A great thing about setting myself on this challenge (and there have been many) has been discovering places that I not only have never eaten at before but many that I would have otherwise never even heard of because they’re so hidden.  Such is the case with this week’s restaurant.  Located in the trendy area of North Park is the Birch North Park Theatre.  It’s a cool place that I’ve been lucky enough to sing on the stage of.  I love it because it looks like the Muppet Show Theatre.  In the lobby of the birch theatre is a bar and restaurant: West Coast Tavern; this week’s restaurant.  Joining me for a fun night of food and drink were the following:

Amy B-Vegetarian Belle, Author, Event Planner

Amy J-Rocky Horror performer, Michigan football loyalist, a common floozy

Brad-Rocky Horror performer, Fluent in most nerdisms, Still thinks Miley Cyrus is sexy

Chris-Attorney, lifelong food snob, loves good Scotch and gay jeans

Durwood-Best friend, comedian, San Diego’s go-to young black non-singing actor

Elisa-Singer, my Hebrew homegirl, Intense stare

Harry-Wise guy, master of the grill, loves camping for some reason

Ky-Rocky Horror performer, Disneyland enthusiast, Roommate of Brad

Tomy-Fashionista, Rocky Horror performer, an original Kathryn

Representin’ for the west coast. Only in Cali where we riot not rally.

First thing you should know about West Coast Tavern:  It’s LOUD.  It was pretty packed but the music and atmosphere is way more bar/night club than restaurant.  I felt like my Grandmother making everyone repeat everything they said because they weren’t nose to nose with me.  A positive note to counter would be the staff.  They were terrific.  They were able to get us in (they don’t take reservations) with minimal hassle and the wait staff were very knowledgeable about food and drink…  and speaking of drinks…

Tomy ordered the Mommy Dearest (Skyy Vodka, Basil, Strawberries and Lime).  He deemed it Alright but nothing special, having ordered it mostly for the name because gay.  Amy J got the Smoke and Honey (A bourbon concoction of some sort).  She gave the drink a “10” and loved that our server asked if she was familiar with the type of drink she was ordering.  Harry had the Cucumber Basil Gimlet (Hendrick’s Gin, Cucumber, Basil, Lime & Simple Syrup).  He found it nice, refreshing and strong.  For his 2nd drink, Harry ordered the Old Fashioned with Bulliet Rye, as did Amy B and Chris (Templeton Rye for him).  It was a winner for Harry and Chris seemed pleased with it but for Amy, she felt it was decent but not the best available in North Park.  Brad ordered a Mezcal Mule (Xicaru Mezcal, Lime, Ginger Beer & Bitters) He felt it needed more smokiness but thought it was a great cocktail.   Ky had a Strawberry Margarita.  She felt it was alright but very effective.  Apparently this place has a heavy pour.  We are okay with this.

For appetizers, Durwood ordered the Hot Wings.  He called them pretty standard but good.  Harry got the Oysters on the half Shell, which he said were exactly what he wanted.  Brad had the Marrow (Bone marrow with grilled Scallions, Ranch, Pickled Radish, fried Onions and a warm baguette).  The dish reminded him of Escargot in texture and flavor, which he enjoyed.  Brad likened it to eating “Beef butter”.  Gross.  Amy J ordered the grilled asparagus, which was well done if unremarkable.  Ky and I both ordered the bowl of Chipotle Bacon Fondue with bread and veggies.  Ky found it a bit greasy but I really enjoyed it.  Hearty, salty and thick.  The consistency of it was much closer to pub cheese than fondue but it was super tasty.

Now, how to recreate this dish at home in a bacon bowl…?

For main courses, Ky and Tomy both ordered the Spinach and Chicken Mac n’ Cheese (with Goat Cheese, Bacon and Bread Crumbs) .  They both mostly enjoyed it but Tomy did mention the cheese used was a bit stank and bitter, like many of my ex’s.  Ky said it was good and enjoyed the sharpness of the cheese.  Tomy also advised not getting the version offered without chicken as the protein seemed to anchor the dish flavor-wise.  Brad got the Pork Belly & Waffles (with Bourbon infused Maple Syrup, Garlic Butter & Bacon).  He said it was really good, particularly the syrup, which was not too sweet.  The pork was well cooked and the waffle combined sweet and savory flavors.  He deemed the bacon unnecessary.  Amy B & Elisa both had Veggie Sliders (Veggie patties with chipotle Aioli, Tomato & Arugula).  Amy said they were good.  Elisa found the patties to be thick, moist and crispy with a really enjoyable Aoili.

Durwood also ordered the Chicken and Spinach Mac n’ Cheese.  He enjoyed it but the spinach seemed more like a garnish than an ingredient to him.  Amy J ordered the Al Fresco Veggie Flatbread (with White Bean Hummus, grilled red Onions, Tomatoes,  Feta Cheese & Basil).  She found this to be really uninteresting, as though the item were added to the menu as nothing more than an afterthought.  Both of our Amys found West Coast Tavern’s menu  to be surprisingly veggie un-friendly.  Harry got the same Marrow (appetizer that Brad ordered) for his entree and he loved it for some reason.  I had the Angus Beef Sliders (with Cheddar Cheese, caramelized Onions, Garlic Aioli, Lettuce and  Tomato).  As Elisa mentioned with her sliders, these were actually way more food than they looked.  They were well cooked and very flavorful.  The accompanying fries were also great with the dipping sauces available (the best being a very good garlic aioli).

Any opportunity to double-fist burgers and I’m there.

The dessert menu was small but we decided to sample the Pistachio Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel.  This was a smash hit at the table, with everyone pretty much raving about it.  I myself am not a huge fan of pistachio but even I have to say, this was really tasty.  Warm, melty, nutty and rich.  Great dessert.

Melty, gooey, moist and a slew of other filthy-not-filthy adjectives can be used to describe this dish.

Overall the experience of West Coast Tavern was a mixed one.  The drinks were well received and most of us enjoyed the food.  I had a really great dinner but the atmosphere was totally not conducive to dining.  Others found it to be forgettable.  With so many new places springing up all over North Park, this place has some serious stepping up to do to keep up with the serious competition.  As for me, I would love to eat there again but I would make a point to not do it on a busy Friday night.  But for lunch or even brunch (which they do offer), I would happily pop in again.

Further reading: http://westcoasttavern.com/

To see all of the pictures from this meal be sure to follow theboywhoatesandiego on Instagram!