Restaurant: Henry's Hat

Baseball, football, soccer, car racing, golf, boxing, volleyball – if you are a sports fan of any kind, then your goal should be to head over to Henry’s Hat (www.henrys-hat.com). Situated close to Universal Studios, in the old Minibar space on Cahuenga Boulevard West, this new San Fernando Valley venue is a fun place to chill and immerse yourself in sports events of all kinds, while dining on some of L. A.’s most outstanding pub grub.

Firstly, the access to sport coverage here is comprehensive. There are a total of fifteen TV screens positioned in the main bar area and their two smaller private rooms. That means that at Henry’s Hat they have the capability to screen your favorite college and pro football games, as well as a current international soccer match or volleyball tournament, all at the same time.

In the main bar area seven TV screens are dotted about. They have one semi-private room towards the back of the pub that they call “the parlor”; it features four TV screens.

Just off the main bar is “the den,” a private room with two other TV screens. That room also has a huge five-by-five-foot projection screen where the gastropub will screen important events such as the Superbowl, the World Series, World Cup and Gold Cup Soccer, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships), major boxing bouts, food networks’ cook-offs, and even glitzy broadcasts of the Grammys, Oscars, and Golden Globes.

Henry's Hat parlor.

When they’re not screening a major event on the big projection screen, patrons can play the pub’s Wii game system there. I recommend you sit where you can see the giant screen, as it’s hilarious to watch people jumping about and using the Wii.

Although at Henry’s Hat they’re mostly showing baseball games at present, on the weekends you can also follow car racing or keep an eye on golf tournaments. Generally, the TV screens are silent while cool pop music from all eras keeps the vibe lively. The audio is turned on for high-profile matches in the side rooms and sometimes in the main bar area, too, if a crowd demands it.

Perhaps you don’t necessarily want to be glued to the TV? Then you can play board games, such as Scrabble, Girl Talk, Connect 4, Backgammon, Battleship, Jenga, and others while you are sipping a cocktail or draft beer.

You'll find games, massive TV's, and a convivial atmosphere in the den at Henry's Hat.

But it’s not all sports, games, and drinks. Striving to present a gastropub experience, all the food and cocktails on offer are made from organic, sustainable, and seasonal produce. Hence, you can dine on typical pub fare with flair, such as burgers, pizza, and fish and chips, as well as atypical offerings, such as a falafel wrap or Vegan Cassoulet (available in the fall). Finally – someplace where the whole gang can hang out, even those on a restricted diet!

This pub has a service style that’s similar to Father’s Office, in that patrons order at the bar and then their food and drinks are delivered by runners. The fantastic menu at Henry’s Hat was created by the extremely talented executive chef and main cook, Nick Cobarruvias.

Right now the menu seems focused on large meals, but owner A. J. Gilbert along with his wife and co-owner Martha Madison (the brains behind the successful Luna Park restos in San Francisco and Los Angeles) have plans to widen their selection of smaller plates to encourage patrons to nibble and linger. The menu, while appealing when you’re really hungry, definitely needs some smaller dishes to keep you there and eating while watching the game, playing the board games, or just hanging out with friends.

So, right now they do have starters available such as spicy popcorn ($2) and they just added house-made corn chips with two types of fresh salsa ($4). Their North Carolina-style pulled pork sandwich ($8) is one of their most popular items – something to try on my next visit. Another popular dish is their decadent Ultimate Mac ‘n Cheese ($10.50) – rich and fabulous and made with seven cheeses, including blue cheese. Baked to order, the lightly browned breadcrumbs on top lend it a satisfying crunch.

One of the decadent hamburgers and tasty fries at Henry's Hat.

On our visit we shared one of their signature burgers, the Black and Blue ($9), which is a Niman ranch beef patty topped with balsamic onions, sautéed crimini mushrooms, Danish blue cheese, and arugula. It was a fantastic combination of high-quality ingredients that perfectly complemented the juicy, beautifully cooked burger.

We also shared the Niman Ranch Steak and fries ($12.50). The strip of steak was narrow, but also great, and it was topped with herb and garlic butter. My dining companion couldn’t stop eating the fries and declared them perfectly seasoned, crunchy, and delicious. No ketchup necessary.

We chose the side of coleslaw ($3), which was tangy and sweet, as well as their side dish of spicy green and yellow wax beans ($4), which was truly outstanding. The beans were crisp and not at all overcooked. Best of all, they were dressed with an unctuous dressing of lemon shallot vinaigrette with a dash of chili flakes. I was convinced the beans were smothered in chili butter, they were so dreamy, but I was pleased to learn they were not. Vegans will go nuts and carnivores will fall in love with this tasty and healthy side dish.

Fish and Chips, classic pub food offered at Henry's Hat.

Cocktails, an integral part of the Henry’s Hat concept, are given as much attention as the food, utilizing fresh, seasonal fruits and house-made syrups for $9. Rounding out the drink menu is a selection of local and international beers ($6-$7), from the ever-popular Guinness and Corona to Green Flash Hop Head Red Ale and a rotating tasting flight from North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, CA.

My Strawberry and Basil Vodka Gimlet was icy and delicious, but the two thin straws kept getting blocked by the fresh strawberry puree. The Peach Breeze with Ketel One Vodka (peach, lemon, and strawberries), came in a tall glass with a fat straw and was much easier to drink.

My companion loved the bitter Green Flash IPA (India Pale Ale) but found the Green Flash Hop Head Red to taste more like an amber porter. Not being a beer drinker, I have no idea what he was talking about. He says he can’t wait to try the beers on tap.

The final verdict? This pub could be a little cozier; the floors are concrete, so they’re a bit cold and industrial. But Henry’s Hat could easily become my favorite local haunt, thanks to the fantastic food and cocktails on offer. Hanging out with a crowd of like-minded sports enthusiasts and watching a game is something I am looking forward to doing soon.

You’ll want to keep an eye on their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/HenrysHat) or follow Henry’s Hat on twitter (www.twitter.com/henryhatla) for alerts on specials, staged events, and passwords for freebies and discounted menu items.

Henry's Hat is a new gastropub from the people of Luna Park, with fresh, seasonal American pub food, great cocktails, and televisions for sports, open for lunch and dinner every day. What more could you ask for?

Henry’s Hat
3413 Cahuenga Blvd. West
Studio City, CA
323-512-2500
Open daily from 11 am – 1:30 am

[Pauline Adamek is a Hollywood-based film, theater, and food critic who files for “FilmInk Australia,” the “L.A. Daily News,” and the “Sun Community Newspapers” as well as various websites under the “nom du net” Max Million.]