PlanitLife.com • Wednesday, January 29, 2014 • WSD
| PlanIt Life |
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MYSTERY DINER
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Restaurant reviews
Bakersfield gives fresh spin to American fare WESTMONT – With its open floor plan and California-style setting, Bakersfield gives west suburban diners a fresh experience, and some good food, too. The restaurant pairs its modern, airy atmosphere with a made-from-scratch menu that’s mostly American with accents from a number of cuisines. Bakersfield touts its homemade fare featuring fresh ingredients picked from just across Ogden Avenue at its sister store Standard Market, an upscale grocery that chose Westmont for its first location in 2011. A companion and I visited Bakersfield on a recent weeknight, a chilly evening that made complimentary valet service quite beneficial. As we entered the restaurant, our eyes immediately went to the far side, where diners can see a half-dozen or so chefs busy preparing the night’s dishes. The lack of a wall gives a peek into the preparation involved, especially appealing to foodies. The open setting continues throughout the restaurant, with a three-sided bar on one end and an elevated seating area on the opposite, although diners get an intimate experience with raised booths that are just tall enough. For starters, my date and I kicked off our meal with the Housemade Guacamole, a generous portion with chips and a side of salsa. Our server even offered refills. The guacamole was creamy and fresh, and the salsa had a nice hint of chipotle. If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, definitely give it a try. Other appetizer selections at Bakersfield include Pot Roast Sliders, Crispy Thai Shrimp and Blue Crab Dip. For her main course, my date, at first indecisive, opted for the pan-roasted Chilean Sea Bass. She loved the dish, and said it was just the right amount. I was confident in my selection – the Knife & Fork Fried Chicken. The chicken was
Complimentary valet service is an added winter’s enticement at Bakersfield, a Westmont haven for foodies.
Suburban Life Media photos
Bakersfield n Where: 330 E. Ogden Ave.,
Westmont
n Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday and Monday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday n Dress code: Casual n Info: 630-568-3615, bakersfieldrestaurant.com
More photos online To see more photos from Bakersfield, find this story online at PlanitLife.com boneless and served on a bed of habanero butter sauce with a side of cornbread croutons. I definitely recommend it for an indulgent treat. Other entree selections include the Pot Roast, Mediterranean Lamb Shank and
Succulent pan-roasted Chilean One of Bakersfield’s signature dishes is the boneless Knife & Fork Fried Sea Bass is paired with grilled Chicken, accompanied by Smashed Yukon Potatoes, cornbread crou- portabello, broccolini and herb vinaigrette. tons and a habanero butter sauce. Housemade Gnocchi. Bakersfield offers six sandwich options, including the Knuckle Sandwich (lobster), Steak Sandwich and the French Dip. Dinner options are rounded out with signature selec-
tions from the wood-fired grill that include prime rib, strip steak, filet mignon, pork chops and ribs. The menu also has five types of salads and five desserts. We’re already looking forward to a return visit.
The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at Suburban Life Media. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. Only positive dining experiences will result in published reviews.