Wildwood Kitchen & Bar Awards

Wildwood Kitchen & Bar Restaurant Review:

Tucked away in an upscale shopping center, Wildwood Kitchen & Bar is a pleasant respite after a day of retail therapy. The high-end design is evident in the interior and exterior; the former is clean and earthy, with stone accents, a living moss wall and an oversize chandelier that can best be described as a jumble of white light-up twigs. Floor-to-ceiling rollup doors bring the outdoors in, and the expansive outdoor patio has cozy couches and inviting fire pits. The seasonal menu is predominantly American, highlighting locally grown produce, meats and seafood. Starters include ever-changing charcuterie; ours featured a house-made burrata, pickled vegetables and cured meats. Sweet potato gnocchi tasted of autumn, the delicate dough offset by rich browned butter, smoky bacon and maitake mushrooms. Entrées were ambitious, yet missed the mark for a restaurant of this caliber. The grilled ahi tuna was flavorful yet overcooked, the accompanying whiskey barbecue sauce overpowering. The grilled flat-iron steak was well-cooked, but the onion chasseur and spaetzle was lukewarm and soupy. Desserts were also underwhelming, including an olive oil cake with orange and rosemary and a chocolate terrine with pistachio and pear. Dozens of reasonably-priced wines are available by the glass, as are local craft beers and whiskey from the U.S., Ireland, Scotland and beyond.