On the corner of East Pike Street and 13th Avenue, the Elysian Brewing Company brings another fun pub and brewery restaurant to Capitol Hill. Open from lunchtime to the early hours of the morning, the Elysian is great for casual dining and has an extensive beer menu.

The atmosphere is inviting; with two levels and the brewery visible through large windows in the lower seating area, the pub is full of dark wood paneling and rich, warm shades of cinnamon and mustard. The high ceilings, with rafters and galvanized air vents, are hung with banners advertising various beers — what appears to be a papier-mâché devil sits atop the vents in the back corner. Music doesn’t attract much notice one way or another, but the volume permits comfortable conversation and an easy social atmosphere.

The bar itself, located on the upper level, is laid out somewhat awkwardly, almost encouraging patrons to wait for service from tables, rather than seek their own beverages. The service varies, usually good during slower times but unpredictable when the bar is busier.

Though the food options are somewhat limited, they cover a wide range of tastes. With starters and main courses, the Elysian offers a number of vegetarian dishes and one vegan option.

From the starters, choose either traditional French fries or the excellent sweet potato fries. Out of the salad options, the Elysian Caesar comes with mediocre baguette slices and foil-wrapped butter. The romaine lettuce is tossed with a basic Caesar dressing and topped with parmesan cheese and, strangely, spicy pickled bell peppers. The serving size is perfect for two or three to share before more substantial fare.

Other appetizers include grilled corncakes, black bean cakes and nachos.

The main courses include a selection of burgers, panini sandwiches, barbeque pork, sweet potato curry and tacos.

The steak frites are extremely satisfying: French fries topped with tender, flavorful grilled flank steak and smothered in a bleu cheese cream sauce. Combining the richness of juicy steak with the tangy, creamy bleu cheese and the salty fries makes for a fantastic dish, perfectly sized for sharing.

For a lighter and equally satisfying choice, the mahi mahi tacos consist of the fish with cabbage and chili-lime cream sauce wrapped in a grilled flour tortilla, and are served with pico de gallo, sour cream and a creative peanut arbol chili sauce. It is light, fresh and slightly spicy.

Unfortunately, the Elysian offers no desserts. However, as a pub, it has a broad and exciting beer menu, both on tap and bottled.

The Ambroais Maibok has a slightly strong character, being lightly sweet and very drinkable. It tastes fruity, rich and well-rounded.

The Elysian Fields Pale Ale is similarly refreshing. As a West Coast pale ale, it also has a fruity body, set off with a delicious crispness. Slightly more bitter than the Maibok, it has excellent character.

Check out the full selection of beers; along with classic and traditional choices, the Elysian has some enticing and unusual beers, including a seasonal pumpkin ale and one brewed with jasmine flowers.

Overall, the pricing borders between reasonable and expensive, but for pub food, it hits the spot, and many of the dishes are perfectly portioned for sharing with friends on a night out. With the beer menu and mixed drinks, the Elysian is a great spot for a fun weeknight out.

Reach reporter Matt Jackson at arts@dailyuw.com