5/13/15, 4:32 PMCarlsbad’s Green Dragon Tavern has revolutionary feel | San Diego Reader

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Shepherd’s pie. Not really a pie, but savory and filling.

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Carlsbad’s Green Dragon Tavern has revolutionary feel

5/13/15, 4:32 PMCarlsbad’s Green Dragon Tavern has revolutionary feel | San Diego Reader

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Ambitious colonial museum delivers a proper tavern experience

By Ian Anderson, May 9, 2015

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Green Dragon Tavern & Museum

6115 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad

Nearly 250 years ago, Boston’s historic Green Dragon Tavern served as a meeting place for men who wouldbecome heroes of the American Revolution. Two years ago, Carlsbad’s Green Dragon Tavern & Museumdidn’t exist. However, the large Georgian colonial building’s brick façade, white columns, and seeminglyendless gables give the impression it’s been standing resolute for centuries, overlooking the 5 freeway atPalomar Airport Road. You know, exactly the spot you’d expect to find an American history museum devotedto the founding of our nation.

A really old looking new brick structure, est. 2014.

I skipped the museum. Instead, I drove around to the north end of the large structure to find the grand entranceto a two-story wood-paneled tavern likewise modeled to resemble something out of a New Englandarchitecture tour. While the small tap list wisely focuses on San Diego products, the taverns dinner menu payshomage to Atlantic state treats and British pub fare. In other words, I was hard-pressed to decide betweenMaryland crab cakes at $19, a Maine lobster roll at $20, and shepherd’s pie at $16.

5/13/15, 4:32 PMCarlsbad’s Green Dragon Tavern has revolutionary feel | San Diego Reader

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A large mug of a local classic: Alpine Duet IPA, to drink next to the hearth.

Well, I might have cheaped out and gone for the shepherd’s pie just to justify that second 22 ounce mug ofAlpine Duet, but in truth the bartender sold me on it, calling it one of his favorite dishes. He alsorecommended the wedge salad, and being that I was near the end of that first big mug of IPA, I grabbed a five-dollar half-order of that too. Seated next to the fireplace, surrounded by old snake-adorned flags reading“Don’t Tread On Me,” I’d gotten to feeling pretty East Coast for a minute — that craft beer was the only thingtying me to San Diego.

A wedge salad. Enough said.

What can a guy say about a wedge salad? Here was a one-eighth cut of a head of iceberg lettuce topped by redonion slices, halved grape tomatoes, bacon bits, and blue cheese. The crunchy flavorless leaves both lookedand acted like a vessel for the pungent flavors adorning it. With a single small plate, the Green Dragondeclared itself completely adequate. Another flagon of beer then!

I can call shepherd’s pie more interesting if only for the fact it’s not a pie, but a beef stew with peas and carrotsburied under a pile of mashed potatoes slathered in demi-glace. Actually, pretty tasty. Nothing fancy —nobody should expect fancy in a pub. And nothing exquisite — no one should hold out for that in freeway-adjacent Carlsbad. But it was filling and enjoyable. Comfort food in a comfort venue.

As an experience, the Green Dragon proves as pleasant as it is ambitious. The fact this whole lot is privatelyowned and built to such effortful grandeur tells me it’s a passion project of sorts, and not one I would expect tofind on this coast, let alone North County coastal. As I neared the end of my meal, some friends trickled in tojoin me for additional rounds of beer, and while the place closed earlier than we might have preferred (just likea British tavern), its spaciousness, top-notch service, and warm atmosphere created the illusion this place hasbeen here for ages.

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More from SDReaderMore stories by Ian Anderson

Eat, drink & Blackout — Jan. 13, 2015Enter the Green Dragon — Feb. 20, 2014Korean War vet hoists first flag at Carlsbad restaurant — Feb. 1, 2014Hyena Pie — Aug. 4, 2005Stage Irish — March 17, 2005

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Randy Houghton · Top Commenter · Owner/CEO at Southern California Holdings Inc.Had some friends tip me off about this place and really found it to be quite impressive! Youtruly will feel as if you transported back to the northeast. Throw in a fantastic craft brewselection, impressive menu options, and the friendliest staff, I plan on going back regularly.Reply · Like · Follow Post · May 11 at 11:22am

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