Library Alehouse

2911 Main St Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-4855

My first time at a microbrewery. I am not a big fan of beer, although Fat Tire beer, a dark Belgium brew, is good on occasion but until recently Fat Tire was only available in Sacramento. At Library Alehouse Fat Tire is now available on tap. Located on Main St., this place is pleasantly casual and non-intimidating for a brewery. The menu has a good variety of options, including many vegetarian dishes to accomodate non-meat eaters. By 7pm the people started pouring in, many heading for the candlelit and heated outdoor patio in the back.

What we ordered:

Ahi tuna burger w/ sweet potato fries -- $11.95 --The first thing I noticed was the bread: soft, warm, and fluffy. Instead of one thick cut of ahi tuna steak, the patty was made of chopped up pieces of ahi tuna and seared which made it easier to bite into. The only other ingredients were coleslaw, wasabi mayo, and daikon sprouts. It was good as it was, but I was thinking it would've been tastier with avocado and caramelized onions. The sweet potato fries were delicioso, baked, not fried -- just like I like them...


Pumpkin ravioli -- $13.00 -- Overall a very light dish, the creaminess of mascarpone cream sauce and the sweetness of the pumpkin filling went together nicely. However, pumpkin ravioli in general is a little bland to my taste, but it was good with the rest of our meal. I think it should normally be accompanied with some sort of salad.




Shrimp fajitas -- $14.25 -- Good, but there were only about 5 pieces of shrimp total and by the first 10 minutes of the meal there was only bell peppers and onions left. Plus, it didn't come out sizzling such as fajita platters should! But then again, I had to remind myself this is a brewery, not El Torito.





Beer sampler --$7.00-- We got to choose/have the waitress choose for us, any five 4oz. beer samples. Lined up from light to dark, our selection included Pale Ale and Spaten.






Details:

Cuisine -- Microbrewery

Rating-- Two Stars

Ambience --Long, narrow indoor with a bar on one side, a row of candlelit high tables with bar stools on the right, 2 flat screens playing sports channels, and a heated outdoor patio in the back.

Best dishes -- Fat Tire beer, Alehouse burgers

Prices -- Beers, $3-$6. Entrees $10-$22

Service -- Good. Since the indoor dining space is fairly narrow, and the waiters pace up and down, it's very easy to catch a waiter in their stride. They also remind you if you're not satisfied w/ your meal you can return it and get something else, or if you want, they can "spruce it up".

Parking --Street parking, spacious metered lot on Ashland west of Main St.

When to go --During the week, 4pm to 6pm, pints are $3, 32-ounce drafts are $4. Assorted tacos cost $2, while papaya quesadillas and buffalo wings are $4 each. Tuesdays, pints are $5, including a free glass, which can be refilled any Tuesday for only $3.00 (excluding Belgian beers).

Library Alehouse
2911 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-4855

I'm going to my favorite restaurant, Sona tommorow with one of my hardcore foodie friends who's been wanting to go. Going for the 6-course Découverte again. ! It's about time I write a review about that one.

Eat for a good cause. Has anyone gone to any of the restaurants participating in the 4th Annual S. Pellegrino Dine Out Los Angeles? For a limited time some of the finest restaurants in your area are offering a special three-course prix fixe gourmet menu for just $20 at lunch and $35 at dinner. For each Dine Out meal served during that time (Aug. 15th-19th, and 22nd-26th), S.Pellegrino will donate $1 to Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit organization that is committed to building the first hunger-free generation in America. I'm probably going to go to Ciudad for lunch, Tengu for dinner, and Vert a Brasserie for dinner. I'll let you know how it goes.