Wally’s: A Tale of Two Cities, a Mountain of Cheese, and One Very Happy Wine Glass

Let’s get one thing straight — I love Wally’s. I mean, who wouldn’t be happy surrounded by walls of world-class wine and more cheese than a French daydream? But here’s the thing: there are two Wally’s, and they’re like siblings — related, but very, very different.

Wally’s Beverly Hills: The Glamorous Older Sibling
Our lunch here was, in a word, divine. The place looks like a wine lover’s cathedral — glimmering bottles, glowing glasses, and that soft hum of people pretending they don’t want a third pour of Pinot Grigio.

We started with said Pinot (because water is just a palate cleanser, right?) and a charcuterie board so beautiful it could’ve been framed. Roquefort, Manchego, perfect slices of cured meats — and even the bread was having its moment.

The Caesar salad? Crisp, classic, and confident. But the real showstopper was the grilled cheese sandwich — melty, gooey, and unapologetically indulgent. We added bacon because, well, we could. Big enough to share, but let’s be honest, I wanted my own.

Thank you, Wally’s Beverly Hills, for making my best friend’s birthday the most deliciously bougie lunch we’ve ever had.

Wally’s Santa Monica: The Laid-Back Beach Cousin
Now, over in Santa Monica, the vibe was more “wine and waves,” but the experience… didn’t quite sparkle. The dinner menu leaned heavy on small plates — lovely for pairing, less so for satisfying a post-sunset appetite.

We had pizzas and salads, which were fine (not fine wine fine, more like Tuesday night with Netflix fine). But sitting outside on chairs with no backs for 90 minutes? My spine still holds a grudge. Service was okay — not bad, not great, just there.

In short: Wally’s Beverly Hills is the wine-and-cheese power couple of my dreams. Santa Monica? Still good, but maybe more of a “let’s grab a quick glass” than a full dinner date.

So if you’re torn between the two, remember — go where the bread is buttery, the wine sparkles, and the cheese makes you want to write poetry.