City Tavern

For those of you who are looking for a good streak at a great price, come eat out at the City Tavern which is guaranteed to have some great entrees that won't rob you of your wallet. The steaks are to die for and literally melt in your mouth; only costing around $10, I would assume that they couldn't be delicious and be large in portions, but I would say that this steak is some of the best, cheap steak that I've ever tasted. The drinks are a little on the high-side and aren't all that good, but the service more than makes up for it. You also get a nice cozy interior that's not too loud, and the option of sitting outside to avoid most noises. There's also great sports talks and games on their large T.V.'s, which is definitely a great place to hang out with some friends during a big game. All in all, I would recommend this place.

I went for a late afternoon glass of the foamy kind, sat out in the patio with a dear friend and began reminiscing with a true German in my hand. If you prefer to avoid noisy interiors, City Tavern's backside is behind enough lush shrubs to block Culver Boulevard's steady, sometimes-heavy traffic. Inside, the interior is warm, woody, and acoustically pleasing. Something of the entire establishment's resonance gets thrown around, meshing with an agreeable soundtrack (but clashing with the bright Sports Talk on the TVs), and a comfortable bustle hugs you a little tighter than you may be used to out of a more hip drinks scene. The food is, really, cuisine. Don't go expecting to get curly fries and it not be a Fetta rendition. The cocktails are well mixed, but a good selection of microbrewed beers and a reliable wine selection should be your reason to go. In the end, you will pay out of pocket for such luxuries. But, my, is it worth it. As a near-perfectionist, the self-service taps offer fun group therapy, but the countless times I've watched loose hands pull thick heads out of those taps... If you can, have your beer served by one of the Tavern's tenders. On the note of staff-- they may appear understaffed, at times. This is basically true. Patience, as with most high demand gourmet establishments, is a small trade for quality.

Not a good place for Happy hour - food is OK, short rib poutine was good and the oysters were really fresh. Wine is poured heavily and everything is good but the service kind of sucks (our waitresses never look like they want to be there). Not a bad place to go but probably won't be going back for a while. Which sucks, cause I work nearby. Parking is a joke. Naturally. Good luck finding a spot.

Culver City's CITY TAVERN has something to prove. It's location has been a "walk-by" for several years resulting in high turnover, and therefore, CITY TAVERN is obviously looking to make its bones in a quick and memorable way. And where food and beer is concerned, they accomplish this goal without a hitch. Where prices, portions, and service is concerned, however, they leave something to be desired. The atmosphere is casual: at CITY TAVERN you feel you can catch up with friends, have a comfortable post-work beer, or even talk to a fellow guest at one of the long, communal tables; all at your leisure to dress up or down without any judgment. The speciality brews take up almost half a page of the menu and have options that will please beer aficionados and casual drinkers alike. From stouts, to hefeweizens, they've got it all. Not into beer? Their cocktails will deliver a treat to the manliest man or girliest girl among you. The portions are light, so be warned: if you're looking to fill your tank, this may not be the restaurant for you. If you're looking for wonderfully balanced tastes that leave you wanting more, then grab a seat. The deep-fried grits and brew burger were particular favorites, even if the burger was a little small. Also be warned, sides like fries come at a moderate price, so don't expect those to automatically appear with a burger you order. The upside? You can bring large and varied groups; vegetarians and carnivores alike can find something to love here. The only slight hang-up is the service. The wait-staff wont bend backwards to accomodate your desires, so ordering a-la-carte even when you know the restaurant carries bits of what you're looking for may become a problem. Overall, if you're looking for a casual atmosphere, tasty food, and good beer, you're in the right place. Even with the small issues previously noted (no restaurant is perfect, after all!), I'm still planning on coming back for more.

I think it goes without saying that the beer and the beer selection is outstanding at this joint. No complaints whatsoever. Now let's get down to the meat and potatoes of this review. I've been living in the palms/culver city area since 2001. When I first moved there, the area was rundown with bad apartment complexes and not a lot of good choices for food or entertainment. Fast forward more than a decade. Downtown culver is HOPPING. Brand new busineses. The area looks great. But along with this new makeover comes DA HIGH A-- PRICES. Just because you put a coat of paint on your Honda doesn't automatically make it a Beamer. One of the things I always luved about palms/culver city is the affordable prices on everything. Now I can't go to a bar or restaurant in the downtown culver area without spending $20, and that's without the price of alcohol. The point of a bar is to hang out and enjoy yourself for an affordable price. If I want to spend $20 on a basic burger, I'll go to a RESTAURANT where at least I have an upscale vibe happening. A bar is meant to be underground style. A greasy burger and fries, ten bucks tops. My wife ordered the scallops and I was pissed. Whatever, it's part of marriage. Then the plate arrives and I only see TWO SCALLOPS. I'm thinking the other dishes are still in the rinse cycle so the rest of the food will show up in a minute. Nope. $20 for TWO SCALLOPS. No side fixings, no complimentary bread. TWO SCALLOPS, $20. It's amazing that we walked out of there without me getting arrested. And I'm still pissed at my wife.

City Tavern projects a decidedly communal atmosphere. The long, colonial-style table on the porch harbors rows of elbow-rubbing spaces available for reservation by the pair. At first impression, it seemed that focusing on conversation would prove a dueling banjos-style of competition with the closest neighboring patrons. Instead, the table is narrow enough for guests to focus on each other while the crowd banter bleeds into the periphery as needed. The interior features raised tables and an accessible bar with chalkboard menu and protean drink choices. Wait staff are actively aware of which drinks are unavailable and which are not featured on the menu. Beers come in 3 sizes: tastes, glasses and shares. Water is often and generously refilled. The food caters toward health-conscious as well as adventurous tastes alike, offering bacon-wrapped brussels sprouts and cheesy poofs. Their standard burger arrives at the table impaled by a switchblade. The famous feature that sets City Tavern apart are the wall-mounted taps. Larger parties can squeeze into the deep-set posterior booths and pour their own brew. This offers a unique social component, as whoever opts to sit on the wall side of the booth is responsible for operating the taps. It can take a better part of an evening to perfect the art with limited foam, but the hijinks and support make it an enjoyable diversion. City Tavern has a small but effective quirk worthy of some recognition. Rather than a traditional "Men's" and "Women's" restroom, the respective doors are decorated with a rooster and a cat. Without a doubt, classiness runs deep in City Tavern, and the extra effort shows.