Review by Janessa

A friend of mine turned twenty-one, and a bunch of us put our heads together and tried to think of the perfect place to take him to dinner. Well, for someone who has just reached the age of legal drinking, what better place than a micro-brewery? An entire caravan of people headed for Karl Strauss Brewery, in Sorrento Mesa.

The restaurant was slightly difficult to find, but after a wrong turn or two we came upon it. The setup and environment that the restaurant offered were both amazing! Indoors, the restaurant was reminiscent of a log cabin tavern - very warm and comfortable with long tables and lots of people all having a great time. Outside, however, was an entirely different story. Round tables spaced in between outdoor heaters were surrounded by a gorgeous Japanese-style garden, complete with lush vegetation, lanterns, and a large coy pond. It was absolutely beautiful, and would be the perfect place for either a romantic dinner out, or a nice company party.

Our reserved table was waiting for us, and our stomachs were ready for some great food. Luckily, the service was speedy and our food and drinks came right away. My chosen dish was the Blackened Cajun Pasta Penne, while the rest of the courses ranged from Seafood Gumbo to Gourmet Burgers, to a traditional German Sausage Platter. All the food was absolutely delicious, with excellent rich sauces, big portions, and relatively low prices.

However, as Karl Strauss is San Diego's finest micro-brewery, it would be unfair not to address the quality of the beer. The birthday boy and several others could not resist ordering the Sample of Eight, which is a platter with eight different micro-brews, ranging from lightest to darkest. The golden pilsners and amber beers, though quite good, paled in comparison to the darkest beer, Oatmeal Ale, which was my personal favorite.

Great food, an awesome environment, excellent service, and low prices (complete with a free dessert for the birthday boy) all added up to great fun and an excellent evening out. I strongly recommend Karl Strauss Brewery in Sorrento Mesa for any over-21 parties. You won't be disappointed!