This is How I L.A... The Red Lion Tavern

The Red Lion Tavern is a great, long-standing German restaurant with a fantastic open air beer garden and is always the natural choice for Museum family get-togethers.

The Red Lion does have traditional restaurant style seating and service to accommodate families. With overstuffed booths and beefy tables it really feels like you've left the sleek modernism of L.A. and have been transported to - Germany? maybe not, but you've definitely left L.A.  I've never eaten  downstairs, but go up the stairs to the left and you'll find where the Red Lion really shines.  It's pretty dark and windy going, but follow the sound of revelry and good times being had to the beer garden! (Wait, did I just see a cigarette vending machine?!)

Why yes, yes I did.

We went pretty early (6 pm) on a Thursday and were able to snag a big table and a few smaller tables to push together.  Some may say that the decor is cheesy and the fact that the waitresses all wear some type of dirndl proves the point but, really, would you have it any other way?

Regardless the atmosphere really complements the type of food they serve (liquid and otherwise).  Don't miss the Sausage Platter that has three types of wurst and is served with pickles, pickled peppers and some FANTASTIC mustard.  Also ordered was a GIANT soft pretzel with more mustard and potato pancakes served with sour cream, apple and cranberry sauces.  So happy!

Look at it, you know you want it.

But what about the beer?!  No worries, there was a lot of beer - I started with the Franziskaner Hefeweizen, because when it doubt Hef-it.  If you're uncomfortable with a German beer list a Hefe will always serve you well - fruity, lightly carbonated, pairs excellent with food.  But the overwhelming favorite with the Museum crowd is the Spaten Optimator a full-flavored dark beer that reminds me of raisins.  I think it's really good, but I suspect the real reason people love it so much is the high alcohol content (7.2%). 

But in the end it's all about the company you keep.  In my opinion sharing food and drinks really is the highest expression of friendship -- If you can't sit down and eat and drink with someone for hours on end, you really aren't friends.



Here's to you guys!