Another discovery in my new Studio City neighborhood - Stout Burgers and Beers

One of the things I love about my new Studio City neighborhood is its many dining choices.

My latest "find" is the Studio City location of Stout Burgers and Beers.  By now, you're probably thinking, "Please God not another gastropub" But this one is different.  First, the burger I had was terrific.  This place grinds their own beef every day and the superior quality is evident.  The burgers are better than Umami.  Really.  And not too pricey -- most of the burgers are $10 or $11.  Of course, there are more beer choices than you can shake a stick at and -- be still my heart -- they're only $4 during happy hour!!! The wine choices are very good for a gastropub and I had a very good Spanish red for only $8.  The husband had a veggie burger which was okay but a little crumbly.  Service was great, the room has a nice ambience, great place to watch a game, etc, etc. If all this isn't enough, they even have a parking lot. I'm not being snarky; parking lots for restaurants are rare in Studio City.  The lot is small, though, so get there early before the valet shows up.

Stay tuned for other local finds and please feel free to tell me about your favorite places in the east Valley.  Anybody know of a good drive-through car wash in SC?

Am I cool because I know what a gastropub is?

This is about my second-favorite obsession: food. The husband and I recently discovered two newish restaurants in the area, Laurel Tavern and Henry's Hat. Both are really bars that also serve terrific small meals ("gastopubs"), and both are casual and (relatively) inexpensive. Both are cavernous rooms with long full bars, and phenomenal hamburgers. And both are on the same stretch of road, although they're about two miles apart.

Henry's Hat, pictured above, is at 3413 Cahuenga Blvd., right across from the southern Universal City entrance. It's owned by Luna Park, and is a little more sports-bar-ish of the two. Laurel Tavern is on Ventura, east of Laurel Canyon, in Studio City. The decor is remarkably similar at both places. Laurel Tavern is the more "foodie" of the two (it has marrow bones on the menu and fewer tvs). Again, the burgers are terrific and the atmosphere is friendly and casual at both places. Welcome to the area, gastropubs!