Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen

Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen Restaurant Review:

Sister to the Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen location in Oceanside, Vista's culinary hub is a friendly and fun affair. Owners Roddy and Aaron Browning follow a recycle-what-you-can philosophy for their venue’s décor. Set in an old bank, the place is full of antiques: think typewriters, chandeliers, vintage radios and movie theater seats. And the menu is equally rich, with dishes like the house-cured gravlax dotted with peppercorn-brined pearl onions and smoky buttermilk perfumed with clove and allspice, and the tandoori octopus bedecked with butter grilled Granny Smith apples and toasted pistachios. And while a few Flying Pig signature selections appear, such as the half-pound Angus burger with blue cheese and the bacon mac ’n’ cheese, this outpost is no copycat. The rotating steak program features in-house butchered certified Angus meats pan-seared and basted with shallot herb butter and paired with mushrooms, house-made horseradish mascarpone and a bourbon reduction. Other standouts are the marbled Duroc pork chop with creamy polenta and the pastas, including the al dente bowties cradling short rib ragù. There are 32 craft beers available, served in a mismatch of antique glasses. Expect everything from tart saisons and mead ciders to nitro beers and local gluten-free brews. For brunch, consider pork roast and grits, pancakes and fried chicken and waffles with Pink Piglets --- Prosecco with hibiscus syrup.