Restaurant Review: The Westside Grill in Gilroy, California

Typically I try to save fancy restaurants for extra-special occasions. However, last night I just had this impulse to splurge a little and it's not because I wasn't paying. I chose to try The Westside Grill because I had never eaten there.

My date and I arrived at The Westside Grill about seven thirty and asked for a table for two. The owner was working the check-in desk and informed me that it was going to be about a half hour so my date and I decided to hang out in the bar area until a table was ready. We ordered drinks and the coconut prawns appetizer while we waited and watched the San Jose Sharks. Just as the Prawns came out the owner informed us that our table was ready.

The prawns didn't last any longer than 4 minutes. The full menu was pretty small but filled with tasty sounding descriptions. I chose one of their specials; chicken, prawns, mushrooms, and artichoke in a lemon, butter garlic glaze served with mashed potatoes and mixed greens. The glaze really pulled all of the flavors together on my tongue. My date had the steak salad and I must say that the Balsamic-Vinaigrette dressing was amazing. Near the end of our meal the chef, who turned out to be a classmate of mine, came out to ask us if the food was satisfactory.

The atmosphere was comfortably mellow. The place was at full capacity and there was no excess noise like most restaurants. Thank god too because I really didn't want to scream at my date. Art created by Gilroy locals covers the walls with still lives of fruits, food, and wine. The bar area is sunken in and does not really distract the other guests eating dinner. It boasts a pretty impressive collection of alcohol for its size along with three flat panel TV's. All of the staff is friendly and courteous especially the bartenders, owner, and chefs (this is the one restaurant that I have seen chefs come talk to the guests). The only problem I had with my visit is the tab. My plate was 18, the prawn appetizer was 10, and my date's salad was 12. This brought the total tab to about $69 including tip.

Cleanliness: 9/10

Service: 9/10

Food: 10/10

Price: 6.5/10