The Bellows In San Marcos: Old World Charm, Contemporary Menu

I'm always on the lookout for new places to eat, and since moving to Oceanside, I find that the driving distance to places I want to try are long.  Luckily I have noticed that Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos are actually beginning to have a nice restaurant scene.  Oceanside and Vista are filled with small breweries and gastropubs, and San Marcos is getting into the act as well.  I had heard about The Bellows, in San Marcos, and after looking at the menu, wanted to give it a try.  We liked it and will go again.

It's located in a new small strip mall on Twin Oaks Valley Parkway, just a few blocks from Cal State San Marcos.  It is surrounded by an area of new, upscale apartments and condos.  It's definitely not college age kids renting these apartments.  The restaurant itself is warm and inviting.  It's a bit  noisy, but that's what you have to expect from a gastropub.  There's a large, beautiful bar in the center, and many tables and booths around the  perimeter.  The alcohol menu is extensive.  None of us are big drinkers, so that was not a big  draw for us.  We came for the food.

We started with a plate of grilled sourdough topped with butter and garlic.  It was a delicious way to start the meal, as I enjoyed one of the many "by the glass" wines along with it.  The menu is extensive, with starters and small plates making up the bulk of the menu, with only about six entrees.  Ron had the Niman Ranch flat iron steak and frites.  He loved it.  He ate every bit of it, which is unusual for him.  The potatoes were especially good.  They were similar to French fries, but were thicker and puffy.  Just delicious.  Richard had the grilled salmon on a bed of roasted vegetables.  I didn't taste it, but he ate it all so I assume it was good.  Laura and I split a lot of salads and appetizers.  We shared a bowl of steamed mussels (excellent) and a grilled radicchio salad with melted mozzarella.  I loved the salad.  We also ordered two of the prepared salads, which come in a little ramekin.  An artichoke heart and goat cheese salad was fair, but the white bean salad I ordered was not good at all.  Other items on the menu include numerous flatbreads, cheese and charcuterie plates, whiskey burger, in house made sausages, pot roast, and several other salads.  To finish off the meal, we ordered their home made gelato, three scoops per order.  It was excellent.