Paon Restaurant & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Carlsbad

Staff was friendly and allowed us to sit at an indoor table when we were quite early for our reservation. Server was attentive. Bottled sparking water had ice in it, but I didn't mind, however, server did not think to try another bottle. The old fashioned - prepared incorrectly, and french 75 - also not prepared quite right, we ordered were probably the most mediocre cocktails I've ever tasted. The lamb salad was delicious and lamb cooked perfectly. The sweetbreads we're okay but a bit like they were reheated in a microwave and then seared in a pan. At least they were warm which is more than I can say for the cold mashed potatoes and room temperature vegetables I was served with my sea bass. The fish portion was generous (almost too much) but did not make up for the other issue. I ate the fish and veggies because I had not eaten all day, but the potatoes were not edible. My partner's steak was okay but the gorgonzola in his mashed potatoes was quite strong. They did apologize for the issue with the potatoes and veggies, and offered some of their house made mint ice cream. It was green, there is no reason for food coloring. It did have a nice flavor and was not too sweet. My partner had the bread pudding and it was cold, which was unexpected. I'm writing this review with an upset stomach at 1:35am . I'm not sure if it is the French 75 or the food but I'm left feeling queazy. It is a bit unpleasant. I won't be back. The menu hasn't changed in years, I'm not sure how "in season" they plan, but it needs a serious refresh. Something may be a miss in the kitchen. I'm possibly going to be sick. For $237 for two persons, I'm not sure it...

Paon in Carlsbad has an elegant, yet relaxing outdoor patio, with tables spaced out comfortably. This patio is lit up just right by overhead chandeliers, and small white twinkle lights draped over plants that line the fringe of their two- tiered outside dining area.

We started off with an appetizer, Warm Walnut-Crusted Goat Cheese, which comes with a small ramekin of peppered honey, an artfully sliced apple, grapes and toasted raisin bread crisps surrounding a balsamic reduction sauce in the center of the plate.

For a beverage, we opted for a bottle of fruit forward Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, from Paso Robles. This wine was delicious, melded extremely well with our Goat Cheese appetizer, and had an incredibly smooth finish.

For an Entree, I chose the Maine Scallops- 4 jumbo scallops on a bed of mashed potatoes, with tomato lobster ragout. My dish was so beautifully presented, and it tasted even better than it looked. Of course, it's hard to beat perfect pan-seared scallops, let alone HUGE scallops on a bed of smooth creamy mash potatoes, topped with a light tomtatoey sauce mixed with small chunks of lobster!

My wife ordered the Braised Short Ribs with Wild Mushroom Ragout, as well as Yukon Gold Potatoes & Spinach. She loved hers, as well.

The host and server were warm & welcoming, taking the time to establish a rapport with us. We got excellent service and our dinners were superb! We'll...

My lady was excited to try this place for her birthday but it was pretty disappointing, especially considering how expensive it is.

All their "clean" glassware smelled like old dish water even after I requested fresh glasses. For a place that sells expensive wines from around the world, you'd think that would be a detail of importance and it totally ruined our meal. They need to figure this out.

My salmon was VERY overcooked and the rest of the dish very bland. My lady's ribeye was a very thin cut, with all the gristle left on, and overcooked. I'd expect this from a country style place but at a fancier place I'd expect them to trim most of the gristle and give a thicker piece of the eye, cooked to the correct temperature. The scalloped potatoes were a little half inch block of half-dollar sized potatoes, with no flavor, crispiness, or creaminess.

Our server was friendly but seemed to not really understand when I told him the glassware smelled poorly and didn't follow up about it after bringing fresh glasses. We paid full price for a bottle that we didn't finish drinking. They brought us a scoop of mint ice cream with a candle for my lady's birthday which was yummy and thoughtful.

The village is kind of a tourist trap so I don't expect to be amazed by a modern fine dining experience but you gotta cover at least the basics. We probably won't be back nor be recommending it to friends and family who...