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The Wilkes
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
The Wilkes
8.1
Chef Brian Rigsby (Animal, Son of a Gun) and restaurateur Dana Slatkin deliver elevated comfort food in a stunning 1954 Streamline Moderne building designed by architect Alfred T. Wilkes. The latke-encrusted chicken schnitzel and Snake River Farms steaks draw Brentwood's well-heeled crowd to leather booths flanking a wood-burning fireplace, while the Rossi marble bar pours bacon-infused manhattans that keep neighborhood regulars returning weekly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Latke-Encrusted Chicken Schnitzel, Snake River Farms Wagyu NY Strip, Molasses Bread with Salted Date Butter
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Old-school steakhouse charm meets modern LA dining in a Frank Gehry mentor's historic building
Who should go: Westside couples seeking upscale comfort without Downtown traffic
When to visit: Friday or Saturday at 7pm for full energy
What to order: Latke chicken schnitzel, wagyu strip, lemon meringue pie
Insider tip: The hearth room with fireplace is the most coveted seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet $15 + 20% gratuity; street metered parking available in Brentwood Village. Valet stays open until last guests leave.
Dress code: No formal code, but smart chic for dinner. Business casual acceptable, most guests lean dressy for the evening.
Noise level: Lively during peak hours. Mohair acoustic ceiling helps. Request quieter table when booking if needed.
Weekend wait: Reservations essential - book 3 weeks out for primetime Friday/Saturday. Walk-ins unlikely.
Weekday lunch: Dinner only (opens 5pm). No lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options available, kitchen accommodates readily
Vegan options: Yes - accommodations available, inform server upon arrival
Gluten-free options: Yes - accommodations available; inform in advance and remind server for safe prep
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice. Intimate 1954 Streamline Moderne building with leather booths, wood-burning fireplace, marble bar, and romantic vintage touches. Request the hearth room for extra ambiance. Cocktails like the bacon-infused manhattan make good conversation starters.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Very difficult. This is one of LA's hottest new openings. Reservations release monthly on Resy - book 3 weeks ahead for weekend primetime. Try the marble bar for walk-in seating, but don't count on a table.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. Upscale steakhouse atmosphere, $$$+ pricing, and no kids menu. Better suited for adult occasions. Table times are limited (1.5-2 hours) which adds pressure with young children.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, design-forward date nights or special occasions where ambiance matters as much as the steak. The restored 1954 building and British tavern touches set it apart from generic steakhouse chains. Snake River Farms beef, craft cocktails, and the cozy hearth room with fireplace deliver neighborhood charm over corporate polish.
Skip if: You want a power-lunch steakhouse (dinner only), need to accommodate a large group easily (8+ requires special arrangements), or prefer a louder, see-and-be-seen scene. Also skip if you need easy parking - valet is the practical option here.
The Wilkes
8.1
Chef Brian Rigsby (Animal, Son of a Gun) and restaurateur Dana Slatkin deliver elevated comfort food in a stunning 1954 Streamline Moderne building designed by architect Alfred T. Wilkes. The latke-encrusted chicken schnitzel and Snake River Farms steaks draw Brentwood's well-heeled crowd to leather booths flanking a wood-burning fireplace, while the Rossi marble bar pours bacon-infused manhattans that keep neighborhood regulars returning weekly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Latke-Encrusted Chicken Schnitzel, Snake River Farms Wagyu NY Strip, Molasses Bread with Salted Date Butter
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Old-school steakhouse charm meets modern LA dining in a Frank Gehry mentor's historic building
Who should go: Westside couples seeking upscale comfort without Downtown traffic
When to visit: Friday or Saturday at 7pm for full energy
What to order: Latke chicken schnitzel, wagyu strip, lemon meringue pie
Insider tip: The hearth room with fireplace is the most coveted seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet $15 + 20% gratuity; street metered parking available in Brentwood Village. Valet stays open until last guests leave.
Dress code: No formal code, but smart chic for dinner. Business casual acceptable, most guests lean dressy for the evening.
Noise level: Lively during peak hours. Mohair acoustic ceiling helps. Request quieter table when booking if needed.
Weekend wait: Reservations essential - book 3 weeks out for primetime Friday/Saturday. Walk-ins unlikely.
Weekday lunch: Dinner only (opens 5pm). No lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options available, kitchen accommodates readily
Vegan options: Yes - accommodations available, inform server upon arrival
Gluten-free options: Yes - accommodations available; inform in advance and remind server for safe prep
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice. Intimate 1954 Streamline Moderne building with leather booths, wood-burning fireplace, marble bar, and romantic vintage touches. Request the hearth room for extra ambiance. Cocktails like the bacon-infused manhattan make good conversation starters.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Very difficult. This is one of LA's hottest new openings. Reservations release monthly on Resy - book 3 weeks ahead for weekend primetime. Try the marble bar for walk-in seating, but don't count on a table.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. Upscale steakhouse atmosphere, $$$+ pricing, and no kids menu. Better suited for adult occasions. Table times are limited (1.5-2 hours) which adds pressure with young children.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, design-forward date nights or special occasions where ambiance matters as much as the steak. The restored 1954 building and British tavern touches set it apart from generic steakhouse chains. Snake River Farms beef, craft cocktails, and the cozy hearth room with fireplace deliver neighborhood charm over corporate polish.
Skip if: You want a power-lunch steakhouse (dinner only), need to accommodate a large group easily (8+ requires special arrangements), or prefer a louder, see-and-be-seen scene. Also skip if you need easy parking - valet is the practical option here.
The Wilkes
8.1
Chef Brian Rigsby (Animal, Son of a Gun) and restaurateur Dana Slatkin deliver elevated comfort food in a stunning 1954 Streamline Moderne building designed by architect Alfred T. Wilkes. The latke-encrusted chicken schnitzel and Snake River Farms steaks draw Brentwood's well-heeled crowd to leather booths flanking a wood-burning fireplace, while the Rossi marble bar pours bacon-infused manhattans that keep neighborhood regulars returning weekly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Latke-Encrusted Chicken Schnitzel, Snake River Farms Wagyu NY Strip, Molasses Bread with Salted Date Butter
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Old-school steakhouse charm meets modern LA dining in a Frank Gehry mentor's historic building
Who should go: Westside couples seeking upscale comfort without Downtown traffic
When to visit: Friday or Saturday at 7pm for full energy
What to order: Latke chicken schnitzel, wagyu strip, lemon meringue pie
Insider tip: The hearth room with fireplace is the most coveted seating
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet $15 + 20% gratuity; street metered parking available in Brentwood Village. Valet stays open until last guests leave.
Dress code: No formal code, but smart chic for dinner. Business casual acceptable, most guests lean dressy for the evening.
Noise level: Lively during peak hours. Mohair acoustic ceiling helps. Request quieter table when booking if needed.
Weekend wait: Reservations essential - book 3 weeks out for primetime Friday/Saturday. Walk-ins unlikely.
Weekday lunch: Dinner only (opens 5pm). No lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple options available, kitchen accommodates readily
Vegan options: Yes - accommodations available, inform server upon arrival
Gluten-free options: Yes - accommodations available; inform in advance and remind server for safe prep
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice. Intimate 1954 Streamline Moderne building with leather booths, wood-burning fireplace, marble bar, and romantic vintage touches. Request the hearth room for extra ambiance. Cocktails like the bacon-infused manhattan make good conversation starters.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Very difficult. This is one of LA's hottest new openings. Reservations release monthly on Resy - book 3 weeks ahead for weekend primetime. Try the marble bar for walk-in seating, but don't count on a table.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. Upscale steakhouse atmosphere, $$$+ pricing, and no kids menu. Better suited for adult occasions. Table times are limited (1.5-2 hours) which adds pressure with young children.
Best For
Better for: Intimate, design-forward date nights or special occasions where ambiance matters as much as the steak. The restored 1954 building and British tavern touches set it apart from generic steakhouse chains. Snake River Farms beef, craft cocktails, and the cozy hearth room with fireplace deliver neighborhood charm over corporate polish.
Skip if: You want a power-lunch steakhouse (dinner only), need to accommodate a large group easily (8+ requires special arrangements), or prefer a louder, see-and-be-seen scene. Also skip if you need easy parking - valet is the practical option here.