Your Next Pint

I left my Heart at the Tipsy Pig Gastrotavern in San Francisco

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The Tipsy Pig in San Francisco has it all – worldly pints, local bites, classy cocktails, and a smart space complete with library, bar, and garden patio.

I spent last weekend eating & drinking my way around San Francisco with friends. On Sunday, when my friend Michael's favorite lookout spot in Marin was closed for construction, he suggested the Tipsy Pig in Marina instead. This self-proclaimed gastrotavern (a.k.a. America's version of a British gastropub) was the perfect Plan B & definitely my Plan A next time I'm in town.

The Washdown:

- citrusy, hoppy, rye flavor Lagunitas American IPA (Petaluma, California) 5.7% ABV

- off the menu, so refreshing it'll replace your vodka lemonade summer drink Dark & Stormy

• 
• 
• 
• 

To drink, I had to go with the state of California's #1 IPA, Lagunitas, and Michael's suggestion of The Pig's popular, off-the-menu Dark & Stormy.

The Lagunitas IPA ($4 for 10oz, $5 for 15oz, $7 for 20oz) has a grapefruit citrusy, hoppy, rye bread malt flavor, an orange honey color, and is a bit on the bitter side. An interesting factoid from the Lagunitas Brewery website says it's made with 43 different hops and 65 various malts.

The Tipsy Pig has 8 Pints on tap including Chimay White Ale, Leffe Blonde, Guinness, and Paulaner Hefeweizen. They have 24 Worldly Bottles of Beer including Samuel Smith's Organic Ale (England, 5% ABV), Delirium Tremens (Belgium, 9% ABV), Weinstephaner Hefeweizen (Germany, 5.4% ABV), Hitachino White Ale (Japan, 5% ABV), and Abita Raspberry Wheat (North America, 4.2% ABV).

The Dark & Stormy cocktail is very refreshing. Made with Rum, Ginger Beer, and a Squeeze of Lime, it's not too citrusy or sugary, but just right, and sure to replace your Vodka Lemonade on a hot summer day. The Tipsy Pig has 12 other cocktails ($9-10) all with creative ingredients like Organic "That's My Jamm" Orange Marmalade in the English Fashion Bourbon ($9).

The Grubdown:

- refreshingly unique Pulled Pork Sloppy Joe with Pickled Red Cabbage Slaw, Sprouts & Herbed Aioli on a Pain De Mie Bun

- fight-worthy, herbed & salted just right Sweet Potato Fries with Herbed Aioli Dipping Sauce

- impressively fresh Mixed Greens & Rocket Side Salad with Raspberries, Blackberries, Pecans & Goat Cheese Crostini

- could have been better, spongey fake egg-like Grilled Cheese Breakfast Sandwich with White Cheddar, Herb Frittata & Roasted Ham

- "amazeballs" golden, chunky, not too greasy Hash Brown

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

If you're going to order one thing at The Tipsy Pig make sure it's the Pulled Pork Sloppy Joe sandwich ($11) with a side of Sweet Potato Fries. The Pork is high quality, not fatty, and very tender. The Pickled Red Cabbage Slaw pumps up the vinegar in the pork. The Sprouts really add an earthy, unique, unexpectedly fresh flavor. And the soft, buttery bun melts in your mouth.

We were all fighting over the Sweet Potato Fries (free with Sandwiches, Side is $6) with thick salt crystals and fresh chopped herbs. The creamy Aioli dipping sauce it comes with – same sauce as on the Pulled Pork Sandwich – is extremely light and thin almost like a dressing, and not too garlicky.

The Mixed Greens & Rocket Salad ($9) is really beautiful to look at and taste. It comes with farmers market fresh Raspberries and Blackberries, Toasted Pecans, Creamy Herbed Goat Cheese Toasted Crostinis, and a Pomegranate Vinaigrette.

We were really looking forward to the Grilled Cheese Breakfast Sandwich ($10), but were more impressed by the Hash Brown it comes with – "amazeballs" golden, not too greasy, with large chunky shreds of potato. While the Black Forest Ham on the sandwich is smokey & sweet, the texture of the Herb Frittata Egg tastes more like spongey fake egg – at least the White Cheddar made it better. Perhaps we should've gone for the Chive-Goat Cheese Scramble ($11) with Asparagus & Proscuitto, or the Skirt Steak & Eggs ($13) with Tomato Confit & Rosemary Aioli.

The Tipsy Pig is a popular spot for Sunday Brunch (10:30am-2:30pm) outside on the lovely Garden Patio, which can also be rented for private parties, complete with bar & screening area. But anywhere at The Pig will make you squeal with glee, whether it's the Bustling Bar (open til 2am), cute Library Dining Room (til 11pm), or even the Nook overlooking Chestnut Street.

Follow @tipsypig for Memorial Day specials.

Library Ale House celebrates Belgian Beer Fest with 8 Rotating Taps and Holy Tastings

• 
• 
• 
• 

For 2 weeks until May 25th, the bustling Library Ale House on Main St. in Santa Monica is celebrating the Belgian Beer Fest with 8 Rotating Taps, $15 Chimay glasses, and $5 refills. Tonight, May 19th, from 5-7pm there's a Trappistenbier Tasting of holy beers like Chimay, Orval & Rochefort – Presale Tickets are $15, or $20 at the Door. And Sunday May 23rd from 5-6pm is Mikkeller's Single Hop IPA Series Tasting – Tickets are $25 & only 20 spots are available.

The Washdown:

- sweet caramel, fruity, mahogany colored Maredsous 8 Brune Abbey Dubbel (Belgium) 8% ABV

- buttery, honey colored, smooth 'n sweet Urthel Hop-It Superior Hoppy Blonde Ale (Belgium) 9.5% ABV

- femme favorite, cloudy amber, subtle citrus with cinnamon bite Goose Island Matilda Belgian-style Pale Ale (Illinois, Chicago) 7% ABV

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

I kinda have a little crush on Belgian beers. The flavors seem so complex and always surprising. So when I heard that the Library Ale House was rotating 8 different taps for 2 weeks, I couldn't resist. When I walked in, the bartender (pictured) was super attentive, always ready to help me, and knew my name. I told him I like nutty, fruity flavors like Unibroue Maudite & Trois Pistoles (my review here), so he recommended Maredsous 8 Brune. It has a rich dark amber brown color, malty fig mince pie flavor, yet tastes lighter than it looks.

The 2nd beer I tried was the Urthel Hop-It Superior Blonde Ale. It's super drinkable, has a beautiful honey color, and every sip is smooth and buttery. It has nice carbonation with mild hoppiness, almost like a creamy thicker lager. And a sweet nutmeg nose with mild scents of citrus & herbs. As you can see, the flavor complexity of this one is unreal, for each sip presented something new.

The 3rd beer I tried was a Belgian-style Pale Ale from Chicago called Goose Island Matilda. The tap had a silver & black goose head (pictured) and the beer was definitely a favorite amongst the ladies. It has a cloudy amber color with a light citrus flavor. It's bland, but sweet with a honey nose, and has a cinnamon bite finish from the carbonation, like a soda.

The Grubdown:

- you'll definitely want to split the Carne Asada Plate with warm Corn Tortillas, Black Beans, Mexican Rice, Sour Cream & Guacamole

- sweet, refreshing Papaya Goat Cheese Quesadilla with Roasted Poblano Chiles, Jack & Cheddar Cheese

- Trio of Mini Beef Sliders

- not too sweet or salty Alehouse Sweet Potato Fries with Ketchup

• 
• 
• 
• 

I was definitely surprised to find that the food at the Library Ale House had strong California & Mexican influences – complimentary Chips 'n Salsa are served as soon as you sit down. So we decided to keep with the theme and ordered the Carne Asada Plate. This size of the platter is impressive – and after drinking 3 pints of extremely filling Belgian beer, we probably could've split it between 3 or 4 people. The Meat is definitely flavorful, but a little tough. The Rice is tender with good tomato flavor. I love that it comes with Black Beans instead of pinto, and the tasty Guacamole is a major selling point – it also comes with 5 warm Corn Tortillas to build your own taco.

The Papaya Goat Cheese Quesadilla is very light and fresh, yet big enough to make one person feel full with 4 pieces. And the Roasted Poblano Chiles inside gives it a smoky flavor.

The Sweet Potato Fries are good, not too salty or sweet, but I was really hoping for some creamy aioli to be served alongside the Ketchup.

I did not get a chance to taste the Sliders, but you should know that the Library serves Kobe Beef as well as lean Grass-fed Linder Bison Burgers.

Belgian beers or not, the Library Ale House is a fine place to show 'em your card and check out some pints. Just ask their Beer Guru for some suggestions.

Follow @libraryalehouse for Belgian Beer Fest updates & events.

Off The Menu Pints, Tender Pub Bites, and Footballer Fights make the Village Idiot LA Smarter than you Think

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The Village Idiot gastropub on trendy Melrose Ave. in LA is the perfect place to grab a pint, watch the latest UK football match, and down some grub without all the fuss.

The Washdown:

- light, crisp, and a little sweet Crafstman 1903 Pre-Prohibition Lager (Pasadena, CA)

- off the menu, creamy red with a thick head Wexford Irish Cream Ale (UK)

- you can smell the hops 6 inches from your nose Bear Republic Racer 5 American IPA (Healdsburg, CA)

• 
• 
• 
• 

I've been coming to the Village Idiot in LA ever since it opened in 2007 – and each time the food & fun just keep getting better. For such a popular spot, the fact that there's no cover or line really draws you in. This particular visit was on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We missed the Chelsea vs. Wigan football game – they play select UK, European, and World Cup matches on two 65-inch HD TVs – but we were definitely thirsty for some pub 'n grub action.

All Pints at the Village Idiot are $6, while "Cheeky" Halfs are $3.50. I ordered the Craftsman 1903 Pre-Prohibition Lager (6.2% ABV). It's golden, really refreshing, perfect for a hot sunny day, and has a sweet finish that I quite enjoyed, while the boys did not.

My dad, the Brit, ordered the off-the-menu Wexford Irish Cream Ale (5% ABV). It reminded me of a red amber version of Boddingtons Pub Ale because of its flat, velvety creaminess, but tasted slightly more hoppy – and it poured super frothy like a Guinness because of the disc-shaped beer widget in the bottle.

I was blown away by how well you could smell the hops from the Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA (7% ABV) even half a foot from your nose. The hoppiness of the beer reminded me of Dogfish Head IPA, but had a much stronger grapefruity bitter citrus flavor.

The Grubdown:

- better than ever, super tender, falls right apart Steak & Potato Pie

- slightly greasy, but packed with tons of flaky white Fish and Chips with Malt Vinegar, Tartar Sauce & Ketchup

- mind-blowing, juicy, unbelievable flavor combo Smoked Pork Roast Sandwich with Pickled Red Onion, Romesco, Arugula & Melted Manchego

- tender & brothy Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish with Black Eyed Peas, Tri-Pepper Sausage, Mustard Greens & San Marzano Tomato Sauce

- i wish there was more bread to scoop up the dippings Mezze Plate with Grilled Flatbread, Roasted Orange Peppers, Spiced Hummus, and Smoked Eggplant with Toasted Pine Nuts & Cilantro

- citrusy, buttery, creamy Rhubarb Orange Bread Pudding with Madagascar Vanilla Gelato

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

As I said before, I've been to The Village Idiot many times, but this time I could not believe how perfectly stewed the meat in the Steak & Potato Pie ($12) was – all four of us were practically fighting over it along with the buttery, flaky pastry.

The Fish and Chips ($14) were HUGE, a little greasy, steaming, and flaky. And the perfectly balanced soft 'n crispy Chips served as a great substitution for the Grilled Flatbread we gobbled up from the Mezze Plate's ($10) 3 Dips – red-peppery Spicy Hummus, caramelized Orange Peppers, and Baba Ghanoush-style Smoked Eggplant topped with Toasted Pine Nuts & fresh Cilantro.

I will definitely be coming back soon for the Weekend Lunch Special (11:30am-5pm) Smoked Pork Roast Sandwich ($12). The Romesco Sauce – a Spanish combo of nuts, garlic, olive oil, and red peppers – is genius and doesn't overpower the super soft 'n juicy thin strips of pork. The combination of the sauce mixed with the Pickled Red Onions, peppery Arugula, and nutty Manchengo Cheese is salivating – in fact, I'm doing so right now!

Not being huge Black Eyed Peas fans (the legume, not the music group), we were all surprised by how delicious the "lovely lady lumps" tasted mixed with unbelievably tender tri-pepper sausage in a tangy San Marzano Tomato Broth. And the Cornmeal-Crusted Catfish ($16) had that extra "Boom Boom Pow."

If you're not a big fan of bread pudding, I think you'll still like the Rhubarb Orange-Bread Pudding ($7) dessert. While it still has the velvety consistency of a bread pudding, it's very soft, not dense, and the citrusy-sweet 'n tart flavor makes it taste more like a pie. The specks of Madagascar Vanilla in the Gelato were divine, too.

So next time you're shopping on Melrose Ave., pop in the neighborhood-like Village Idiot for a pint, a bite, a football fight (follow @villageidiotla for schedule), or a great nite – it's smarter than you think.

Negra Modelo Dark Tastes Lighter than it Looks

For my post-Cinco de Mayo Your Next Pint post, I thought I'd blog about Mexican Beer, Negra Modelo – dark brown in color, but light like a golden lager in taste.

The Washdown:

- nutty brown color, subtly sweet, and crisp Negra Modelo (Mexico)

- wanna drink-you-up, super fresh, not too spicy Salsa Fresca

- don't-just-dip-but-drizzle-me-on Salsa Trio: Verde, Roja, and Naranja

- Sweet 'n Savory Tacos al Pastor con Pina (Pork with Pineapple)

- Tangy Pollo en Mole Roja Tacos

- Creamy Pescado Frito Tacos

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

While there were plenty of Cinco de Mayo specials all over LA yesterday, I couldn't resist the best deal in town – $1 Taco Wednesdays all night at Candela Taco Bar & Lounge.

Candela's has a great selection of Mexican beers – Dos Equis, Pacifico, Bohemia, etc. – but last night, Negra Modelo ($5, Munich Dunkel, 5.4% ABV) seemed the best option to wash down my tacos. Here's why: although the 'delo may be a rich, dark honey brown color, and the label even reads "Dark Beer," it tastes anything but. It's super crisp and refreshing like a lager with a hint of caramel malt sweetness. It's the perfect beer to enjoy on a hot summer day – and ladies, you'll love it. 

Now on to the complimentary Chips 'n Salsa Dips. The Salsa Fresca is some of the best I've had. Super fresh and not too spicy, it's so refreshing I literally wanted a spoon or cup to drink it up. The also-complimentary Trio of Dipping Salsas are just as delish, but for maximum effect, I recommend drizzling the dip directly on your chip, instead of trying to shove it in the small container. The Verde is light 'n tangy, the Roja is spicy (probably too much for some to handle), and the Naranja has a creamy red pepperiness to it that's addictive.  

Of the 12 different kinds of Tacos ($1 on Wednesdays), I decided to go with the Tacos al Pastor con Pina (tender chunks of Pork and sweet Pineapple), Pollo en Mole Roja (tangy Shredded Chicken with a Mole Sauce that's more red peppery than chocolatey), and Pescado Frito (crispy Baja Style Fried White Fish with Chipotle Creamy Sauce).

Out of the three tacos, Negra Modelo pairs best with the Tacos al Pastor con Pina because it brings out its subtle sweetness – they're also the most popular, and my favorite, item on the menu.

Enjoy!