Looking for good restaurant in Carlsbad, No. San Diego area

[G50]

Good food, something quiet and romantic. Doesn't need to be inexpensive. Staying at the 4 Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad, so somewhere reasonably close to there.

Any good recommendations?

[Joeaksa]

Kings Fish House, right across from the outlet malls is VERY good!

Three miles South is Benihana's, also tasty.

We eat at both often...

[JavaBrewer]

Firenze Trattoria‎
162 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd # G10
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-9000
http://www.firenzetrattoria.com‎

Location (strip mall) is very deceiving. Inside is casual high end and relaxing. Food is incredible and they have a great wine list. Everyone I meet who has been there raves - it is my wife's favorite place in all North County.

[red-beard]

Chart House

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Chart House

and right next to it is a good spot also right on the sand, The Beach House, both in Cardiff.
On the other side of the highway is a hot Mexican place, less expensive, called, Los Olas, really good.

[sammyg2]

Donovan's is in La Jolla, a ways south of Carlsbad but the best steak I ever ett.

[DARISC]

The Lighthouse Oyster Bar and Grill, upstairs, next to the lighthouse in Oceanside Harbor. Dine inside or on the deck overlooking the harbor (great for a romantic dinner at sunset).

Owner/chef Luis and family provide great seafood and steaks at good price. Been open just over a year now and phenomenally successful. Casual dress, about 15 min. drive from Aviara.

Go west to Pacific Coast Hwy along the Pacific and follow it north through Carlsbad Village and Oceanside rather than use I5 fwy.

My favorite restaurant in north county, great food, great atmosphere.

[azasadny]

Alfonso's in LaJolla!

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Chart House

This is one chain I'll never give money to again. Back-to-back bad experiences were enough for me. Plenty of independently owned great restaurants out there that deserve the business.

[rsrfan]

Vigilucis in Carlsbad right at Tamarack and Carlsbad boulevard. Beautiful sunset dining off the patio overlooking the water...

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Alfonso's in LaJolla!

If you are considering that far of a drive then head directly across the street to Georges at the Cove. One of the best, like top 3, ocean front dining establishments in San Diego county. Pricey but you won't feel ripped off. Food and staff are creative and top notch.

Alfonso's was were we always got our nightcap...

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by nostatic

This is one chain I'll never give money to again. Back-to-back bad experiences were enough for me. Plenty of independently owned great restaurants out there that deserve the business.

Yeah, forget Charthouse.

As far as the other chains mentioned, King's, Benihana, etc., while many are good, none are unique to the area your visiting. I prefer good independent restaurants that I'll remember as part of the experience of the particular area I'm visiting.

Can't beat the Beach House (the food is unremarkable, overpriced) in Cardiff or Poseidon in Del Mar for dining ON the beach. The Beach House has had to close numerous times for heavy storms over the years (storm waves roll over the outside eating deck and smash out the indoor dining room plate glass windows).

La Jolla restaurants are an often clogged freeway away - 35 min. to an hour drive depending on traffic.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by DARISC

Yeah, forget Charthouse.

As far as the other chains mentioned, King's, Benihana, etc., while many are good, none are unique to the area your visiting. I prefer good independent restaurants that I'll remember as part of the experience of the particular area I'm visiting.

Can't beat the Beach House (the food is unremarkable, overpriced) in Cardiff or Poseidon in Del Mar for dining ON the beach. The Beach House has had to close numerous times for heavy storms over the years (storm waves roll over the outside eating deck and smash out the indoor dining room plate glass windows).

La Jolla restaurants are an often clogged freeway away - 35 min. to an hour drive depending on traffic.

+1. Forget La Jolla. If you want a memorable meal go to Firenze. Hell PM me your day/time and the wife and I might meet you.

[G50]

Wow, thanks!

This is a special occasion (anniversary) so I need a memorable place. I like Charthouse and Benihanas (been to them many times), but would prefer an independent, non-chain restaurant.

George's looks good, but a little too far away.

Firenze (food sounds great, looks nice inside) and Vigilucis (food and menu look great, and ocean view and location look very nice) are in the lead at this point, but I'm still open for other suggestions.

Java, would love to meet up, but would have to be next time!

[Henry Schmidt]

The West is one of the best in North county. It is an elegant boutique hotel with a great bistro and a steak and & sea food restaurant. The wine list has some very nice California wines. Try the Silver Oak Vineyards Cabernet
West Steak Seafood & Spirits | Carlsbad Restaurant

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

+1. Forget La Jolla. If you want a memorable meal go to Firenze. Hell PM me your day/time and the wife and I might meet you.

I'll keep that in mind David; I've heard great things about Firenze.

Tailoring my reply to G50, under the assumption he's not been to Carlsbad before, I recommended the Lighthouse Oyster Bar and Grill not only because I like it a lot, but also for the drive up PCH, with the ocean views and drive through the older parts of two beach towns enroute to a unique restaurant in the only harbor north of SD; plus, besides a romantic dinner, the harbor is a pleasant place for a romantic walk after dining.

G50, if you've not been here before, you'll be in a climate here on the SOCAL coast in SD County, which is unique in the U.S. - ya gotta go to the Mediterranean to match what we have here.

David

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

The West is one of the best in North county. It is an elegant boutique hotel with a great bistro and a steak and & sea food restaurant. The wine list has some very nice California wines. Try the Silver Oak Vineyards Cabernet
West Steak Seafood & Spirits | Carlsbad Restaurant

West is very good, but very pricey. Again, drive up PCH, but go east on Cannon for a quarter mile, a couple miles south of the village.

[lowyder993s]

If its a Friday...Avaiara has a killer seafood buffet if you don't wanna drive...check to see if they still have it. Otherwise come south a couple miles into Encinitas. Young or old? The Union is a new hip place. Wine steals in Cardiff for wine and light appetizers.
D St Bar and Grill for a drink, then across the street at Vigiluccis. Caddywhompus to that...my personal fave: Qero. pm if you need more info.

UNION Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas - Reviews of UNION Kitchen & Tap Restaurant in San Diego, CA

Wine Steals | San Diego Wine Bar

D Street Bar and Grill (next door to the most bad azz theatre around!)

Benvenuto a Vigilucci

Q'ero Restaurant::Welcome! Peruvian & South American Cuisine.

Use opentable.com to score rezzie's:

San Diego Restaurants | OpenTable

[chocolatelab]

vigiluccis seafood and steak on carlsbad drive is excellent. its on pch at the tamarack state beach.

its gonna be tuff to beat

[stevepaa]

I would just go to the restuarant at the hotel: Vivace. We have eaten there several times and find it very nice.