{"id":2285,"date":"2018-05-06T15:05:16","date_gmt":"2018-05-06T22:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=2285"},"modified":"2018-05-06T15:05:16","modified_gmt":"2018-05-06T22:05:16","slug":"bar-review-wreckless-fullerton-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=2285","title":{"rendered":"Bar Review: Wreckless, Fullerton, CA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newly opened in early Dec 2017, Wreckless is a wonderful addition to the bustling downtown Fullerton restaurant scene.\u00a0 It may quite simply be the best restaurant in the area.<\/p>\n

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As you walk in, your first overall impressions would be ‘Gastro-pub’.\u00a0 You would be wrong.\u00a0\u00a0 It is far more that that.<\/p>\n

The place is clean, casual, and spacious with copper lamps above the bar, chandeliers in the dining room, large stuffed arm chairs in the lounge area, exposed brick walls, and excellent art work on those walls.\u00a0 It is very comfortable yet quietly elegant; absolutely not a shorts, flip-flop and t-shirt establishment.<\/p>\n

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Though the menu is somewhat limited, it is upscale, creative, imaginative, and by all accounts absolutely delicious.\u00a0 The Owner \/ Chef has created something quite special here.\u00a0\u00a0 Dinner examples over the last few months have included; Charcuterie options, Escargot, Duck Breast, Foie Dumplings, Soft Shell Crab, Tri-tip (I can personally vouch that this is awesome), dry aged Rib Eye, Venison Rack, Lamb T-bone, and a Bison New York Steak.\u00a0 The menu changes regularly so take my list as an example of the Chef’s capabilities and possibilities.\u00a0 (Check their web site for the current menu.)<\/p>\n

This is not a Gastropub by any stretch of the imagination.<\/p>\n

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But this is a Martini blog and as much as I may like the food (I do!), I’m here to review the Martinis.\u00a0 The bar itself is impressively configured of dark wood and displays a very nice assortment of whiskeys, many tequilas, and quite a few vodkas. Of course there is also an assortment of Gins, as I describe at the bottom of this post.<\/p>\n

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There is a also a (to me) fascinating, and relatively rare, ice rail at the back edge of bar.\u00a0 I’m not sure how effective that would be for a Martini, but certainly would help keep a beer or glass of water chilled.\u00a0 Besides, it looks really cool.\u00a0 There are only two TVs over the bar so it will not in any way be confused with a sports bar.\u00a0 Which is just perfect for me.<\/p>\n

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The Martinis themselves, simply put, match the food: delicious.\u00a0 They are ample, cold, and shaken vigorously then poured promptly into a refrigerated pre-chilled glass.\u00a0 As there is an abundance of gins from which to choose you can freely and happily experiment with many different flavors.<\/p>\n

The bartenders have all been excellent; professional, helpful, patient, and attentive without being overbearing.\u00a0 And they have been endlessly tolerant of my as I ask about the various gins.<\/p>\n

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My only nit with the Martini is that it was served in Champagne goblet.\u00a0 Those that are regular readers of this blog know that I’m a bit of a stem snob and prefer my Martinis in a Martini stem.\u00a0\u00a0 But that is a very minor observation.<\/p>\n

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Wreckless has also sporadically scheduled live music in the evenings.\u00a0 On a recent Thursday it was a jazzy, folksy, a bit of bossa nova duo – a guitar and vocalist.\u00a0 They claim to mix up their music on a weekly basis, so check their web-site for the schedule of entertainers, if any.<\/p>\n

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Overall Wreckless gets one stem.\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"
\n<\/a>As I mentioned above, their Martinis are good!\u00a0\u00a0 Certainly not exceptional enough to my two stem award.\u00a0 However, the food certainly makes it worth a visit or two.\u00a0 Or three?<\/p>\n

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For selection Wreckless gets a A.
\nTheir list of Gins on my latest visit includes Bombay, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Hendricks, Ford’s, Junipero, Botanist, Death’s Door, Bluecoat, Nolet’s, Ransom, Aviation, Uncle Val’s Peppered, Plymouth, Beefeater 24, and Bols Genever. These may change in time, of course.<\/p>\n

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For those inclined to visit their website:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.wreckless.us\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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If you like what you\u2019ve read, please subscribe.\u00a0 If not, please post a comment telling us how and why you disagree.<\/em><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re curious about what one vs. two stems means,
\nI refer you to the following:
\n*****\u00a0\u00a0 Rating Definitions<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 ****<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Newly opened in early Dec 2017, Wreckless is a wonderful addition to the bustling downtown Fullerton restaurant scene.\u00a0 It may quite simply be the best restaurant in the area. As you walk in, your first overall impressions would be ‘Gastro-pub’.\u00a0 … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0},"categories":[37,12],"tags":[13],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":261,"url":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=261","url_meta":{"origin":2285,"position":0},"title":"Bar Review: Stubrick’s Steakhouse and Bar, Fullerton, CA","author":"wlmoon58","date":"May 24, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Stubrick's is know locally for their steaks and deservedly so.\u00a0 They are very good, as is everything else I've tried.\u00a0 The service is fine and the servers are friendly.\u00a0 There is live music on the weekends and pool tables upstairs.\u00a0\u00a0 The decor is 'rustic comfortable'.\u00a0\u00a0 A very nice local hangout.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Martini"","block_context":{"text":"Martini","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?cat=10"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":264,"url":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=264","url_meta":{"origin":2285,"position":1},"title":"Bar Review: The Cellar, Fullerton","author":"wlmoon58","date":"September 19, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The Cellar in Fullerton is a great cozy little romantic place that is, really, in the cellar of 'The Villa Del Sol' building.\u00a0 This is a 1923 Spanish Colonial with its own interesting history.\u00a0 The Cellar itself was created in 1969 and is designed to resemble an old world cave\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Restaurant"","block_context":{"text":"Restaurant","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?cat=37"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1293,"url":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=1293","url_meta":{"origin":2285,"position":2},"title":"Bar Review: Joe’s, Fullerton, CA","author":"wlmoon58","date":"January 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you ever had that hankering for a good old rattlesnake sausage to go with your Martini?\u00a0 Yes?\u00a0 Well I have the place for you; Joe's No Limits Bar & Grill in Fullerton. If you follow my blog you know that I favor Steakhouses and Seafood Restaurants.\u00a0 Joe's doesn't quite\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Restaurant"","block_context":{"text":"Restaurant","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?cat=37"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Rattlesnake.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1394,"url":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=1394","url_meta":{"origin":2285,"position":3},"title":"Bar Review: The Continental Room, Fullerton, CA","author":"wlmoon58","date":"April 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The Continental Room is described as the \"oldest drinking establishment in the city\", having originally opened in 1925.\u00a0 That's not even close to the White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island, founded in 1673.\u00a0 And certainly a world away from Sean's Bar in Athlone, Ireland, founded somewhere around 500.\u00a0 But in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Restaurant"","block_context":{"text":"Restaurant","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?cat=37"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/the_continental_room_fullerton_sign-300x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":540,"url":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=540","url_meta":{"origin":2285,"position":4},"title":"Bar Review: Summit House, Fullerton, CA","author":"wlmoon58","date":"July 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The Summit House it located on the top of a hill and has simply beautiful views of Orange County, CA.\u00a0 The view can be enjoyed from within the restaurant or, my preference, on the patio.\u00a0\u00a0 For that reason alone, the Summit House is worth a trip. Inside the decor is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Restaurant"","block_context":{"text":"Restaurant","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?cat=37"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1414,"url":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?p=1414","url_meta":{"origin":2285,"position":5},"title":"Bar Review: Watermark on Main, Ventura, CA","author":"wlmoon58","date":"April 3, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Watermark on Main is located in the historic 1907 Groene building on the corner of East Main and North Chestnut in downtown Ventura.\u00a0 It has been at various stages of its life an Edison office, a Bank, a Jewellery store , a clothes store, an Art Studio, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Restaurant"","block_context":{"text":"Restaurant","link":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/?cat=37"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Watermark-Ceiling-CU-300x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2285"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2360,"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285\/revisions\/2360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/shakennotstirred.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}