What’s Brewing atUnion Kitchen & Tap?BY NICK BIANCOThe food is out of this world, the beer menu will make yourhead spin, and the location could not be better. Strategicallyplaced in the heart of Encinitas on Highway 101 isUnion Kitchen and Tap. Walking distance from the beachand countless shops, Union is a great place to go to aftera beach day or a day of shopping. Regardless, you’ll alwaysfeel welcome at Union kitchen & tap.Upon walking in, you’ll immediately notice the warm atmosphereand a friendly greeting. Union seems to presentitself as a sports bar with class. While TVs can be found inalmost every corner, the exposed foundation and pipingwork as a perfect canvas for the DIY theme of the restaurant.Their extensive selection of local craft beers on tapcan be found handwritten on the blackboard that can beseen from above the walkway as you walk in as well. Whiletheir decor and interior design choices are impressive inthemselves, the food and drink menu are equally, if notmore impressive.With so many compatible food/beer possibilities, choiceanxiety is a definite possibility. On the chance that you runinto this problem, feel free to ask one of the many knowledgeablestaff members what they recommend. Whilewe were there, we decided to go with their famous UnionGumbo, and we cannot recommend it enough. In a placelike Southern California, it can be difficult to come acrossquality gumbo at times.on the lighter side should pair pretty-well. While the gumbois rich and full of different flavors, pairing it with a beerlike the Blanche De Chambly allows those flavors to comethrough and punctuate them, without overpoweringthem. Although we were only able to try out the gumbo,we think it’s safe to assume that the rest of the menu willlive up to the expectation that the Union Gumbo has set.With two locations, one in downtown and the other inEncinitas, Union Kitchen & Tap show no signs of stoppingand should be the only one on your radar. At Union Kitchen& Tap, you can bet that you’ll be met with some greatcustomer service, and even better food.TWO LOCATIONS:Local Union (Encinitas)1108 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, Ca 92024IG @unionkitchentapUnion Gaslamp (Downtown)333 Fifth Ave, San Diego, Ca. 92101@uniongaslampWith that being said, Union Kitchen &Tap, has raised the bar. At first taste,the dish is rich and full of savoryflavors, with just enough spice onthe back end to give the gumbo onegood push. Packed to the brim withAndouille Sausage and smokedchicken, the Union Gumbo is theepitome of soul food with a twist.There’s no better way to pair thisrich dish than with a light Belgianstyle wheat beer. While we foundthe white Blanche De Chambly beerto pair nicely with the gumbo, any beer14Photo: Nick Bianco
Photo: Michael DrenteaB A C K T O C A L I 15