A rebel without a cause. A dropout? This is our Restaurant Review of Culinary Dropouts!
It should be more of a Drop in, not out, because …. well, you’ll see.
Their food, the ambiance, their Happy Hour, their music, their staff, their management, start to finish is first class. If this is what a Culinary Dropouts can create, then that’s what I want to be when I grow up! lol What a fabulous event this is: Two in one!
Ana and I meet Catherine from our San Diego & Carlsbad Foodies groups for Happy Hour at the bar. So nice to have a good bar in my neighborhood! We had so much fun. The Happy Hour choices are great. The drinks are good, but the house wine is really what catches Catherine’s attention. Their house Cab for …. I think it was …. five bucks, really shines.
I enjoy a Mai Tai with white run, while Ana says her smokey Old Fashion is really good. I know that, because I recommend it, from my last trip in.
We are all blown away by their Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket. You remember eating those passed at family events like weddings. Much like hot dogs, it’s usually mystery meat and not meat at all. But these days, at this restaurant, it’s quality meat, that you dunk into a honey mustard crème fraîche. Talk about comfort food at its’ best.
I don’t eat beef for the most part, but I did enjoy a few of these. Really, really good. Catherine orders the Bbq Pork Belly Nachos. There’s no way she can finish them so we all share. AND STILL there’s a plate full left over. And it’s really good food.
They’ve only been open a couple of weeks, but to have live music, an outside/inside bar area (mostly outside) and a beautiful dining room, so interesting with all the fun things on their shelves and walls, I would say it puts you in a good mood just to hang there, and you can’t go wrong. We all are having such a good time. Pretzels and cheese. Good way to start a Happy Hour and also good way to start a meal.
Two hours later, Ana and I go into the dining room to meet up with Madu our resident Foodie who also happens to be a top surgeon at Rady’s Children’s Hospital.
He brings Anh, from Seattle who is in from out of town and travels a lot. We bring the pretzels and the restaurant brings us a new bowl of melted cheese. That’s good to start!
Ana and I are mostly stuffed at this point, so we order a salad plus their Spicy Korean Short Ribs and Fish and Chips. Their Ribs are good. I’ve also had their BBQ Ribs. Small, not fatty and delicious. Comes with ‘fries done right’. That’s the only way I can explain them to you.
Ana says:”The fish is fresh.” I decide to remove some of the outside beer battered light and fluffy fried part and it blows me away at how light and flakey the fish is. You could NOT do better. We all like the fish and chips, although some of us prefer to steer away from fried foods these days. The fries that go with it, are just perfect. Just the way I remember them from the week before. There’s something to be said about consistency.
And all of the waiters and waitresses wear their own clothes and try to outdo each other. Nothing but fun at this restaurant! Anh comments:”I didn’t expect the delicious rice on the bottom of the short ribs bowl. What a treat.” Personally, the next time I go, will will have to get my own order of that dish. So good.
Madhu says: “The combination of the salad and spicy ribs are really good.” We all have to agree with that! Ana says: “The short ribs have so many interesting components in the dish.” I say to myself quietly” “Oh yeah. I’ll be coming back for more of these.”
So now, we’re absolutely stuffed. When the waiter comes to ask if we would like to see the dessert menu we all say in unison: “No. We’re too stuffed.” He mentions the Monkey Bread with Vanilla Ice Cream, and I say to the group: “I had it last time I was here. It’s amazing.” Madhu says: “Well I’m sure we can do it with 4 spoons and everyone eating.” So I get to enjoy a couple of bits for a second time.
If you ever wanted to support a new restaurant, that deserves YOUR support, this comes with our highest recommendation. I hope Culinary Dropouts never goes back to school and just stays in our neighborhood! See you there for sure, because I’m definitely going to be a regular!
Chef Marian
Chef Marian Kitchen Confident
San Diego Foodies & Carlsbad Foodies
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