Los Gatos Brewing Company: Not Your Average Brew Pub

Overview: is an über-friendly dining and drinking establishment, yet elegant enough to appeal to feminine sensibility. With a name like Los Gatos Brewing Company, the first thing that comes to mind is pub food, but the menu is diverse meeting the needs of high-end foodies seeking unique flavor combinations and low-end diners who just want some kind of meat preparation that goes well with their beer. It is an establishment that knows the value of differential pricing that allows all types of pocketbooks to enjoy their culinary creations. Chef Jim Stump keeps the menu filled with mouth-watering items that call out to all types of food lovers.

Décor: The bar is embellished with a heavy ornamental wood mantel that would look comfortable in an ogre’s sitting room, meaning it is big. Rather than dressing a fireplace, it dresses the glass panels that enclose the brewing tanks and brew mister workplace. The mantel also severs as generous shelving for bottles of liquor and spirits. The bar area has high tables and booth-like seating set high. There are six large flat-screen TVs that have several sporting events playing concurrently. The ceiling is open with exposed beams. The main dining area is filled with booths and tables with linen napkins. The walls look like they're adobe mud framed with wet concrete bracers. The walls have old pictures. A huge fireplace compliments attractive furnishing and window frames that accentuate the mantel with thick heavy wood in reddish hues. The window frames contain frosted glass with the restaurant’s moniker etched in or stained glass.

Drinks: A beautiful selection of craft beer ($7.00 and $9.00) is available. Kent Wheat, the brew master, has been living in the world of beer for more than 15 years. He's been brewing professionally for three. The restaurant offers Pinsner, Oktoberfest, Pale Ale, IPA, a cask conditional ale, and Hefe Weizen. The beer is brewed in the Bavarian tradition and offers beautiful flavors. On cask is the Stoat, which is an oatmeal stout served in the British Isle tradition at 55 degrees. The Hefe Weizen has wonderful banana notes and tastes rich and lush. The wine offerings are extensive with listings that fit in a binder as thick as a tome. Wine is offered by the glass and bottle with prices that can accommodate any budget. There is a lovely selection of dessert wines including Brassfield, Last Harvest Riesling ($7.00), Dolce Late Harvest Wine ($15.00), M. Chapoutier Banyuls ($6.00), and Tokaji Aszu Disznoko ($7.25). The Tokaji (pronounced to-kay) may be of particular interest to Bram Stoker and Voltaire fans as this Hungarian dessert wine grown in the Carpathian Mountains was a favorite of these literary giants. Other after-dinner cordials such as Grappa, Madeira and Port are available. In fact the list of Port offering is wonderful like Smith Woodhouse Lodge Reserve Ruby Port ($5.00), Dow’s Colheits 1997 Single year Tawny ($7.50), and Graham’s Six Grape Reserve Porto ($5.00). There's also an assortment of teas and a full coffee bar ($2.50 to $4.00).

Appetizers: The nibbles and noshes are a collection of tasty treats. Beautiful rich Oysters ($12.00) ½ dozen served with three sauces cocktail, horseradish and mignonette, is made of vinegar and scallions; and Ahi and Hamachi Tartare ($14.50) with crispy won ton skins served with Sushi rice, avocado accompanied by ponzu sauce, which showcases the fresh bounty of the sea. Other starters include House-made sausage ($7.50) and fingerling potatoes with grain mustard aioli; Spicy Fried Gulf Shrimp ($11.00); Thai Chicken with Lettuce Cups ($10.50) coconut milk, lemon grass, and nuoc nam; Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers ($6.50); Deep Fried Calamari ($11.50); Artisan Salumi Plate ($9.00); and Warm Roasted Bar Nuts ($7.50) in brown sugar, garlic, rosemary and butter.

Entrees: The menu is filled with items that are bound to please. The influences are eclectic, which speak to the playful and creative nature of the chef. The Linguini and Tuscan Style Cauliflower ($12.50), with caramelized cauliflower, garlic mint, chili flakes, basil, EVOO, and grana parmesan, is just the thing for vegetarians; and the Fusilli Pasta ($15.50) shredded chicken, Italian squash, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese and a white wine cream sauce is a nice take on a pasta with cream sauce. Some other meals include Pan Seared Ahi Tuna ($24.50) Roasted broccoli, crispy onions and potatoes, red pepper aioli, lemon oil; Red Wine Braised Lamb Steak ($22.00) Chard, carrots, soft polenta, goat cheese, citrus gremolata, braising jus; and house-made Bratwurst ($15.50) beer-braised, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, green peppercorn mustard. There are homespun comfort specials that speak of home like Mary’s ½ Split Roasted Chicken ($16.50) served with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, herb jus; Steak and Fries ($20.00); and St. Louis Style Natural Pork Ribs ($20.50) apple cider BBQ sauce, cole slaw, sweet potato fries, peanuts. Then there is the fare that resembles pub food but is just too cool for school such as the Fish Tacos ($12.50) lime marinated fresh fish taco with garlic sautéed peppers avocado and slaw; a variety of pizzas ($15.50) with select meats, vegetables and cheese; Blacken Catfish Sandwich ($13.50) served on toasted ciabatta and accompanied with French fries. Dungeness crab and Shrimp Cake Sliders ($15.50) served with cole slaw and French fries. Grilled Ahi Tuna Burger ($15.00); Cobb Sandwich ($12.00); Homemade Tombo Tuna, aka albacore, Salad Sandwich ($11.25) served with house made potato chips; Grilled Portabello Mushroom Sandwich ($13.50); and Burgers like LGBC ($12.00) and BBQ Bacon Burger ($13.50).

Sides: As a side, appetizer or a main dish, the salads are delicious. Some of this herbaceous green stuff includes Ahi Carpaccio Salad ($15.50) field greens, mangos wasabi leek puree, cilantro lime vinaigrette and crispy vegetables; Roasted Maple Leaf Farm Duck Salad ($14.50); Southwest BBQ Chicken Salad ($15.25); Pear Salad ($9.00); Shrimp and Baby Spinach Salad ($8.50); Roasted Beet Salad ($8.50); Iceberg Wedge ($8.50); Organic Field Green Salad ($6.50) and the soup of the day ($4.50 and $7.50)

Desserts: The dessert offerings consist of Homemade German Chocolate Cake ($8.00); Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding ($7.00); Homemade Brioche Donuts ($7.50); Tiramisu ($6.50); Brown Sugar and Vanilla Creme Burlee ($6.50); ($6.50); and Gelato or Sorbet ($5.00)

Service: Service is exceptional. The wait staff is super friendly and professional. Employees make the customer their focus and try give them a memorable dining experience.

Signature Dish: Put the Italian Squash Pancakes ($17.50) on the do-not-miss list. They're made with Beluga lentils, goat cheese, marinara and butternut squash coulis.

• Los Gatos Brewing Company
• 130 North Santa Cruz Ave
• Chef Jim Stump
• Cost: $25 to $65