Lunch At Black Rail Kitchen

Tuscany in Carlsbad was a favorite of many for years, but sadly, it closed over a year ago.  A new restaurant has taken its place, and one you will enjoy for lunch, happy hour or dinner.  It's Black Rail Kitchen.  The interior has been completely redone, with a beautiful bar as the centerpiece.  Comfortable booths and tables are spread far enough apart so you don't feel you're in someone else's conversation.  They have added a beautiful outdoor space, with tables and heaters.  It's a great place to enjoy happy hour.

Our lunch bunch went there recently, and enjoyed the entire experience.  There were eight of us.  We split four entrees, added a few appetizers to share, and finished up with two delicious desserts.  Here's what we had.

Most of the lunch menu has a Mediterranean twist.  Carol and I shared the lamb carnitas.  It was served on a large pita, and the fillings were shredded lamb with Mediterranean spices, guacamole and pickled onions.  It was really tasty.  Fran and Regina shared a burger, and they both said it was one of the best ever.  Vivian and Melanie shared a veggie wrap.  A variety of veggies with sauce, wrapped in a pita.  Marilyn and Debbie shared the meatballs.  I think they were served over rice, and they really liked them.  Then we ordered several appetizers to share.  We had a veggie and goat cheese flat bread that was delicious, served on very thin, crispy bread.  We also ordered broccolini.  What can I say about broccolini?  Then we had shishito peppers, that were charred, mixed with olive oil, and served with a mayonnaise dressing.  They were great.  After all that we thought we were full (we were) and through (we weren't), as our waiter told us about dessert.  We tried two different ones, and I loved them both.  One was an apple cake, soft and moist, with lots of apples on top, with vanilla ice cream.  How can you go wrong?  The other was a Middle Eastern pudding made from yogurt and gelatin, a little tart but very tasty.  The glass in which it was served was lined with very thin slices of persimmon.  There were chia seeds on the bottom of the pudding, and it was topped with pomegranetes and crushed pistacchios.

I will go back for dinner sometime soon, as Black Rail Kitchen seems to have it all:  good food, good service, and a great atmosphere.