Crow Bar and Kitchen

This is a gastropub, a hybrid that brings culinary artistry to the fun-loving pub environment. A trend that began in London in the early 1990s, the gastropub has barely reached the West Coast. The Crow Bar is OC’s first foray into the genre. Think of it as an upscale community center full of friends waiting to be met and gourmet dishes to be shared. The cozy wooden space is one open room, extending gracefully from the kitchen to the bar. Your small party may end up sharing a table with others and that’s by design. Food portions range from tapas to small plates to a few full dinners, so order up some cheese plates, salads, flatbreads, burgers, fresh fish, fried chicken and other entrees to get the full breadth of experience. The wine and beer options are equally thoughtful, so don’t look for the sports-bar staples. Instead, choose from artisan microbreweries and a wine list of affordable, stylish selections by the bottle or glass. The pairings recommendations are free flowing, so do ask when in doubt. Save room for some desserts, including tricked-out ding dongs, a root beer float and other sweets. The menu changes at least once a season and sometimes more frequently, beckoning you to return often to taste what’s new and fresh. A few doors down, the Bungalow restaurant is a long-time neighborhood fixture. A bit further south, Zinc Café and Market is known for its gourmet fare and comfortable environment. As long as you’re on the coast, you may as well do the quintessential New California and/or seafood thing at Oysters or Sage on the Coast.

Tips: The bigger your group, the more you can try, so round up everyone for a fun and tasty night out. If you’re Mr. or Ms. Popularity and have that many friends, you can even have a private party in the downstairs room. It’s a separate space but not entirely cut off from the main bar, so you can feel the happy vibe throughout. Never the same place twice, there are daily flatbread, grilled cheese and gratin specials to consider. First-timers are advised to try the signature blue crab deviled egg, a cheese, salad, flatbread and a small plate or two to get a sense of the menu’s finest.