Wilde Bar & Restaurant

This is my go-to spot in E. Lakeview...first/last dates at the bar, people watching in the summer from the al fresco section and random evenings where I feel I need a big beer and a burger.

Food is consistently on point...highlights include the puff pastry laden (in a good way) savory Chicken Pot Pie, the Mac and Cheese, and the Wilde Burger...while I don't remember the salad details, I do remember each one I tried was fresh and portions were plentiful...beer selection is cool... and seasonal, so if you have a favorite, check to see how long they'll stock it.  Hope they get Boddington's on tap someday soon, but they do pour a pretty mean Guinness...which goes down smooth, especially in front of the fireplace on a cold night. Oh..and martini's are on the menu...the barkeep gets kudos for the one's I've tried -- from traditional to the desert replacing chocolate version.

Never had a complaint with service - it is pretty good, attentive and pretty consistent-was surprised to find that the music selection is pretty random and eclectic for a gastropub...anything from disco classics to Janet Jackson to Queen to the Rolling Stones to 90's power pop may play any given minute...but somehow it fits my mood no matter what.  Kinda reminds me of what's on the Wilde menu...and I can't wait to return.

Wilde is a supremely comfortable restaurant--the seating is spacious and plentiful, and the ambiance is lovely. One cold day, I ended up eating lunch right next to the fireplace! It is super conveniently located for me, and that is why I often end up there.

That being said, the food is really not what I'm returning for. Don't get me wrong, it isn't bad. It's just forgettable. The only things that stick in my mind as being tasty are the sides--the quinoa salad and edamame/black bean dish.

Also, several of the dishes I have had there were unnecessarily heavy. Now, I'm all about decadent mac and cheese, creamy tomato soup and thick burgers, but it honestly just seemed like the butter, cream and grease ratios were hiked up past enjoyable. Extra fat can certainly help a fantastic dish taste more amazing, but it doesn't make a mediocre dish taste good.

Service has been spotty--sometimes good, other times slow. Nothing egregious, nothing wonderful, overall a wash.

I'm fine with returning, and will definitely do so given the location and atmosphere, but Wilde certainly is not high on my list of good eats.

Solid location for brunch, lunch, dinner, or drinks.  The place is big and cozy and the food and drink selection is pretty vast.  The beet salad is really yummy, the edamame side dish option is a great alternative to fries (although theirs are good), and the mac and cheese is really out of this world.