Karl Strauss Brewery
Carlsbad, CA 92008-4609
Phone: (760) 431-2739
09/25/2007 Posted by simplybp
Went here the first night because it was right outside the hotel I was staying in (Grand Pacific Palisades) and found a great place - was a bit tired from traveling all day, so had a sampler of beers (6 - 5 oz tasters for $8.95) and a terrific appetizer - the tuna poke' (sushi-grade tuna finely diced with a bit of cucumber, green onion, cilantro, and black and white sesame seeds, dressed with a spicy "firecracker sauce" that has a hint of teriyaki and brown sugar with a good deal of heat.) Served with fried wonton chips and on top of some shredded cabbage and carrots salad. Really excellent if you like spicy tuna! A generous portion at $9.95, but since I was alone and eating in the bar, and ordered before 6:30, I got Happy Hour pricing at $6.95 - my intent was to order dinner (the porterhouse was calling my name!), but after this healthy portion of tuna I ordered the mixed green salad with balsamic vinagrette to finish off my hunger. This was a bit dry, but got extra dressing to make it better. The salad was $6.95, and when I ordered it the waitress asked if I wanted the full salad or the side salad.. I didn't see a side salad on the menu, but I guess they offer a smaller size of this salad. I ordered the full salad and got a good portion of mixed greens with a few tomato slices, some gorgonzola cheese, and not much else. It was a good salad, but I guess because the poke' was so good, I expected more. Took a bread pudding to go.... Total bill with tax and tip was $35. Tonight, went back for that porterhouse. Beautiful steak, which I ordered "Blue", Charred on the outside and raw in the middle. Got a Long Island Tea and the fried calamari appetizer - again, $6.95 for the Happy Hour special. The steak, $29.95 . Came with a pile of garlic fries, which I skipped - too garlicy. Also a pile of broccoli, lightly steamed. A great meal, half of which I brought back to my room along with some rolls the waitress threw in for a midnight steak sandwich! Total $56. w/tax+tip.
Pros: great beer, friendly staff, happy hour pricing
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