Here Is Poet Gardens, Whittier’s New Gigantic Beer and Food Hall Destination

Whittier’s long-awaited Poet Gardens food hall and craft beer brewery is now open for limited hours. The sprawling Uptown project offers soaring ceilings and lots of communal tables — with more to come on an attached patio — but, so far, not everything is up and running just yet.

Poet Gardens is the work and vision of chef Ricardo Diaz, long a booster for the Whittier food scene. He and his partners have been working on the Nixon Plaza space for years, and announced plans this fall to drop seven different food stalls inside. There’s Faustino doing pizzas, a dumpling spot called Xiao, Rue Dauphin for dessert, vegetarian tacos at Tepezcohuite, a wine bar area called the Wine Library, and more, per LA Taco. As of late last week, only the tacos, wine bar, and Whittier Brewing Company stall were up and running.

Farley Elliott

Farley Elliott

Whittier Brewing is acting as the main anchor attraction to the place. Diaz is working with head brewer Ed Hernandez on a variety of beers, including a pale ale, pilsner, and more. Meanwhile, the city of Whittier has already approved plans for a second nearby Uptown brewery called La Bodega to open in 2020.

Expect longer hours in the new year, but for now Poet Gardens is keeping limited afternoon and evening hours. Check their Facebook page for the most recent updates on timing.

Poet Gardens. 13006 Philadelphia St., Whittier.

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