Black Rail Kitchen + Bar

I relied on the review of this place and I am pleasantly surprised that it exceeded my expectations. Great ambience and every food that we ordered, from appetizer to the entrees did not disappoint us. Had the Brussels sprouts and charcuterie board for starters and the grilled salmon, fried red snapper, spicy choppino and land sea were perfectly presented and seasoned. The combination of exceptional food and impeccable service created a truly enjoyable dining experience. Bruce, our server,was knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations without being pushy. His friendly demeanor and genuine warmth made us feel right at home. He ensured our every need was met, anticipating our wants before we even voiced them.I highly recommend this place and be guaranteed a great experience.

Food is good but limited menu. The shrimp is nice and shishito peppers and Brussel sprouts. Wish they had a few more seafood dishes. Bar is great to grab a quick drink. Wish they had Belvedere though. Nice atmosphere. Love music would be nice. But decor is hitting and right down the street in the neighborhood.

This review rating is for one thing only, customer service. Food was good, nothing special. Ambience is very nice. We sat outside and it was very pleasant. Now, the part that gets them a 1 star rating. I ordered a spicy margarita. When it arrived, I took one sip and saw a bug in my drink. I informed the waiter, who promptly removed my drink. I was expecting someone to come by and say something, but no one ever did. The waiter brought me a replacement drink after a 5 to 10 minute wait. The drink had melted and was watered down. Additionally, all the salt around the rim had washed into the drink. I asked for another replacement which arrived a couple minutes later. No one, including the waiter, manager, or anyone said anything to me. No apologies, no gestures of any kind. When we got the bill, we had been charged for all drinks!!! As we were leaving, the manager asked how everything was. When I said no one offered anything, from words to removing the drink, he said that he "meant" to take it off, and said he would make it right. I refused and paid for all drinks. Hopefully, this review will cost them more than a $15 drink!!

Tried to come here 2 Friday evenings and they were closed for a private event, so we are happy we finally came last night and they were open! We initially sat at the first bar when you walk in and ended up moving to the back bar, which felt like a sexier ambiance with the decor and nice breeze with the garage door opening to the back patio. I ordered their Carlsbad Sunset gin cocktail that was a little too sweet for my taste (it might've been the hibiscus), and my partner ordered their "Smoke 'Em If you Got Em" whiskey cocktail that he absolutely loved.We ordered 3 dishes: their Short Rib Brined Barbacoa, the Pork Chops and the Lamb Chops. The short rib dish was absolutely incredible, would order it again and again it was melt in your mouth delicious. The Pork chops, (their most popular dish when asking the bartender and server) and it was good but not thrilled with it, the potato fingerlings were amazing though. The Lamb Chops really stole the show though, they were incredible!! And what really makes the food, the ambiance and everything really great was the service. Everyone was very nice and we could tell a lot of people there are regulars, which shows good soul. Last thing, it was expensive (it is North County SD so take that with a grain of salt), but everything was very quality.

I just love this place! Their burger, lamb meatballs, garlic butter shrimp, and el Camino cocktail are my go-tos. And their crispy potatoes! Service is always great and I love their live music (and blankets) on their patio.

Moody Elegance and Culinary DelightsVenturing into Carlsbad's culinary scene, my husband and I stumbled upon Black Rail Kitchen, the sister restaurant of Beach Plum, and what a discovery it turned out to be. Nestled conveniently near the Carlsbad library, we decided to embark on a culinary journey before a concert, and we were certainly not disappointed.Despite the bustling atmosphere, we were graciously accommodated without a reservation, immediately setting a positive tone for the evening. Stepping into the restaurant, we were enveloped in a moody and dark ambiance, exuding an air of romance and sophistication - the perfect setting for a special evening.Our culinary adventure began with a selection of cocktails and wine, setting the stage for the delectable dishes to follow. The special flatbread of the night, adorned with pesto, burrata, and pickled shishito peppers, was an absolute revelation. The crispy yet perfectly balanced crust paired flawlessly with the tangy kick of the pickled peppers, leaving our taste buds yearning for more.For the main course, my husband opted for the cassereche pasta with a lamb meatball addition, and he was thoroughly impressed. The harmonious blend of flavors and the tender lamb meatball left him thoroughly satisfied.As for myself, I indulged in the pork French dip, accompanied by stone ground mustard and thick house-made pickles, alongside a crisp Caesar salad. The sandwich was a symphony of flavors, with the pillowy bun perfectly complementing the savory pork and tangy mustard. Each bite was a culinary delight, leaving me eager for the next.To conclude our evening on a sweet note, I savored a glass of Prosecco while my husband enjoyed a comforting cappuccino. The apple cake provided a fittingly delicious finale, leaving us with lingering memories of a truly exceptional dining experience.Special mention must be made of our fantastic waitress, whose attentive service enhanced our evening even further. With its impeccable cuisine, inviting ambiance, and stellar service, Black Rail Kitchen has undoubtedly earned a place in our hearts, and we eagerly anticipate our next visit. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in Carlsbad.

Got the sandpiper cocktail and the kino garlic shrimp and it was amazing. Cocktail is great if you like sweet drinks like me. Brittany is so great and was amazing to us. Awesome ambience and again her service was the best. Love coming here.

This place is amazing! They have all 3 things going for them: food is excellent, ambiance is excellent, and the staff is fantastic! We had the poached pear salad which we both loved. ( next time I'll get it with less dressing. My husband thought it was perfect) Then my husband got the pork chop which he said was the best he ever had! I had the burger which I liked, but next time I'll get the fries without the mayo aioli on it. Our server, David, was one of the best servers we have ever had! He knew the menu really well and was excellent at making suggestions. All the staff was good and they all help each other. Must come back!

Enjoyed a nice business dinner with some colleagues working on a common project. The wait staff was friendly and attentive and the food was good. We sat just indoors and had the benefit of a gentle breeze and the being inside away from the sun. The restuarant was quiet with not too much noise but this may have been the result of being a Tuesday evening. Overall it was a good choice and teammembers are likely to return.

Friendly inviting atmosphere! The staff are welcoming and ready to answer questions and serve you!Had a couple of appetizers and they were all good! We sat at the bar. Piano player was ok - should have just stuck to playing the piano - singing - a little more practice!