In my Internet (re)search of gastropubs in Orange County I came across The Crow Bar and Kitchen a while back, but never got a chance to check it out.
Today on a necessary vacation day from the office, I decided to give them a visit. It is actually just a couple minutes south from the Fashion Island mall in Newport off East Coast Highway (Highway 1).
Surprisingly, they had Russian River Supplication on draft, so naturally I ordered one.
Russian River Supplication is a brown ale that is aged in pinot noir oak barrels for nearly twelve months. Sour cherries are added giving this ale a nearly wine-like taste, but nowhere near the ‘weight’ of a red wine.
I’ve had Supplication in the bottle and it’s rare to come by, and even rarer to find it on draft.
If you’ve never had Supplication, you should try it at least once in your life. It is an expensive beer as far as beers go, often selling for $13-$14 per 12 ounce bottle in stores, and anywhere from $10-$15 on draft depending on the brew pub.
As far the actual Crow Bar establishment, it’s a nice joint. I had the roasted crimini mushroom flatbread with house made mornay, sauteed leeks, white truffle oil, and reggiano, and it was fantastic.
From what I was told, they always try to have one Russian River beer on draft at all times. They had both Supplication and Russian River Redemption on draft, with Pliny the Elder kegs waiting to be tapped.
Give The Crow Bar and Kitchen a try if you’re ever in Newport Beach.
The Crow Bar and Kitchen
2325 East Coast highway
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625949.675.0070
Comment on this post