THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Westside Tavern Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Westside Tavern Restaurant Review:

When mall-goers get hungry, sometimes the food court just won’t cut it. At the Westside Pavilion, shoppers and moviegoers appreciate the California cuisine at the modern Westside Tavern. The airy space featuring beige and brown tones, wood tables, booths with views of Pico Boulevard, and a 50-foot walnut bar is casual but gives off an adult vibe unlike the fast food joints clustered in the same complex. Admire the smart private room that sports a wall made of cordwood of reclaimed cedar from the San Diego fires. Executive chef Ben Cohn oversees the menu. Start with the hummus and pita bread, the must-have house-made chicken liver mousse, or the grilled nectarine and Gioia burrata salad dotted with Marcona almonds. We prefer the cheeseburger with Tillamook cheddar and caramelized onions to the flat-iron pepper steak; if you’re in the mood for seafood, try the grilled salmon with carrots, pea tendrils and spring pea pesto or ask for the day's fresh local catch. We enjoyed an artfully-prepared thresher shark over Bibb lettuce. Finish with the warm sticky toffee cake or powdered sugar beignets. Complementing the food is a selection of specialty cocktails (such as the Kentucky Sweet Tea made from Maker’s Mark bourbon, spearmint and sweet black tea), California micro- and craftsman brews, and a wine list that includes by-the-glass options. Servers are well-trained and efficient, and the restaurant offers free parking, but the lots can be packed on weekend nights.