Haven Gastropub (Orange)

I went around 1130 on a Saturday night.  I found PLENTY OF PARKING BEHIND THE PUB.  Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of vacant tables.  The only bummer was that they have a LIMITED LATE NIGHT MENU.  Anyway, here are the highs and lows from what little I did have.

Pros:  MAC N CHEESE - Probably up there with the best Mac n
           Cheeses I've had.  I really enjoy the Mac n Cheese from
           Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach and this one is right there with
           it.
         
           THE BEER SELECTION is great.  Even if the food sucked,
           which it did not, I'd return for the brews.  They have a wide
           selection of beer on tap and even more bottled.  THE
           MOSCOW MULE made with their own ginger beer and lime
           was very refreshing...but I thought this cocktail is supposed to
           have Vodka in it?   I could be mistaken, but I don't think this one
           had any in it. Then again, the menu didn't list vodka as an
           ingredient.  In any case, with or without vodka, it's still very
           good.

           THE HOME MADE POTATO CHIPS were properly seasoned
           and flavored with fresh herbs.  Thyme is what stood out to me
           the most.  I could eat these all day.  My only qualm was that
           they were excessively oily and most of the chips were about
           the size of a nickle or dime!  I've seen pictures of the chips that
           others had been served and my order came out with what
           seemed like the stuff you find at the very bottom of chip bags.
           That aside, I'd have them again.  They were that good.

Cons: THE MARGHERITA FLAT BREAD -  Too much Marinara.  As a
            result, the crust was soggy and the tomato and cheese
            topping just slid off.

Indifferences:

            BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN - It was just okay.  The dipping
            sauce that was [or is] supposed to have Habaneros in it, was
            lacking any discernible heat.

When I return, I'll make it a point to have the full menu available to order from.  This place has the potential to be 4 star worthy...but just not tonight. 

Flight of Beer (Left to right – Saison De Lente, Allagash Interlude, Velvet Merkin Oatmeal Stout, Raging Bitch) & Moscow Mule (Homemade Ginger Beer & Lime).

 

Buttermilk Fried Chicken – Jumbo Drummettes Battered and Fried.
Served with a Orange-Habanero BBQ Sauce.

Housemade Potato Chips Soaked in Beer, Deep Fried and
Seasoned with Fresh Herbs.  Served with Garlic Aioli.

Margherita Flatbread – Marinara, Roma Tomatoes, Basil & Mozzarella Cheese.

 

Mac n’ Cheese with Black Truffles, Gruyere, Fontina & Parmesan Cheeses. Baked Bread Crumb Topping.