Bakersfield in Westmont

Any tips, suggestions, or reviews for Bakersfield, across from Standard Market in Westmont? I've been meaning to visit and would love to hear from others who have been there recently. What is best to order, what is less interesting, and how is the atmosphere?

Thanks!


Bakersfield
330 E. Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559

I can't comment on a recent visit, but I did eat there during their training night right before they first opened. The atmospher is very nice, relaxing, inviting and quite comfortable. Don't remember exactly what we all ate, but I know my daughter and her friend had ribeye steaks and really enjoyed them. The food and service were very good. I'd like to go back at some point.

upcoming crab dinner looks interesting

http://www.bakersfieldrestaurant.com/crab-wine-dinner/

My wife and I have been to Bakersfield several times. Overall we like the place a lot. It reminds me of a Weber Grill restaurant, but one in which higher quality ingredients are being used.

They use ingredients from the affiliated Standard Market grocery across the street - Freebird Chicken, local beef, fresh produce, sustainable seafood and some seasonal ingredients. They have changed the menu slightly quite a few times; presently it seems like they are striving to sell smaller entrees so as to bring prices down a bit. Gone is the ~$40 Prime NY Strip, replaced by an 8 oz. Prime Petite Sirloin for $20. We have both tried various steaks (all wet aged), a couple different scallop dishes, crab cakes, the Crispy Thai shrimp appetizer, the ribs (house smoked), and the Knife and Fork Fried Chicken (large portion - crispy and cooked perfectly with spicy cornbread croutons). Fries are hand-cut and the baked potato is steakhouse caliber.

All the food I've had at Bakersfield has been well prepared, and tastes home made. The only misses we've experienced are the Chicken Cobb and a pork chop/pork belly special, where the panko breaded chicken was bland and dry and the pork belly was comprised of no meat whatsoever - just fat; maybe just an off night.

One other attractive feature about Bakersfield is that if you buy a bottle of wine (not on their wine list; must show receipt) from Standard Market, there is no corkage fee.

It may be a spot that is too pricey to go to every week, but I can see having it in our monthly rotation as long as they keep their standards high.

rober wrote:My wife and I have been to Bakersfield several times. Overall we like the place a lot. It reminds me of a Weber Grill restaurant, but one in which higher quality ingredients are being used. .

We have only been once, and while I think that comment is close to being correct, to some it will come off as a harsh criticism. The decor is California meets prairie in a nice, large, open plan. Cannot comment on their bar or wine as we brought our own. Menu runs to grilled and comfort food (lots of steaks, nice and aged, along with fried chicken and more), but with higher aspirations, as noted - good ingredients, nicely prepared, well seasoned and garnished.

But the problem is that it is not cheap, or, in the end, that interesting. Seems to be the trend in suburban dining right now - well prepared comfort food using excellent, local ingredients. Not a bad thing at all (aside from gourmet mac 'n cheese, which I always want to like, but never do - I digress), but not exciting either. I just want a little more, whether it is a little more adventurous menu, or more interesting preparations and presentations.

I may go back to Bakersfield when I want some pricey fried chicken, or a very nice, aged steak (which are relative bargains compared to the traditional steakhouses, even if they are the most pricey items on the menu); or not.

My bottom line is that the cafe in the Standard Market is mostly the better choice, though the Bride hates the decor and feel of that place. Same deal on corkage, too (free if you buy the wine at the market).