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Whisknladle

Whisknladle is the ultimate destination when in need of some culinary comfort. Boasting eclectic ingredients and bold flavors, patrons will be hard pressed to try only one dish. With California comfort food that eases your mind and uplifts your spirit, Whisknladle is the place to recuperate and excite your taste buds. With inventive dishes like Charred Bone Marrow and Crispy Sweetbreads, there is plenty of variety to challenge and delight the palate. Cooking dishes that are satisfying to the core, it is no surprise that the chefs at Whisknladle take their ingredients very seriously. The executive chef even visits local farms daily to ensure that his kitchen has the freshest produce available. Located in gorgeous La Jolla, the rustic décor and laid back atmosphere makes Whisknladle stand apart from the mundane dining experience. Quality ingredients, friendly service, and great atmosphere- who could ask for more!

Rustic Fare That Satisfies: Mind, Body, and Soul

Whisknladle rests in picturesque La Jolla Village, which offers some of San Diego’s most beautiful ocean views and overlooks the famous La Jolla Cove.  Although beautiful, La Jolla Village does not have ample amounts of parking, and I am relieved to find a spot near the restaurant.  Located amongst other fine dining and shopping establishments, Whisknladle stands apart with its unpretentious and cozy vibe.

Upon approaching the hostess podium my guest and I are greeted with a friendly smile and guided by our server to our table at the front of the restaurant overlooking the bustling street. A wave of relaxation flows over me as my attention is diverted from the street to the rustic urban décor. The warm, casual, and laid-back atmosphere is intoxicating. The main dining room is located in an outdoor patio setting with the interior housing a bar, lounge, and private dining room.  The outdoor patio is made up of oak tables and wrought-iron patio chairs carefully laid out, with large potted plants lining the exterior, creating a refreshing display of earthy tones set to soft lighting. The outdoor patio setting evolves from rustic to sophisticated as you enter the lounge with an intimate bar and private room enabling lounge-goers to enjoy drinks in a swanky setting. The entrance to the bar is distinguished by a beautiful floor- to- ceiling wine tower. The bar is marked by trendy white bar stools and an elegant stone countertop, which separates the lounge from the rest of the restaurant. Towards the back of the patios and to the left of the bar, large glass windows reveal the kitchen, where diners can observe the culinary magic of the chefs at Whisknladle.

Our attentive server describes the soup of the day and inquires if we want to start the meal with a cocktail. I and my guest are more than happy to oblige given the eclectic mix of cocktails listed on the menu and order the house recommendations: the Pomegranate Mojito and the Julian.  As we wait for our cocktails, the restaurant begins to fill up, but the atmosphere never changes; it is continuously serene and calm, with an assorted mix of jazz and rock music playing quietly in the background. The interior is akin to an outdoor Southern patio or barn-- rustic with an urban chic twist.

I awake from my relaxed and comfortable state when the cocktails arrive. The drinks taste as delicious as they look. The Pomegranate Mojito is a rosy red color that boasts a fruity flavor with the signature mint bite of a Mojito. The Julian is a sophisticated and very adult version of apple cider. The rich cinnamon bourbon combined with the tang of the cider and earthiness of the rosemary create a complex but satisfying cocktail that is fitting for the fall season.

Our first appetizer is the Fig and Persimmon Salad. The salad is presented on a simple white plate, with a pop of color from the figs and persimmons. Made with balsamic roasted onions, frisee, and pistachio the salad is light with a rich nutty and peppery bite balanced by the sweet figs and persimmons. The balsamic roasted onions add a tangy sweetness and an unexpected but pleasant texture. The salad strikes a nice balance of sweet and savory – a theme present in all of the dishes to come. The figs and persimmons taste fresh from the farm, which is exactly where they came from. Executive Chef Barclay Dodge goes to the farm every day to pick fresh ingredients for his menu. Everything on the menu is organic and locally grown. The quality of the ingredients is apparent in their taste and texture. This is an ideal starter for the rich and homey foods that are about to arrive.

The next appetizer served is something that I am excited to see on the menu because I have never tasted it before. As the Charred Bone Marrow is placed on our table, the rustic presentation of the bones split in half brings my senses to a carnal level. Seasoned in parsley, lemon, and capers, and spread on buttery toast, the Bone Marrow is unctuous with a lovely buttery and salty flavor. The Fatty and tender texture is complemented by the crunch of the toast.  A signature of Whisknladle is the fact that their menu boasts a variety of unusual ingredients that are combined in ways that are delicious and satisfying; this is embodied in our last appetizer.  

The Crispy Sweetbreads, made from the thymus of a calf, are served on a delicious bed of honey crisp apples, celery, and hazelnuts. This dish is a delightful schmorgasboard of textures, taking your taste buds on a wild ride. The sweet breads are crusted in toasted rice, giving the tender sweetbreads a satisfying crunch as you take a bite.  Drizzled in a sauce with a hint of mustard flavor, the honey crisp apples, celery, and hazelnuts add another dimension of texture. The dish as a whole is invigorating and rich, fulfilling every dimension of taste and texture.  

Next is the Ricotta Gnocchi served with red wine braised oxtail, carrots, and shaved matsutakes. The ricotta gnocchi are rich with a hint of sweetness that blends well with the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the oxtail that falls off the bone the moment your fork touches it. The sweet undertone of the carrots enhances the delicate blend of savory and sweet components of the dish. This is the ultimate comfort food-- a dish that takes a bad day and makes it instantly better.

The last entrée departs from the richness of the previous dishes. The Poached Halibut with artichoke barigoule, “pil pil,” and arugula is a beautiful and colorful display of fresh ingredients. The artichokes are prepared in a tangy white wine and vegetable broth.  The arugula is prepared with the “pil pil,” which is a sauce made from the oil that the Halibut is cooked in, along with garlic among other ingredients.  It is a light, simple dish that focuses on bringing out the flavors of the vegetables, with the fish as a tasty backdrop. The halibut, moist and buttery, is complemented by the earthy matsutake mushrooms scattered on top.

For dessert, we order the Pumpkin Bread Pudding with butter rum ice cream and pecan streusel. This dessert embodies the best flavors of the fall season. The sugary crunch of the streusel adds a layer of sweetness to the bread pudding, which is infused with subtle rum and nutmeg flavors. Like the previous dishes, there is a note of richness that is never heavy, or overbearing, but acts as a backdrop to the variety of flavors in the dish.

My guest and I leave very content after experiencing a level of comfort that only food therapy can provide. Whisknladle offers a harvest of goodies that are of the utmost quality presented in a simple manner. Their rustic food, friendly staff, and a relaxing setting set the stage for a pleasant evening filled with great food.  No frills, just good food made with quality ingredients and of course, lots of tender love and care.

 

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Reservations


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Restaurant Info

  • Address: 1044 Wall Street, San Diego CA 92037
  • Cross Street: Girard Avenue
  • Location: La Jolla & UTC | La Jolla Village
  • Cuisine: American | California |
  • Cost: $$ | Inexpensive | $25 - $50
  • Category: Casual Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Brunch | Lunch | Dinner |
  • Parking: Street | Private Lot |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover |
  • Corkage Fee: 20.00 | Per 750ml bottle.
  • Phone: (858) 551-7575

Business Hours

Monday
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wednesday
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Lunch 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Friday
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday
Main Dining Room | Brunch 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday
Main Dining Room | Brunch 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Happy Hours 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Main Dining Room | Dinner 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Features

  • Full Bar
  • Sunday Brunch
  • Late Dining
  • Organic Ingredients
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Private Room
  • Takeout Available
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Happy Hours
  • Personal Wines Allowed
  • Lounge / Bar

Occasion

  • Dining Alone
  • Business Dining
  • Meet for a Drink
  • Quiet Conversation
  • Special Occasion
  • Quick Bite
  • Trendy / Hip

 


F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Whisknladle serves American cuisine.
Yes, Whisknladle has Happy Hour 7 days a week from 5:00pm-7:00pm, which includes an assortment Medditerranean tapas for $3.00 each, $20 Pitchers of Sangria and 25% off all bottles of wine.
Whisknladle serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday.
Street parking is available, as well at lot parking. Parking can be validated at the Parisi Hotel located on Prospect / Hirschel
No, Whisknladle has a casual dress code.
Yes, Whisknladle is open for lunch 7 days a week, from 11:30am until 3pm.
Yes, Whisknladle's partner restaurant, Prepkitchen, takes delivery orders daily from 11am until 9pm through Expressly Gourmet.
Yes, Whisknladle has a full bar.

Menus

Brunch Menu

  Saturday-Sunday: 10:00am-3:00pm. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Brunch

Dinner Menu

  Sunday-Thursday: 5:00pm-9:00pm Friday-Saturday: 5:00pm-10:00pm. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Dinner

Lunch Menu

  Monday-Friday: 11:30am-3:00pm. This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Lunch

Dessert Menu

  This is a sample menu only. Prices and availability may be subject to change.


Dessert


Map

Restaurant Address: 1044 Wall Street, San Diego CA 92037

User Reviews

Will be eating here a few times a week  

I will tell you what...Whisknladle is EXACTLY what La Jolla needs. Actually its exactly what San Diego needs. I had dinner here on Wednesday night and everything was phenomenal. The server was so sweet and very well-versed on the menu and what Whisknladle is all about. She told me the restaurant makes EVERYTHING in-house and by hand. I've never heard of a place in San Diego that takes such great care to give guests the most authentic and delicious dining experience. I mean they make their own sausage in the restaruant (the sausage bored is phenomenal). The waitress was telling me they actually grind the meat, put it in the casing and age it in a cellar they built by hand upstairs. It's very old world, probably the way they do it in every restaurant in Italy. I really liked that the portions are sized so you can order a coupe things on the menu and try a lot of food. I highly recommend the Beet & Tangerine Salad, Raclette Fondue and if you're looking for an original cocktail try the smoked pear and tonic. It's a rum based drink. They even make the tonic water themselves. If you're going to have a drink after dinner I'd move to the bar area which a has a super laid-back feel for La Jolla. They said it's open until 1:30 a.m. on Friday and SAturday nights.

Long overdue  

Happy to report that the wait for Whisknladle has certainly been worth it. I was a fan of the restaurant when it was fresh-er and was skeptical about the change, but to put it simply, they've gone from good to great. They've stuck with the whole concept of making everything in house but have transformed the menu and the space into more of a bistro. Simple, casual, fun and for the most part, all delicious. Highly reccomend this place for anyone that really enjoys food and the drinks are no different. We are already planning on going back. See you there...

Amazing *****  

Let me start off by saying that the service at Whisknladle was unprecedented. I made a reservation for 7:00 and when we got there we were promptly seated. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the restaurant and the dishes, and the feel of the restaurant was very inviting. I was instantly at home. The food was delicious; I ordered the Caesar salad and the Ahi Crudo and was pleasantly surprised at the smooth texture and subtle lemon flavor. I also tried a friend’s Black Risotto and loved it. The wine list is very diverse, and the waiter helped me pick a wine that would complement my dinner choice. Overall I would say Whisknladle was a five star experience, and I would definitely go back for another meal.

My New Favorite Restaurant  

Still licking my lips the next day after my fantastic meal at Whisknladle. While it was very busy for a Wednesday night, not a beat was missed. I highly suggest starting with one of the "specialty cocktails" the Coconut and Tarragon Margarita was so tasty and the Sweet and vicious martini was like something I have never tasted, but could not get enough of. The service was spot on with a knowledgeable staff, that was able to answer any and all questions about the menu. Loved the fact that they make everything in house, the bread and meats fantastic. The menu is set up so that it is very easy and in fact encouraged to split many small dishes which is really fun. the vibe of the restaurant was fun and not to serious which only added to our dining experience. The Private dining room looks like it holds 10 people and I cannot wait to host my next business meeting there. Looking forward for my next visit to my new favorite restaurant.

Simply Great  

To be short and brief, this restaurant captures everything that my wife and I love about food and love about restaurants. On our most recent visit, we noticed a Julia Childs quote that I think best sums up what they do best. Something along the lines that food doesn't have to be a fancy or complicated masterpiece, but just good food made with fresh ingredients. We've been supporting this restaurant month after month because they serve every day food for every day people. The only thing we like better than the food and the wine is the people. Not the typical rather be surfing crowd but instead, the kind of people you'd want to have a pint with. If you haven't been, go and go for the right reasons.

Blown away by Whisknladle!  

I went to Whisknladle for the first time yesterday and was blown away! I am a huge seafood eater and the Seared Scallops were the best I’ve ever had! Our server was super knowledgeable and anticipated our every need. I would DEFINITELY recommend Whisknladle!

A fun dining experience  

Justin was a great server. He was there when we needed him but not too much. The food was great as well. Justin suggested that we share a bunch of the smaller dishes, which we did and that went over really well with my guest. My favorite thing was the bone marrow. It's definitely unusual but really really good. A good recommendation for those looking for a fun experience dining out

Mmmmm!  

Mmmm! The chorizo dates were great. We had a very personable waitress, I dont remember her name, but she had long brown hair. She was very helpful in guiding us through the menu and made a lot of good recommendations. I really enjoyed the Jidori Chicken dish they had, and my friend had a flatbread pizza with ramps on it that was also really really good. Whisknladle is a place I will definatly be going back to!

Loved It!  

First time to this restaurant and we were not disappointed. We went on a Sunday, at 5:30, so not much of a crowd. Our waiter, Sunny, was fantastic and very helpful with the menu. He really went above and beyond. We tried the chorizo stuffed dates = delicious, the homemade pasta = delicious and the escolar fish = delicious. We had a great experience and will definitely be back. Thank you Whisknladle!

outstanding  

I love Whisknladle. Wish it wasn't so expensive.

Great for Foodies!  

My sister came to town and I wanted to take her to a place that was unique and offered some different food. Whisknladle certainly fit the bill! What a terrific menu. Try the bone marrow - you won't be sorry! It is delicious. We shared some artichoke soup that I'm still trying to figure out how to duplicate - was so tasty! We then shared a homemade gnocchi dish that was absolutely great! Certainly a place to try and actually, was quite easy to park for La Jolla - we pulled right into a place on the street with no problem. While Whisknladle is a bit pricey, the food is well worth it!

Incredible, just incredible.  

The food was fantastic, but even better was the service. These waiters and waitresses are not your average bunch. They treat every customer like you are royalty. We never had to wait to find our server and she was always one step ahead. The food was fantastic! This was our first experience, but will definitely not be our last.

First time at Whisknladle  

My husband and I had absolutely delicious food here. The beef marrow with toast, brussel sprout salad, skirt steak with vegetable terrine and beef cheeks with creamy risotto were all worth repeating. We practically licked our plates clean.

VERY Impressed!  

This is one of the best restaurants in SD. I went here last night with my boyfriend and was very impressed. I got the Brick Jidori Chicken and it was perfectly cooked and juicy. My boyfriend got the Steak & Fries and he loved it. It was tender and delicious. The French fries that came with it were crispy and perfectly seasoned. It was a great side to the steak. Great Experience!”

Exceptional Service Extraordinary Food  

I went to Whisknladle for brunch last Sunday with my friend from out of town and we had such a great experience. The venue was charming and comfortable and the servers were very friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered the fritata with asparagus, goat cheese and salami, since the waitress said they cure their meats in house. It was absolutely delicious! My friend ordered the tuna melt which was far from your average deli sandwich, jam packed with tuna and covered in creamy gouda cheese! Don't skip the cocktails either.. try their cucumber honey mimosa, it is so refreshing! Overall the food exceeded our expectations, and I will definitely return to Whisknladle.

 

great menu, excellent food  

Very much enjoyed our experience at Whisknladle, which was entirely positive. In interesting menu and well cooked food

Great Cheese plate  

The Cheese/meat plate at Whisknladle is awesome. The olives/pickels and nuts were amazing. Best I have had in San Diego. The London Burning was intense, takes 2 people to finish MN

Great casual dining  

We enjoyed the interesting variety of foods. While the main dishes were very good, we really enjoyed the appetizers and desserts!

Outstanding  

I would say something about the place but my wife wont stop talking so I can't think. It was great though. We both had a wonderful time.

Excellent Food and warm atmosphere  

Whisknladle offers the best of both. High quality food vaious choices at reasonable prices in a friendly, vibrant environment.

Meet your buddies at Whisknladle  

Haven't been there for several months, so set it up to meet four dear friends. The presentation was beautiful, all the meals great and the waiter very attentive. All in all a delicious and happy dining experience.

Always try new restaurants... Including this one..  

You must try new restaurants, especially if you live within its vicinity. This restaurant did not disappoint. Good atmosphere, great cocktails.

For me - average!  

With a group of 4, unfortunately, I was the least impressed. I enjoyed the location and the setting of the restaurant, very nice! From there, it was a bit average. Our waitress seemed a bit "preoccupied". We were brought a wine list that was empty, no info inside. After the table ordered its 2nd beverage, mine came :10 later, and I only ordered a bottle of beer! Others in my party seemed to enjoy their fare, were I had the bolognese, really quite average. The pasta was cooked to perfection, however, the bolognese seemed "dry" and tasteless. Besides the friends, the evening was quite disappointing! Sorry!

Great food but very loud  

The food was very creative and fun as well as great tasting. The atmosphere was a bit nerve wrecking with all the baby strollers and screaming kids the night we were there.

bad customer service  

i am originally fr NY...so i am an avid foodie. i ate here friday night...there were 5 of us and we each ordered salads to start with and each had entrees and a bottle of wine with 2 rounds of drinks while waiting for a table. the food was ok but the treatment of the customers was pretty bad. we were at the restaurant pretty close to closing time. we were sitting at the left side of the restaurant in a table in the corner and there was noone else left on that side when we were leaving. as we got up to leave, our table was being cleared already by the busboy. there was noone else left in the restaurant except for a table of 2 at the complete opposite side of the restaurant and our table was not even within view from where they were sitting. we were about 5 minutes out the door when we realized that we left our camera. we went back into the restaurant right away and the busboy and waiter deny seeing anything. then they started to question whether we even had a camera or not to begin with and THEY EVEN TOOK OUR PICTURE. for the camera to be gone so soon after us leaving the restaurant then its only obvious that the restaurant's own staff stole the camera. plus since the waiter took our pic he already knew that we had a camera and he already knew that it was a nice canon camera. AND there was no one else left eating when left!!!! we spent alot of money at that restaurant and the manager defended his own stealing employees without acknowledging that as customers that paid for a service at his own place we suffered from a loss. i am originally from NY and this has never ever happened to me. in NY of all places. and here, in the service industry, where the customer is always right, we who suffered from the wrongs of his own employees dont even get an "i will talk to them" or "i am sorry that this happened in my restaurant i will do everything i can to help u" nothing comforting or somewhat helpful whatsoever. a manager that does not place his customers as priority to me is reflective of someone who does not belong in a business whos sole purpose is to serve and deliver excellent service. and i would not want to be supportive of a business that does not take care of its customers. bad behaviour of a restaurants employess makes me seriously question every aspect of the restaurant, if the employees are not going to respect its customers then can you imagine what happens in that kitchen? good food should be accompanied by great service

ok but not great  

the food was all right, but the service was slow and unfriendly. I would not recommend the duck, by the time it got to the table, it was cold and chewy. Not the best in San Diego

wine was great - but that's it  

We arrived for a late lunch and received great service, but the food was awful. I think we may have been there during a kitchen turn over because nothing we ordered was good except the wine. I had a salad but the avocado on it was so hard and unripe, I could barely bite into it with my teeth. Not sure who cut that (or how) and then placed it on a plate going out of the kitchen, but that is a ridiculous mistake and just one of the problems we had with the food. The prices were too high to try it again, so this place is off our list...

Too pricey for average preparation.  

The great thing about Whisknladle is you can get things there that are unusual. However, when the preparation of them is less than great, you feel cheated out of what could be a terrific experience. $17 burger was over cooked and Bone Marrow came with overly buttered toast instead of plain. Marrow is the essence of the dish and you want to taste it, not taste butter. So, way over priced for the experience.

Very Disappointed  

After the Conde Nast review, I expected something special. It was the opposite. The service was horrible and slow. The kitchen was out of the dishes we ordered, on the recommendation of the waiter. The food we eventually received was nothing special. The wine and beer selection was extremely limited. The entrees were brought within a minute of the salads being served. The dessert took over 20 minutes. Our waiter disappeared for 20-30 minutes at a time. I had invited two couples to join us. I was thoroughly embarassed.

Not so good  

We are La Jolla residents and decided to try this place for lunch on 1/22. We ordered mole fish tacos which were cold and had crumble fish. My wife had a salad. The amount of time to recieve these dish's was excessive. We do not recommmend this place. The location is nice and the atmoshere is also nice. There are much better options downtown.

Great Service, Poor Food and Poor Management  

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!

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