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    Cafe Sierra

    3.4 (1.6k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American, Buffets, Seafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Cafe Sierra Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE SIERRA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Sierra

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tony C.

    So, Cafe Sierra is in the Hilton hotel, super close to Universal Studios. The amount of food and selection is great; there's a ton of seafood, buffet-style. We came for the Sunday brunch rush. The lamb was cooked perfectly, and sushi was my fave! Everything else was overcooked, from the steak to the lobsters. With buffet-style, it's just hard for them to control the temperature and how long the food sits on the serving tray. Overall, the service and wait staff were great; the food was 3/5, and the service was a solid 4/5! It's worth giving them a try if you're in the mood for some all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, or in the Area.

    Very meaty and fresh snow crabs!
    Christy L.

    First time at this buffet for their weekend brunch ($100) and it did not disappoint! Unlimited mimosas, orange juice and all the snow crab legs + dungeoness crabs was well worth the drive from OC! The scallops and oysters were also very fresh and the baked lobster was delicious. Service was impeccable and very attentive. They kept pouring the champagne and even had my napkin all folded every time I left the table to get more food. Loved the attentive service! The overall buffet was well spaced out and the selections were better than Vegas buffets. They even bring out a small cake and sing happy birthday if you mention this during your reservation online. I barely had room for dessert but managed to get couple bites of the fondue, small desserts and the ice cream. I know they serve king crab for dinner, but honestly, the brunch is well worth what you pay and you will leave feeling very happy and full. Come here for brunch especially if you love crabs! Parking is less than $20 with validation. 10/10 recommend!

    Whole lobster, king crab and snow dramas,
    Roger C.

    The service from Maria and Edixon was phenomenal. Too bad Cafe Sierra doesn't accept gratuities. They have an automatic 15% house service charge. Food is good.

    Lunch buffet
    Vivian C.

    Went for lunch. The food was alight. Some of the crab legs were very salty so be cautious. They did provide scissors and crab opening tools which I appreciated! BTW don't even touch the cold lobster claws, they tasted gross as heck. Prime rib lacked flavor along with most of the other options. The food here is actually limited for the hype it has. They put the tables super close to everyone and it's so difficult for people to walk around. The male staff servicing the food made us very uncomfortable. They wouldn't greet us but just stare at the girls with skirts. Then they would impatiently tap their tongs like we were in their way. Management really needs to work on staff training. Btw tips are included with the meal already, so no need to provide additional tips. Even though the server refilling our drinks is super kind, she won't get a portion of additional tips you leave. It all goes to management so they can profit

    Tiffany T.

    Honestly for my first time being and first time trying Alaskan king crab. I'd say this place is great. I think every food option is pretty solid for a buffet. My favorite is the king crab and the scallops plus the oysters. The cold seafood was not fishy at all. For the price we paid I'm glad majority of the food was delicious. The prime rib was honestly the best of it all! For the price of 139$ pp I think it was pretty worth it to have unlimited filet mignon, prime rib, seafood and Alaskan king crab.

    This was plate one of many.
    Steven M.

    My parents were visiting Los Angeles from the boondocks of the northeast, so it was time to celebrate with some all you can eat seafood, steak, and everything else under the sun. Located inside of a hotel I don't even remember the name of, this all you can eat experience known as Cafe Sierra is a celebration of food and is definitely going to leave a memoriable experience. We arrived for our noon reservation and got seated right away, close to the action, the plates, and the delicious food. Now, this is an all you can eat style plate and it's about $150 per person, so the easiest way to talk about the food is just to go over what I ate and thought, so let's get into it. Crab Legs- Two separate stations absolutely packed with meaty crab legs. I ate a lot of these guys and they tasted fantastic. Shrimp- The shrimp here were absolutely massive and delicious, a must try. Stuffed Lobster Tails- This thing had so much flavour to it that I've been thinking about it every day for the past week, my only regret is only eating one of these tails. Sushi- I only grabbed a single sushi roll, but what I did eat was solid and tasted pretty good, pretty sure it was salmon. Macaroni & Cheese- I'm a sucker for some good Mac & cheese and this stuff tasted really really good, comparable to steakhouse quality. Pepperoni Pizza- Honestly, I needed to try this and although it was still buffet pizza, it was very good buffet pizza. NY Strip- Although cooked a little more than I would like, this steak had so much flavour I didn't care. Absolutely delicious. Pork Bao- Probably the second best pork bao I've had and that's saying something. Great flavour. Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich- Two large fresh chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream inside? I have found god. This thing was absolutely delicious in every way. Overall, this place gets a pretty perfect score across the board. The food here was absolutely amazing and I definitely ate more than I talked about, I just can't remember because I transformed into a bulldozer eating my way through. If you feel like splurging and eating like an animal, Cafe Sierra is the perfect place to do that.

    Isaac B.

    I actually received a gift reservation for brunch... and I have to say this place does not disappoint at all. I honestly didn't know what to expect but from everything I read online it looked pretty good so we got there. The hostess was really nice and took us to our seat and our server was super cool end down to earth, something I always appreciate.. The place itself is very cool and mellow, even though it's a big place most people were pretty cool calm, respectful to each other not all crazy and loud, which was nice for a place this size . Now for the food, they had a whole bunch of goodies ... all kinds of different food , a full meat selection, prime rib, lamb chops, just all of the above .... They also have sushi , Chinese food. Ice cream., different pastries., chocolate dipped strawberries. We got half a dozen of oysters and just a little bit of everything. OK, I'm not gonna lie. I got a whole bunch of everything. I got the crab legs. I got the lobster claw shrimps yeah I kind of went a little crazy. It was just a great selection of everything.. And since it was brunch, the champagne is included, and of course you can get a mimosa if you like. All in all they get five stars for me . Just a great place for brunch. I heard their dinner is even better, so we're planning to go back for that and I can honestly say this is one of those spots you need to check out. it's not like super fancy, but it's pretty cool and especially for what you're paying. They do offer a nice assortment/variety of different types of food. Oh, and definitely,,, (sidenote) ,,,,, Don't forget to tip the waiters and the waitresses... they're really on top of it. And like I said earlier, and I always say. Go check it out for yourself.

    Cold bar crab legs
    Michael J.

    Café Sierra - Hilton Universal City Rating: 2 out of 5 stars (5 stars for food, 0 stars for communication and transparency) Dining out is about more than food--it's service and transparency too. At Café Sierra, my party of four had one of the best buffets I've ever seen paired with one of the worst communication experiences. The Good: The buffet itself is Vegas-worthy. Hot and cold crab legs, lobster served two ways, filet mignon, prime rib carved to order, plus a dessert spread with pastries, cakes, mousses, and even made-to-order ice cream and Thai tea with boba. At $89, it would have been on par with Bacchanal Buffet in Las Vegas, which runs around $91.99 per adult (Fri-Sun dinner). The Bad: That's not what we paid. Two of us called ahead and heard $39. Her accent aluded to this. At check-in, the hostess Anna sounded like she said $89. We agreed--only to get hit with a bill of nearly $800 for four people. The true price? About $180 each, plus drinks and a "facility use" fee. Four Coke Zeros included, nothing fancy. Final Verdict: Food = 5 stars. Price transparency = 0. No signage, no clear explanation, and a shocking bill. If you go, confirm the cost before sitting down. Otherwise, expect regret to be the last course.

    Boba Tea
    Hana O.

    OMG. Where do I start?! Beware of the pricing. On their website, it said if you make reservations of 4 or more during dinner on Fri & Sat in November, the price would be $20 less per person. Website says $139 per person for Fri & Sat dinner. I made reservations through Open Table as there's where the link on their webpage sends you to. As soon as I got there, I asked the hostess about the $20 off special to which she said yes & quickly scribbled that in the clipboard with our order tab on it. When we were getting our check at the end of the meal, I asked if the $20 discount was made, our server said it was but took away the check before I could confirm the price they charged us. Very sketchy & felt like bait & switch. EXACTLY as what other people have written in their reviews. They ended up charging me $139 each for 4. Didn't honor the advertised special!! So, BEWARE & CHECK THE RECEIPT!! THEY DID NOT GIVE ME AN ITEMIZED RECEIPT. Pavel was the prime rib chef. He was nice & let us know what dishes & desserts were good. We took his recommendation & got the items which were better than the other entree selections. Tony was our server & cracked some jokes, helped clear away our plates as soon as we were ready to get up for the next round of food. All of the staff there were friendly and helpful so tjat made the experience pleasant. We were all excited about the Lobster & Alaskan King Crab. Geez. Lobster - overcooked, rubbery & seemed like they were frozen then warmed up. Alaskan King Crab - I don't know how it's possible but the shell was so soft & weird that you couldn't crack it with the crab cracking tool. The shell would bend & give, didn't crack!! We were given 1 scissors so we all took turns cutting open our crab legs. Again, no flavor, slightly rubbery. Terrible. I think these were also cooked, frozen then re-cooked. Oyster Rockfeller - I was afraid to try the raw oysters as they looked "tired" & not fresh. Oyster Rockfeller is cooked with a creamy sauce, topped with bread crumbs and broiled. I ate one & much to my surprise, it was half raw!!! I was disgusted and worried I'd get sick. I should've known they were undercooked because there were no browning of the bread crumbs and their serving trays didn't feel warm enough to keep items at a safe temperature. Crepes - the last working the crepe/dessert station was very nice & helpful. I didn't get her name but she's great! She made me a crepe with chocolate spread, whipped cream & berries on top. So so good! We also had her make us a Boba tea. There's no choice on the tea flavor, just plain tea. It's not too sweet so it was good for me. Sushi - I didn't have any but others in my party did. They had the sushi chef make handrolls which were a great option if you don't like the sushi selection on the buffet table. They will also slices pieces for sashimi. Salt Pepper Shrimp - flavor was decent but very dried out. I can't even remember what else I had because they were all blah and unmemorable. When we got our Prime Rib, there was about 2" of the end left, all dried out. We were given paper thin slices that were all tough. We were one of the last tables so I guess they didn't want to put a fresh piece of prime rib out. But as we were about to get desserts, they put out a fresh prime rib (1/2 of a regular prime rib that's served at a buffet) when everyone else there was done. What?!... Turns out it was now time for the staff to have their dinner. So, they got the nice slices of prime rib. Interesting. WARNING: Wine & Beer are no longer free. You have to pay. Only sodas are free which are served in huge cups to fill you up. Would I go again? If I absolutely had to because of an apocalypse. And I would go on a Friday night right when they open for dinner. If I could give this place negative stars, it would be -2 stars. They will validate your parking & you'll pay $13.20.

    Round I
    Angela D.

    I don't like buffets but when I heard that this place had lobster and king crab legs, I had to check it out. Unfortunately, the lobster was overcooked so it was tough & hard to eat. It wasn't worth trying another one so our party went for king crab which was good. All the other stations had a variety of seafood that was tasty and another station for prime rib and various meats. The dessert section was a let down except for the creme brulee. They had another dessert station for boba drinks, ice cream, and crepes but I decided to skip it because there was a line. Our waiter James was great and the staff was fast at clearing our table promptly. We arrived at 5pm and there was a lot of people already waiting to check in. We had reservations and was seated quickly. The overall experience was fun to try, but I wouldn't come again because the lobster was bad and I don't like buffets as a general rule.

    Pepperoni pizza
    Facundo B.

    I'm really torn on how I'm feeling about this cafe. The cafe is located inside of the Hilton Los Angeles/ universal city hotel and across the hall from a bar. I am a guest at the hotel so the obvious choice is to get breakfast right downstairs. I was surprised with how fast I was seated and the waiter approached me. The food was decent and for breakfast it's mostly buffet style with some a la carte options. I got up to grab some food from the buffet, wanted to only do the continental buffet (starting at $26). The only options for the continental are some fruits and pastries, bagels, and cereal. As the line progressed I noticed some scrambled eggs and sausages. Pretty simple and basic food for a breakfast. Turns out that these are not included in the continental breakfast but are considered a "premium" item. Needles to say I was very angry. The total for 1 person came out to just under $50. Good thing they have a no tipping policy. The signage needs to be fixed as eggs and sausages are so so sooo basic and not a premium item in literally any world.

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    Best seafood buffet in the world!!! Lobster melts in your mouth. Huge selection of culinary goodness!!

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    Page 1 of 40

    Cafe Sierra Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Sierra

    Do they serve lobster tails?

    Yes, and while lobsters, and lobster claws.

    Sunday brunch start time?

    11a-3pm

    Are bottomless mimosas and beer no longer included in the price? Customers are reporting that has changed!

    It's included

    Is seafood included in the brunch menu?

    Yes, for the weekend brunch it was included.

    Is it the same price for kids?

    ADULT PRICE IS DIFFERENT THAN KIDS

    Is seating for one available for the Brunch Buffet?

    Absolutely.

    Is beer included?

    It is!

    How much for the Saturday night seafood buffet for kids? What age counts as kids?

    Is there a dress code, can I wear bib overalls?

    No. It's pretty casual.

    What kind of bottomless beer is served?

    Modelo and Michelob ultra

    Is alcohol included in the $150 price tag on Saturday dinner?

    It's included. It's just red and white wines, and a few simple beers, but it's all you really need.

    Hi, Does the brunch buffet include wine and beer?

    Yes, house wine, beer, and mimosas

    Do you guys include unlimited bottomless mimosas?

    Yes! It was unlimited during my visit.

    Hi is the menu the same for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the buffet?

    Yes....it is the BIGGEST BUFFET I ever been to.

    What is the price for kids at dinner?

    Pricing for children is the following - Dinner: Ages 4-6 ($24) & Ages 7-12 ($48); Brunch: Ages 4-6 ($18) & Ages 7-12 ($24)

    Is there kids price?

    Pricing for children is the following - Dinner: Ages 4-6 ($24) & Ages 7-12 ($48); Brunch: Ages 4-6 ($18) & Ages 7-12 ($24.)

    Does the bar served frozen/blended drinks (like Daiquiris)?

    At $150 a person, they will serve you anything you like.

    Is the cost different for children four and under?

    Do I need to make reservation?

    Yes, reservations are needed.

    Is there a discount for hotel guests?

    THERE IS NO DISCOUNT. I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH BECAUSE IT LOOK SIMILAR TO LAS VAGAS EXCEPT HERE, THERE IS NO SMELLY SMOKERS TO DEAL WITH AND SHORT DISTANT TO MY HOUSE

    View All 174 Questions

    Firefly - Patio & Cabana

    Firefly

    4.0(3.7k reviews)
    1.8 miStudio City
    $$$
    Romantic vibe
    Outdoor seating

    Awesome food, awesome service. Chris was a great server. Was on point, friendly and generous. Would…read morerecommend to everybody who likes BBQ, burgers or ice cold brewskis.

    What an absolutely wonderful evening. It all started with the great customer service on the phone…read morewhen I called to make the reservation. Once we arrived the interior had a relaxed, easygoing vibe, modern but cozy, with stylish design touches that made the whole space feel welcoming and unhurried. Even the waiting area with it's low lit seating surrounded by book cases was really cool. My wife, my sister and I had a wonderful table near the fireplace in the center of the dining area. Nearby were draped booths that would be perfect for a more romantic evening. Our server was, Haley...she was incredible. Very personable, helpful and extremely professional. You'll be in good hands if you're lucky enough to get her! Then the food...Wow. My wife and my sister got the filet migons, watching my wife's euphoric reaction of taking her fist bite made my evening! Omg...thankfully, my wife let me try garlic fries that came with the filets, and they were the best I ever had! I got the Langostino Fettuccine...outstanding. You have to dig a little spicy, which I do...but the vodka cream sauce is the real highlight of this dish. For deserts we got the apple cobbler, the creme brulee and sticky toffee cake. All three were fantastic. But I preferred the cobbler and the toffee cake the most. We didn't get the Le Petit Gateau, their chocolate cake...but we decided to get one to go! HA...it's unbelievably rich and pretty tall and big. It's topped with candied wild cheries...it's two days later and we're still eating this yummy treat. All in all...I would recommend this for any occasion...wether you're looking for just a night out with solid service and great food, to a romantic evening. We got there around 6...but later on there was live music with these two gentlemen on guitars that really played perfect atmosphere music. You can't go wrong with a night out at Firefly!

    Photos
    Firefly - Outdoor Cabanas

    Outdoor Cabanas

    Firefly - Outdoor Bar

    Outdoor Bar

    Firefly - An intimate and romantic outdoor patio

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    An intimate and romantic outdoor patio

    Laurel Tavern - Chorizo Sliders

    Laurel Tavern

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    2.0 miStudio City
    $$

    Steak was SO soft and tender. 10/10 Pretzel also 10/10…read more I came here for happy hour and had 3 margaritas. They were delicious. Good energy and ambiance in this place and food comes out super quick.

    Just had an unfortunate experience. I love this place. Really. The ordering system just sucks. You…read morehave to be super patient and if other people are dicks there's no one that's going to help you. I was in a long line and the 2 girls in front of me let 2 girls that they were with cut. The guy behind me and the woman behind him exchanged glances with me but whatever. Just as the bartender is getting the last of the 2 girl's their drink, their friend walks up. And I just say to her, "do not cut. Your friends just did. Don't do it again." She says she's not and asks like it's her first day on earth. Then .3 seconds later her friend that was getting her drink orders on behalf of the girl that just stepped in front. And I say, "I just said don't do that and you just did it". And she denied that she was doing it. So I look at the bartender and I say, "they've cut multiple times." To which he raises his hand with a sort of like, "I only work here" shrug and I walked off. It was so rude. The service is so bad. It makes me really sad because I think it's a really cool place, but it's not worth it. Especially if the bar staff is not going to do anything to help the situation. Very disappointing.

    Photos
    Laurel Tavern - Feeling the bar mood

    Feeling the bar mood

    Laurel Tavern - Bacon Brussels Sprouts

    Bacon Brussels Sprouts

    Laurel Tavern - House Whiskey and Club Soda

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    House Whiskey and Club Soda

    Black Market Liquor Bar - Lobster Rolls

    Black Market Liquor Bar

    4.1(2k reviews)
    1.9 miStudio City
    $$

    Rare date night out with my better half on a Saturday night. Spot was hopping but we were sat…read moreright on time for our reservation. Service was immediate and excellent. Actress sitting to our left, producers to our right, but the real stars were on our plates on the table. We highly recommend the Brussels sprouts and the Cauliflower. The Hamachi was delicious, Trout almandine was service on garlic toast - very good. Quail eggs were good, but tiny, as quail eggs are supposed to be, but next time I would try the Oysters on the half shell. Place is very noisy, but we had no issues talking to each other, and didn't feel like the people next to us in the "business" were overhearing our conversation. We will be back.

    Everything tasted great. Some portions are small but it's tapas style. Had a 30 minute wait…read moreestimated, was maybe like 35-40 min wait. Recommend probably skipping high top table since the tables look more comfortable if that isn't too much of a wait difference. Ambiance / lighting is very nice, recommend inside. Corn Ravioli - very nice, sweet, not even a super big fan of corn flavored things although I think they are nice in asian snacks that I often see (usually Korean or Japanese). Similar parallel if that makes sense. Hamachi was recommended, 10/10, very flavorful, intense mixture of things, would order. Meatballs were solid, saw they were recommended. Not the mind blowing but a good substantive item compared to the rest.

    Photos
    Black Market Liquor Bar - Interior of restaurant

    Interior of restaurant

    Black Market Liquor Bar - Meatballs

    Meatballs

    Black Market Liquor Bar - PICCOLO PUNCH - Toki japanese whisky, matcha, yuzu, coconut, coconut foam

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    PICCOLO PUNCH - Toki japanese whisky, matcha, yuzu, coconut, coconut foam

    Hungry Crowd - Eggs Benedict

    Hungry Crowd

    4.7(1.1k reviews)
    1.1 miToluca Lake
    $$

    It's high time I reviewed this place. It is the go-to spot…read morefor a friend of mine and myself, who try come every few months or so. We've been doing that for a few years now, so that should tell you something right there. Our order is fairly consistent: we each start with a mimosa that comes in a highball glass, so one is usually all we need. Next, we share an order of kimchi biscuits (you get two). So delicious! Packed full of kimchi, bacon and cheddar cheese, it's a nice combo of flavors that play well together. The interior is usually soft and warm, with a nice crunchy crust. Top that with a smatter of the cinnamon butter that it comes with...yum! Our choice of entree varies, anything from avocado toast, to their kale and seaweed salad or any of their other selections they have from their brunch/lunch menu. On this outing, my friend and I both opted for the bibimbap. I opted for the pork bulgogi while my friend got the chicken version. It comes with a generous amount of carrots, zucchini, shiitake mushrooms and bean sprouts, and is topped with a runny, sunny side up egg that serves as an excellent sauce when you mix everything together, along with the gochujang sauce. We upgraded and got it with brown rice in the hot stone bowl. Worth it! The regular bibimbap is good, but when you mix in the crunchy crust that comes from the bottom of the stone bowl, you get an additional texture that makes the dish really stand out. The flavors already come together nicely, and the crunchy bits just enhance the experience. For dessert, we like to share the "lemon pie", which is actually a scoop of lemon gelato that comes in a glass that also includes graham crackers, topped with toasted marshmallows. A nice way to end the meal. And the staff! We usually either have Justin or Ann as our server, but everyone there is super friendly and helpful. They are consistently good at checking up on you and making sure you have everything you need. Just another 5 star reason of why we keep coming back!

    First time here. I would come back. My bro and I had the…read morebulgogi dirty rice to start. That was delicious. Then we had fried pork ribs, kimchi fried rice, and the burger. We ask for some chilies on the side to add a kick. The food was delicious and the service was great!

    Photos
    Hungry Crowd - Outstanding lunch spot

    Outstanding lunch spot

    Hungry Crowd - Galbi Burger

    Galbi Burger

    Hungry Crowd - Truffle Honey, Fried Chicken & Slaw

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    Truffle Honey, Fried Chicken & Slaw

    Rouge - This salmon dish is calling my name!

    Rouge

    4.1(233 reviews)
    1.0 miStudio City
    $$$

    okay we had these two servers (one was training) Maia and I'm so sorry I do not remember the…read moretrainee's name but she was fierce. We had such incredible service, the meal was phenomenal. I got the fettuccine Alfredo and my friend got the lobster roll. we shared the crème brûlée and it was PHENOMENAL. vibes of the restaurant were fantastic. The food runner was also great. over all GREAT time

    Rouge is one of the few places that consistently brings the right crowd, the right music, and that…read moreenergy you actually go out for. Definitely make a reservation, weekdays are chill, but weekends get busy in the best way. The ambience is what really makes it stand out. It genuinely feels like you've stepped into Tulum the dim lighting, earthy tones, and that effortlessly elevated vibe that makes you want to stay all night. The food is solid (seriously, order the pasta), and getting there isn't a hassle with both valet and street parking options. I do wish they had something going on earlier in the week though, because a Monday night here is underrated and deserves more hype. Drinks are a highlight too. My go-to is the "Divorce Papers"--just trust me on that one. And the service? That's where they really separate themselves. Narek runs the place in a way you don't see often always present, always aware, making sure everything flows smoothly without missing a beat. It creates an experience that feels taken care of without being over the top. Overall, it's a true go-to right now. Great crowd, great music, and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back. Easily one of the best spots on Ventura right now !

    Photos
    Rouge - Lounge area

    Lounge area

    Rouge - Ceviche so fresh, you can taste the sea.

    Ceviche so fresh, you can taste the sea.

    Rouge - Mezcalita

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    Mezcalita

    Wood & Water - Crispy squash blossoms

    Wood & Water

    4.3(737 reviews)
    3.9 miSherman Oaks
    $$$

    Wood & Water still hit it out of the park for me. I brought a friend who was visiting from out of…read morestate. We actually have met there twice over the past four years. He says it now is his favorite restaurant in the whole valley! The craft cocktails are always so good. Full bar that you can also sit at and have a meal. The vibe is pretty mellow. I don't think there are TVs inside. I have to check next time. The service is always professional and friendly. I think I also like Wood & Water because they offer seafood (Tuna with watermelon appetizer) and the fare is vegetable forward, if I had to describe the menu. The food is never too heavy.

    My brother-in-law left this year's Christmas Eve dinner reservation responsibility to me, since he…read moreusually takes us to his favorite restaurants. I remembered seeing Wood & Water across the street from the Le Petit French restaurant we'd eaten at several years ago, and again while driving on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. So, I made the reservation via the Resy dining app and effortlessly secured an early dinner. Although valet service was available, we were lucky to snag an open street parking stall. Upon entering the warm, fire-lit restaurant, the jovial host greeted us and checked us in. He led us into a relatively empty dining room past the beautiful full bar. Within minutes after being seated, it seemed like the host led in a "busload" of fellow Christmas Eve revelers. Our friendly server, Michael, welcomed us, asked if we had any questions about the menus or food allergies, and then took our beverage order. After ordering cocktails and appetizers, we discussed our potential menu selections, perused their wine list, and ordered a bottle of Sangiovese. Michael was excellent about coursing our menu selections. FOOD: -Yellowtail & Watermelon Sashimi: Chili oil, Serrano, ponzu, yuzu onion. It seems that creative preparations of yellowtail or amberjack tuna sashimi are trending in LA restaurants. Wood & Water's combination of buttery yellowtail slices, tender sweet watermelon, spicy Serrano pepper slices, with a drizzle of yuzu onion sauce caught our palates. I especially appreciated the textural aspects and freshness of this appetizer. $22 -Truffle Kennebec Fries: Black summer truffles and pecorino shavings garnished the freshly made, hot, and crisp fries. The massive bowl of shoestring fries caught my husband's and his brothers' attention as we sipped our cocktails. They agreed that W&W's shoestring fries were perfectly fried and seasoned. $19 -Roasted Duck Breast: Michael confirmed the duck breast's medium-rare doneness would be okay, or if I wanted the duck breast to lean more towards rare or more fully cooked. Honestly, I'm pleased with medium-rare doneness, and that's exactly what I received. The deliciously roasted duck breast was plated atop a generous serving of wild mushroom risotto and enhanced with in-house brandied cherries. I was drawn to this dish because I like the pairing of roast duck with a fruit sauce. Although I was drawn to pistachio-crusted lamb chops, I planned to have lamb for dinner the following day. The duck breast had evenly browned, crispy skin, and its meat was tender and succulent. The in-house brandied cherries added a deep fruit flavor, which was enhanced by the warm brandy, along with subtle notes of vanilla and spices. $48 -Pork Chop: Asian Marinade, whole grain Dijon mustard mashed potatoes, quick pickled purple cabbage, and chimichurri. My husband and brother-in-law ordered this dish and were surprised by the thick 1-1/2" pork chop. They didn't think the combination of an Asian marinade would complement the other garnishes (quick-pickled purple cabbage and chimichurri). Still, apparently, after wolfing down the soft, tender, and succulent pork chop, they were proud to admit their "clean plate club membership." $44 -Pistachio-Crusted Lamb Chops: Six tender pistachio-crusted lamb chops were plated atop whipped eggplant with roasted/charred heirloom carrots. My eldest brother-in-law ordered this dish and let me sample a piece of the lamb chop. The pistachio-crusted lamb tasted luxurious and nutty, with flavor-enhancing herbs that created a pleasant savoriness. The roasted/charred heirloom carrots brought along their natural sweetness and a touch of herbaceousness from their seasonings. $62 -Peanut Butter Chocolate Turnover: Although we were all content with our meals and drinks, we were tempted to satiate our "sweet tooth." The peanut butter chocolate turnover appealed to our foursome, who wanted to share. The dessert was served warm, with the turnover's crust light and flaky, and a hot, ooey-gooey peanut butter and melted chocolate interior. The premium vanilla ice cream added an icy, creamy contrast and neutralized or mellowed the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate. $16 We're not residents, but after this dinner, my brothers-in-law and I left wondering why we hadn't tried this restaurant sooner. We'd happily return to try more of their signature cocktails and entrees for flavors, textures, presentation, and value. The service was excellent despite the huge Christmas Eve rush and crowd.

    Photos
    Wood & Water
    Wood & Water - Polenta Cake

    Polenta Cake

    Wood & Water

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    Cafe Sierra - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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