I finally made it to Black Rail Kitchen + Bar. I've been on their email distribution list for some time now...receiving up-to-date info on what's going on there and that made me even more interested to try it out. It's located in Plaza Paseo Real where there's plenty of parking. When I arrived, I was seated right away... preference to be outdoors for some sun. I noticed all the umbrellas for shade but I'd rather sit in the sun. Allison, my waitress, was sooo accommodating. She was also verrry knowledgeable about the menu and helped me make my decision. Thank you for your patience Allison! I actually met my Taco Tuesday quota for this month. The Blackened Shrimp Tacos were OMG the BOMB.COM!! Shrimps galooore!!! I definitely recommend this modern coastal kitchen + bar to the Yelp Community :-) read more

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It has been a while since we dined at Black Rail. We were really looking forward to our Saturday night dinner there several weeks ago. Ambiance was good. Service was ok at first. The food was very disappointing, mostly for me. We started with some Japanese Milk bread & a Little Gems Salad, which is really a Caesar salad. Bread was the best thing we had that night. Salad was not very appealing, however we ate it all. For the main course my husband ordered Lamb Meatballs Large plate. He actually thought it was good but overly seasoned. I tasted it & found it to be extremely over seasoned. You couldn't really taste the meat. For my entree I decided to go with the Prime Rib. It is only served on Fridays & Saturday until sold out, so I figured it will be really fresh. When I placed the order, the server didn't ask me how I wanted it cooked. I questioned him about it & he said that's because it is always served medium-rare. I was pleased, since this is how I like my meat cooked. Food was brought out. I can honestly say I have never tasted more appalling piece meat. It wasn't just overcooked, it was so dried out that it looked like a slice of gray jerky. I couldn't even chew it let alone swallow it or enjoy it. I don't understand how anyone could actually send this to a table to be eaten unless they were blind. It came with scalloped potatoes. Whatever that was, it was definitely not scalloped potatoes. It was a blob of something bland with an awful texture. Our waiter didn't come to check on us the entire length of the meal. I didn't eat anything on my plate & just moved the plate away. When another server came by to ask if I wanted it to go, I said I didn't because it is inedible. He didn't say anything & just took my plate with the other dishes & walked away. That was it. We will not be back. read more

We came to Black Rail Kitchen + Bar for a rehearsal dinner and had a nice evening. They had a buffet set up, and I was pleasantly surprised to see not just one, but two different cauliflower dishes. Everything was flavorful and well done. They also had vegetable sides available, which some of our vegan friends ordered from the menu and enjoyed. I also loved that they had three mocktails on the menu. We tried all of them, and each one was unique and really refreshing. The space itself is beautiful, with a large outdoor area that really adds to the overall vibe. It was still pretty busy even when we were leaving around 10 PM, which says a lot about how popular it is. Overall, such a fun spot for events or a night out. Great atmosphere, good food, and thoughtful drink options. read more

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I love this place. They have a great happy hour, good food, and friendly staff. We have come here for happy hour and the Sunday special that is a great deal at $79. You get a shared appetizer, 2 entrees, a shared dessert, and either a bottle of wine or 2 drinks. There is easy parking as well as it's in a complex with plenty of parking. It's never busy here but not sure if it's due to coming early before it gets busy. read more

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What a cool restaurant! The inside is large and spacious. There are two different indoor seating areas plus an outdoor area. They had a a pianist playing for the evening. The kitchen is open concept. Our server was friendly and welcoming and gave some good food recommendations. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and was super buttery. The lobster bisque was thick and flavorful. The pasta was cooked Al dente and had so much flavor. The spicy seafood was also cooked so well. It had such a good flavor and the salmon was tender and flaky. Overall everything from the drinks to the food were awesome. read more

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We went for the Happy Hour and sat in their nice patio with heaters. I had the Bartender's Whim which was an amazingly tasty Guava Margarita. My husband had a delicious Jalapeño Tequila cocktail with a bit of a kick. They were each $7. We shared their French Dip with fries that contained a lot of tender prime rib served outstanding fries. Perfect to share for a light snack. Nice relaxed, but classy ambience, especially inside the restaurant. Plus, the service was excellent. Apparently they have jazz music on weekends. Can't wait check that out. read more

My favorite place. Want to give a 5 star to Andrea, the lovely , kind and very patient hostess at the back patio. She went out of her way and more , getting my to go order done and some glitches. First time I ordered a to-go . And she was very busy seating people and the phone ringing. The very nice bartender also helped , I appreciate it, as seemed there was tech issues getting a to go order that day. It was a very hot day and Andrea stayed cool and composed . I so appreciate it. I got home with my Farmers Market Salad and Grilled shrimp and was so happy. I highly recommend the salad , the shrimp was great . So, when you go in , and ask for your table be sure to give Andrea a a big Hi , you will be very happy with her outstanding smile and happy personality . Plus, you will have great food , a gorgeous bar and dining area, and a shaded , cool patio . The bartenders are great at making your favorite cocktails too. read more

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We hosted a small holiday get-together for our SoCal team at Black Rail Kitchen + Bar last week and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. The restaurant is beautiful and welcoming, and it fit comfortably within our company budget, which was a huge plus. The servers were incredibly attentive and patient as we figured out our mix of appetizers, drinks, and mains, and we never once felt rushed. Water glasses were always full, and the service felt thoughtful without being intrusive. The food was delicious across the board. We shared the parmesan truffle fries, brussels sprouts, charcuterie plate, burrata and tomato jam, and kino garlic shrimp, and everything arrived exactly as described. The charcuterie board was especially well presented and perfect for sharing. For my main, I had the tomato basil pasta, which tasted super fresh and looked just as good as it tasted. I also loved that they offer a mocktail menu, the blackberry lemonade was excellent. My colleagues raved about the El Camino cocktail and really enjoyed the wine selection as well. Happy hour was another bonus with some great discounts. Overall, Black Rail was the perfect spot for a team gathering, and I'd absolutely come back, especially for one of their jazz nights! read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Tomato Basil Pasta - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

The location and ambiance of this place is very cute, especially the inside seating. Plenty of parking and the staff are friendly. The food wasn't the best; the drinks were the best part of our meal. The entrees had interesting ingredients that weren't cohesive and didn't taste right. I would probably only come back for drinks and appetizers... I'd avoid the entrees. read more

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Great experience! We came here on a Sunday night. We had reservations but honestly, you don't need them. We got seated right away. Ambiance is very nice. They had music outdoors and we asked to be seated away from it. There is tons of seating indoors and outdoors. On Sunday night, they have a 3 course dinner for 2 option for $79+taxes. My friend and I did the math, which was mathing so we chose this option. We got the crispy brussel sprouts, the Moroccan braised lamb meatballs and the tomato basil pasta and the semifreddo for dessert. The food was all very good and we enjoyed our choices. We would recommend all of our choices again and would eat the same exact menu again. The semifreddo was actually surprisingly great. My friend and I are thinking of making this our usual haunt to catch up. read more

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We had a great happy hour dinner at the Black Rail Kitchen and Bar. After visiting the Batiquitos Lagoon, we decided to detour for a bite and we're so glad we did! This huge restaurant and gorgeous expansive patio really has a stellar kitchen. Everything we tried was outstanding. We took seats at the bar, and visited with some nice locals who were regulars. I ordered a girly tropical cocktail that was their bartenders special whim of the day, it was sweet and strong. Husband had a margarita and pronounced it excellent. Our server was a female bartender who was very much on top of everything. After researching the menu I was certain I needed to try the lamb meatballs and I was not disappointed. Swimming in a beautiful red sauce, with cheese on top these two large tender meatballs were very filling. I brought my own gluten-free bread to mop up the sauce with, while husband had the ciabatta. Husband ordered the house-made hummus as his appetizer, and was hard-pressed to finish this large serving. We also ordered the oven roasted wings which came with a gingery sweet and savory barbecue sauce on them. The wings were stupendous! Gooey sticky and yet oven roasted and browned perfectly. This is also a very large portion. Our final dish was the kino garlic shrimp. It was like a scampi which came in a casserole, with lots of olive oil, garlic and some red peppers. This dish was a bit odd, but consumed fully anyway. At $13, I wouldn't order it again. I have to say if we lived in the area, we would be regulars here too! read more

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BLACK RAIL KITCHEN & BAR @ CARLSBAD Parking was PACKED for a Thursday night! This spot is shared in a plaza with many other spots! We were seated outside through our reservation, water was given and the place itself was nice. The menu had a spectacular selection of different types of food, coming from steak, fish, chicken, it was everything! Our server was kind during the dining experience. We ordered multiple items under the "big plates" to share, we got the steak pesto sandwhich and the chicken with mashed potatoes, all pretty good. I really enjoyed the steak sandwich, that was my favorite, great flavor and had truffle fries! The only dislike I had was the flavor of the chicken, it wasn't seasoned well & was on the drier side and the asparagus was overcooked, old, and was inedible. However, the mash potatoes was delicious. The blackberry lemonade was a whopping $9... pricey, but honestly refreshing and I did enjoy it. Overall, great service, enjoyed the ambiance, and recommend stopping her for a dinner! read more

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Great food. And service; kind and professional service, excellent food. We were 10 family members with several busy children. We were there to celebrate my daughter's graduation with a masters degree. The single server, vastly outnumbered, was not overwhelmed. She needed no help in taking care of all of us. Excellent marks all around. read more

Right when we walked into the restaurant we were greeted with some great aromas. The ambiance inside is really nice and the man playing piano was very good. Classy place! Hostess and server were both friendly. Sandra L served us and did an excellent job! As for the menu, we were deciding between a few things and started with a dirty martini with kettle one and a blue cheese olive and it was absolutely perfect. Bartender nailed it! Started with the garlic shrimp appetizer which comes with warm ciabatta bread and wow! The olive oil had garlic and hint of lemon and she shrimp were fresh and cooked perfectly. I got the linguine and clams which was delicate and full of flavor. My friend got the spicy cioppino which had some excellent salmon and also came with more delicious bread. So all in all 5 stars on all fronts. They have a rewards program I signed up for after the meal which gives you discounts when you eat there! So sign up before you go to get those points. Side note the table next to us ordered lamb meatballs which smelled incredible! I'll be back to try them and daily specials/happy hour (all day Tuesday). Keep up the good work guys you made our night! read more

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Happy hour menu is perfect! The wings were delicious! And my wine was actually good! The bartender, fantastic! Ambiance was also equally nice! Definitely coming back. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Food was delicious! Sat at the bar and had drinks and appetizers. Bartenders were friendly. Good happy hour with cocktails and beer. I've heard they have great live music on the weekends. Would be a fun date night or friend get together. Sports on the TV's for football. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Ahi poke and drinks - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

The setting, the service and the cuisine is divine. Tonight the team at the Black Rail made us feel so welcomed and our business appreciated. Casey took good care of us. That's what we hope for when we go out! read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Manhattan at the lounge. - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Pretty nice place... Had dinner on the patio for a work event. The lamb meatballs are savory and amazing! I highly recommend. For my main course I had the beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction sauce. It was very good. Perfectly cooked medium rare. It paired nicely with the Napa Cabernet they were offering. Really nice place to hang out for a nice dinner with the weather is nice. There's also an indoor area but it seemed like most of the tables were occupied outdoors. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Lamb meatballs - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Pork Chop ($31) - This is my new favorite pork chop dish. I don't have much to compare it to but it was such a delicious meal. All the elements and flavors came together beautifully, particularly the bacon jam. I also loved the perfectly charred brussels sprouts and creamy mashed potatoes. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

While other spots lose their spark, Black Rail just keeps getting better. It is easily one of the best experiences Carlsbad has to offer. Between the fresh, evolving menu and the soul-soothing live music on the patio, it's our consistent go-to. The service is flawless and the owners are clearly invested in the quality. Honestly, having a restaurant of this caliber nearby makes us love living in this city even more! The owners, Jenny and Grant, well, they get it and we are grateful for their contribution to our Carlsbad community! read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Patio Dining Area - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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One of my new favorite restaurants!! The restaurant is beautiful inside and outside. I love the 2 bar area options, one is by the Piano Player who was really good. The vegetarian options of Flatbread pizza, truffle fries, and Harvest Salad were really good. We were a party of 14 and everyone ordered something different... all delicious reviews for the food and cocktails. Our server Nicole was awesome! She took great care of us so ask for her! I was absolutely stuffed from dinner but couldn't pass up the Brownie desert... oh boy, yummy! read more

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Long overdue review. The menu has changed since our visit. We came in for Happy Hour before a movie. Decor reminded me of a hotel lobby. Nothing stood out - neither good nor bad service nor food hence the long delay in reviewing. There aren't a lot of gluten free options. But some of the salads look tasty. read more

We came for happy hour and sat at 1 of the 2 inside bars. Also has a large patio outside. Very reasonable drink prices. House red wine was nice. As the evening progressed the noise level rose making it tough to hear 1 another. All day Happy Hour on Tuesdays Will return earlier next time read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Liked the house red wine. - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

I like this group who reinvented this location, they run good places. This is a nice change up here, not what I expected, but okay. The patio is great, big and spacious , and the wait staff is very good. Attentive , friendly and honest servers. The food was just good, just had appetizers. And the drinks were well made with good wine prices. What got me was the noise in the bar. I get it's golf country, but that group of 8 guys at a table still should be bridled to keep them from going over the top. That's what we endured, and someone needs to just say...guys can you mind the noise a bit. We all respond, I've been at that table. Otherwise it's a noisy bar that I won't find what I want at. The whole jazz imaging made us think it would be a nice hang. I'll give it another try, but you should go. Sit on the patio. read more

Four of us went to the "Black Rail Kitchen + Bar" for the Monday special. You can have a 1/2 pound Bacon Cheeseburger or a Crispy Chicken + Bacon sandwich with fries or a side salad and a glass of wine or a beer for $23.00! This is a screaming deal! The burger has Havarti cheese and a black garlic aioli. The chicken sandwich is panko crusted with a chipotle aioli and Cheddar cheese. The fries were skinny and perfect. The restaurant is much larger than it appears with lovely decor. They have a huge, hidden patio for outdoor dining. Tino, our waiter, took excellent care of us and informed us that Tuesdays offer Happy Hour prices from 4:00 until closing. They have live music (jazz) on Friday and Saturday nights as well! I'll certainly return for the Monday burgers, but I can't wait to try their lamb meatballs, crispy Brussels sprouts and blackened salmon sandwich. It was my first visit but definitely not my last‼ read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Monday Special‼‼ - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Lamb meatballs are the way to go and they are even available on their weekday happy hour menu. With good food and live jazz on the weekends this is a great spot read more

We wandered into Black Rail Kitchen without a reservation--just a couple of hungry souls chasing the ghost of old neighborhoods past. Saturday night, still early, and the place had that polished sheen--Vegas by way of La Costa. Dark wood, moody lighting, a flicker of pretension softened by warmth. You don't end up here by accident. You come because someone whispered the name in passing, like a secret. The server approached with the kind of energy you don't often see anymore--animated, sharp, like he actually enjoyed the job. He didn't hover, didn't oversell, just talked to us like people who might appreciate a decent meal. When I mentioned the Cioppino, he didn't launch into a monologue, just offered a confident nod and a grin--like a good bartender handing you the right drink before you even ask. We caught the tail end of happy hour--just enough time to grab a bourbon-citrus cocktail and an order of bruschetta. The drink was balanced and boozy, the kind of pour that leans into the weekend without apology. The bruschetta came out on grilled baguette slices, lightly charred, topped with a medley of marinated tomatoes, basil, and a whisper of balsamic. Clean, bright, but the portion felt more like an amuse-bouche than a shared starter. Still, for six bucks, it was a fine way to warm up the palate. Entrees arrived with the kind of speed that makes you wonder if the chef was reading your mind. My Cioppino leaned a little heavy on the tomato--more of a red sauce soak than the briny, wine-laced broth I crave--but the seafood was cooked just right. Nothing overdone, nothing fussy. Sylvia's grilled sea bass, though, stole the show. You could taste the flame, hear the sizzle with each bite. A generous cut, crisp on the outside, tender within. It didn't need a single thing. We passed on dessert and found ourselves back outside in under an hour, full, happy, and vaguely surprised. Not every great meal needs to stretch into the night. Sometimes, all it takes is good fish, a strong drink, and someone who still gives a damn. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Ciopinno. - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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The food, service and ambience were excellent. My fiancé and I came here for happy hour and we shared so many apps: short rib empanadas, meatballs, shrimp, potatoes, brussels sprouts. Sat outside and left just as the band was about to start. Would love to come back again to eat/drink and listen. Came back again the night before my wedding with my mom and MOH and we again ordered the empanadas, Heirloom Tomato + Burrata Salad and the crab cakes and clams/mussels. We shared family style and it was so good! My mom wanted to back again! Can't wait! read more

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Great food and service from Tino and the kitchen team! The jazz piano, guitar and flute were on point! Have them back for sure! Such a large space inside and out and if you are planning an event this would be ideal space with smooth jazz, great food and Tino and the team to take care of all. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Jazz!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Ambiance quaint. Decorated festively. Food delicious and as ordered. Nice wine selections. read more

Black Rail Kitchen + Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I am never disappointed by this place. Neither by the food or the staff! I've also gone to a few parties here and let me say, it is a GREAT place to have a party!! Highly recommend for date night, families, girls' night out etc. read more

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We were so excited to try this place. We'd been talking about it for years. Since it's a bit of a hike and they are not open for lunch, we had to actually plan ahead. So, we grabbed some friends and planned a dinner date. We arrived at the restaurant, which is situated in a strip mall, and quickly found parking. Upon entering we found the restaurant to be nicely decorated with a large bar in the center, and a large piano at the entrance. We were seated right away and our friendly waiter greeted us. The menu was interesting, with lots of delicious sounding cocktails and food. Once we received our drinks they were just ok, overly sweet or otherwise unbalanced. The one we liked the best was a lemongrass drink. The waiter read off the specials and mispronounced a few things on the menu (crème fraiche, frisée), no big deal but something to work on. We received our food, the pork chop was the table fave. Cooked very well, great flavors. The salmon was burnt on the bottom and the tomato pasta was just boring. We were very excited for what the waiter had described as a ginger creme brûlée, which he said had ginger inside. Once we got it we were disappointed to find that it was regular creme brûlée with some candied ginger sprinkled on top. All in all an underwhelming experience with the exception of the pork chop. Hopefully it was just an off night, but for the price of dining out these days I'm not willing to chance it. If you go, the pork chop is a sure thing. read more

Don't bother, better food, service and locations everywhere. Food is not great, linguine was chewy, meatballs were flavorless. Not a great experience. Skip for me read more

Food was good, service was good. Lovely setting yet Noisy environment - difficult to hear conversation.

Tried to come here 2 Friday evenings and they were closed for a private event, so we are happy we finally came last night and they were open! We initially sat at the first bar when you walk in and ended up moving to the back bar, which felt like a sexier ambiance with the decor and nice breeze with the garage door opening to the back patio. I ordered their Carlsbad Sunset gin cocktail that was a little too sweet for my taste (it might've been the hibiscus), and my partner ordered their "Smoke 'Em If you Got Em" whiskey cocktail that he absolutely loved. We ordered 3 dishes: their Short Rib Brined Barbacoa, the Pork Chops and the Lamb Chops. The short rib dish was absolutely incredible, would order it again and again it was melt in your mouth delicious. The Pork chops, (their most popular dish when asking the bartender and server) and it was good but not thrilled with it, the potato fingerlings were amazing though. The Lamb Chops really stole the show though, they were incredible!! And what really makes the food, the ambiance and everything really great was the service. Everyone was very nice and we could tell a lot of people there are regulars, which shows good soul. Last thing, it was expensive (it is North County SD so take that with a grain of salt), but everything was very quality. read more

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This place is amazing! They have all 3 things going for them: food is excellent, ambiance is excellent, and the staff is fantastic! We had the poached pear salad which we both loved. ( next time I'll get it with less dressing. My husband thought it was perfect) Then my husband got the pork chop which he said was the best he ever had! I had the burger which I liked, but next time I'll get the fries without the mayo aioli on it. Our server, David, was one of the best servers we have ever had! He knew the menu really well and was excellent at making suggestions. All the staff was good and they all help each other. Must come back! read more

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My friend was running really late, so I sat down and enjoyed the live entertainment they had on Sunday. I ordered a flight and basil spritz mocktail while I was waiting. The flight was just 3 glasses- I was hoping for a better presentation. For food, we shared the white Mexican garlic shrimp, which came with some foccacia, but I didn't enjoy either. The chilaquiles and pork belly hash were both better dishes! Since I didn't like my mocktail, I ordered a Chai tea instead. Overall, the food was okay. I did like the vibes, so I think I'll have to try their dinner menu next time! read more

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Great ambiance, mediocre menu and execution on dishes that at best, was just ok. This is a large restaurant with two bar areas, a large outdoor area and really nice atmosphere. A+ for the blankets at every outdoor table with plenty of heaters. My service was ok, server was friendly but she often didn't know the answers to questions about dishes. For the food- the menu selection was limited for a restaurant this size but I also understand inflation and the cost of everything these days and the need to streamline. We had two appetizers- the empanadas and the charcuterie board- where we had to pay extra for cheese. Thanks goodness we did as the meats were not good at all and we left 50% behind. They just lacked good flavor. The cheese was decent. The spreads, olives, and cornichons- all good. As for the empanadas. Fried and greasy. And this was a twist blending an Argentinian staple with Mexican meat. It's was just ok. I know empanadas can be either fried or baked but I prefer the baked version (comparing to a friend's homemade family recipe). I'd also prefer the traditional Argentinian fillings. While I really like the vibe here I'd probably only come here for drinks vs dinner. Not motivated to try other dishes based off the two I just had. The cost of dining out is just too high to waste it on mediocre food. read more

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We went for a Valentine's Day dinner at 8:30 PM. The service was a bit slow, but the food definitely made up for it. I was a little disappointed there wasn't any live music, especially for the occasion. I ordered the salmon and it was absolutely delicious. My wife had the pizza and really enjoyed it as well. Overall, a great meal with just a few minor drawbacks. read more

Wanted to try something new for dinner and saw Black Rail Kitchen on Yelp. The decor is nice and cozy. Our server was excellent - really hustled getting our drinks and everything out to us quickly. They have happy hour deals which you can order from anywhere (don't have to sit at the bar). Some appetizers for $6. HH drinks were inexpensive as well. We tried the bruschetta, the mini margarita flatbread, the grilled chicken and a salad. Everything was decent. Not great but also not bad. Another table near us ordered the dip sandwich and I wished i ordered that instead. It looked really good. The vibe and service were wonderful so we'll give the food another try again in the future / try different dishes next time. read more