Vaulted Libations

Beer is good.

You can take that fact to the bank.

Or, rather, take it from the bank at the Bank of Venice, a new locavore haunt from the Venice Ale House fellas, open now at Windward and Pacific.

Located under the art-deco arches of an actual former bank (and more recently, Code – R.I.P.), Bank of Venice is pouring 30 Cali ales, 24 Cali wines and a goodly amount of soju cocktails.

But you’ll be most interested in two off-menu imports stashed in their vault: a lightly floral Tripel Karmeliet from Belgium (named “World’s Best Ale” in 2008) and a Brasserie De Saint-Sylvestre Gavroche, a French red ale named for a pickpocketing guttersnipe in Les Miserables.

Just ask for them by name, preferably while speaking in the appropriate accent. 

Both pair nicely with the spicy meatloaf made with grass-fed beef or the bangers and mash made with Niman Ranch sausage.

For a warmer weather lunch, top billing should go to the tuna poke (its like deconstructed sushi) and the poached and chilled salmon sandwich. 

All those eats come courtesy of Chef Jason Feehrer, the sustainably minded fella previously behind Hawaii’s Palm Cafe and B.C.’s Sooke Harbor House. 

It’s all well worth the investment.