Culinary Dropout is worth a drop in
Photo by Eden Bahatt, Staff Photographer
Culinary Dropout’s motto, “Damn good food for damn good people,” holds true beyond the food and drinks they serve. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcomes anyone looking for casual drinks with friends, but even someone in formal wear wouldn’t feel out of place.
Upon entering, we were greeted by a bubbly host who pointed us in the direction of the spot’s inventive cocktails to enjoy while waiting for our table.
The dining room is dimly lit and filled with relics that made the space feel like it transcended eras. Matte black industrial elements lined the ceiling, contrasting chic chandeliers that cast a warm glow.
We started with two mocktails: the Society Crush and the Sicilian Lemonade Stand. The Society Crush, a citrusy seltzer mixed with toasted cinnamon, offers a sweet and cozy yet refreshingly light flavor — we couldn’t help but order a second. The Sicilian Lemonade Stand was an elevated sparkling strawberry lemonade. The drinks alone showed us we were in the right place.
After receiving many recommendations from our server on the appetizers, we settled on the crispy popcorn shrimp, served with fried zucchini and roasted garlic aioli. Topped with lemon juice, these were the perfect balance between a crunchy and zesty starter that wasn’t too filling. It was so delicious that we wanted seconds, but decided instead to save room for the entree.
To get the most out of our time at the restaurant, we decided to split the entrees. First, we ordered the crispy chicken katsu, which was placed between two warmly toasted but also delectably soft pieces of Japanese milk bread. The spicy miso aioli and napa slaw made every tangy bite melt in our mouths.
Along with the sandwich, we also ordered the 36-hour pork ribs, which were topped with a sauce that had an intense kick. The meat fell right off the bone, and every bite was better than the last. Unfortunately, we forgot our leftovers on the table when we left, and we were both deeply disappointed when we realized it. Wasting anything from Culinary Dropout is a travesty.
We finished the night with dessert, and we asked our server to surprise us with her favorite thing on the menu. A short time after, we received a caramelized banana bar made up of mousse, peanut butter crunch and vanilla crema. It was light and flavorful and we could taste every individual element of the dessert.
We ate at Culinary Dropout for dinner, but they also serve enticing brunch items we would definitely go back to try. The restaurant is located on the corner of East Maple Avenue and North Orange Street, and sits amidst a plethora of food spots in the circle.
