text: Maybe I am just getting pickier with each review and less generous with my stars but I am trying to figure out why the previous reviewers raved so much about Culinary Dropout There are certainly things to love the expansive outdoor patio with some of the most comfortable seating around It is great for peoplewatching as it fronts Camelback Road just across the street from Scottsdale Fashion Square On a hot and hazy summer afternoon we were still very content sitting on the pationnOn the negative side The food was not even soso I expected so much more from a Sam Fax Restaurant We have been fans for years with True Food North The Greenhouse and the nowclosed Bloom and they are on our regular dining rotation Culinary Dropout was how its name sounded someone dropped the culinary part when they made our meals I had a hard time finding something that even sounded appetizing on the menu We started with the potato chips and onion dip Nothing to write home about although I think that if I had a real salt craving these might just satisfy it Maybe I should have ordered the pretzel and provolone fondue nnFor an entree I ordered the ricotta gnocchi with sausage and mushroom sure sounded like a winner NOT The gnocchi and sauce were pretty tasteless and the mushrooms and sausage were so salty I could not eat them Mix them all together and it tasted even worse My husband ordered the Beef Stroganoff and was very disappointed There was no sour cream taste whatsoever Boring was what he called itnnSo the food is not up to par with the rest of the Fox restaurants but the worst part was the service The place was pretty empty and while our server was attentive to our needs prior to our order after our food was delivered he pretty much disappeared no water refills no iced tea refills nothing On a degree day that should never happen on the pationnNeedless to say we will not be making any trips back to Culinary Dropout