Public House

Public House Restaurant Review:

Who would have guessed there’d be such a good gastropub in the middle of wine country? The beer list --- featuring everything from a Russian River Redemption Belgian-style blonde to the local Black Market Nut Brown --- is impressive, but so is the wine list, which doesn’t restrict itself to Temecula vineyards. But that’s just the beginning of the story at Public House in the city’s historic downtown district. The dining room is a modern but unremarkable pub setting; the rear patio is the place to be, with fire pits and live tunes. The food, courtesy of an innovative young chef-owner, is not just an afterthought to the libations and festive scene. Highlights include a char-grilled pork chop with hot pickled apples and peppers, braised short rib, a Kobe-style beef burger, and mac ‘n’ cheese. There's even a kids' menu, featuring choices like a grilled cheese sandwich and chicken fingers. Desserts, such as a chocolate torte and tiramisu with Speedway Stout, are deftly prepared, and service is far better than one generally expects from this genre.