The Culinary Dropout has been open 3 weeks now. I give it a 4.5. Not 5... read to the end to find out why.\n \n I went for lunch yesterday with a friend to check it out. I LOVED it! First, I must admit that because it was a beautiful day in Scottsdale my mood was happy to start with. As we stood outside the front door admiring the patio and deciding if we wanted to go in or not, a very sweet young lady left her hostess stand inside to come out and greet us. I like this. She could have waited for us to come to her. This tells me the restaurant wants business and has trained their employees well!\n\nRight away you notice the atmosphere. Hip and elegant with a touch of years past... hence the magnificent chandeliers that draw your eye up. The seating has a look of baroque meets modern. Well designed, plenty of space... you don't feel crammed into the other people around you.\n\nWe of course chose to sit outside because of the beauty of the day.\nIt took no time at all for a very sweet and adorable waitress to greet us, get our drink orders and give us a few explanations of the house specialty, the Anti-pasta bar. Before I get into that though... I must recommend a Pisco Sour. Not many restaurants offer them or even know what they are...definably one of my fav's and believe me... I make them well.\n\nThe Anti-pasta bar is designed to let you pick and choose for either an entree or an app from a wonderful choice of excellent cheeses, salumi's ( that's right... NOT salami... true lovers know the difference.)\nolives, marconi almonds and so much more. Your choices are then beautifully laid out on a plate after being hand sliced at the bar where you are encouraged to watch the artistry.\n\nOn to lunch... I chose a wonderful Smoked Chicken Salad. They smoke their chicken right there on the sight and I have to say... it was fantastic!! The pears that had been sweetened, the endive and the pistachios that accompanied the salad to be tossed in a fantastic vinaigrette. It was sublime! Our meal was finished off with their famous monkey bread that came with a beautiful scoop of ice-cream.\n\nYes, all the way around I loved this place. The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is because I will go back and rate the bar. This is typically the heart of an establishment and will have a lot to do to determine return customers. Look for my review on this.\n\nHappy eating everyone!!
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