While she admits she may be biased, Wilshire restaurant executive chef Nyesha Arrington says her restaurant has the best Sunday brunch on the Westside.
For just $35 per person, guests can enjoy unlimited Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and a gourmet seafood buffet.
“We’ve typically been closed Sundays in the past, but we thought with our gorgeous patio and summer coming, we decided it would be a fantastic utilization to offer a Sunday brunch,” Arrington said.
Arrington said she created the buffet with an eclectic mix of seafood, meat, and protein options.
“One of our dishes that is getting some traction is our crab benedict,” she said. “It’s different in that it’s not a traditional hollandaise – it’s a tomato hollandaise. Heading into spring and summer, tomatoes are so fantastic. We roast them down and make a delicious hollandaise sauce.”
She said she visits the farmers market once or twice every week then adapts her menu and offerings based on what is in season.
“We have a great brioche French toast on the brunch buffet with whipped mascarpone cheese and farmers market berries,” she said. “Our tomato gazpacho is super fresh and we’re doing a roasted red pepper and burrata salad which is fantastic as well.”
Another highlight is the walk-up omelette station on the patio. Guests are given a piece of paper with checklist to tick items such as scallions, bacon, ham, tomato, and cheddar cheese.
One of the restaurant’s cooks then creates the omelette fresh to order.
The Bloody Mary station at the lower bar is also a walk-up station where guests can make their own creations.
Arrington said a bartender will serve up a glass of vodka and its special tomato mix, and then guests can add the finishing touches.
“We have searched out different hot sauces for the Bloody Marys – we have about 10 different selections,” she said. “We create our own tomato mix in house which includes red peppers, tomatoes, jalapenos, and tomato juice that we make fresh every Sunday morning. There are other spices and garnishes like horseradish, red pepper flakes, lemon, kosher salt, lots of different pickles, celery, jalapenos and even bacon, so you can build it based on your taste preference.”
Arrington said she encouraged locals to experience the all-inclusive brunch.
“I really feel that we’re offering brunch in a win-win situation because we’re outdoors and it’s so gorgeous on the patio during the day,” she said.
Other buffet selections include smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraiche, poached shrimp, hickory smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, antipasto and charcuterie station, artisan cheese board, and seasonal fruits and berries. The dessert station has assorted mini cupcakes, coconut macaroons, and cookies.
For children aged 12 and younger, the buffet is $25 per child.
Wilshire Restaurant is located at 2454 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica.
The Sunday brunch is offered 11 am to 5 pm.
Reservations, which are recommended, can be made by calling 310.586.1707. For more information, visit www.wilshirerestaurant.com.
