Father's Office * * / + + $

Who? mostly CASA people
Where? Montana and 11th, Santa Monica

Andrew's Take: Very cozy bar with a nice atmosphere. Sometimes difficult to get in due to now limited capacity. Many exotic beers on tap. Sweet potato fries and julienne fries are excellent and are served in a mini shopping cart. Thumbs up - I will return to try the rumoured tasty burgers.
edit: (Jan '08) Downgraded due to it's non-restaurantyness and lack of seating. Only recommended for drinking and snacking.

Themo's Take:
I don't think I recommend this place for a restaurant. Granted, the beers are plenty and the burger is delicious (definitely one of the main competitors in town) but it's more like a bar rather than a restaurant. Hence, the low restaurant rating. But it's a great place to hang out and have a loud conversation from a few friends that visit the town, despite the fact that it's not very centrally located.

Weilands + + + $

Who? Andrew, Phil, Michellios, Jiesi, Jason, Fesh, Vivien
Where? 1st and Central

Happy Hour! Not quite as cheap as McCormick's but the food is better. Great Martinis, nice brews on tap and a loud atmosphere. Tall ceilings, dark pubrewery, ESPN loop on TV. The best grilled chicken quesidilla ever! Calamari was also rumoured to be excellent. $5 lot.

Gordon Biersch + + + $ $

Who? Rajiv, Andrew
Where? Old Town Pas

Very nice, high-energy brewery & restaurant nestled in the Old Square. Good microbrews to go with well-prepared food. Medium-rare comes out "blue" at the bone.

Crown City Brewery + + + + $

Who? Andrew and Steve
Where? Pas

Best sports pub I've been to in L.A. Roomy, great pub grub and an excellent place to drink away the pain of a Rose Bowl loss.

Yard House (II) + + + $ $

Where? Shoreline Village, Long Beach
Who? Various unnamed drunk people, Chris V, Shane, Andrew, Yannick

The location of this Yard House is somewhat nicer than the Pasadena one since it is on the water but the interior is not as inviting. Nacho platter is very good and feeds many. Well known claim to fame is the bevy of beers on tap. Hence, a good place to throw one back but not really to "dine".

Union Cattle + + + + $$

Located in Hermosa Beach, close to the pier, Union Cattle is one of those restaurants just brimming with energy. This is an awesome place to grab a couple of drinks and a good old steak. The burger I had was excellent, and to quote Steve on his meal: "That was one of the best steaks I've had in a while" (and he's a country boy). The atmosphere is very loud owing to the mechanical bull and the music - but it's mighty fun!. If you're "lucky" you'll see the most incredible bull riders. There is a nice bar on the second level and a great rooftop. As usual with popular places like this, there is a mighty wait for a table.

Who? Andrew, Steve, Steve and Corey

Yard House + + + +

Who? Andrew, Themo, Xiong, Ravi, Steve
Zagat: * * *, $27

Here resides the largest selection of draft beer ever. The restaurant has a busy atmosphere and a loud sport's bar feel. The food is absolutely excellent... a great place to go with friends to throw one back.