Got to try out this local place recently, and really liked it. We came on a quiet-ish Tuesday night, and the owner was very attentive. We each wanted a flight of reds, so he asked us some questions about the kinds of things we like and then brought us different choices. In addition to a little information about each wine, he wrote the name on each glass. I'm sure that's a no-brainer for most people, but I often forget what I'm drinking and that courtesy was incredibly helpful.
I'm dinging one star because they have a very limited kitchen. The cheese platter we had was tasty, but sometimes you need something more substantial (and that would certainly make me linger there). The do have an agreement with the local pizza place (and they give you a little discount, which is great), but pizza isn't my favorite option when drinking wine.
All in all, a great place to enjoy tasty wine. We'll definitely be back!
Finally, I had a chance to check out the local wine bar. I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd there as the part of the LBC isn't know for night life. The place is small, the food menu limited, but the wine selection makes up for it. The owners work behind the bar and will engage you in a convo, all likely part of the reason this place has made it past the one year mark.
The bride and I will return...
Long Beach truly is one of Southern California's best cities due to it's many neighborhoods and many great mom & pop; hole-in-the-wall spots. Within the Bixby Hills section of Long Beach, you'll find this hidden gem.
The Willmore is by no means some dive bar, but a very classy; psuedo-prohibition era joint. This place has amazing wines, great cheese plates and a very cool atmosphere.
Perfect spot for a first date - HIGHLY recommend this place
This place is awesome! Â My new favorite wine bar in Long Beach. Â They actually serve Silver Oak and Duckhorn by the glass and come out with specials that are not listed on the menu. Â Last night I had this fantastic red blend from Isreal that I could have drank a whole bottle of! Â I also had a sip of their Grenache and it was to die for! Â I would have probably had a third glass if I didn't already make plans for the evening.
Ambiance is good. Â I love how the servers wear these old school hats that give the place a different type of class, don't know how to describe it but all night I kept thinking - those are cool hats!
The only thing that would tout it as a 4 star as opposed to 5, in my opinion, is the selection of food. Â Although the cheese platter I got was good and the dessert was exceptional, there was nothing on the menu that made me want to dream about the food. Â And as one of the servers there said - good wine comes with good food. Â
I will definitely bring my husband and friends to this place and come back as many times as I could afford. Â It's become my new sanctuary away from life.
Good job Willmore!
Love this place! Â Ernie, the owner and sommelier, has impeccable taste. Â Every time I go, I drink the best glass of wine that I've had in a while. Â My French husband even loves it here, and that's saying a lot because those Frenchies are picky when it comes to wine.
The friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere are just icing on the cake! Â Couldn't recommend this place enough.
I loved it! Â How nice to see a place like this in the hood. Â They have Silver Oak Cab by the glass. Â Outstanding selection of wines by the glass. Â Not a beer drinker... But, they have a large beer menu. Â
I was there last night, which was the First Friday of the Month. Â They were very busy. Â Terrific service from Kate. Â Nice piano music.... All neighboorhood clientele.... A very nice mix of people. Â My compliments to the owners and staff!
If you live in the area, wander over. Â You won't be disappointed.
This is a great place to relax and unwind in the middle of the day. My friend and I went there on a Wednesday afternoon and had the place to ourselves! While perusing the wine selection, Ernie the owner gave us a couple tastings of wine we were contemplating before choosing a glass. The $5/glass happy hour made us very happy! This is a very nice touch and will keep me coming back for sure. The place is intimate but not claustrophobic. Classy but unpretentious. Feels like a modern Speakeasy!
Review Source:Nailed it. Makes the whole neighborhood better. Park nearby and stroll over. Perfect setting, lighting, list/menu. This is the type of place I would have envied in another neighborhood. Tonight is pizza night. Every special food night is fun, light and delicious. But if its not special food night try the Lewellyn.
Srsly, try the Llewelyn platter, or the four cheeses platter. Fantastic. The owners and staff will share as much as you care to absorb about wines, pairings, terroir, notes and noses etc. Â Or be laid back, catch up since last visit, what's new in the neighborhood. (Towing unhitched trailers, btw, is what's new.) The regular wine list is to be commended for the variety and complexity fit onto one page. Â Wide choice of varietals, countries of origin, prices and vintages. Frequent live music special events. Plenty of free parking (just not in the lot next door. George and Andy/Liz are great places and their customers deserve/have dibs on that lot.). So have a seat at the bar, or bring the gang to hang at the table, or kick back on the overstuffed sofa and chairs. If you searched for "wine bar", this epitomizes what you are seeking.
Come here next time you want to enjoy some great vino in a very comfortable environment. There is a great selection of wines chosen by sommelier Ernie, who is super friendly and really knows his wine. Enjoy them by the glass or by the bottle. Great noshes too, especially on First Friday Artwalk nights when they have Peppered Up Foods manning the kitchen. Plus they had live jazz (piano and standup bass) going too, I don't know if that's just ArtWalk nights they have live music, but it was a nice touch that really completed the scene. I will definitely be back.
Review Source:Great place, great ambiance and run by great people. Â Such a great addition to the area, which needed a good wine bar/store. Â Along with very solid wine-by-the glass selection, there are great cheese/nut/cracker plates available.
Ernie and his crew are first class and welcoming. Â Also his selection of bottles for sale includes no 'weak links.'
Great little wine bar for Cal Heights and Bixby! Â The owner/sommelier, Ernie, is a very friendly guy. Â He definitely knows his wine, and keeps a wide selection. Â My one suggestion would be to add more to the charcuterie and cheese selection. Â Pate, french bread, tapenade, portuguese sardines, maybe a selection of chocolates for dessert... keep it simple, no cooking necessary. Â Cold tapas. Â I'm not much of a drinker and I am definitely not a wine connaisseur, but with enough finger foods I'd happily share a bottle with my wife and spend an evening at Willmore.
Review Source:Absolutely love this place and enjoy introducing friends to this wonderful BK gem. Ernie is vey knowledgeable and willing to help you try new wines. Decor and music make the experience better and the addition of the cheese and  meat platters is awesome. I like going in on any afternoon to enjoy a pleasant quiet time to chill and meet new people.
Review Source:Willmore is just what Bixby Knolls needed. Classy in the extreme, yet also unpretentious, open and friendly. The owner really knows his stuff and is quick to offer a sample if you're undecided. They've just added a piano guy on some nights, have a growing list of cheese plates, and basically they've become the go-to hang out for locals looking to enjoy a good glass of grape in a friendly, classy setting. Standing room only on First Fridays. This place could be in LA...but I'm glad it's here in my neighborhood!
Review Source:Perfect place to meet up with friends and relax with a fine beverage. Â The craft beer and wine selection is handpicked by Ernie, a very knowledgable local sommelier. Â Lovely ambiance, plus the custom made bar is incredible! Â Go check it out. Â They have wines by the glass, flight, or bottle.
Review Source:Great addition to my neighborhood! Lovely wine bar, beautiful space to unwind with a glass of wine. Very inviting and completely unpretentious. The owner is very friendly and has done a great job giving us this gem in bixby knolls. The only negative is that the past times I've been there, there was no food offerings yet. The owner did say that he would be adding cheese plates and other food pairings shortly- can't wait to try them!
Review Source:This place is THE BEST. Â We have needed something like this on Atlantic for so long. The couple who owns it are not only completely welcoming, but so knowledgeable about wine and really want to share their knowledge (but only in an inclusive way and only if you want to know!). Â It is the perfect blend of sophisticated and unpretentious. Â Such a great neighborhood vibe--the customers actually end up talking to each other instead of just themselves, because of the open bar design (and by the way, what a beautiful bar top too). Great prices and great selection (and did you know you can also buy bottles here too, interesting stuff you haven't heard of but that they've hand selected?) Totally first class, and such a nice mellow place to spend an evening. Â Even better now that they've added "pairing plates" of cheeses and snacks to go with certain wines. Â PLEASE, neighbors, keep this place busy and happening to keep our community growing together!
Review Source:If you like to support a neighborhood type small business where the owner knows everything about wine and is passionate about what he's doing, then this is the place for you. Â I stopped in to check it out, and decided to buy a half case of wine but I wasn't familiar with all the selections available. Â No worries, the owner had me taste several wines and built my order to my liking. Â How cool is that?!?! Â Well all the selections that were purchased worked out great and now I'm out and will stopping by soon to stock up again.
Review Source:Let me start of by saying I know nothing about wine; the technique of drinking it, the idiosyncrasies of what goes into each unique glass, or the type of wine I should drink with my meal. I have always been curious as to what certain wine aficionados find so fascinating about this age old libation so I took my curiosity to the newly opened Willmore Wine Bar in lovely Bixby Knolls. This cozy, welcoming, capacious little nook has a wonderfully intimate feel to it that immediately makes you feel welcome. Â There is a small bar in the center of the cozy confines; accompanied by a large, comfortable couch for a more intimate setting if you choose to bring a date which I highly recommend.
The owner, Ernie, is a encyclopedia of wine knowledge and will take the time to explain anything you want to know about the wines he is pouring. While you're enjoying your wine don't feel like you have to just stick to the topic of wine and engage Ernie in conversation; he is a very affable guy and will engage you in a quality sports banter. The wine is not over priced; and like I said I know nothing about wine but Ernie was quick to give me tasters of any wine on the menu I was curious about as well as explaining each to me in a language I understood.
I highly recommend Willmore for every wine enthusiast or non enthusiast; you will feel welcome either way. I truly hope this place thrives because it really is an excellent place to hang out and relax.
A lovely spot. Â Great wine selection, and Ernie behind the bar really knows his stuff. Â He's pleasant, low-key, unpretentious and extremely knowledgeable. Â The atmosphere is very classy. Â Reportedly they are going to add more wines and perhaps some food items in the future. Â A great place to enjoy a terrific glass of wine, meet friends or strike up a conversation with a total stranger. Â Highly recommended.
Review Source:Such a wonderful addition to Bixby Knolls! Â This is a brand new space: bright and inviting with a lounging sofa area, a bar area, and what appears to be a party/education room in the back. The music was present, but low enough as to not interfere with conversation.
As for the service, it is truly a rare thing to get such personalized and vastly unpretentious attention from an owner/sommelier. Â While I sat at the bar, I witnessed him intently listen to what the customers were looking for in a wine and gently guide them toward this or that varietal. Â To me, it was clear that this person really loves wine and is interested in helping others find that love as well. Â
This is a new business, so I'm interested in seeing how it evolves -- for now, I can say that it is pretty darn stellar.
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