Jeune et Jolie is worth a trip to Carlsbad

Buckle up for a story about one of the best meals we’ve had lately.

Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad is a swank little spot that's got a Michelin star and knows how to use it. It’s a bit of a drive (25 miles, so roughly seven and a half hours with San Diego traffic), but so, so worth it.

The space looks like it belongs in a chic Paris neighborhood instead of a laid-back surfing town. A mix of curves and colors, the design make you feel cozy and classy at the same time. Arched windows let in plenty of natural light, while the blush velvet booths, brass fittings, and sage millwork add warmth and charm. The dining room has a subtle feminine-punk attitude that says “we’re here to have fun, not to be fussy”—a modern twist on French bistro style with a touch of SoCal flair.

And the food, oh the food.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a professional food critic, but I do know what I like. And everything we ate here was like a surprise party for our mouths. We ordered differently from each other for every course so we could tradesies and shovel as much goodness into our food holes as possible in a single sitting. (See “not a professional food critic” above.)

The menu changes seasonally, and while I’m not sure exactly what season it is down here in Southern California (it’s been a crazy year), everything was fantastic, fresh, and fun. We started with veal tartare with dashi gelée and apple, and white asparagus with flowering brassicas and egg yolk. Seconds were a giant scallop with butternut squash, smoked eel, and pumpkin seeds for Rick, and a rabbit roulade surrounded by spring peas and rhubarb for me. Each dish was so beautifully presented that you’d have a tiny pang of guilt cutting into it. But do cut into it. So delicious.

Our mains were fluffy gnudi with chestnuts, black trumpet mushrooms, and celery for Rick, which was excellent. Mine was an out-of-this-world wagyu ribeye (from the Kagoshima prefecture), complete with sweetbreads (from somewhere inside a cow), chard, and a mushroom mille crepe. It's like my taste buds won the lottery.

All of this was topped off by well-executed, creative cocktails (Hello mixologists! Love you!) and spot-on wine pairings. The sommelier? Total whiz. Next-level amazing. Each dish was paired with a wine so flawlessly—and sometimes surprisingly—it felt like a match made in culinary heaven.

Now, to be fair, it ain’t cheap. But life's short, and sometimes you deserve a little somethin'.

Bottom line: Jeune et Jolie is the kind of place that will make your heart sing, your wallet cry, and your friends green with envy. It's hands down one of the best restaurants in San Diego—and probably all of California. You won't be disappointed.

Details:

Jeune et Jolie, 2659 State Street, Carlsbad CA, dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

posted April 15, 2023