Rate-A-Restaurant #358: Eagle Rock Public House (Eagle Rock)

Restaurant: Eagle Rock Brewery Public House

Location: 1627 Colorado Blvd (Eagle Rock)



Type of restaurant: Gastropub

We stipulated: Date night! Looking for a place to grab a quick dinner before moving on to a nearby event.



They stipulated: "Here at Eagle Rock Public House, we believe that an elevated dining experience is matched perfectly with great beers, but often under-appreciated and difficult to find. Co-founder/Executive Chef Jerry Su has developed an amazing menu using seasonal and sustainable ingredients of the highest quality. Personally selecting the finest produce to use from the local farmers’ market, he artistically crafts unique dishes for guests to enjoy with our carefully curated craft beer list. With literally thousands of styles of beers that offer an incredibly wide variety of flavor profiles, (in our opinion) beers are the best option for all sorts of food. Collectively, we wanted to create a concept to share our passions with other like-minded people, and we hope you love the food and beer as much as we do!"



What we ordered:  Scallop (raisin miso, pineapple, seaweed emulsion, beef bushi) $18; Fried cod sandwich (manifesto batter, slaw, malt vinegar aioli) $13; churrones (Mexican hot chocolate) $8.



High point:  The scallops were fantastic... and you can rarely go wrong with churros.

Low point:  XXX.

Overall impression: Eagle Rock Brewery has long offered its beverages in its Glassell Park location, but it's great to finally add some gastropub fare to the mix. (I was also glad to see the disappointing and never-open Fatty's finally move out of the space.)



Will we return: Yes, we will be back to try the ever-changing menu.

Rate-A-Restaurant #352: Messhall Kitchen (Los Feliz)

Restaurant: Messhall Kitchen

Location: 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. (Los Feliz)

Type of restaurant: American/Gastropub

We stipulated: We were invited by Messhall Kitchen to try out their new menu from the restaurant's new executive chef.



They stipulated: "Texas-born and OC-raised Executive Chef Shane Pritchett worked with Emeril Lagasse at the original Emeril’s Restaurant then became Executive Chef at Emeril’s famed Delmonico restaurant in New Orleans. He was there during the devastation and rebuilding after Katrina. He opened Fat Hen Grill + Grocery on St. Charles where his signature Womelet and Poached Eggs on Crawfish Cakes earned him Best Breakfast in the City honors. Shane is a certified Kansas City BBQ Society judge and was instrumental in bringing the new giant smoker to Messhall Kitchen."



What we ordered: To start: Crispy fried oysters on black eyed peas with a brie cream; Main courses: Mini Crab Cakes with Chili Lime vinaigrette and house special coleslaw, Jumbo Shrimp and Grits, Grilled sliced Hog Chop with Tchoupitoulas sauce (made with green peppercorn, red pepper and a honey demi glace sauce) served on pureed sweet potatoes, Willard Fried Chicken bites with spicy dill pickles; Dessert: Beignets with coffee anglaise and candied pecans



High point:  The jumbo shrimp and grits were tasty, and "Willard Fried Chicken bites with spicy dill pickles" is as good as it sounds.





Overall impression: Chef Pritchett brings a great southern fried spin on the gastropub.



Will we return: We need to try the rest of the menu, including the burger.

Rate-A-Restaurant #306: Westside Tavern

Restaurant: Westside Tavern

Location: 10850 West Pico Boulevard (Rancho Park)

Type of restaurant: American Pub




We stipulated: We're not on the Westside all that often, but we happened to be there one evening. Maria has met friends for drinks and flatbread at Westside Tavern in the past, and wanted me to try it as well.



They stipulated: Located at the Westside Pavilion next to the Landmark Theatres, the Westside Tavern attracts a lot of dinner-and-a-movie crowds. Also, no dinner reservations accepted -- and the wait for a table can be long over the weekend.



What we ordered: Ahi tuna poke ($14); chipotle chicken flatbread ($14); roasted mushroom and tomato flatbread ($14); burger ($14); side of mac & cheese ($7)



High point:  The ahi tuna appetizer was great, and we were given plenty of chips to enjoy it.

Low point: The wait for a table, even on a weeknight, was tough -- especially with kids.




Overall impression: The flatbread isn't the best I've ever had, but it's still fantastic and worth the visit. Overall, I like the menu (and the fact that it's constantly rotating), the casual vibe and what looks to be a great drink menu. A better alternative to similarly-priced chains.



Will we return: It's too far away for us to be regulars, and I prefer the even more loose brewpubs that have opened up on our side of town. But I'd definitely want to check out the Westside Tavern again.

Rate-A-Restaurant, #273: Mohawk Bend

Restaurant: Mohawk Bend

Location: 2141 Sunset Blvd. (Echo Park)

Type of restaurant: Gastropub



We stipulated: I was home for lunch, and wanted to use up one of my expiring Blackboard Eats discounts. I've been interested to try Mohawk Bend for a while, and even though we had the Blogger Toddler 2.0 with us, we figured it wouldn't be a problem at lunch time (and it wasn't -- there's even a kids pizza on the menu).



They stipulated: "Mohawk Bend is a restaurant and bar in Echo Park dedicated to bringing you fresh, locally-sourced fare and drink. Our kitchen uses only California ingredients to create brick oven pizzas, seasonal salads, elevated pub food, and delicious desserts that appeal to vegans, vegetarians, and meat-lovers alike. From our 72 taps of craft beer, 6 stainless steel wine taps, and artisanal spirits, our drink menu is a tribute to local, small-scale breweries, wineries, and distilleries."



What we ordered: JJ Kale -- wilted salad of kale seared w garlic & chili, topped w julienned jicama ($8); Avo & Chips -- ipa-battered avocado, fries, horseradish slaw, smoked paprika aioli ($12); Pizza: the Abe Froman -- house-made Italian sausage, peppers, fennel, mozzarella ($12)





High point: The Avo & Chips came with a really nice slaw featuring spicy mustard seed. Also, a great California beer selection and a nice mix of vegan and meat food.

Low point: The pizza was nothing too special, but fine.

Overall impression: Built inside an old movie theater, we loved the expansive space and the back indoor patio. It's a nice menu -- rare to see such a balance of vegetarian and non-veggie dishes. Mohawk Bend is also behind the Golden Road near us -- it's nice to suddenly have so many gastropubs so close by. And for an added touch, Mohawk Bend's "Mildred Pierce" mix drink donates a dollar to plant a tree, and the "Fire Station" beverage sends a dollar to the Firemen's Fund. (Of course, both drinks are pricey already.)



Chance we'll go back: It's a great way to spend an afternoon in Echo Park -- stroll around the shops after, and just don't Feed The Hipsters. We'll be back.

Rate-A-Restaurant #256: The Six

Restaurant: The Six Restaurant

Location: 10668 Pico Blvd. (West L.A.)

Type of restaurant: Gastropub

We stipulated: It was a long-awaited lunch with my pal Diane "The Surf Report," but she couldn't get away for too long -- so we settled on a spot on the west side. I'm not as familiar with restaurants over there, but Diane suggested The Six. I was game.

They stipulated: Part of the gimmick of The Six? Sections of the menu (starters, pizzas, main dishes, dessert, etc.) all contain just six choices.



What we ordered: Turkey Sloppy Joe Sliders: portobello/red bell pepper/ fried housemade pickle ($13); Grilled Salmon Salad: tomato/cucumber/avocado/red onion/capers/lemon vinaigrette ($14)



High point: Despite the "six" choices limitation, the menu was unique and diverse. And the turkey sloppy joes had a nice, sweet but savory flavor to them. I could have used another.

Low point: Parking is limited, and the service could be a bit slow at times.



Overall impression: Nice environment for a casual lunch.

Chance we'll go back:  I'm not sure I'd make an extra effort to try The Six again, but if I were nearby, I might.

For a complete list of our more than 250 restaurant reviews, check out Franklin Avenue's companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #226: Lazy Ox

Restaurant: Lazy Ox Canteen

Location: 241 S. San Pedro St. (Little Tokyo)

Type of restaurant: Contemporary American/Gastropub

We stipulated: We were heading to downtown L.A. on a nice, sunny Saturday... and wanted to try something new for lunch. I'd heard great things about chef Josef Centeno's place, and wanted to check it out.



They stipulated: "The Lazy Ox philosophy is simple, our execution anything but… To bring exceptional ingredients prepared artistically at an approachable price. We want to share our love of ingredients the world over and the joy of eating and drinking by exposing our diners to all we’re discovering. Food and wine should not be intimidating or overlooked, it is our most intrinsic need and should be celebrated."



What we ordered: salt cod brandade croquette with celery, olives & mint $8; poblano pozole soup with queso fresco & lime $8; braised beef paleron (pot roast) with cream of wheat, kumquats & red wine $24

High point: Oh, that pot roast. A tad pricy, but oh so amazing -- the citrus kumquats and cream of wheat were a nice touch. Meanwhile, the soup was not really spicy but the green color was nice, and the grape is was a tasty touch.

Low point: They were out of the (more economical) burger, which is what Maria was craving. And the limited menu wasn't kid-friendly, despite it being lunch time (and we were eating on the patio). I also discovered after the fact that there were specials written inside that we were never told about.



Overall impression: Good service, good food and a nice spot for Little Tokyo. Too bad that pot roast is a tad pricy.



Chance we'll go back: It's not a place we'd hit often, but I wouldn't mind trying Lazy Ox again.