Bar Food: Pub Grub That’s Actually Good

So, I am thinking of making a move to the Westside in two months.  Once classes start, It’s probably going to be too much to bust my butt from Downtown or Hollywood to Westwood four times a week.  This makes me sad because I love it on the East side–Downtown, Hollywood, and everything in between along the 101–and I feel like I have so much more left to explore before I give it up.  But then again, it’ll give me an opportunity to do some exploring of the other side of town that still remains very foreign.  La Cienega might as well be the Berlin Wall to me, locking me in the eastern bloc–full of character, Angeleno history, and ethnic influences–but separating me from all the good stuff out west.

Lately, somewhere in my head I must have heard Ronald Reagan speaking out to me: “Tear down this wall!”  If you seek perfect sunsets, beautiful people, peaceful days and nights, and even more traffic congestion, then Mr. Alexander, tear down this wall.  Well the voice has resonated, and I have taken my metaphorical wall down brick by brick in the past days as I begin my exploration of the Westside.

First things you must find are places to eat and drink, and I may have found my new favorite pub and grub stop on the Westside last night.  While a very early chapter into 2009: A Westside Odyssey, Bar Food has all the makings of a place I can see myself being a regular patron at.  Wide selection of brews, easy-going patrons, friendly service, and top it off, bar food that’s worthy of talk.

I found out about this place through, what else, Yelp.  It’s got a very admirable 4.5 stars overall and many glowing reviews from elite members.  I decided to come with two friends and see what all the fuss is about.  For a gastropub owned by an Irish man, it certainly wasn’t what I expected.  The place was dark, but had a swanky feel.  As you walk in, you see the bar in the center with its dozen tap handles in all its glory.  A sign says to seat yourselves, and we find plenty of available tables with comfy seats.  It appears this place used to be a sushi restaurant, and you can see plenty hints if you look around.  There’s a Japanese-style door curtain by the kitchen and the jars of pickled who knows what on the wall.  My guess is the bar in the center used to be where the sushi chefs sliced up maguro and hamachi before it was converted into the suds pouring center of Bar Food.

Our first bites were the potato puffs. Delicious bites these were.  Creamy mashed potatoes deep fried and served with dipping sauce.  A crispy fried exterior but a soft mushy center.  Surprisingly, I haven’t seen this dish almost anywhere else.  For mashed potato loves Marny and I, these were just great.

The Bar Burger may appear to have the buns of a big mac and the meat of a six dollar, but it’s a quality burger.  Not the best burger in LA, but definitely can satisfy your burger cravings when you’re here.

Spicy Tuna served on top of crispy rice.  Pretty yummy, although I’m not a fan of that much green onion.  They must have taken some cues from the previous Japanese kitchen because many dishes served are topped off with the green garnish.  Not a very spicy tuna, and the rice was crispy.

Mac and Cheese.  Now, this is what I came for.  I had a deep urge for Mac n Cheese, and this place does it well.  I wouldn’t rave about it and tell everyone that they have the best in town, but it’s a good dish to go along with the lagers and pale ales that I’m downing.  Very cheesy, and baked with a little crisp to it.

Finished off our meal with Ice Cream Cones.  They come two on a plate for five bucks, and it’s served in those cones you remember as a kid.  I’m not sure why they decide to turn it on its head… but maybe they just don’t have the stands to keep it from toppling over.  Either case, I guess you can make the point that it’s a unique way to serve.  Only vanilla and chocolate are offered, unfortunately.

For beers, I had the house’s Bar Lager and a Stone Pale Ale.  I need some more trips to really take advantage of the nearly two dozen beers that they have on tap and in specialty bottles.  The bartender that night, Hans, was very warm and helpful.  Same with all of the table service.

Happy Hour is the perfect time to come in and take advantage of a place like this.  It runs from 5-7pm.  House beers are 3.50 and many of the dishes are marked down 30-50%.  Not to mention that they serve free hot dogs for those two hours.  I guess that’s why they call it Happy Hour, after all.

Bar Food

12217 Wilshire Blvd (Just West of Bundy)
Los Angeles, CA 90025