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There’s a lake in Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM) that locals gravitate toward, whether to push a stroller, hold onto a leash or go for a jog around its perimeter. This body of water is the town’s proverbial watering hole as it also shares real estate with a mix of retail and eateries including The Blind Pig Kitchen and Bar, utilizing verbiage referring to Prohibition speakeasies. Established in 2013 by Tony Monaco and Chef Karl Pfleider, this independent concept presented a New American menu and craft cocktail program unique to the area.
I remember joining a drinking buddy there early on. Mounted above the bar, in plain view was a small chalkboard with an excerpt of a one-star Yelp review scrawled on it. How could a restaurant take such criticism in stride? There was an air of confidence – a very “Come at us, bro!” attitude. Other initial reviews would predict that The Blind Pig wouldn’t last six months; they had no idea how incorrect their statements would be.
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