Ye Olde King's Head

L.A.'s best-known pub has been around for about 30 years and is now almost a city-block long, with two pub rooms separated by a dining room stretching along Santa Monica Boulevard between the Promenade and the shore. The larger, busier pub room draws crowds of tourists and college students; it's often crowded and loud but the place is saved by the quality of its food and drink. Newcomers aren't steered to the smaller "snug" bar on the inland side of the dining room, which is worth visiting if you're interested in a place to talk or have a contemplative beer. There are about 20 beers on tap, including British favorites, a few popular American microbrews and other imports. The service is unflustered and always nice and friendly (as the solid contingent of solo diners can attest). A limited pub menu is served in the bar rooms; there's a full menu in the dining room. Beer is exceedingly fresh; the food is excellent. Sausage rolls are made with the right kind of sausage encased in fresh, crisp puff pastry; a vegetable samosa is crisply fried, with a fresh, appropriately spiced filling. Fish and chips are delicious with a good crunchy crust. Shepherd's pie has well-seasoned ground beef topped with nicely browned mashed potatoes and comes with your choice of American or mushy peas.