Dini's By The Sea — Restaurant in Carlsbad

This 3 headed monster is pulled in all directions at once.

Old people dining in the waning light of the afternoon, quietly tucked away in the back, dark corner inside. Outdoor patio dining enjoying the beautiful scenery, sunset and a variety of good food from the bar stuff to linguini and clams with a large seafood offering. Then there is the bar bar, which like Jeckle & Hyde can be amazing in the day time or a slightly rowdy dive atmosphere with many drunks

Staff on the front of the house on the restaurant side are good, attentive and exactly what you’d expect at any standalone spot. I like to call this Vigilucci’s North (ok maybe not that good, but you’ll get to know my directional comparisons). The experience inside is what I like to call Village Kitchen West because it’s a little more diner than restaurant in service and vibe. The bar is Fire Water south. Daytime it’s filled with locals having a good time, most evening it’s a raucous crowd of sweaty drunks who really like bumping into you, but that dang island corrals them into each other too. You pick the area and your experience will follow.

It wasn’t always this way though. The food used to not be good and the bar was chill. They even used to do Train Beers, A bar that needs that much security is a place you need to worry about. Fridays and Saturdays usually have 3-4 which seems excessive until you see what they have to deal with. Come in the day time and you’ll be fine, but after dark it’s hit and miss.

They have a solid wine and beer list, but cocktails lean on the sweeter tiki vibe due to location and season. The linguini and clams has a rich sauce, I prefer a lighter fare. The pasta is al dente and the clams are actually quite a bit used and the local mussels, nice. Their sampler plate tends to overseason the shrimp and overcook (remember how fast and low heat it takes to cook shrimp). Crab cakes are a bit mushy with sauce and breading, excellent fries, some of the best. They need just a little bit of help in consistency because the higher end the dish the better they do it. Nachos are legit as is their Stuffed avocado. The baby dill vinaigrette is quite nice. Refereshing and herbaceous. I thought pepper rounds it out well.

It’s kind of nice to have a part of the history that is the oldest bar in San Diego, though I’m not sure how that happened because McDini’s still sells liquor or to my knowledge always has. Maybe the Iguana can explain it to me, but for now it’s the Michael and Michael Jr. show. Love the homage to Amerigo,...

Dinis by the Sea offers a delightful dining experience that blends exceptional food, a charming ambiance, and top-notch service. Nestled by the waterfront, the restaurant provides stunning ocean views that set the perfect backdrop for a relaxing meal.

Food listed are; Bloody Mary ($10) and Infused Marg ($11)

Food: The menu at Dinis by the Sea is a testament to culinary excellence. Specializing in seafood, each dish is prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The lobster bisque is a standout starter, rich and creamy with a depth of flavor that leaves you wanting more. For the main course, the grilled swordfish is a must-try--perfectly cooked and seasoned, accompanied by a medley of fresh vegetables. The dessert menu doesn't disappoint either, with the key lime pie offering a tangy and sweet finish to a superb meal.

Ambiance: The ambiance of Dinis by the Sea is both elegant and cozy. The interior design features nautical themes, with soft lighting and tasteful decor that enhance the seaside dining experience. Whether you choose to sit indoors or on the outdoor patio, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the ocean. The sound of waves gently crashing against the shore adds a serene soundtrack to your meal, making it an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or a special occasion.

Service: The service at Dinis by the Sea is exemplary. The staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with a friendly smile and a willingness to accommodate any special requests. The waitstaff are well-versed in the menu and can offer excellent recommendations, ensuring that your dining experience is tailored to your tastes. The timing of the courses is well-paced, allowing you to enjoy each dish without feeling rushed.

Overall, Dinis by the Sea excels in providing a memorable dining experience. The combination of outstanding food, picturesque ambiance, and impeccable service makes it a top choice for anyone looking to enjoy a special meal...

Overall not a bad restaurant, but it was extremely loud being by right next to the road, the ocean, and full of people. Suffering from success, one might say. The servers did not check in on the table very often, likely due to the crowd, and water was slow to be refilled. All these are to be expected given the location and time of day we went. It met expectations, but did not exceed them.

I, of course, got the fish & chips. Dini's By The Sea close proximity to the ocean and "Sea" being in the name gave me great hope for fantastic fish & chips. Alas, it was not to be. I give their fish & chips a 6/10. The largest detractor was that the fish was tough and dry when I bit into it. Without sauce or lemon juice, the fish should be juicy and flaky, but Dini's was not. The dryness made it tough and fail to flake apart properly. The crust was well done, however, which added a satisfying crunch. After adding lemon juice, the fish was still tough and slightly dry. Only after adding lemon juice and dipping it in sauce did it truly become good, but unfortunately they do not include enough sauce for the fish. Because of the dryness, you need more sauce than normal, so the single small dish of sauce provided was not enough for the entire meal. Another ~2TSP of sauce would be plenty to finish though. In addition, Dini's did not offer any malt vinegar, which is a fish & chips staple, nor did they bring any ketchup for the fries. That being said, the highest possible rating they could have gotten is a 6.5/10 due to the toughness and dryness of the fish.

Otherwise, the view is fantastic, and the calamari strips are quite good. The nachos are large and make an excellent appetizer. My wife got a salmon dish that she dotted over. I would come here again on a less busy day, but I would not get the fish and...