When it opens on April 4th, City Tavern will boast 22 beer taps stocked solely with California microbrews like Port Brewing Co, Bear Republic, Eagle Rock Brewery, Craftsman, Telegraph and Iron Fist.

The strangest element in the 2,400 square-foot bar may be the three Table Tap booths, equipped with a computerized draft beer system so patrons can pour their own beer from handles at each table. It's like an enomatic wine system — for beer. (A nearby monitor displays how much beer each person has consumed.) There's also a large patio with rustic wood tables, a handmade cocktail menu and a small list of California wines.

The impresarios are Brian McKeaney, Ken Kaufman and Dave Northrup of nearby Rush Street. The ambiance is calculatedly gritty, with distressed brick walls and exposed wooden beams. The food is small plates by chef de cuisine Jessica Christensen (Ritz-Carlton – Laguna Niguel/Studio at Montage/Tracht's): chicken panini with manchego, grilled artichokes, peppers and olives, tomato tarte tatin, halibut crudo, stout-poached hangar steak.

City Tavern: 9739 Culver Blvd., Culver City. (310) 838-9739, www.citytavernculvercity.com.

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