Culinary Dropout
Went in hungry, left emotionally attached.
My friend was seated almost immediately, but when I walked in and scanned the restaurant, I didn’t see her, just a beautifully decorated space. The setup caught my eye: lots of long tables, the kind that scream celebration. As I looked around, I spotted a waitress carrying a tray of bite-sized desserts toward a back room. A private party, maybe?
Before I could investigate further, one of the hosts took me to the table where my friend was waiting. When the waitress came over to take our drink orders, she recommended an apple hard cider from Urban Tree, a local Atlanta brewery, and even offered samples. And one thing about me? I love a taste test. Gotta make sure it’s what I really want.
The cider was crisp and refreshing, light, almost champagne-like. One sip in… full pour, please.
I hadn’t looked up the menu beforehand, so I had no clue what I wanted. And honestly? Even after looking, I still didn’t know. Nothing was calling my name. But after the waitress flawlessly broke down a few dishes, I went with the chicken katsu sandwich, with a salad instead of fries. Because ever since my life-changing frites experience in Amsterdam, every American fry has been a disappointment.
I love chicken katsu, and the moment the waitress mentioned slaw on top? Sold. I’m a slut for slaw.
My friend ordered the black truffle mushroom pizza. I considered switching my order, but after securing a promise that I could have a slice, I stuck with my katsu. And yeah, that was the right move.
The chicken? Juicy and packed with flavor. The bread was toasted to perfection—it was giving premium grilled cheese. And the slaw on top? Fire. The real surprise, though? The salad. Because let’s be real, a side salad is a side salad is a side salad. But this one? Actually good. It paired perfectly with the sandwich, rounding out the meal.
Between bites of my katsu, I tried the pizza my friend so generously shared. It was great. The truffle flavor was just right, noticeable but not overpowering. The mushrooms had that perfect meaty texture, and the bitterness of the arugula balanced everything beautifully.
The food? 10/10, no notes. I cleaned my plate.
Our waitress suggested dessert, and the baked-to-order cinnamon apple brioche monkey bread caught my eye, even before she mentioned it was her favorite. I only noticed the time it took for the dessert to come out because she apologized for the wait.
As for the monkey bread? It was good, warm, and comforting, but at the end of the day, it was just another apple pie-inspired dessert. No regrets ordering it, but I don’t have to have it again.
Every restaurant I visit gets rated on four key factors. Because a meal isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience. Here’s how I break it down:
Was It Worth It?
Covers price, quality, and overall satisfaction. Was this meal worth my time, money, and carbs?
Movie Set Vibes
Because eating out is more than just food; it’s a scene. Does it feel like I’m in a movie, living my best life?
Who Dun It?
Was the service extraordinary, or was I just another order number?
Reorder-ability
The real test. Would I run it back or was it a one-and-done?
Each category is rated out of 3 stars (because 5 or 10 stars per category is just overwhelming). At the end of every review, I give my final verdict:
✅ Added to my Good Eats: Atlanta guide.
Only the spots worth a return visit make the cut.
❌ Didn’t make the cut.
Because a restaurant isn’t truly great unless I’m already planning my next visit.
Let’s see how Culinary Dropout stacks up:
Was It Worth It? – ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I spent a little over $40 for the sandwich with a side salad, hard apple cider, and monkey bread. I left full, happy, and not feeling like I had just been robbed.
Movie Set Vibes – ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This spot sits in a charming area with outdoor seating, perfect for a date night. Inside, it’s even more inviting, giving off a stylish after-work vibe. Think Sex and the City: let’s grab drinks and catch up.
Who Dun It? – ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The waitress checked in on our dessert before we even took a bite. Now, that’s what I call service! Her recommendations were spot-on, and she described each dish so well that I knew exactly what to expect. Before she took my food order, I was already thinking, I like her.
Reorder-ability – ⭐️ ⭐️
The katsu sandwich? Crazy. The truffle pizza? Crazy. Next time, I’ll probably order one to eat there and the other to-go. The only miss? The monkey bread. Not bad, just nothing special compared to other cinnamon apple desserts.
Final Verdict: ✅ Added to the guide.
I caught myself saying “I’m so satisfied” the entire meal. If that’s not a sign of a great experience, I don’t know what is. Amazing food, top-tier service, a beautiful ambiance, and a prime location with plenty to do nearby. A+++.