After a little time off for reinvention and remodeling, fabled local brewpub -- pardon me "gastropub" -- Magnolia (1398 Haight at Masonic) is back with a new look and a new menu, leaving behind a huge chunk of its original hippy aesthetic. No more Grateful Dead mural gracing the dining room. On the flip side, they added a big communal table inside, and plan to begin outdoor seating -- both friendly and peace-loving developments, if not outright hippyish. Hell, they even have a slick new website. And a blog. But this is all beside the point, because the food and beer is the important issue. Magnolia's new Chef Brandon Jew just launched a special Monday night seasonal, local, three-course dinner for under $30. Fancy. They're also doing $3 pints all day long every Tuesday through the summer. Another summer special: Wednesday nights (that's tonight) stop in to meet the brewers, chit-chat, talk shop, and soak up the suds from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Call 864-7468 for info.

-- Brian Bernbaum