Went on a Monday night so it was relatively slow. Street parking was easy to find. However, be aware of your time limit. The inside has a nice ambiance. Date night vibes. Especially, first date. Cozy but open. Restrooms were clean. Private intimate gathering area. Large bar. Friendly staff. Ordered the crusty garlic bread. It was a tad salty. Staff alerted the chef for on the spot corrections. The duck and shrimp fried rice and Korean ribeye cap were unexpectedly spicy however still delicious. Definitely recommend. read more

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We've wanted to Try culinary dropout for months now and finally had the opportunity. First I'll say it's really spacious on the inside with TV's near the bar. The service was absolutely superb. Shay was our server and she was Awesome! The fish and chips were very good, the wife got the fried chicken and it was juicy and very well seasoned. The deviled eggs are worth a try as well. Will definitely bring friends from outta town here!!! read more

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My boys and I checked out this restaurant over the weekend, and here's the deal. I loved the spacious layout of the restaurant...and their patio area was really nice, with an amazing view of Charlotte skyline. Once inside, the place itself was a bit disappointing for me in that it had more of a "pub" ambiance. For some reason, I expected this to be a nicer restaurant with a swankier vibe...not so much of a sports bar. The music overhead was just muffled, along with the noise of all the sports TV screens and people yapping. ANYWAY, the menu was appealing to me...in that it had some fusion foods, in addition to standard American hand-helds. We started by sharing this Soft Pretzel w/ Provolone Fondue...which was good, but a bit underwhelming in taste (very bland). For the entree, I chose their Bolognese Pasta, my husband got the Katsu Sando and my son got the Fish 'n Chips. I thought the pasta was good, but nothing extraordinary. My husband and son did not seem too thrilled about their plates. My son's Fish plate looked surprisingly bad (see pic!). As for my husband's Katsu Sando, I tried it, and liked it more than he did. I may return to try that next time? For dessert, we shared this Banana Bar...which was unique, and probably the best part of our meal. For some reason, I expected more from their foods...not just taste, but in presentation. I thought the presentation was somewhat sloppy...especially the hand-helds that my boys ordered. Service was friendly and courteous...although a bit spotty at times. It seemed to us that the restaurant probably could have used another waiter or two. The thing I was the most impressed with was this cocktail, Tijuana Spa Water. Not only beautifully colorific, the taste was so exhilarating...especially with this unexpected touch of spiciness. YOWZA!! Overall, we felt a tad disappointed with the dining experience. For me, I just didn't love the loud, muffled, sporty ambiance....though surprisingly, I enjoyed the foods here a tad more than my boys did. I think my cocktail made up for some of the disappointments though. Guess I liked the restaurant enough to return...so hopefully I can vamp up the ratings on a future visit? read more

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Flavorful and Fun Experience! From the moment we walked in, the hospitality was top-tier. We were greeted warmly, and our waitress was absolutely INCREDIBLE--attentive, friendly, and really made our experience shine. We sat outdoors, and the vibe was just right--warm, welcoming, and perfect for conversation. There were four of us, and we ordered family-style to try a bit of everything. Best decision ever! The 36-hour slow-smoked ribs? Fall-off-the-bone perfection. The shrimp appetizers were fresh and flavorful, and those chicken wings with the radishes--unexpectedly divine. Every dish brought something special to the table. Culinary Dropout nailed it on all fronts--ambiance, service, and food. 10/10 -- we'll definitely be back! read more

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In Charlotte for a conference and when I found that there was a Culinary Dropout nearby, it was on my definite dinner list. I went to the restaurant in Dallas and it was delicious; and this one also was great. From the front door, the hostess was welcoming and got us seated quickly. The waiter was very nice. And we enjoyed a great dinner & drinks. I had the Little Mez Daisy (its a mezcal cocktail, but not as smoky as some) and the marcona almonds (b/c these things are so yummy) to start. Had the roasted salmon and brussel sprouts as my meal. Both were more than enough (I was greedy and ate all my salmon b/c I couldn't take it with me, but if I was home, some definitely would've gone home with me.) The brussel sprouts is cooked with gochujang, so they have a spicy kick and now I have to cook my brussel sprouts this way. My friend had the vegan curry and said it was also very good. Its a modern cool restaurant, and really big. There was a mini-stage, I think they have live music, so that seems like it would be fun. And we walked there and I was so hungry, so no pics! LOL (I know - big Yelp review faux pas!) Yes - definitely on my must-stop restaurants if I get to any other cities where they are. read more

Culinary Dropout offers unique and flavorsome cocktails and dishes, plus a fun and cozy atmosphere. My friend and I sat at the bar on a weeknight and it wasn't extremely busy but I can see that it likely gets packed. We each ordered a cocktail - Giddy Up Espresso Martini and Campfire Vibes. We both agreed that the Espresso Martini was one of the top 3 we have ever had. Outstanding! The Campfire Vibes was also tasty and very fall-like. I also had a Full Moon Party which was dangerously good and refreshing. We split the Spicy Shrimp Crispy Rice and loved it! Extremely flavorful and a nice portion (you get 4). I would love to come back and try more options. Definitely a must when in the area! read more

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The quality of food here was immaculate and I was so surprised how good they made brussel sprouts with gochujiang! We went there for a wedding rehearsal dinner and the drinks and food were all so delicious. I would definitely eat here again for the quality and the atmosphere. read more

The ambience was nice, the service was great. The popcorn shrimp was delicious, I should have made that my entree. The Mongolian beef was just ok. I didn't love it. Next time I go, I will try something different. read more

36-Hour Pork Ribs (5/5): These were so good! I really enjoyed the sweet, sticky glaze. The meat was also very tender and fell right off the bone. The jalapenos didn't really add any noticeable spiciness though which was a bummer.  Fried Chicken (4/5): Nice, crunchy outside with juicy meat inside. There was a hint of sugar in the batter which I enjoyed, but the chicken could've been a little more well seasoned. The mashed potatoes (2/5) were chunky and not great. I would try to sub for fries next time. The biscuit (2/5) was doughy and a bit dry, not sure if I could have asked for honey or butter to go with it. The coleslaw (3/5) was creamy and sweet. I thought it was decent.  *The service was VERY slow (Sunday late afternoon) RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this) read more

Culinary Dropout - Fried Chicken - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Waiter was on his job, he helped us with our first visit Parking is validated at the vantage fyi read more

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Came here for dinner and had a lovely time! It's a very warm and bright large space and of course, love the name of the restaurant! Our server, I think his name was Trice, was exceptional from beginning to end! Started with the Two to Mango, which was lovely and comes with a full can of White Claw. I would only advise it'd be great to have coasters as the drinks left a lot of water on the table. For appetizers our party shared the crispy brussels sprouts, crispy popcorn shrimp, and the whipped feta and tahini dip. Everything was so tasty and very flavorful and different. I ordered the chicken cacio e pepe, and never had this pasta with chicken before. It was really good, pasta cooked perfectly and really delicious. For dessert we had the monkey bread and the caramelized banana bar. Both were scrumptious but really loved the banana bar with the cornflake peanut butter crunch on the bottom. Would absolutely come here again in the future! read more

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We were in Charlotte just for a night so we had to try a new restaurant!! Once you walk in you can feel the mood with the dim lights and candle top tables. Our gave some great recommendations and was very attentive! Food was good overall my fav were the wings and the Steak! Pretzel balls i expected to be more soft but they had bit of a crunch. Would definitely visit again! They have a nice patio that is lit up w lights would be perfect during warmer weather. read more

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Bright, Airy, Welcoming, Party vibes. Bar with TVs, Good music, energetic staff, outdoor patio seating, outdoor convo seating with corn hole. Located near North Italia and Stir. Stopped in for lunch and we were pleasantly greeted by Lauren our waitress. She broke the menu down easily and made great recommendations from start to finish. Got our thirst quenched with the Juicy Watermelon Spritz. Appetized with the Crispy Popcorn Shrimp dish. Entrees were the Crispy Chicken Katsu Sandwich and the Peking Duck & Shrimp Fried Rice. Everything was tasty. Definitely on my list to come back and try other menu selections. read more

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I've been here twice for dinner and once for lunch with my friends, and each time, it's been good. I have had the salads, the appetizers, the sandwiches and several of the entrees. My favorites are the sliced charcuterie board, soft pretzels and fondue, chicken sandwich and Korean ribeye cap. The execution is spot on, and the portions are ample. The drinks are always delicious. I've tried several of the cocktails and have loved them all. The other thing that shines here is the service. The service and commitment to quality are consistent from the front to the back of the house. On our last visit, it was frigid outside. Their entrance that opens into the dining area , which is typically closed, was open. As a result, cold air kept wafting in. We asked to be moved but didn't want to leave our waitress section because she was so awesome. The manager accommodated us quickly, making for a much more comfortable experience. Overall, it was always a wonderful experience, and I'd highly recommend them. read more

We love this place up until the The experience we had today. we specifically told the bartender behind the bar no sour cream on our nachos and she followed up with. Do you have any other dietary restrictions . We proceed with no. Then, when the order came out wrong with the sour cream, she proceeded to lie to the other bartender and say that we did not tell them.. I'm in the industry. All you have to do is approach it acknowledge it, and then fix the situation and said she chose to lie about it making a very uncomfortable dining experience for me and my significant other. I will not be coming back unless they compensate me for a terrible experience. read more

I had high hopes for dinner at Culinary Dropout in Charlotte as I have been to a couple other locations before. I would say 3.5 would be a good rating for this location but that's not an option and I just couldn't do a 4. Service was slow for starters and the food was good but not over the top. We started with the pretzels and cheese as well a charcuterie board. The house salad was very small and basic. May have not been a good representation of this location I will give it another try as I have had good experiences at other locations read more

Culinary Dropout - Pretzels and cheese - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Such a cool brunch spot! It's kind of industrial inside and always has great music - lively. The fried chicken was delicious! They're open pretty late too! read more

Some friends invited me here for a ladies brunch and although I wasn't looking forward to going back, I'm so glad I did. I've never been for brunch, and our server had great things to say about the drinks, including some new summer items, and the food. I started off with the endless summer margarita, which sounded refreshing with watermelon and lime. It was very good, and had just the right amount of alcohol. For my entrée I went with the sausage, bacon and egg pizza. I was torn between that and the hash, but I think I made the right choice. The pizza was amazing! The crust was crispy, but soft. I love that it had arugula, melted cheese, sausage, bacon, and a runny egg. It was really good, and although it didn't look like a big portion, I only ate half and was pretty full. The restaurant was not very full when we were there, but I honestly think that worked in our favor, because we had great service and we did not have to compete with a lot of other guests. I look forward to returning again and giving Culinary Dropout another try; this time around, my experience around was reminiscent of my first visit to the Denver location. read more

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The food was DELICIOUS! The ambience is fabulous. The restaurant name ...intriguing I'm from ATL...and a foodie lover. I love locating new restaurants to try...now that I'm in Charlotte a lot these days ... I had Googled and landed on this location I saw on Yelp and ordered the BLACK TRUFFLE MUSHROOM PIZZA today ....Yum!! My boyfriend had the ASIAN CRUNCH SALAD. Tasted his dish and it too was Yum! Very nice waitstaff. Our waitress was real down to earth! She made the first time experience worth it We will be definitely coming back soon! read more

Culinary Dropout - Asian Crunch Salad with Salmon... delicious! - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Staff was great, cool looking big restaurant, food is mediocre. Drinks were extremely sweet. Heavy over fry on fish n chips. Steak had a good flavor but $40 and no side was disappointing. It's truly bar food. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The location is great .. right in the middle of downtown. Parking right next door with two hours free with validation. The restaurant is large with seating at the bar, table tops, booths, and tables. They can fit large groups as well. The menu was varied, so everyone should be able to find something to their liking. We tried the pretzel with cheese fondue. Wow, it was large enough for a table of 3-4. Entrees were the prime rib sandwich and the pub burger. Loved both! The hamburger was done on a grill .. had the deep smoke flavor. I subbed a salad for fries. The old fashion was made perfectly. My only negative of the night was the spa water. It was like I was eating fresh cilantro. It had no tequila, pineapple, or jalapeño flavor. The service was nice and helpful. read more

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Oh my goodness. What took me so long to eat here?Mongolian short ribs were beyond amazing. Shout out to the server at the bar who recommended them over the salmon. Thank you so much. Vibe was really nice. I could see hanging/eating here often. read more

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I was in Charlotte office and just finish teaching one class and I had 1.5 to spare so I decided to take a leisurely stroll to the south end to try out Culinary Dropout. I decided to start with a house salad and for an entree, I ordered the fried chicken with mash potatoes and gravy. Looking forward to a good lunch before my 2pm class. Salad was not your ordinary house salad. It was a small bowl packed with lettuce, cucumber and fancy carrots with Parmesan and ranch dressing. I like that they toss the salad to spread out the dressing and cheese rather than serving the dressing on top or on the side. Good start! Waiting patiently for the fried chicken and mash potatoes..... I have to say, in this large crowded restaurant, I the bar tender has the most customers by far and has assisted the dining room and provided all the drinks my herself! She is a rockstar! The fried chicken was a huge portion; leg, thigh and a breast. It came with mash potatoes and gravy and cole slaw. The mash potatoes and gravy were very tasty but were less than a generous as compared to the overwhelming portion of fried chicken. I would have liked to have ample potatoes/gravy to eat with both the chicken and biscuit. Other than the portion size of the potatoes and gravy, great lunch. I ended up taking the chicken breast and biscuit to go. I really like the atmosphere, the curve booth seating and the layout of the bar area. I can see why this place is a hit! I will plan a dinner with my wife now that gave it a go solo. read more

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My friend is in town visiting and is staying downtown. I figured what better time to try this place out than now! We arrived at about 1:45 in the afternoon, and we were seated immediately upon arriving to a really cute booth. The ambiance was nice, very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Our waitress was super nice, I hate that I forgot her name. I ordered a cocktail called "The Evil jungle princess" 10/10 - This drink was delightful. Rum blend with spiced orgeat, pineapple, guava, lime, and a pineapple rum float. It was amazing. My friend ordered a cocktail called "Deviant Behavoir." She said it was just okay. We had onion rings, deviled eggs, and nachos for appetizers 10/10 - Everything was absolutely delicious! I really enjoyed the onion rings with their bacon jam, and the pulled pork nachos were so good! My friend ordered the salmon with mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. She really enjoyed everything, which was a surprise, because she's a picky eater! I had the 36-hour pork ribs and decided on mashed potatoes with green beans as my sides instead of fries and coleslaw. 8/10 - Everything was delightful. My mashed potatoes were amazing, and the green beans had just the right crunch and lightly seasoned. However, the ribs were a bit salty. I was barely able to finish them. The hype about this place has def been cosigned by me. Everything was fresh, yummy, and beautifully presented. I can't wait to come back and try some other things on the menu! read more

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The place is beautifully steam punk decor but the bathroom doors don't close and the toilet seat not completely attached???? Then the food the cheese was plain, plain, and plain the pretzels need salt and butter. The steak frites were well seasoned served with soaked soggy fries and a lemon vinaigrette arugula salad seasoned beautifully. The staff was obsessed with itself, childish read more

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Pretty good ! Great experience! I was with a group. Not everyone was satisfied. Some of the fried food was a little greasy. read more

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We were really looking forward to trying this place, but unfortunately it missed the mark for us. Our beer order was wrong, which can happen. Our appetizer was delicious, but our salads never came ..we waited and waited and finally just gave up. On top of that, there were several uncleared tables around us the entire time, which didn't make for a very pleasant atmosphere. Overall, the food we did get was good, but the service and cleanliness really need improvement. I would not go back read more

Me and my wife's first time in Charlotte and we decided to try this place out. It was the best choice to make. Even though we didn't make a reservation, because we didn't know, they were able to squeeze us in. We were so grateful. They have the nicest staff. And the food was top quality food. My wife loved her steak and I loved my pizza. Both were cook at top quality. I recommend this restaurant to everyone read more

Culinary Dropout - Steak Frites* - New American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Culinary Dropout is a fun spot in South End to grab a bite to eat. They offer brunch, lunch, & dinner. I've only been for brunch and have had great experiences! For starters, the restaurant is HUGE! This doesn't mean they aren't packed during weekend brunch though! The food is super good. The breakfast burrito is delicious and has a cheese sauce on top that is amazing! The wagyu pics in a blanket were yummy as well. The gravy on the chicken biscuit has an interesting southern twang to it, not like your normal sausage gravy. We did have issues with slow service and the waitress forgetting things, but it was a slam packed morning. I would definitely return to Culinary Dropout! read more

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I am so impressed with Culinary Dropout - the menu had so many options. The chopped chicken salad was seriously the best salad I've had in charlotte - sooooo good wow. The food did take some time, but the server notified us before ordering that it would be awhile which was helpful. We were able to sit outside and there was plenty of space and a TV playing the basketball games. I also got monkey bread for free for celebrating a birthday. Would recommend!!! read more

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I visited for the first time last Friday night. I run a brewery and this was some of the best service I've ever received. Host were very warm at the door, seated us within minutes of our reservation. Our server Mary Kate, was absolutely amazing. She was very knowledgeable of menu and recommendations were spot on. The Chef,I believe his name was David, came out and delivered one of our apps and explained the vision of it. Great touch with a busy night. Drinks were amazing, we had their old fashions. The salmon and brussel sprouts were mouth watering. Will def be back and can't wait for more!!! read more

The food is very good. The service from our hostess Toby was very good. She was prompt and remembered everything we asked of her. She gave service with a smile. The location is great. The layout of the restaurant is bright and open. The bar is large enough to accommodate many people. The restrooms are very clean. Actually the entire restaurant is very clean and that's very attractive . They have large breakout rooms for meetings, parties or gathering events. I enjoyed myself here and can see myself coming back again when the stage has a musical performer or just to hang out. read more

We were so impressed with Culinary Dropout! Parking is easy with the Lending Tree parking deck connected. I would describe the vibe as upscale sports bar/restaurant - we were all very comfortable there! The servers are nice and helpful with the menu as it has a large variety. Things we tried: - Salad with chicken was good - sweeter than i typically like but my husband loved it - Detroit style pizza is SO GOOD - meat and cheese board with substantial bread! - meatloaf (not pictured) was incredible!! I went twice in two weeks and already looking forward to going back! read more

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I ended up going to Culinary Dropout and going to restaurant week at the same time. This place has been on my list since they opened and the service and food didn't disappoint. I highly recommend the whipped feta & Tahini dip..it was the best thing I had this year yet. I also had the chick pasta and it needed a bit more seasoning but it was good. The dessert came to the table very late, I had the caramelized banana bar and was kinda disappointed. This place definitely has a vibe and it's a good one. This will be a great summer hang put space. read more

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Noah is a 5-STAR waiter. I would recommend when you make your reservation you ask for him as well. You will thank me for the experience. He is also from WV, my home state and city. read more

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Love the name. Instantly had to try their spot. Ordered their Chopped Chicken Salad, House Chips, & Hot Wings. First off. Chopped chicken Salad has everything you need. Your protein and veggies with tons of the good fats; Avacado, eggs, and a devils egg. Definitely worth your value and their bacon was surprisingly crispy! The chips was addicting. Oh man their dip sauce has that fatty goodness to it. Made it addicting. Practically dip anything with it! Chips was fried up perfectly. Not soggy nor drenched in oil. Chef knows what he's doing. As for the chicken wings. Flavor was on point! Was a bit overdone. Although the flavors had a good kick to it. It didn't help that it came out dry. BUT, I had their dip from the chips and it just fixes things you know? Overall, it was simple and easy and it got it's job done! Will definitely order from here again! read more

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We finally decided to give this place a try on a Saturday evening. We arrived around 6:20p and when we checked in we were told there were a lot of reservations so they probably wouldn't be able to seat us until 7:45p. They did inform us about their patio area which is open seating and you can order from the bar. They couch and coffee table style seating with cornhole and ping pong. We opted to wait for a table to become available. To our surprise thanks to a cancellation we were seated within 25 minutes. There was lots of staff that checked on us once we got to the table. We placed our order: Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue, Crispy Popcorn Shrimp, 36-Hour Pork Ribs, and Chicken Cacio e Pepe. The appetizers came quickly but were both underwhelming. There were about 12 large pretzels balls but the cheese lacked flavor. Definitely not worth the price. The popcorn shrimp was also nothing to write home about but it had more flavor than the pretzels. Our entrees did take a little longer (30 minutes) but I was just getting my hopes up. Once it arrived the food looked good but didn't meet our expectations. Hubby said the ribs were delicious but his fries were hard and coleslaw was just traditional coleslaw. My pasta was very underwhelming, lacked so much flavor. This isn't my first time trying a Cacio e Pepe dish but I wouldn't recommend or get this again. Contemplated giving a 3/5 but the funny thing is once we got our entrees the attentiveness stopped. We actually needed another silverware set and couldn't get anyone to come over. My husband made a joke after dinner but I'll save it lol. It's a decent space but overall the food didn't impress us. We wouldn't get anything other than the ribs again. For the price and very underwhelming food we probably won't give this place another chance. read more

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The food is phenomenal! Came during lunch on a Tuesday, and it was not busy at all. Had reservations made, and our party was immediately sat upon arrival. Our waitress was super friendly and efficient. I ordered their chopped chicken salad with a side of fries. I was first thrown off by the chicken being COLD. I thought it would be warm chicken, but it was cold. Either way, the salad was DELICIOUS! It already comes with the dressing mixed in, but they did not go overboard with the dressing, which I appreciated. The whole salad tasted refreshing and delicious. The fries were very crispy and warm. Others in my group all state that their food was delicious as well. They ordered steak and fries, fish and chips, and their chicken sandwich. The whole restaurant was very chill and chic. Open floor plan with plenty of seating options, including outside on their patios. They are located southend uptown, so parking garage or side street parking. I will definitely be returning. read more

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My friend and I split the pretzels with cheese and the Thai-style chicken salad, which was AMAZING. Had very attentive server and really enjoyed the meal. read more

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Service: We arrived on time for a reservation for 8. They did not seat us for ten minutes after our time, but that was OK (we didn't complain), they apologized, and even gave us a free pretzel appetizer as part of the apology. The table service was pretty slow. Waited kind of long to put orders in, to get drinks, and get the final bill. Ambiance: Inviting, big, open place with nice furniture and stuff. Seemed very clean, even the bathrooms. Food: The pretzels were no different than something microwaveable from the freezer aisle. Unremarkable. For my brunch I ordered the (forgot name) but it was supposed to be pulled pork, two over easy eggs, "crispy potatoes," poblano peppers, and onions, plus a tortilla. Overall, it was very bland. The eggs were cooked well enough. The gigantic tortilla seemed to be homemade and was good, but I'm not really sure why it was part of the plate. The potatoes were like the cubed frozen kind you get in a grocery store, nothing special at all. The pulled pork should have been the main part of the dish, but it had no flavor at all and was the fattest piece of the pork shoulder. Hardly any meat on it and it really did not pull like pulled pork should. The stars are for the service and ambiance, not the food. Some have said the food was overpriced. I think their prices are better than most restaurants like this, however, the quality and service did not match the price. read more