Philippe on Wilshire – A Chinese Let Down

Sometimes we not only share the best of LA, but what we hope becomes the best. Recently, the restaurant Philippe opened up on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. This pricey Chinese restaurant known for its Peking duck and hand-pulled noodles left me wanting way more.

10_2013_PHILIPPE-20 — Philippe on Wilshire Blvd. (Photo credit: http://www.la.eater.com)

I was lucky enough to be invited to the new 5,000 square foot space before it opened to the public in November. The red lighting with the black and white decor felt weird to me, almost tacky. I have never been a fan of red lighting. Since the middle of the black, white, and red restaurant had a wide open ceiling straight to the sky, it was freezing. LA gets cold at night, so dress appropriately here.

get-attachment-16.aspx — Chicken satay from Philippe (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)

Philippe had three custom made martini drinks ready that night. We dined on vegetable spring rolls, chicken satay (bright orange and drenched with this creamy sauce that didn’t have much flavor), drunken fish with little flavor (that tasted like it was drowned in sauce too long), chicken and broccoli, and kung pao chicken. My favorite menu item was the chicken fried rice, but you can basically get that anywhere. The food was mediocre and didn’t seem fresh. I just wish one of the dishes was more memorable.

get-attachment-14.aspx — Fried rice from Philippe (Photo credit: Melissa Curtin)

I am hoping my next time back they have perfected the food because I heard they are known for their Peking duck in NYC at Philippe Chow and that the experience there is suppose to be fantastic.