Wally's Beverly Hills — Restaurant in Beverly Hills

First off I want to start this review on a good note. The food was amazing. We got the Truffle pizza, the Smoked Brie, and the Wagyu Beef Tartar. All of which was amazing and loved the food.

But the reason for the 1 star review isn't for the food or the location, it's for the horrendous staff. Everyone from the hostess to the manager was absolutely horrible.

The hostess looked very unprofessional, wasn't wearing her mask correctly and was flirting with every guy versus doing her job.

Another point there was 2 ladies at the table behind us who were enjoying their night and 2 guys on the other side of the barriers and bushes without their mask were conversing for about 45 minutes. They were hanging over the bushes and disrupting everyone around them with vulgar comments and being completely loud and obnoxious. The staff did nothing about this as we observed them wait on the table and other tables around them.

Secondly, our waitress didn't know anything about the wines to suggest, didn't know anything about pairings and when we asked for a wine they didn't have it and instead of making adequate suggestions she brought someone else to offer up suggestions. I don't blame her, I blame her superiors on the lack of training. Furthermore, I do blame her on the lack of attentiveness. As a waitress you're supposed to check in on the tables you're waiting on and ask how is everything, is there anything else I can get you, so on and so forth? She did none of that, we probably saw her 3x in the 2+ hours we were there.

Thirdly, and quite frankly the worst was the manager. Up until this point I would have gave this place a 3 star review. This manager definitely dropped their rating to a 1 star after receiving the worst customer service I've ever received. Honestly, I have received better customer service from fast food restaurants than from this manager. When it came down to the bill, our group wanted to split the bill with a gift card my sister received. The waitress told us their gift card machine was down and they're unable to accept gift cards at this time. So we asked to speak with the manager. She responded with, "well he's just going to tell you what I told you." So we then insisted to speak with the manager. 20 minutes later the manager still hasn't come to our table, I then got up and asked for the manager to come to our table and he arrived 30 seconds later. When the manager came to our table he told us the gift card machine was down and they're unable to accept the gift card at this time. My sister responded with "how is that our problem, we had this gift card and that swayed our decision to visit your establishment at this time." She had the receipt that had the amount gifted on the gift card. The manager then responded that the receipt doesn't give proof to the amount currently on the gift card and that she could have used it before. Then he asked her, " is this your first time here," to which she replied "no" and he then asked "how many times have you been here before?" This was a very rude question to ask because there's no reason for this question. He then followed up with "you should just use your gift card the next time you come in." My sister responded with "my brother, his girlfriend and my mother are all coming from out of town and wanted to save this gift card for this occasion." Then he responded with, "okay give me a moment" and as he walked away he muttered, "see you next time."

We were all appalled at this point because it took us over an hour to pay our bill and had the worst experience. My sister wanted to show us a good time and we ended up having a terrible time. None of us will ever be coming back and will lose a bunch of recommendations because we'll all be glad to take our business elsewhere.

Thank you for the great food and the worst customer service!

P.S. if you're the owner of this establishment, you should really look to fire your manager he's only hurting your business. You have a great spot and great food but the...

Update: 2024: I have been a couple of times lately and I feel it is time to update/correct the below: I took an important client (a #1 recording artist) the other day - and they became instant fans. Food, service, and ambiance: well-deserved five stars (and so happy that they dramatically improved the impression we had last time.

2022:

I have been a huge Wally's fan for years - been there many many times. Their Truffled​ Brie Sandwich - finger-licking good. Currently, my client princess for one day (Europe's #1 makeover event) has a promotion where they fly in mother-daughter from Germany for an extended weekend and a photoshoot​ with me - plus a sightseeing Saturday to my favorite places, so after the obvious visit to Rodeo Drive either Wally's or Caffe Roma would be my picks. This time, it was Wally's.

After we were seated I realized that I would be the only one eating - so I did not want to be unpolite and we stayed with wine and coffee. The place as not really busy so I did not feel bad (if all tables were taken I would have considered standing​ at the bar of course).

When the host realized we were just in for drinks things got icky. The tone of here was of such I had not heard someone talking to me in years. We finished our drinks and left. I doubt I will return. I will not tolerate someone speaking to me like this, especially not in front of​ all of the ​people by someone who could have easily my daughter, if not granddaughter. Get some respect.

Previous review:

Wow - just flipped through the reviews - and it appears you either love or hate the place. There is rarely anything in between.

As half of my all-time-favorite restaurants average 3,5 stars, I tend not to pick my restaurants visits by the votes of people I have never met ;-) - at least not, when friends really recommended it.

This is such a place, recommended by friends - and I can not believe I have never been. Catering to the nouveau riches (french fries with truffle - and I mean fresh truffle, not truffle oil at $22), an "Ivy-esque" attitude was almost expected - and I was not disappointed - sort of got "the look" by the young, but already "refurbished" hostess when I said we came in only for a drink. We still tried the wood oven brie baguette - $18 - and wow! were we impressed. This was amazing.

So if you care for this places where most people wear watches in the price of a car, dress up and eat dressed up food, you'll love it here. If you can't tolerate the attitude of some of the staff which I believe is needed to survive some of their clientele, you possibly better stay away.

My wife and I had an amazing hour watching the crowd, better than going to a movie! And again, whatever food we saw may have been pricey, but definitely worth it.

Finally: there wine range is amazing. As I am not much for a drinker, let alone a connoisseur of vintage wines, I can not really judge the place. However - or you may also say there is always a "but": on my way back from the bathroom I spotted the "Brangelina" Rose (Miraval Rose 2017 Rosé from Cotes de Provence, Provence, France) which we tried and did not like, if I may add, which usually sells at around $20 a bottle. Here it was $72 - take away, not restaurant price. I can only hope this is a mistake - because if this is the kind of mark-up they do on selling wines, I would never buy any wine there.

Moment of truth: did they exceed my expectations: definitely yes (three stars). Would I go back? Oh yes! (4 stars). Would I even take a detour of 30 mins or more to go? Also yes,...

I was immediately shocked by how big this place is. Don’t let the little patio out front fool you. We came on a Thursday night as a party of five at 8pm. It was a packed house but we could be seated. I was annoyed by communal tables, but quickly got over it, as there was so much to see in this place. The vastness of the wines selection was mind-boggling. This place is quiet the scene of very unique people. Not one dull moment all evening. Bar manager Carl Roberts is hilarious. It is worth ordering a drink just to hear one of his cheesy jokes. We share a bottle of mid-priced wine - 2013 Tor Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that we were all pleased with.

We started with the CHARCUTERIE & CHEESE plate, which vanished before we knew it. Not even one grain of mustard was left on the board.

While we were trying to decide on food, Chef David Féau came to our table and answered our questions about the menu. He was very personable and helpful. Pretty much everyone that worked there was great. We finally decided on the following.

PURPLE AND BLUE SALAD • roasted beets, blueberry, pickled cucumber, grapes, red cabbage, buffalo milk bleu cheese, pistachio, balsamic and olive oil $18 It was very fresh, light and we all agreed we would order that salad again.

GRILLED OCTOPUS • chorizo spices, pickled honeydew, fava beans, black garlic mayo, puffed buckwheat $24 This practically melted in your mouth. Combined with the pickled honeydew, makes this dish borderline genius.

PIZZETTA PEACH GOAT CHEESE • creamy goat cheese, parmesan, treviso, shaved peach $17 We enjoy this pizzetta, but there were so many other wonderful things that we had ordered that this ended up as my take home. I ate it the next day and it held up and tasted great.

HOUSEMADE GREEN SPAGHETTI • smoked garlic opal basil pesto, peppercress, grana padano $27 The portion seemed a little small, but packed a great flavor.

MOROCCAN CAULIFLOWER • ras el hanout, raisins, almonds, preserved lemon and date purée $16 I just got back from Morocco a couple of months ago and this authentic tasting dish brought back great memories for me. Everyone else just seemed to enjoy the complex flavors.

TRUFFLE POMME FRITES • grated parmesan, shaved Burgundy truffle $19 The fries were good, not the best I have had, but that probably is just me.

ROASTED HERITAGE GALLUS BRUN BONE-IN HALF CHICKEN• smashed fingerling potatoes, broccolini, albufera sauce 95 OMG! I know this dish is stupid expensive, but worth every penny. The chicken was perfectly tender and the sauce was like none other I have tasted. Now if the sauce was served with the French fries, I think they would be the best I have ever had. I pretty much ate all of smashed fingerling potatoes and I hope no one noticed. Next time I will order these on their own and maybe even make a meal of them. Divine.

The only thing that was a negative for me was the communal style table. The seats aren’t that comfortable either.

Our party of five left the restaurant very happy and full. I...