Carlsbad restaurant advice needed for a gift
At work our regular going away gift is a restaurant gift certificate to a nice place near where the person is relocating. In this case our coworker is moving to Carlsbad, CA. Since we're in Boston... we could definitely use your advice.
A bit about the family - It's a family of four (the kids are 6 and 12). They are Taiwanese, but have been in the US for >12 years and seem open to many different foods. But I know that they definitely like seafood and schezwan. The place needn't be very upscale, just have good food and be family friendly. The only things that would be "out" would be Italian or Mexican places where the dishes are heavy on cheese. They do _love_ good homemade ice cream, so tips regarding that are appreciated too. Maybe we'd get two gift certificates.
I did a bit of researching on this board and King's Fish House seemed like a possibility, but I'd really appreciate any and all suggestions you might offer.
Thanks for your help!
PS - I should have also mentioned that they'll have a car (but maybe that's a given in CA?!)... so options could go a bit further afield.... ie towards Encitas or Oceanside.
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If they like Szechwan, they have GOT to check out Chin's Szechwan. They're family-owned, and they have several locations in Carlsbad and Oceanside. Definitely a nicer restaurant, but not fine dining by any stretch.
Fish House Vera Cruz always has SUPER fresh fish; it's located right in downtown Carlsbad, and they are pretty kid-friendly.
If they like Sushi, Katsu in San Marcos (about 15 miles inland of C'bad--a hop skip and a jump for Californians) is one of the best around.
As seafood lovers, they have GOT to try a Rubio's fish taco. Yes, it's Mexican, but Rubio's is known for cooking in more of a Baja style, which is lighter and less cheese-laden.
For an informal, but DELICIOUS Hawaiian/Japanese meal, have them check out the Teri Cafe in Oceanside.
Ela's right about there not being any homemade ice cream places around, HOWEVER, Coldstone does make all of their ice cream onsite, fresh every day or so.
Also, Vinaka's in the Neiman's center has Niederfranks ice cream, which is rich and creamy... MUCH better than chain stuff!
If they like Thai food, I'm always impressed by Lotus Thai, right off of Carlsbad Village Drive--casual, but delicious, and the service is very attentive!
Wish them luck for me! :)›4 Replies-
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re: Ela0427
Carrie 218
May 25, 2007 03:05 PM
Second Fish House Vera Cruz -- one of the great restaurants I miss after I moved out of the area.
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re: Ela0427
Jasmine has average, at best, dim sum.
Since they are Taiwanese, they might like Ba Ren on Diane Ave, off Clairemont Mesa Drive--northern Chinese style spicy food or Spicy City on Convoy Ave. Ba Ren is the better of the two. Both are a good 30 min drive south of Carlsbad.
and the OP said Italian and Mexican are OUT for the family.
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King's would be a good choice for adults and kids. It is also across the street from the Carlsbad Premium Outlet shopping center...a nice outdoor mall with some nice stores. Many designers with some reasonable prices. Carlsbad is full of decent Italian and Mexican and the best Asian foods are 25 min away in San Diego on Convoy in the Clairemont/Kearney Mesa area. i cannot think of a homemade ice cream place in the area....there are Coldstone creameries around. Relocating from Boston to Carlsbad...must be biotech??
