Whenever I check out a new spot, I’m quick to judge whether it’s a spot with boyfriend, lover or girl’s night out material. Assuming that you have all three (a partner, a lover and a circle of friends), you’ll find my reviews helpful when you have to decide on whom to take where. Lesson to be learned people… don’t mix your circle of friends and don’t take them to the same places. God forbid you run into your boyfriend at last week’s spot when you’re out with your lover! Trágame tierra!
First up as I help you organize your weekend affairs, is Weiland’s Brewery in Little Tokyo. I’ve been here with two of the three previously mentioned circles. Which two, you ask? I’ll never tell.
This place is known for its beer. Note the word brewery in its name. Its specialty lies in its house-brewed blondes, ambers and ales. But if beer isn’t your cup of yeast, you can always order up your favorite drink from Weiland’s full bar.
Weiland offers two happy hour hours, from 3p.m.-7p.m. and then again from 10p.m.-1:30p.m. So this is a good place to keep in mind when you’re out and about after hours and need some carbs to cut the binging mayhem. The Weiland wings, for example, are on the happy hour menu for $5 off the regular menu price, and tossed in Weiland’s cayenne pepper mix, are a zesty way to kick some of the drinking aftermath.
But even if you don’t make it in during happy hour, you won’t be cashing in your change the next day. The prices at Weiland are reasonable but vary from item to item. $24 for filet mignon may be too much to cough up for some, but you can also get other dishes like the chicken for a fraction of that price.
Me being a sucker for beer food –sliders in particular– I ordered the classic beef burger, since it was the closest thing on the menu to sliders. Swiss cheese, mushrooms, bacon, guacamole and easy onions (I’m new to that turf) topped my beef masterpiece. Other ingredient alternatives for the burger include various cheeses, grilled peppers, brick house chili, smoked ham, green olives, jalapeños, cayenne pepper sauce, BBQ sauce, wasabi mayo, red pepper aioli, Teriyaki sauce or Cajun spices. You really can’t go wrong whichever ingredient way you go.
The ambiance to Weiland is warm and cozy. During my visits I’ve noticed that most of its patrons were of the late twenties crowd. The seating arrangement offers both table and booth seating under a dim lighting that is perfect for dates with partners or lovers. If on a first date, any of the table seats are recommended. But for second and third dates, a more comfortable booth seat can get you into a cozier mood with your lavah.
This place is good to take your partner because going by the menu itself, you can really let loose and have a pig out fest with them without having your ginormous appetite judged. You gotta love those relationship perks! On the other hand, it’s good for dates and luvahs because of its dim lighting. And since the prices are reasonable, you won’t go broke if your date asks you to split the bill. Plus, there’s always enough people in this place to have you and your date do some people watching and critiquing in case your conversation runs dry.
For your circle of friends, this is a great place to start and end the night. You can grab a couple of drinks here and make your way over to one of Little Tokyo’s bars. Or, you can always start the night off somewhere else and crash here for your after-midnight munchies fix.
Parking: The Little Tokyo location shares a public parking area with Señor Fish where you can park for about $8. If you’re extra nice and bat your lashes at the parking attendant, they’ll move their personal car to let you park closest to the restaurant entrance. I can attest to that.
Restaurant size: the entrance/exit door is within reach just in case you need to run fast from a date from hell.
Online ordering: If you’re craving dibs from Weiland but are out and about with someone from a different circle, Weiland makes it easy for you to order online for pick up. So simply log on, order, put on your incognito ensemble and have a delicious dinner indoors with your lavah!
Provecho and cheers!
Weiland Brewery in Little Tokyo
400 E 1st Street,
Los Angeles 90012
213-680-2881
Monday-Friday: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 5:00 p.m. -2:00 a.m.
Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover friendly.
http://weilandbrewery.net/
