and then sweet that fills your mouth reminds you that dress for all those times the silk piece just did not fit right, but those moments where all the stars align and it fits like a glove - that was the chocolate. The Vanilla was amazing, it tasted like true vanilla, not sugar with some extract thrown in, it felt like true vanilla from the bean. My friend called it that old friendship that you have from childhood, someone that is wonderful to see and catch up with but with the chaos of daily life - it's hectic and hard to catch up but when you do, all feels right in the world. Chunky Monkey was the only one out of the three that I wasn't impressed with. It wasn't bad, more like that comfortable pair of PJs on a long day afterwork with your favorite old movie. Nothing special, just comforting, boring, and not surprising, it's not bad - it just doesn't make for an exciting life. I will go back, again and again and again. The food was good, the service was excellent, the atmosphere was fun and trendy without being pretentious.
(4)Jessica L.
I came here during restaurant week because Whisknladle offered their whole menu.. which is AMAZING.. I made a reservation and was seated immediately at a table where I had to sit side by side with my date.. I thought this was really entertaining because I think people watching is fun so I did not mind... I was in their outside patio seating area and thought it was a pretty chill place to sit. Even though many items on their menu are super expensive, this place does not seem pretentious at all and I felt comfortable being there. The service is AMAZING, five stars. I can't remember a time when someone WASN'T refilling my water. Our food came at a nice timely manner and I did not feel rushed at all. However, my bf and I were not completely happy with what we got (probably because we ordered the wrong thing). I ordered the scallops as an appetizer and the black squid ink pasta as my main entree and the semifreddo tiramisu for dessert. My bf ordered the tagliatelle for app, pork belly, salty rib, and housemade sausage for his entree, and chocolate pot de creme for dessert. I loved the scallops and thought they were cooked perfectly, however the bf did not like the curry sauce that it came with and was not impressed with the scallops and we both loved the tagliatelle. My black squid ink pasta, in my opinion, was very unappetizing because all I tasted was butter and it made me feel so heavy and greasy inside. It came with these little green peppers that made it taste somewhat better because it took out the butter taste, but I definitely wished I didn't order that for the entree.. The bf's entree was definitely not worth it either. It came with two small pieces of thick bacon (no the crispy type of bacon) that was almost all fat, one rib (which was definitely nothing special), the sausage (which was dry and not flavorful), and some beans (which I had to resort to eat because I was still hungry from not eating much of my squid ink pasta. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my semifreddo tiramisu dessert. It was amazing!! The chocolate pot de creme is something you don't have to order though, it was way too sweet and then had a sour aftertaste, such a weird combination. The banana bread that came with it was alright. The reason for the three stars, even though their service and ambiance were amazing, was because of their food which is just alright (and not worth $104, and that was for restaurant week) and I feel that yelp should mainly rate restaurant's food. I do want to come back and try the other dishes on their menu, I just might have to wait until the next restaurant week :/.
(3)Kelly K.
Whisknladle was quite a surprise. We went for brunch on Sunday, 6/07/09. I wasn't expecting the quality of food, service, and ambiance we had, all very good... memorable. Chris was our server, and she was FANTASTIC. She has a way about her that makes everything sound absolutely delicious, and gave excellent recommendations. We shared everything. We ordered the Scallops, seared to perfection... I wish I could remember all it was served with. I remember cherry tomatoes and corn, and a foam.... argh, I waited too long to write my review. They were delicious! We also had the carrot soup, which was velvety and DIVINE, a side order of the pom frites, and a perfectly dressed mixed green salad with avocado, grapefruit, hearts of palm, and topped with 6 good sized grilled shrimp. Light, refreshing, and beautifully done. Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and flavorful. You can tell they care about what comes out of that kitchen. It was apparent in every bite. I should also mention, they serve water infused with cucumber... what a nice touch! So refreshing and delicious. :o) In fact, I would like to make some this weekend just to have in the fridge to enjoy. Mmm. All in all, I would normally consider this a 5 star experience. I am reluctant to give them 5 stars as this is the first time I've been. I can say this though, I WILL RETURN. If I have the same experience next time, this will easily turn into a 5 star review. As I mentioned before, everything was great... FOOD awesome, service on point, the ambiance was beautiful and upscale but had a great casual vibe. Safe to say, I loved this place. :o) My only wish is that they would open a location in San Francisco. What a treat it would be to have them in the City or the East Bay; they would be in the rotation in a heartbeat. I cannot wait to return.
(4)Brian G.
At the recommendation of a colleague decided to try for dinner. Definitely better than my last experience. The food was good (steak fries and scallops for my guest), tasty, served promptly and hot. Wine overpriced at $12 a glass but hey this is La Jolla after all. A little crowded but nice ambience, good food and enjoyable. Worth trying.
(3)Amanda M.
I made reservations for 5 at 5:45 and although we arrived late, at 6:30pm, our table was still available us. Yay! The patio is fantastic. It was an unusually chilly weekend in SD but the heaters worked wonders. It was a very comfortable space We ordered 3 steaks, 1 spaghetti, and 1 salmon. The steaks and salmon were cooked very well. My salmon was cooked medium (chef's suggestion) and the meat was so juicy and perfect! Steak was tasty but the au poivre sauce was a little salty and the fries were "boring". Customer service was AMAZING. The food was so fresh and the meat was so good on their own, but I must say that they focus of fresh ingredients and not so much creativity when it came to the dishes. Dessert was REALLY good. I ordered the strawberry shortcake. The strawberries tasted so fresh and served with fluffy basil whipped cream and buttermilk shortbread. My friend got the espresso custard which was sweet and smooth with the right amount of strength. I'd really like to try this place again...
(4)Tawny R.
This place has great drinks, wonderful service and an amazing menue. Atmosphere was great, and I cant wait to go agian. Wonderful for special occasions or date nights.
(5)Joe L.
Whisknladle can do no wrong in my book. Everything I've ever tried is so amazing and I keep coming back and keep recommending this place to people, every chance I get. This is, without a doubt, one of the best restaurants in San Diego. Killer items include: chorizo date fritters, WNL burger (seriously, the best gourmet burger in San Diego), sweetbreads, cutting board (bomb!)...I could go on and on. Executive Chef Ryan Johnston was a Thomas Keller protégé and that could only lead to very, very, good things. Go here now.
(5)Melanie T.
I can't believe it has been two weeks since I've been here, and I haven't written a review yet! We met friends here on a Sunday for lunch and were floored by our waiter--- very knowledgeable, extremely attentive, funny, and friendly. Definitely the best service we've ever received, anywhere. My husband and I had the summer salad, which is so fresh with the highest quality ingredients. One of our friends ordered the muscles and said they were the best he's ever had. We left very satisfied, and then... We came back. We walked around La Jolla for a little bit, decided to stop back by for a beer at 3:30 and ended up waiting till happy hour started at 5:00, finally leaving around 7:00. Happy hour is a great deal-- $2 for each tapas, but most of the servings are very small, so you order a lot. The papas bravas are fantastic and very unique, the swordfish is apparently much softer/less tough than it usually is (I didn't try it, but even my picky husband liked it), the drinks are all very interesting, and the sorbets are to die for! My favorite was the strawberry/red pepper. I can't remember what it was, but there was a grape and chocolate desert that was amazing, too (I was a little tipsy at that point, and it's not listed on their online menu). Oh, and the sangria is not really like sangria. It's good, but I think it's made with grapefruit (?). Definitely a unique flavor profile. Overall, this place was impeccable from beginning to end. Friendly staff, quality food and drinks... It's pricey, but it is so worth it. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Kathryn K.
Fantastic seasonal menu
(5)Michael W.
Good service, good location, good company at the table and bad food. Go somewhere else unless you're looking for flavorless cobb salad and a greasy ban mi sandwich.
(2)Julio G.
A little spendy but if you eat at the bar, you can hit up the happy hour, which ends at 6pm. All the food is always top-notch.
(5)Kelly H.
I went to this location on 1/18/2010 for restaurant week. I chose it because i read great things online and thought, 'why not!' Well i was thrilled with the service and thought it was top notch, but utterly disappointed with the food. I didn't bring it up at the time of dining since i was with a close friend playing 'catch up' so i wrote to the email address provided on their website and let them know the following: 1. That Crows Pass Farm Greens Salad was absolutely amazing, kudos! Very delicious and satisfying. 2. The Maine Scallops were not very good unfortunately. As soon as it was delivered, I could smell the 'fishy smell' which shouldn't really happen if it's fresh. But I didn't judge it based on that... so as I sampled it, it was gritty almost like there was still some sand on it? to be honest, I'm not sure why it was gritty. But the thing that was really bad was the salt. It was SUPER SALTY. I mean, I'm a salt lover and usually salt whatever, but this was so salty that I couldn't eat more than one scallop. I didn't even bother taking it home for left overs. 3. As for the desert, wasn't too pleased with that either. I ordered the Banana Mousse (the exact name escapes me) but there was no mousse at all. The banana filling had the texture of flan. I ate maybe two bites and was over it. The chocolate on top was congealed and very unappetizing. One would naturally think that they would apologize and try to regain my business with the well known motto ' kill them with kindness' but alas, this the response i get basically started off nice, but then the Managing Partner, Arturo Kassel, quickly changed the tone of the email and stated "When you don't let us know, you are not giving us a fair chance" as if it was my fault for not bringing it up in person... Unfortunately, I would never recommend this restaurant. Which is regrettable since I had high hopes based on the reviews I had read...So lesson learned: NEVER GO TO WHISKNLADLE!
(1)Ryan M.
This was the first time I have been here and I have to say that it was amazing. I love the atmosphere, it is laid back and casual. But the food is not casual. Our server, Jessie, was very knowledgeable about the restaurant and the food. She helped make the experience as great as it was. They have some unique items on the menu, which is supposedly always changing, and I had the opportunity to try several of them including bone marrow. Everything I tried was delicious. I am definitely going to come back and I will be recommending them to my friends.
(5)Eric Z.
Have been here several times and always enjoy myself. Went in for lunch today and had a great meal. I did however order the carrot soup, which in my opinion had too thin of a viscosity, and not enough carrot flavor. There seemed to be too much cilantro in there... Also had the hangar steak salad which was absolutely awesome. The chimichurri was some of the best I've ever had. I wish there was more steak and chimi on the salad. Will always come back and recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Tom C.
4 1/2 stars really. really good food, great service (really great service). I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a nice dinner. I would have liked to have seen a larger variety of local beers on tap, there were 3, but I was able to find one to my likeing.
(4)