Ponto Lago — Restaurant in Carlsbad

We are having the most amazing night out tonight at Porto Lago, Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad. The staff here is simply amazing from Jacob to Alejandro to our Chef, Kurtis.

We don't know quite how they do it with birthdays and weddings and room service going on out of the same kitchen but they juggle everything flawlessly. They seat us right in front of their open kitchen, so that we can watch what is going on. Our waiter, Alejandro points out Chef Curtis and explains what each part of the kitchen is in charge of.

We start with Arepa, compliments of the restaurant. We follow it with Spring Green Salads, Smoked Hamachi, Seafood Paella Whole Bronzino Whole Hog Spear Grilled Spring Lamb Loin Lobster Pibil Charred Baby Sweet Potatoes Ember Roasted Mushrooms.

I order a Ramey Chardonnay, followed by a Sancerre from Loire Valley. We think we might add a red but the meat is so spaced out in time, and we were really only doing a 'tasting' of everything that by the time we get to our third bottle, we decide to stick with the Sancerre and our abundance of fish and vegetable dishes.

And then there is our Dolce (dessert): Spiced Chocolate Budin Frozen Raspberry Crema, Mangonada Strawberry Elderflower Tres Leches Ponto Churros Citrus Rice Pudding.

Jan is the first one to talk about the food. She says: "My favorite so far is the Lamb".

Jan continues: "I love the Smoked Hamachi except I see these cute little red round pieces and I think 'CRUNCHY', so I eat it. It is crunchy and spicey hot! So I learned from that." I laugh. "You didn't know those are hot peppers" I ask? She says: "I do now"!

Mona says: "The Lamb absolutely is Number One" (and I think I speak for everyone at the table in thanking Renae for suggesting that we order the Lamb). It's just not something we would've thought to order but since her travels have taken her to Ireland, where there's plenty of Lamb on the menu, it hits her that it will be fun to try. Mona continues: "Number Two is the Paella and Number Three is the Smoked Hamachi.

Jan says she loves the Paella. She explains: "I make Paella so I know Paella (using Oprah Winfrey's recipe) but this Paella wins. I like the rice. This is the first time I've had paella in a restaurant where the rice is not gummy". Roger says:"The Lobster is really good and so is the Lamb.

I will say that as someone who traveled the globe for three years, eating at more Michelin Star Restaurants than I can count, I am extremely surprised and impressed with the level of detail that is being paid to everything from our waiter, Alejandro (who I actually think may be their Sommelier) working with us and carefully describing and explaining each dish, answering all our questions, making sure he breaks everything into courses, to the way things are plated, the flavor profiles that are created, plus the welcoming feeling we are getting from both Jacob and Chef Kurtis. And it's all very sincere.

Later in the meal, all excited after eating one of the two veggie dishes we order, Jan jumps in and says: "I have a new favorite. I could eat this every night of the week". She is talking about the sweet potatoes explaining that when she eats it with all the 'goop' of cinnamon and sugar every holiday, she is looking for great flavor. She adds "these are more delicious than anything I've ever had, at a Thanksgiving meal".

We're going to do one of each for you and pair it with dessert wine". Then he offers me a choice of two wines. And what a dessert it is.

"Oh my goodness" someone says at the table.... these are the best desserts I've ever eaten at a restaurant.

For the last 5 or 6 events both San Diego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies have joined up to attend, I find myself saying yet again: "This is one you should not have missed". Once again, good company, good food, nice wine, great desserts and we all laugh, as we get up to go more than 4 hours after we arrive. Bravo Ponto Lago! We will all be back! Jan ads: "This isHaute Cuisine at its best". And I have to...

I honestly cannot say enough good things about my experience dining at Ponto Lago last week. From our arrival at the valet with Tom who went above and beyond to walk us to the restaurant and give us recommendations at Park Hyatt, to our greeting from the hostess to our service from Saeid and Norma- everything was incredible. We ordered the

Guavarita which was a Tequila Cocktail with Guava Foam (the guava foam was SO good): $20 Seasonal Fruit Smash which was a Berry Mocktail: $14 Burrata Salad: I don’t remember the price but it was delicious Local Blue Fin Crudo: I’m pregnant so I couldn’t taste this but my husband loved it Tenderloin Steak with Chimichurri, Sweet Potatoes Side & Churros for Dessert

The entire meal was absolutely delicious. The portions appeared small at first but they were so flavorful and with the various courses, it was actually the perfect amount. Each dish had a phenomenal presentation and we talked about the sweet potatoes and churros for days after- they were THAT good!

We’re already looking forward to our next visit to the Park Hyatt Aviara and Ponto Lago. Hoping we get the same staff as they really enhanced...

You always have a high bar set when you go to the Avivara but you need to raise it for Ponto Lago because this place is simply incredible. I was only able to post a picture of my old fashioned because we ate the food too quickly to take photos.

Udi, our server made sure everything was perfect and took care of us like we were royalty while suggesting good wine and food recommendations.

If you’re an oyster fan you should be sure to try the Oyster Tour. Three tasty different flavored oyster bites that were so good we ordered it twice.

For dinner my wife got the sea bass special that was cooked to perfection and would delight any fish lover out there.

I tried the Manilla clams with scallops and they too were incredible. Served on a bed of rice with root vegetables, it hit the spot perfectly.

I almost forgot about the Ponto Taco…. This is a must try for anyone visiting. Sounds like it’s a rotation of different tacos based on chef favorites. I had a grilled chicken taco that will change your life. Get one or more of these.

11/10. Can’t wait to come back and see what else they have to offer. Keep up...