They have a great variety of options, and they manage to do them all well, which was a surprise. The pretzel bites are incredible. The restaurant is big and comfortable to sit in, especially with a toddler, decor is cool and feels welcoming And the staff was extremely nice to my kid, which always puts a place over the top for me Definitely would return read more

We stopped into Culinary Dropout for lunch today and had such a great experience. We had never been there and wanted to try something new. The decor was awesome with unique chandeliers and the coolest artwork including a wall of converse shoes and a "fancy" stormtrooper wall piece. Our server, Ryan, was fantastic! He was super attentive and he took the time to explain different items and gave some solid recommendations and was super patient when I asked for explanations for some of the menu items. He came back often to check on us and the quality of the food. We chose the pork belly nachos, loaded with melted cheese, black beans, pico, and honestly one of the best guacamoles I've had in a while, it was fresh, flavorful, and the perfect balance to the richness of the pork. They had just the right amount of cheese so that the chips stayed crunchy and not soggy. We also ordered the chicken Caesar salad, which was crisp and well-dressed, and a half order of their pretzels... which might have been the star. They came out warm and soft with a melted provolone cheese dip served in a heated cast iron bowl...so good. Drinks were just as impressive. The Dropout Mule with mint and candied ginger was refreshing with a nice kick, the Giddy Up espresso martini had the perfect touch of cinnamon on top, and the Red Can Black Bird (think michelada with tequila and Tecate) was bold and unique. The Wellness Retreat with vodka, pineapple, jalapeño, and champagne was light, slightly spicy, and super refreshing. Overall, great food, great drinks, and even better service. We'll definitely be back. read more

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I came on Saturday morning and I'm pretty sure there is usually live music on this day, I would call if that's something you really want! I was more so pleased about the performer than my food and that's okay! He was amazing now onto the food review. It really didn't deliver and it's pretty bad when you would have rather had the appetizers for brunch and the actual brunch. I really enjoyed there fries, man hubby had a French dip sandwich, it was not that good, only his fries really. I had a rainbow roll, I do not recommend, it's very small portion sizes but regular sushi prices. There was also no chipotle mayo, I should have asked for some but I was just so turned off by the size and the fact that they just didn't taste good bc it was as if someone ordered a plain rainbow roll instead but that's how they serve it. I should have looked at the ingredients but usually rainbow rolls have something else on it. I also think if I would have gotten something like mayo or soy sauce it would have been a little better but not that much. The waitress suggested those and they were fantastic but if you're not a fan of truffle oil then ask for them without that! I'm seriously trying to remember but that just goes to show it wasn't good! Sometimes it's best to concentrate on a couple of things instead of being a master of none. I have this problem with graphic design! I do love the vibes here and would go back for the live music and brunch drinks along with those deviled eggs. Thanks for the live music, he was amazing and such a keeper! read more

Stopped by on the way back from a doc appointment and just loved the name of the place. We sat outside and started with the whipped feta appetizer. HIGHLY recommend this dish. Apparently it changes seasonally. We got the deviled eggs which I don't eat but my husband loved. Last we split the ribs (which they put on 2 plates for us which I love) . We swapped out the sides for salad and mac n cheese. Super bomb. Can't wait to try more next time we are in the area read more

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Culinary Dropout has some of the best wings we've had in North County! So good, we've been back 3 times and only order wings and drinks every time. We've always sat at the bar and the bartenders are super attentive. It's also fun to get to talking with others that have bellied up and sometimes there is even live music on the patio. The inside seating is very hip and stylish but the restaurant still has a laid back vibe. Make sure to check out the wallpaper in the bathroom if you can, it always makes me giggle. read more

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Such a cute spot in the Del Mar Plaza! The layout is so cool with the bar splits the outdoor patio and the interior, giving it a really open feel. Even though we sat at the tables, I loved the cute interior with the chandeliers, dim lighting, and those dark green velvet booths. It sets the perfect mood for a long catch-up with great company. I was skeptical seeing sushi on a menu that's mostly American comfort food, but I'm so glad I gave it a try! The Rainbow Roll was delicious and the Pork Belly Nachos are a total standout. I also ordered the Room Service cocktail and it was so refreshing. Our server was incredibly attentive and sweet. We skipped dessert because we were so stuffed, but I'll definitely be back to try more of their cocktails! read more

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Great place for a group. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Had a little trouble accommodating a vegan option but the server was nice and tried his best. read more

Brussels: very flavorful and yummy, big portion, and a good value. definitely worth ordering. Crispy tuna rice. Only five little pieces for $20 but they were hearty. Not the best value here but tasty. Turkey pastrami sandwich was OK, nothing spectacular. Kid's burger was great for an adult who is not too hungry. Pretzels and burger were all good. Fries were ok. And people in our group were raving about the buffalo wings which they said were super fresh and the best they've had. Overall, a solid four-star takeout experience and we will order from here again. read more

Culinary Dropout - Outdoor covered patio - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Our server explained the menu as elevated comfort food, she was right! The provolone fondue tasted exactly like the cheese from the cracker snack packs from childhood. I personally loved the chopped chicken salad! I got the evil princess (could be wrong on the name) and it was delicious! My cousin got their non-alcoholic society spritz which was pretty good too! Definitely spread the word about this place to my friends read more

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The menu here is VERY limited. The fried chicken was burnt after taking 20 minutes to prepare. The drinks were good. The chips and dip were really good. The fish and chips were good. I just can't get over the burnt friend chicken. We came here because the name was fun. read more

Culinary Dropout - Good cocktail - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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I visited last week and really liked the food, drinks, and atmosphere! My waitress Cadin was so nice and pleasant! I recommend trying this restaurant! :) read more

Popped in for a drink with my bestie today, and I was seriously craving a cucumber jalapeño margarita with a salted rim. Was there one on the menu? No. Did our awesome bartender make me one anyway? Yes. It was so good, my best friend asked for one too. I told our bartender that it should be on the menu, and when he asked what to call it, I said "you can use my name?". But I've done one better I believe: call it "The Luteal Phase" - spicy, salty, and desperately trying to keep my cool. He gave me the recipe he used to make it since he created it on the fly, and I will absolutely be making this at home and calling it that. I forgot his name (I'm so sorry), but he's got a lovely floral tattoo covering his entire right arm. And by the way, the pretzel bites with fondue were delicious. read more

What a great space for a group event! Came for a vendor event and had a lovely time. The shrimp and zucchini appetizer surprised me with its lasting crunch and what tasty burger! The service was superb, really I commend the staff for being attentive and ohh so friendly. My only complaint was the heat lamps had oddly placed handles that the staff lined up in the isles that smacked me in the head every time I needed to move between tables! Could you please rotate towards the table, the left or right ... just not in the isle. Poor flow management! read more

Culinary Dropout - Yummy sandwich - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Every time I go here the live music is awesome and the bar staff is outstanding. Lots of great food, can't go wrong. Good draft beer selection as well. read more

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The positives: The staff was super friendly and the apps (especially the brussel sprouts) were great! Very spacious interior with lots of seating. Located in the Del Mar Highlands, with plenty of parking available. What could be improved: The mains left more to be desired in terms of taste. Most of the mains also felt a bit greasy/oily as well Verdict: Probably just an average experience if you're hoping to enjoy a good meal (like I did), but probably a better place to hang out and order drinks and apps read more

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Cocktails were decent ( they didn't have Meyers Rum) as I ordered a Mai Tai and instead they made me the "Evil Princess" - pretty cocktail but not a true Mai Tai. The best part of our experience were the sushi rolls! Crunchy roll and spicy tuna (both a 10 out of 10)! The place was packed on a Wednesday night. They have TV's to watch sports games and the vibe was lively. We also ordered the Wagyu pigs in blanket thinking we were getting an elevated dish but it literally was basic pigs in a blanket (blah). Otherwise I'd still recommend visiting, if you're in the area. read more

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Came for lunch since we were in the area. Great space and fun vibe. Variety of items to pick from off the menu. My cocktail was great but felt nachos and my sushi fell short and just tasted typical. Wanted to get a "wow" to match the trendy surroundings. My daughter did enjoy her salad. It's a great atmosphere but would come back for drinks. read more

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First time visit to this location. Had a great mother's day meal with Ariel as our server. She was nice, fun, and attentive. We ordered the deviled eggs to start that were very tasty. For entrees, our server suggested the steak frites and the salmon. Both were very flavorfull and plenty big to fill us up. Would recommend this place and will be visiting again to have Ariel serve us. read more

Poor service cold food not worth the price they are selling the food for.Waited for like 30 minutes and no one was in the restaurant I rather go to Dennys then this place. read more

Ok! First time here. Definitely won't be my last. Stopped by here to grab lunch and was not disappointed. When my cousin and I walked up we were pleasantly greeted at the front with a smile, then seated right away out on the patio as the weather was perfect. Our server, Cadin (Hope I got that right), came right up to the table. She had great suggestions and we were not disappointed. I don't normally go for bread items but the pretzels were insane. Don't regret them at all. I got the Mongolian Short Rib as an entree. Yes please. I'd definitely do that again. Super chill vibes mid day for lunch. Would love to come by for happy hour or dinner next! read more

Culinary Dropout - Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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We came here for a happy hour event sponsored by a manufacturing company. We were in the tables outside. Glad they had heat lamps. They had a nice vibe. A young guy played guitar and sang. He was excellent. They have an amazing jalapeno margarita. Food that we loved: wings deviled eggs brussel sprouts calamari The staff was great. read more

Culinary Dropout was a neat option to check out when I dropped by here for lunch! The ambiance and vibes were nice and we opted to dine out on the patio. For my meal I tried their Brussels sprouts (generous portion) and their shaved prime rib dip sandwich with fries (excellent with rich au jus) along with their salad (fresh and filling). Overall the drinks were refreshing and food was flavorful. Service was friendly and attentive, overall a solid option when in the area of Carmel Valley! read more

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Showed up on Mother's Day at 2:25 p.m. There were a lot of empty tables inside. We were asked if we had reservations for our party of 4 to which we said no. The hostess then informed us that they stopped taking walk-in's so they could prepare for their dinner hour. Yes, at 2:25 p.m with a lot of empty tables!! Seems like poor restaurant management. Don't think we will be back. Note- We did walk-in seating the week it opened and felt the food was decent enough to go again. Thus, we tried on Mother's Day and were turned away. read more

I've been here twice now, once for lunch last month and again yesterday for brunch. For my first visit, I had an assortment of the sushi rolls (rainbow row, spicy avocado roll, and spicy tuna crispy rice) and a salad with grilled salmon on the side. For my second visit, I had the Asian Crunch salad. For both visits, I thought the food was pretty decent. There wasn't a lot to choose from on the sushi roll menu, but I enjoyed it. The fish was fresh, which was most important! I enjoyed the Asian Crunch salad, but thought it was rather expensive, considering it was a small portion (the price of a full salad but the size of a half salad) that came with no proteins. Three of my friends ordered the ham and eggs grilled cheese and were not pleased with this dish. The bread was very thinly sliced and was extremely greasy. The scrambled eggs and potatoes were too salty to eat. Our server had the kitchen fix their orders, but it was still very bad. The potatoes were no longer salty; however, the eggs were still very salty, and the thinly sliced bread was still drenched in grease. I felt bad that my friends didn't enjoy their food because I loved my small salad, even though it wasn't very filling. The ambiance is really nice and I loved the vibe. I think if they can work on the details of the food and cut down the amount of grease and salt, this could be a fun hangout place. It's not bad in my opinion, but here's room for improvement. read more

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Why this pace has 4 stars and not 5 is beyond me! The restaurant is beautifully decorated inside, the servers all of them were attentive and friendly. The food was delicious, we went during happy hour time and tried several of the happy hour options and all of them were delicious, however I would say my most favorite part is them having live music and the singers are always amazing. It's really a vibe to be there on a Friday night, good food, some drinks and awesome entertainment with a beautiful voice. I will most definitely return. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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Came here to catch up with some friends on a busy Saturday. Was seated quickly for an early dinner and service was prompt. The cocktails are notably good - they have a good mix of sweet and classic drinks to satisfy almost any pallette, including a couple drink specials that are rotating. Highly recommend the current Playboy one! The food is unfortunately where we were let down a little. The starters (pretzels and popcorn shrimp) had great portions for sharing and, while not unique, were solid in their flavors. Among the four of us, we got the short ribs, the pork ribs, and the fish and chips. Unfortunately, after tasting everything, they were all just a bit on the salty side. Not inedible, but certainly had me reaching for my glass a notable amount. Flavors themselves were otherwise good. Overall, great for a few drinks and shared plates, but the main courses could use just a tad bit of work. read more

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First time at Culinary Dropout Del Mar! I popped in on my lunch break and tried the fish & chips . Service was solid--they were super mindful of the fact that I was on a time crunch and even offered to bring me a to-go container and have me pay right away . Loved that thoughtfulness . The food itself was good , but I left wanting just a bit more . The portion came with three pieces of fish , but they weren't very big--one extra piece would've made it feel right . The fries were kind of "meh" (not the standout of the plate), but surprisingly, I didn't mind their coleslaw --and I usually never like coleslaw . Overall, a nice first visit . I'd come back, maybe for happy hour or a non-lunch outing , to try something different and see how the vibe is then. read more

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Came here on a Friday with a party of 4 for dinner. The restaurant was super busy so it was good we had a reservation. There's usually parking in the plaza out front but if not there's also a parking structure in the back. We ordered a few appetizers: soft pretzels with provolone fondue, white truffle deviled eggs, Wagyu pigs in a blanket, and spicy tuna crispy rice. The pretzels and pigs in a blanket were fine, nothing crazy to note. I always enjoy deviled eggs and their was pretty good. The tuna crispy rice was probably my favorite appetizer. For entrees we ordered the crispy chicken katsu, beer battered fish and chips, steak frites, fried chicken and Mongolian short rib. The chicken katsu was a bit dry, probably my least favorite. The fish and chips were pretty tasty and cooked well. The fried chicken was pretty standard. The steak frites and short rib were probably the best plates, they were both flavorful and tender. For dessert we got the monkey bread, which was pretty good with the ice cream. Overall I had a pretty good first experience here. The food is good overall but nothing to rave about. Service was super friendly and attentive. The restaurant had live music, which was nice. It's definitely a nice spot for dinner with a group or for a date. I would just recommend making a reservation ahead of time. read more

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I've been going to the Culinary Dropout in Tempe for a few years now and was pretty excited that they opened here, and have suggested the restaurant to friends and family, based on our previous experiences. This was our third visit to this location since they opened, and regrettably, last night's visit missed the mark. We started with a few drinks and a fried shrimp appetizer. The fried shrimp was the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, my Old Fashioned wasn't good. Mostly ice and watered down. For our entrees, we ordered a Chopped Chicken Salad and Beer Battered Fish and Chips. The salad was decent, but the fish and chips pieces were small, almost like they came off the kids menu. Service was slow and inattentive. We will probably return, hopefully this was just an off night. read more

Culinary Dropout - Beer Battered Fish & Chips - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

Very good spot and delicious food! Casual but fun brunch, busier happy hour vibes. I met a book club here for a weeknight happy hour and loved it! I immediately dragged my friends who were home for the holidays back a week later for brunch. We tried several items and the favorites were: the pretzels and cheese (!!!), the Hass (virgin cocktail made with avocado), the seasonal festive cocktails, and the smokehouse hash (brunch item). The portion sizes for each dish left us all pretty full, and the drinks seem strong enough without tasting like pure alcohol. I'll be back for sure. Atmosphere: a fun busy spot but not too loud during brunch. Decor is fun and the bathrooms are kind of crazy. Food: pricey (cocktails are all $16+, an avocado roll is $15 and a burger is $20) but delicious and big enough to take home or share. Must try: soft pretzels and melted provolone. Staff: casual, polite, good at checking in. read more

Culinary Dropout - Smokehouse Hash* - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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The vibes are a WOW. Maybe because I had the Tilly's the building used to be in mind I didn't expect to be so blown away by the complete transformation. The dining experience is elegant mixed with hip, classic with eclectic, classy but casual. Ambiance is a 5/5 in terms of creating an amazing dining environment and being able to find the perfect balance between rebellious and sophisticated. This kind of fusion shows up in the food. I got the chili which had a good amount of spice. Very good. Then the Thai crunch salad. I think I was expecting cpk level then was surprised by the complexities of flavors in the dish. The nachos were really good. My husband said it's the best he ever had. I don't think he's had a ton of nachos though but the pork was very tender. The katsu sandwich to me was okay but fries were very good. Finally, the service was excellent. One of the best servers we had. She was friendly but not overbearing and made the experience special by going above and beyond like plating each dish in halves because she knew we were sharing or providing extra sauces. read more

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This was the second time we came and we really enjoyed it. I got the campfire vibes cocktail which was perfect! Cinnamon and whiskey and lots of yummy. Will be my goto drink each time I come. Hubby got the Evil Jungle Princess drink. He loved it and would order it again. For a salad I got the Asian crunch salad. I liked it a lot but it had a little too much dressing for me. Next time I'll get the dressing on the side. Hubby had the pretzels and cheese appetizer. Lots of pretzels so it's good to share. For my entree I had the Mongolian short rib which I liked much better than the first time I got it. Would get it again. Hubby got the chopped salad which really was a Cobb salad. Super fabulous! I will definitely order it the next time we come. Our server named Shea was great! Kind and helpful and friendly. She really made our experience special! Fun environment with excellent music that fit the mood. Dalton Gazette Experience was the singer's name. Great song choices and perfect sound level. We are so happy this place opened here in Del Mar. read more

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A lot of hype about this place forced me to try it out. Located in delmar highlands. Lots of variety of fancy dishes. Ordered a few appetizers first which were extremely amazing and delicious. Brussel dprouts were too good. The main course was ok but not as good as the appetizers. Fish and chips were too oily that we just couldnt finish it. The servers were really helpful and friendly and answered all my questions with a smile. Its very spacious and gives a good vibe. One thing I must warn you here are the prices. We didnt realize that the total bill will be so high. We were 4 of us and had 4 apps abd 3 entrees and 2 mocktails. 200$ read more

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I really wanted to love the food here but it honestly was underwhelming, and just okay in my opinion. The ambiance is super nice, I like the decor inside and there's plenty of seating. They also had a live singer outside which was a nice touch. Service was also nice and food came out in a reasonable amount of time. I ordered the fried chicken and biscuits with gravy from their brunch menu and it was superrrr salty. Was not a huge fan. The best things I ate were probably the wagyu pigs in a blanket and the crispy tuna rice. I just felt that the food was too pricey for what it was. read more

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We wanted to try someplace new and decided upon Culinary Dropout. We were surprised at what a large place. it is. The exterior is painted a deep burgundy color which makes it stand out from the rest of the center. We made reservations through open table and asked for a table outside, which was ready for us when we arrived. You are greeted at the front door by friendly hosts and shown to your seat right away. There's a massive bar with TVs all around, and the bar looks out onto the patio seating and the adjacent parking lot. I had a signature cocktail which was a play on a mai tai with a twist of guava. The chicken Katsu sandwich was amazing. And fish and chips were a huge hit at our table. The decor is light and airy, and the staff were very attentive. The bartenders were friendly and assisted with food service at the bar. All said it was a great discovery and we will be returning very soon ! read more

Culinary Dropout - Great lighting on the patio in the evening with TVs situated to watch evening games. - New American Near Me - San Diego, California

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New pub! Highlights: - great tasting cocktails - tasty, interesting Asian-inspired pub food - fast, friendly service This bar is not just your usual bar where you get wings, nachos and cocktails. Check out their menu! Many of the drinks and food are the kind that you find at bars, but they have an Asian twist to it, which totally elevate them to another level. We were promptly seated upon arriving and our waitress came over and introduced us to the whole slew of interesting stuff they offer and recommended some cocktails to us. The drinks came quickly and we loved the vibes here. read more

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Came here to celebrate a birthday and check out this new hyped place in the Del Mar plaza across from One Paseo. This is where the old Tilly's used to be. Overall, its a nice, slightly fancy spot with a great ambiance. The vibe is fun and lively -- lots of drinks to choose from, live music, and TVs everywhere if you're there to catch a game. It's a good place for sports and entertainment while still feeling upscale. That said, it does get pretty pricey, especially if you're coming with a big group and ordering food and drinks. Overall, it's a fun place to hang out and grab drinks, just be prepared to spend a bit more than expected. Service was incredible! Really nice and attentive. Food: - Mongolian Short Rib Rice: Delicious.. but small! Definitely well cooked - Popcorn Shrimp: also a top food choice for me. Wonderfully cooked, crispy and good for sharing - Pork Nachos: super good for sharing as this portion is pretty big. Nothing more than nachos with melted cheese, and chopped meat on top - Steak Frites: this was good, steak was well cooked but pretty small and salty, nothing super special for me. read more

I really wanted to like this place but i was disappointed with their food. The pretzels came out cold. They looked like they've been sitting there for a while or over-cooked. The banana French toast has good flavors but too much sauce on top. I initially ordered fried chicken with buttermilk biscuit from brunch menu. It was very salty. The fried chicken filet was crunchy and got good flavor. I think the saltiness was from the eggs. Either way, it's got too much gravy and the biscuits were very soggy. I told the waitress about it and she was willing to switch it to a different dish for me. I ordered Smokehouse hash. was too full by the time the food came out. I did try it. Again, it's very salty and heavy with the sauce. The space is big and the decor is modern. It's a great location for a group gathering. I wouldn't go for the food again but I think it would be a good place to get some drinks. read more

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The food was amazing and the service was great. Riley gave great recommendations and the drinks were sooo good!! read more

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We visited Culinary Dropout in San Diego on Father's Day with high hopes, and while there were definitely some standout moments, a few missteps kept it from being a 5-star experience. Let's start with the food--easily the highlight of our visit. The Whipped Feta and Tahini Dip was hands-down our favorite--creamy, flavorful, and served with perfectly toasted bread. We also tried the 36-Hour Pork Ribs (fall-off-the-bone tender), the Mongolian Beef Short Rib (great flavor, slightly on the sweeter side), and the Korean-Style Ribeye Cap (well-seasoned and juicy). The Crispy Chicken Katsu Sandwich was decent, but got a bit lost among the other bold dishes. As for the Soft Pretzels with Provolone Fondue--delicious, but the portion of pretzels was massive--easily enough for a group of 6+, which felt a bit excessive for a table of 4.My husband enjoyed the Signature Old Fashioned, which was smooth and well-crafted. The ambience was lively and modern, but it was oddly difficult to tell who worked there since there were no uniforms--just something that added a bit of confusion in an already busy setting. Now for the downside: we had a reservation for 5:45 PM, and when we politely checked in at 5:41, the hostess curtly told us to " wait FOUR MINUTES, until our EXACT reservation time" - even though we could see several open tables and booths. We completely understand if the section wasn't ready or there's a system in place, but the tone felt unnecessarily sharp and left a sour first impression before we even sat down. Overall, Culinary Dropout has great food and a cool vibe, but service and hospitality matter just as much. We'd return for the food--but hope for a warmer welcome next time. read more

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