Haven Gastropub

Kevin1082

California

4.18/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 5 | $$

Went there last night for a little dinner with friends that have never been before we went to a bar not far away. I have been there once and let me just say that it was way better than I remembered!

Very good bar menu...you definitly get what you pay for. I was all over the board with my orders(I enjoy trying things not avail local to me) and one problem my first 3 choices we unavailable. Bottle and draft. Friday night yes, but come on I was disappointed to have to go with third/forth decisions.

Atmosphere was a little louder than would have liked. I mean I am young(29) and can handle but the issue was the "manager" I assume kept on screwing with volume in corner causing people to talk super loud .

Also one last thing...Pub shirts....I love collecting them as sort of conversation starters at other bars. I am a walking billboard 6'9", as a matter or fact currently wearing a Peter B's shirt in Monteray that says on back "Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye opener" and I am about to go to Ports Hoptoberfest...but when you ask the server a simple Q if the logo is on back and she doesnt know and the hostess cant open the case and lastly all there was were S/M HELLO...she said "we just dont sell many of these..." Well I guess you didnt sell another.

All and all place is great, try the Lamb Burger (*excellent*), beer selection a little pricey and sparse but a great time.

Will be back.

10-29-2011 17:42:11 | More by Kevin1082

FosterJM

California

4.18/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I've been here quite a few times and am not sure how I didnt review this yet. Anyway, this review is from 8/14/12 with StarRaptor and Markintihar

Atm- Its built in the veign of an open restaurant style with open black ceilings, big windows along the side a fireplace and a big bar along the side. At night with the wood its a bit dark and nice with the low lighting.

Quality- Overall the quality of this place is great. The food is well crafted and super tasty. The beer is on point most of the time, Wish they had a bit more on tap at times. Most of the time its things that are pretty available in So.Cal. No real WOW beers. Bottles are pretty good as well.

Service- Always prompt and helpul, lots of yes sir and can I get you anything else. The chef and staff really make people feel at home.

Selection- Its a one page menu and thats okay. I just need more sometimes. Not a flaw per se just needs a bit of variety.

Food- Amazing everytime. Last night I got the lamb burger. WOW. Super flavorful and perfectly cooked to the chefs selection.

Value- I'm torn here. Its kinda in between reasonable and pricey. For 1 beer, chips and the burger was over $30.

08-15-2012 14:35:15 | More by FosterJM

shadwsndst

California

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$

This is a great place to have a pint in a posh setting. The food is decent but its the ambiance that really sucks you in. Chalk board beer list, stonework with inlaid candles and dark wood everywhere! The on tap selection is nothing spectacular, but their bottle offerings are quite good.

Service was knowledgeable and fun, a few friends and I went in and had a few drinks over a couple hours and had a great time. This place is a bit of a drive (compared to my Yardhouse haunt) but well worth it. I enjoyed the intimate setting and genuine service.

01-19-2010 07:24:17 | More by shadwsndst

BigChug

California

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 5 | $$$

Ok. This is my local gastropub that I've been going to since the day they have opened, so I am going to attempt to review from unbiased standpoint.

The food here is amazing. Its borderline phenomenal depending on what you order. I highly recommend their Lamb Burger and Haven Burger, any of their flatbreads, and the truffle fries, but alot of people go straight for the short rib tacos, which are also great.

Most of the service that I have personally recieved has been exceptional but that may be because I come often.

My main concern with this place is the pricing and selection. I feel, in my experience as craft brew and gastropub fan, that this establishment can charge too much for a selection of beers that are getting increasingly more common. Their 14 taps do rotate, but some of the prices are unreasonably high for these and their bottle list. This is very painful for me to admit.

Overall, I really like this place because of the food and beer combined, and find the atmosphere to not be to tre sheik to bare. The polished wood and subtle interior allow for a calming atmosphere as well.

08-03-2011 18:52:00 | More by BigChug

femmebiere

California

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$$

I've been here a few times and its a very chill place to hang out for an hour or two. The beer selection is exciting since it changes so often and its written on a huge chalk board by the bar. Its a pretty small restaurant, so the wait time varies quite a lot.
The food is good, but overpriced and not that appealing to me. I've had better gastropub experiences. However, my favorites were the homemade potato chips, mac&cheese, and sliders.
I've had Aurora Borealis, Celtic Stout, Pliny the Elder, and a couple others that I can't remember at the time.
Definitely a place to check out.

03-22-2011 04:39:44 | More by femmebiere

PeprSprYoFace

California

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

Went here last week after hitting up Bruery Provisions which is right down the street and walking distance. It was their Souther California Brewers Guild night so the selection might have been a bit better for me. They had about 15 beers on tap or so but every single one was super local. They had some Cismontane brewing stuff and Bruery Stuff. Even stuff from Newport Brewing and pizza port.

Atmosphere is cool. Kind of Orange County Hipster but not bad. Good place to take a date if they don't like beer because they do cool wine flights.

People might say it's pricy but for the quality and type of gourmet food you get it's not bad. The Burger was amazing and so was the Mac and Cheese. Get some of the homemade chips too. Their awesome.

Overall a pleasant experience and I will be going back for sure during happy hour because the burger is only $8 and beers are cheaper.

02-02-2011 19:15:48 | More by PeprSprYoFace

oldsailor

Nevada

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

Went their for dinner on a Friday night at prime time so I expected a wait, but I have to say that I think the hostess needs a serious lesson on how to seat people as it was just my wife and I and there were opportunities to seat us but chose to seat larger parties instead.

With that being said, our server was awesome and not only knew about the beers that were being served but also knew what paired well with the food we were eating. The beer list is awesome and we were able to enjoy a few beers for the first time. Food was awesome as well.

Overall, I'd be happy to return there and hope to get seated a little more efficiently next time.

03-20-2011 03:02:38 | More by oldsailor

snpub540

California

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Have come here 2 times in one week on a Saturday aftrernoon and on a Thursday afternoon and had a good time. Crowd is a trendy OC crowd and they play some chill music.

Both of my bartenders have been very nice and friendly. My first Babe was more knowledgeable about the product.

Selection is great. So far I've had a Vintage Rodenbach, Craftsman Honesty on tap, and a bottle of Double Jack and Alpine Nelson. They have had Stone, Bruery, Bigfoot from SN, Allagash and others on tap. Bottle list is good as well.

Oxtail Poutine is the best and the homemade beer chips are pretty good too.

03-24-2011 20:23:35 | More by snpub540

Drinkerofales

California

4.43/5  rDev +17.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

I like the look of the place, perfect lighting, not too many tvs, great wood and stone finishes. If I could build my perfect kitchen, it would look a lot like this.

Lots of different beers on tap, which are constantly changing, and way more in the bottle than I can count. Food is good, a bit trendy, but tasty.

Service is a bit slow, it's a very busy place, so that's kind of expected.

Lots of choices, usually at least 3-4 beers from different styles, with always some IPA, Belgian, Stout, Amber, and lighter ales. Food is all over, from prosciutto brussell sprouts, to ceviche, to chicken and waffles, to bacon wrapped shrimp and grits, like I said, trendy, but well done.

Pricing is a little on the high side, but all around, if you were in a real restaurant, you would pay more for this style. I haven't eaten anything bad here, but I wish it were just a little more economical.

DOA

12-16-2011 07:48:08 | More by Drinkerofales

Ducksfan

California

4.45/5  rDev +17.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I've been a regular at Hollingshead's for years. After being fed up with their service and obvious lack of respect for their regulars I sought a new local pub. First discovring Haven during the international street fair at the orange circle, I didn't think the upscale atmosphere really suited my fancy. On my most recent visit I was extremely impressed. They have a wonderful beer selection with over a dozen taps and a plethra of bottles. A friend and I split a Rodenbach Grand Cru, had a couple racer 5s and an Old Chubb at prices much lower the Hollingsheads. The service was great, one of the owners even came and chatted with us for a bit, very friendly and knowledgable staff. I was also pleased to run into to a few friends so I felt right at home. Haven is wonderful, if you're in the area give it a try.

10-30-2009 18:11:15 | More by Ducksfan