Bar Food

Doesn't Recommend

girlvaughn

Joined 3 years ago

food is good, atmosphere is... meh. The food is pretty good and the beer selection offers some great options... when we were there someone kept forwarding through the songs that were playing and the two servers were arguing, or just hated each other.

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Kelly Wardle

Joined 4 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. The name may be simple, but Bar Food owner Jason Killalee has parlayed his fine-dining background (stints at Providence and Valentino) into a welcoming neighborhood-bar-meets-gastropub where the focus is right where it should be: on the food. The large space features plenty of seating areas, stone walls and a wall of colorful beer taps that provides an eye-catching backdrop for the bar. But it’s the great food, drinks and friendly staff that draws in the crowd of professional 20- and 30-somethings. The menu offers upscale pub fare like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie with mashed potato crust, and Thai bangers with cilantro mashed potatoes--a twist on the classic British dish. There are also lighter items such as house-made tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich, arugula salad with pear and blue cheese, and smaller bites like the addictive potato puffs, edamame in black bean sauce and crispy calamari, many of which appear on the happy hour menu. As for beverages, martini drinkers beware--the only hard liquor options are scotch, bourbon and whiskey, in tribute to Killalee’s Irish roots--but the excellent selection of draft beers and growing wine list ensure no one will leave thirsty.

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ronnielee

Joined 3 years ago

Happy Hour in a classy place.. I am at a weird age. It's the age where flashing my boobs in Cancun is slowly losing it's appeal but I'm also too young (and poor) to visit Lake Como. It's the age where I still wear denim cut offs but only paired with a more demure top and I have to ditch the lucite hooker heels. Ah. The growing pains of being 24.

Being in your mid twenties also marks the age where you just want to enjoy a nice glass of wine and meal in a still youthful, but peaceful setting without watching some frat boy ride a mechanical bull.

If you have been following my musings, you know of my increasing frustration with westside 'bar food'. Long story short, there is none. All the kitchens close at 10:30 at the latest and THAT'S a stretch. What happens when you want to grab a couple small bites without getting a whole meal? What happens when you want something classier than Denny's, IHOP, and Taco Bell? Nope. Not on the westside.

Until Bar Food.

Bar Food has found its market. Young, classy adults who want to grab a quick bite whether it's after work or late night in a gorgeous upscale establishment without plunking down $60pp for a piece of cheese and maybe a biscuit.

Parking is an BREEZE and this is the girl that is 1) asian and 2) blind. Bar Food is huge. It has intimate tables on one side, a center bar, and a great space for larger groups on the other side. It's dim but not dark. Lots of wood and candles. Very romantic.

Hans and Jason are amazing hosts. They really engage you in conversation and make sure that EVERY single person is greeted and taken care of. Both (actually they mentioned the whole staff) has been in the restaurant industry since forever including Providence, Hatfield's, Valentino, The Lobster, etc. It shows.

We ordered:

-Garlic Edamame - Spicy and a lot! This was tossed in black bean sauce and garlic and very good starter.

-Mac N Cheese - To be fair, I tasted this after I had the Thai Bangers so this needed a bit more kick to me but good nonetheless.

-Thai Bangers - My favorite dish! The sausage is Thai influenced with lemongrass and rice and all around delicious! And the cilantro mash potatos are amazing. I can't even taste cilantro. Very subtle. Perfect pairing with the sausage.

-Sweet Frites - How can you go wrong with sweet potato fries? Good as well.

-Bread Pudding - The bread pudding is amazing. Moist. Not overly sweet. Topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Perfect way to end the meal.

And honestly, everything on the menu is under 10 dollars. Located centrally between Brentwood and Santa Monica, yo westsider. What's your excuse not to come?

I'll even let you take me on a date.

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EmilyJS3

Joined 4 years ago

Great Neighborhood Bar with a Sophisticated Twist. I love this place for many reasons. First off, Jason, the owner/bartender, is super-friendly and makes a genuine effort to get to know everyone that comes in (he's also Irish, which is probably where his warmth & hospitality come from). The food is excellent and the wine & beer list is top notch. The seating areas are comfortable and the atmosphere is slightly sophisticated, yet cozy - you can roll in to this place in jeans and a t-shirt and feel totally at home. It's a great place for after-work drinks or a light dinner (small plates to share) - they also have a few flat screens for sports. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for a new neighborhood bar - you won't be disappointed!