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Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Nightlife Bars Wine Bars American (New), Wine Bars [Edit]
Sheraton Carlsbad5480 Grand Pacific Dr
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Neighborhood: Carlsbad
(760) 827-2500
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
74 reviews for Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar
Review Highlights
"the tapas were delicious and inexpensive."
(in 19 reviews)
"Best happy hour in Carlsbad."
(in 15 reviews)
"...Belly on top of crispy corn bread, pan roasted tenderloin w..."
(in 3 reviews)
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74 reviews in English
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Review from April L.
San Marcos, CA
2/2/2012 1 photo
One of my favorite places for a happy hour or group social event in summertime! Around sunset on the patio....gorgeous! Ok, so let's get down to business - drinks - excellent - try the millionaire martini - my fav., but the moscow mule is my sis' fav.!
All the appetizers (and we literally had all of them on the menu) are good/great! Dinner was great! I enjoyed everything from service to presentation!
You got to try it out for yourself!
The lobster snow crab pasta was delish! I also had their house salad called 'maison' which had a wonderful light, but very good dressing. My favorite app. was the tempura rock shrimp - I remember ordering two! :D -
Review from Geoffrey C.
Arcadia, CA
12/27/2011
Ate there last night. Nice dining room, good menu -- just wished they executed a bit better. My wife had grilled salmon on a salad - the fish was raw on the inside, barely warm. Another friend had the short ribs, which he claimed were so dry as to be inedible. I had the Argentinian-style beef, which I thought was pretty good.
The dining room also features a kids buffet, which has items such as mini-hamburgers, chicken fingers, pizza, carrot sticks, etc.
Service was friendly, but a bit slow.
Overall, this is an OK option if you aren't in the mood to go outside the hotel, or if you have tired kids who need to be fed right away, but there are likely better options nearby. -
Review from Julia B.
San Diego, CA
12/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
We stayed at the Sheraton last week, and I wanted to figure out a good place to go for dinner, and Twenty/20 was the top search result. Awesomely, they are in the same spot!
We had a very yummy dinner, with some great wine. The mason jar appetizers are awesome and perfect for sharing. The BF got the seasonal mussels, and the portion was about an appetizer size so he helped me with my pizza. All of the ingredients were local, which is also great. I love to support local farmers.
The food was so good, we couldn't pass up desert. We asked to see a desert menu, and she brought over this tower thing of 6 different mini deserts, $2.50 each and they only charge you for what you eat. What kind of a scheme is this? Put six different deserts in front of me and see how many last. The answer is three.
Also, thursday night is the night to go there - live Jazz on the patio! -
Review from Lacey G.
1/7/2012 10 Check-ins Here
The tapas on the outdoor patio are awesome. It is a great way to try new food and sample wine. The menu changes a lot. Not a big fan of the interior, but the outdoor patio is very nice. The schedule of live patio music varies. The outdoor heaters and fire add a nice touch. Tends to have just as many locals as tourists.
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Review from Native S.
San Diego, CA
12/15/2011
In a recent U-T restaurant review, one Twenty/20 staffer is quoted as telling the diner,"You're so nice, you're obviously not from California."
Thoughtless off-hand comments like that do NOT endear local diners to try (or return) to your restaurant, knowing that they think you're not nice. This native San Diegan won't be going back to Twenty/20; I'll simply choose restaurants where the locals are loved! -
Review from Joey R.
Vista, CA
12/17/2011
The bartenders @ the 20/20 are amazing!! Steve,Joelle,Brian,Monica, & Joey aka J-Rod!!
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Review from Nino R.
7/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Best happy hour in Carlsbad!
There are several levels of appetizers to choose from with varying levels of price. Of course the best apps are the most expensive, but at $6 per plate, the price is still a deal.
If you're on a budget, then stick with the hummus. It's a small plate of two chips with hummus already drizzled across the top.
If you're not on a budget, then go with the braised short ribs. It may not be the best thing you've ever eaten, but it is quite tasty--especially when paired with a nice pinot noir.
There are of course a good amount of drink specials as well.
There is also live music on most nights during happy hour.
I highly suggest dining outdoors. With any luck you'll have a nice view of the Pacific while you're exchanging glances/laughs/stories with those in your party.
With the right people, Twenty/20 can provide a memorable happy hour experience.
Choose wisely...
***According to my GF, the app specials aren't available on a daily basis, please call ahead to make sure. I don't want to be at fault if you don't have a memorable experience***Listed in: Did someone say North County?
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Review from Cynthia G.
Concord, CA
11/29/2011
We somewhat reluctantly opted to eat here for dinner and we were pleasantly surprised.
It's a hotel restaurant so you already know it's going to be pricier, the captive audience fee.
There can be a lot of kids, so brace yourself for some cranky kids. We do not have any, but the Sheraton has a great set up for the kids, There is a mini buffet set up so parents can feed the little ones so they are not fussy and having to wait. The basic kid fare, pizza, pasta, etc.
Back to our meal, I Had a DELICIOUS cocktail, lemon basil martini...actually had two!
Lamb soulvaki skewers were a tasty app.
Had a steak with chimichurri sauce, though I think they should rename the sauce to a chipolte since it was red, and the chimichurri I know has always been green.
Husband had the short ribs, which he said we very good.
The dessert tree...mini desserts, so you can't just eat one.
One app. two drinks, two entrees, three desserts it was about 100 bucks...
We liked the hotel too...next time we have a trek to So Cal we plan to return. -
Review from Crystal I.
Laguna Beach, CA
7/31/2011
1. Beautiful decor
2. Delicious food with a high price point, but typical for hotel dining
3. Great views
The only reason I didn't rate them 4 or 5 stars is because of two reasons:
a) The wait staff didn't continue to fill up our water glasses after we paid the $72 lunch bill, which was disappointing.
b) Our waiter told us one of the desserts was cheesecake, which is my girlfriend's favorite. So, we order it. We then discovered it was apple crisp...when we told him what happened, he laughed and said it was cheesecake the other day and didn't offer an apology or a discount on the bill.
It they improve upon the service awareness, I will rate them 5 stars. -
Review from Jenn S.
6/22/2011
First off... the area and hotel are beautiful! The restaurant is an added bonus. This is such a great place to meet for a work lunch or a fancier dinner. It is spacious, bright, and open with seating both inside and outside. On the outside patio, you can see a view of the ocean! The menu has some good options. I went for lunch and ordered one of their salads. It was fresh and tasty but nothing to rave again. They also had soups, sandwiches, and pizzas to choose from. The services was top notch. From the very friendly hostess to the prompt servers, I felt like I was really taken care of. There was plenty of parking - definitely not an LA location. Prices are on the higher end but that's what you get for a $$$ restaurant. If I ever have another meeting in this area I'll make my reservation here.
-Food: average
-Service: good
-Location: excellent
-Price: fair -
Review from Brends O.
Carlsbad, CA
10/27/2011
Everything is great here! Food is awesome! Carlsbad cosmo is delightful! Great atmosphere!
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Review from Angie W.
Redondo Beach, CA
9/13/2011
We went here for breakfast one morning since we were staying at the hotel. The breakfast combinations are interesting, in that they aren't your typical ingredients. They had a BLT special for breakfast that morning which was just a BLT with potatoes. That didn't really sound good for breakfast. They charge you $4 for coffee and juice, which is ridiculous!! That's quite a markup on something that normally costs $2 at Starbucks. I had the breakfast burrito which was egg, salsa, cheese, and avacado, and included potatoes on the side. Would have been nice if they had bacon or ham in the burrito. Our server was pretty attentive and nice, so I do give them that credit. They let us keep our daughter in a stroller while she napped. They must be use to that with all the kids that stay at the hotel.
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Review from Rudy T.
Anchorage, AK
2/27/2011
Generally speaking the food was fine and lived up to expectations. Live jazz on the night we were there.
Had the flat iron steak which was delicious.
Oyster raw bar was mediocre. Oysters weren't chilled and half of them tasted like they were rinsed in freshwater.
Kids meal of Mac n cheese came out cold. The desert came on a rack that had frosting covering the bottom (not intentionally) which got on all my kids clothes when they reached for the dessert...yuck!
We complained about the cold kids meal immediately afterwards and the F&B director came to apologize and even sent cookies and milk for the kids to our room. Very professionally handled.
Staff we interacted with were top notch. Too bad the waiter and F&B director had to be so professional to cover for the poor kitchen staff. I suppose the waiter is the last line of defense and should check and the director is ultimately responsible. But it's off season so good help might be hard to find behind the scenes.
Nevertheless, we didn't eat their again during our three day stay but rarely do we eat twice at the same place when we are our of town.
We would come and give them another shot if we lived in the area. Could easily be a four star...but when I pay $150 or more for two adults and two kids, I guess I expect more. I'd like to give them another shot but until then, two stars. -
Review from John G.
8/31/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I was surprised and impressed by this restaurant. Usually, hotel restaurants are just average at best...not this one. The decor is vibrant, colorful yet it was warm and inviting. You also have the option of eating al fresco to enjoy the weather and view.
Service is friendly, attentive, efficient and helpful. Our waiter recommended us some great food and they did not disappoint. Even the manager checked in on us to make sure everything was going well.
The menu offers, fresh, local and organic ingredients combined to create some delicious and delectable dishes. We started with Baby Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad that had strawberries, citrus, pepitas and polenta croutons. These croutons were out-of-this-world amazing since the texture was crunchy on the outside but soft, silky and creamy on the inside. They just absolutely melted in our mouths. And for a few dollars more, you can make it a family style dish and believe, it can feed an army of relatives.
My kids had the Sliders - Three Way and Giant Meatball and Pasta. Kids said they were delicious. Of course, anything to them is delicious at their age. Even a instant ramen noodles to them is delicious; but I did taste a sample of their dish and had to agree with them.
Wifey had the Korean BBQ Beef wrapped in leaves with Cucumber, Mint and Watermelon. Perfect combination of sweet and savory. My only regret was not tasting their selection of California Wines since it was Doctor's order of no alcohol for a week. Bummer, but we still had a great meal and a great time.
Can't wait till we return again and try the rest of their menu. -
Review from Honey P.
Vista, CA
8/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
It was a nice venue for a rare weekday lunch date with a friend.
At arrival I circled twice looking for self parking, because I wasn't sure if I had cash for valet service and my car was a mess. Doggy fur everywhere and every cup holder was occupied with some kind of fast food drink. Emmbarrassssinngg... I gave up, and learned that it was complimentary valet service. I was lucky and found 3 bucks in my messy car for tip!
I'll have to give this place another try on another day. It was too hot to sit outside and enjoy the views, and I wasn't hungry enough to eat anything but the warm arugala salad. It looks super small but it was enough to fill me up, but then again, I wasn't that hungry. My lunch date (Julie D) ordered the cheeseburger, and had to order fries to go with it. Thought it was weird for a sit-down restaurant to serve a burger w/out fries.
Will have to try again the next time I have a friend over in my hood to take to a nice scenic restaurant. I'll make sure my car is clean, I have cash for tip, and to check the weather :) -
Review from Michelle V.
Redondo Beach, CA
3/19/2011
I don't know what the other reviews are talking about. We had an AMAZING dinner at Twenty20. We ordered family style, which is a must. Every dish was well done and the sauces were delicious. We really enjoyed the calamari and the mussels. The calamari was fried with pepperoncini and the mussels were enormous and juicy (plus local)
Leave room for dessert. Always. Like. As a rule. But here for sure. -
Review from Vanessa K.
Carlsbad, CA
11/6/2010
Snobbish wait/host staff! Went here last night with a friend for 'happy hour' (which is only 4-6pm). I arrived at 4:45, was seated by a hostess, and told her I was waiting on my friend.... so, I GUESS that meant to her that I didn't need to be helped. After seeing other tables with a waitress, I finally asked my hostess if I could place a drink order and something off the happy hour food menu... she looked irritated, but took my order. I asked her what was included in the 'happy hour' and she said $2 off drinks and 1/2 off hummus. Uh, that's it???? Then later I overheard a waitress at another table explaining to her guests the list of 'happy hour choices (still not huge, but better than one item). When I asked my server about the other items, she again looked put-out and accused me of not being specific with my question the first time.... huh?
I finally received my drink and hummus when my friend arrived 25mins later! So, due to the short happy hour and the terribly slow service, we only had time to squeeze in 2 drinks under the discounted prices. THEN when we finally got our bill, we saw that we were charged regular prices for everything! When I asked about it, our NEW waiter said thathe was told I ordered my drink BEFORE their happy hour started (@ 4pm)! Not only was that impossible, but had it been true then it would have been further example of their super-slow service!
I am giving this place 2 stars b/c the outside seating and sunset was very nice. The Goat Cheese Spread & pomegranete martini were also yummy. I cannot, however, recommend this place for Happy Hour. It seemed to be more like the change-of-staff hour and those that were there had bad attitiudes! -
Review from Jerry A.
Anaheim, CA
11/26/2010
Celebrated our Thanksgiving feast here this year. They had a special menu that really nailed the "traditional" theme. I ordered the turkey and my wife had the prime rib. She wins!! Dimensions of the prime rib ... Approximately 1" x 3" x 5"! Cooked perfectly. Needless to say, we shared.
Very nice wine selection and good prices. We could not be close to the majority of our family this year, but having such a wonderful meal prepared in such a nice setting, helped soothe the distance a bit.
Our server "Nick", was excellent. Just the right attention, didn't hover. His recommendations on our salad, dinner and dessert were right on the money. Most importantly, he never complained or seemed bothered that he was working on a holiday. He gave up part of his day of celebration to make ours enjoyable ... Impressive. -
Review from Wendy L.
La Jolla, CA
4/15/2011
A five course menu was ordered and the variety was excellent. We had been stuffed by dessert but just couldn't resist. One of the best dining experiences you will find this part of Carlsbad. I can only recommend one thing which is to save your appetite for dessert because its the best part of Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar.
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Review from Clinton H.
Clarkston, WA
7/4/2010 4 photos
We stayed at the Sheraton, and we were hooked. We ate lunch and supper here for nearly all our meals we were on property, and not at Legoland. We always got excellent service. I had an unfortunate experience with wine right off the bat (I'm not usually a wine snob, but the first two selections they presented were awful), but they bent over backwards for us. Including when our kids were being right foul gits. We LOVED our meals, but have to say that the giant meatball was one of the best, and we tried several different dishes. The steak was excellent, as well, though.
Our water glasses were always full, including the kids glasses, which had lids (so more effort for the server). We did ask for the same server every time, but we had a different server for lunch and service was the same.
It was a bit spendy, but we're on vacation, and we eat well when we travel. -
Review from Kirbie L.
San Diego, CA
10/21/2011
Located in the beautiful Sheraton resort. I liked that they provide complimentary valet parking. The food was mediocre though. High prices with dishes that didn't really inspire. My favorite part were the cocktails. You can read my full review here http://kirbiecravings....
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Review from Art R.
Carlsbad, CA
7/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Worst brunch ever! Went to celebrate a friends birthday recently for brunch. The menu was very limited for a brunch, with no offerings of omlettes or many other breakfast options. Worst preparation, presentation and service, expected more from a Sheraton property. The server did say i could order two eggs a la carte they could scramble them and fold some cheese inside. Afterwards there were items on the bill we did not order or eat, when I complained to the manager she gave me the same I don't care look the other reviewer mentioned and said we'll remove those items. That wasn't the point...
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Review from Scott H.
Alexandria, VA
7/30/2010
My wife and I have been coming here for over a year now. We really enjoy the view from the patio. The drinks are pretty well priced, and they have a great selection, to include local beers. Not to many places have Stone on tap, but Twenty/20 does.
We really enjoy coming here after work because of its location. We live just up the road off of Tamarack, so it is very convenient for us.
My only complaint is that the service seems to be getting worse the last couple times we have been in here. It always takes us awhile to get noticed and get our first round. But after that, it seems to get better.
Overall it is a pretty nice place, and we will keep going back. -
Review from Jay D.
Updated - 4/9/2010
A good laugh is sunshine in the house, I once heard. Cheryl and I met up and laughed by the pool to enjoy the Spring Sun at the Sheraton and mingle among the hotel guests. The beautiful day actually tempted us to skip lunch and just take the rest of the day off.
We made our way to Twenty/20 through the lobby and sat with the light lunch time crowd outside on the patio surrounded with a westerly view of the ocean horizon and strawberry fields below and a gentle breeze.
The lunch menu prices are on the high side. With tip, $36 was spent for lunch. Her Chinese Chop Salad was okay, but my Baby Spinach and Goat Cheese (on the side) salad topped with a good size Salmon (seemingly about 8 ounces?) was pretty good. I really enjoyed the complementing Warm Polenta Croutons.
I would come back for lunch as it's a great spot with great service, but spending $36 for lunch daily isn't good for the frugal minded.Listed in: Color by NumbAARRS.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/24/2010
The next time you're passing by the Carlsbad flower fields or wandering through the nearby outlets,… Read more »
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Review from Emma J.
Spring Valley, CA
3/28/2011
From the minute we pull up the magnificent service begins. The valet waits for my guests and I to accumulate our issues just before they open our automobile door. The hostess was expecting us and knew who we were due to the fact we created a reservation on open table. Our server went above and beyond to make sure we got optimal enjoyment out of the spectacular food. The menu is properly rounded and they use excellent good quality meat and create. The drinks are inspiring and great tasting.
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Review from Maria C.
8/27/2010
3.5...For OVERALL experiences. I have dined here a couple times for lunch and dinner.
During this visit, I attended a Tolosa wine tasting event and was well attended and organized by both the winery and Sheraton. Kudos to the staff for being pleasant and accommodating.
Our server was a bit slow, esp at the end of the event when we wanted the bill. She was nowhere in sight and we waited quite awhile.
I tried the cheese platters and pizzas, and they were OK. I didn't see very much shading with the exception to our little sofa area by the fireplace. You're mostly paying for the view if you sit in the outdoor patio area. Awesome sunset!!! -
Review from Gabby S.
San Marcos, CA
8/12/2011
Each time I've been here I've had a better and better experience. I really like this atmosphere. Good value.
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Review from Robert S.
Carlsbad, CA
6/10/2011
One of the finest restaurants in San Diego County, hands down. Try their Tapa's Thursdays for an amazing evening on the patio with local music, looking over the Pacific Ocean- this venue truly lives up to it's name. There are pristine views, an amazing chef, caring and attentive servers. A first class experience!
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Review from Scott B.
Santa Barbara, CA
7/17/2011
Great spot!! I stayed at the Sheraton for two nights and ate here each of those nights. Thursday Tapas night was excellent! Prices are very fair, service is outstanding, fun and hip environment, and the food was delicious!!
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Review from Gail C.
Encinitas, CA
12/13/2010
We had a fabulous dinner--and were fortunate to overlap with the happy hour!
The food was delicious and nicely presented--we enjoyed an amazing mushroom pizza--(half price during happy hour--a delicious appetizer with plenty to take home), the deconstructed chicken was moist and flavorful, and the cheeseburger was wonderful, huge, and accompanied by the best fries and a scrumptious caramelized onion jam (sooooo good!).
The desserts are also a treat--small portions presented on a 'tree'--only $2.50/ea--great for just that final sweet taste!
Our server, Katie, was friendly and efficient--made sure that drinks were refilled and had good suggestions--very aware of our needs and did not hover or rush us.
We will be back! -
Review from Sacita D.
San Diego, CA
5/14/2010 1 photo
Tons of different wines and a pretty delicious menu.
During my dinner I noticed that there was a little kid's birthday party celebration. I got there around 9pm. Odd considering it was late and this place is kind of pricey... I remember the birthday girl blew out the candles on the cake but no one ate it, and then everyone took off. If I was a kid at a wine bar & grill, I'd leave too.
Total date spot and you can then take a drive on the coast: Soft lighting and the decor is considered "romantic". Also if you like the color orange, you're in luck! It's everywhere.
Tip: They have an area for big parties and staff on hand to help coordinate the evening. For a group of 15 we were charged a minimum $45/person -
Review from Joanne A.
1/23/2010
The most excellent service throughout the night from our lovely server Kambria alone deserves five stars! If you go to Twenty/20, you should ask to sit in her section if you make reservations, she's a nutty crack up and we loved it!
Thanks to Restaurant Week, we trekked on up to North County and gave this place a try. Glad we did because the food was amazing. I started off with the Korean barbecue beef and minted watermelon salad between bites of the fried calamari we ordered from the regular menu. Yum. Between our appetizer and meal, we shared a bottle of red vino, great suggestion from our server since it was paired nicely with the swine we were about to devour.
Next up was our entree, the Twenty/20 pork trio which consisted of: local artisan sausage and rapini tender slow braised belly and crispy corn bread pan roasted tenderloin and red lentils with bourbon pan sauce. It. Was. The. Bomb. The tapas style dessert from their sweet tree was a nice treat and closed out this wonderful meal on a very satisfying note.
Okay, now that I got the food out of the way, I'll write about the overall experience. From start to finish, things were good with the exception of one rolling of the eyes witnessed by some of us when two others in our party ordered pre-dinner happy hour cocktails after we had already closed out our tab. I'll dismiss that tiny bit of attitude because she caught herself doing it and redeemed herself by blowing some sunshine up our way before we got seated for our 6:30 dinner reservation. The Carlsbad Cosmopolitan was worth it, but the thick orange slice floating in my martini glass got in the way between sips.
Not enough can be said about Kambria, I think she was a stand-up comic in her past life because she kept us entertained and happy throughout the evening. Service from start to finish was great, I must have been really parched because I guzzled a lot of water between sips of my vino and refills came quickly and unnoticed.
Gosh, were we really there for four hours last night? Time sure did fly when we were having fun. If I was in the North County area more, I'd certainly hit up Twenty/20 again. We were informed of tapas night in which the cougars come out. That I am not, but I heard the tapas were one of the best, so this fan will come back for that (and not the cougars). Rawr. -
Review from Mia E.
Oceanside, CA
7/29/2010
I've dined here a bit since it's close to my house and have seen/ate through at least 3 menu changes.
It is pretty pricey; the food has been either a hit or a "that's good but nothing to write home about." I do like that they change up their menu according to the season. It's like going to a different restaurant. And I'm a huge fan that they support local farmers.
Thursdays are Tapas night and it's a good time and the prices are quite reasonable.
The new dinner menu is also more tapas style too. We started with the spinach & goat cheese salad. This was pretty darned good and lightly dressed with a citrus vinaigrette.
Pork Piquillo Relleno with Pepita Pesto was just amazing. The roasted pepper just totally punched up the flavor and I could have put that pepita pesto on everything!
Calamari & Pepperoncini...I was actually surprised that I really like the fried pepperoncini. The dipping sauces make the dish.
Chick 'N Waffles was okay. The breaded/fried chicken breast was a bit too greasy for me an it could have used more maple sauce.
Mussels...oh my gosh! You know how some mussels are rubbery and could bounce off the table? These were so tender because they were cooked perfectly! We even turned my 12yo niece into a fan.
Oyster Lettuce Wraps. Not too bad for fried oysters. My niece totally loved this one though.
Wild Mushroom Pizza...(last one). Very garlicky but good; add the pepita pesto and perfect.
One thing to consider is that this restaurant is in the Carlsbad Sheraton which is right next to Legoland. So, there are LOTS of screaming kids. They totally accommodate and that's great for the tourists but dang, prepare for a headache! I would deduct 1 star for that but that's not the restaurant's fault! -
Review from Justin J.
Los Angeles, CA
7/18/2011
After 20 minutes of waiting for someone to at least take my drink order, the hostess who sat me came over and asked if anyone had talked to me yet. When I tell her no, she responds "Well someone was supposed to." Outstanding.
So she ends up taking my order (something I don't think she's done before, but hey it's not her job). I order the chicken, and 20 minutes later they send it over. Cold. Methinks someone was supposed to bring it sooner.
And to top it off, the person who takes my check says "thanks, guy."
No problem, bro. -
Review from Rianne D.
1/23/2010
What makes a great restaurant dining experience, in my book? The ambiance, the food, the service and the company. And, after the extremely memorable evening, hands down, it gets a 5-star rating.
Twenty/20 has the look and feel of a great restaurant. Nicely decorated, very spacious and not too dimly lit, it made a great setting for a wonderful night.
Bumping cocktail glasses, with Jojo, we hung out at the cute little bar, for some pre-dinner drinks. Our bar waitress wasn't really little Miss Sunshine, though. When we asked about happy hour, she replied with, "Yes, it's until 7pm." and, promptly walked away. "Excuse me!" I flagged her back to ask her WHAT were the actual specials, which happened to be half off appetizers and $2 off drinks. My Carlsbad Cosmo was a good choice, though a little pricey - almost $10 - at the HH price. When Jay and Melly Su made their appearance, they asked our waitress about the HH specials. We caught a little semi-eye rolling action. Interesting...
It really was not the start of a good first impression, but the HH wasn't the real reason we were here. We were looking forward to a Restaurant Week dining treat.
THANKFULLY, the overall restaurant experienced was saved by our dynamic and very entertaining server - Kambria. Friendly, informative and attentive - she was able to offer us suggestions that led to an enjoyable dinner. Noshing on lightly crisped calamari, as inspiration, in the end, my restaurant week choices were:
- Walnut lamb lollipop and green apple couscous drizzle of pomegranate molasses
- Twenty/20 Pork Trio: local Artisans sausage and rapini, tender slow Braised Belly on top of crispy corn bread, pan roasted tenderloin w/ red lentils with bourbon pan sauce
- Dessert: a choice of one Tapas dessert from their Sweet Tree
The lamb lollipop appetizer was absolutely delicious. The pomegranate molasses drizzle mingled very well with the medium and tender cooked lamb, a truly light balance of a hint of sweet, to accent its seasoning combo. This, I would order, again. The Trio of Pork, was, likewise, a good choice. My favorite was the braised belly, over the crusty cornbread. Melt in your mouth goodness, I love the added flavor the fat provided. Fat, in this case, isn't necessarily a bad thing. For dessert, between the four of us, we got a sampling. The best choice? Hazelnut creme brulee! It was heaven and pushed the limits of my already stretched stomach.
Extra kudos to Kambria for recommending our wine, from their very huge wine list. The Bordeaux blend Eponymous was a wonderful compliment to our dining choices. By far, she was the BEST SERVER EVER! Please give that woman a raise. She deserves it.
The restaurant week cost, along with the food experience, was definitely worth it. Combined with great company, time flew by fast. Definitely a great experience. Would I choose to eat here, again? In a heart beat - with Kambria as my server. I look forward for checking out Twenty/20, again, for a normal dining experience. Truth. ;o) -
Review from Steven M.
3/7/2010
Tourist trap. Not worth the visit at least it was not when I went. It's a Sheraton hotel operated restaurant with nothing fancy.
Food presentation is excellent but the food left a lot to be desired. Had the surf and turf for $48 and left hungry. Small piece of steak and even smaller lobster tail. The tail was poached and not broiled, which I prefer.
Atmosphere is decent so is the location off the 5 freeway. If your real hungry and want a nice upscale meal try Bistro West. About the same prices, closer to the freeway and the food is far superior.
Enjoy! -
Review from Tracie U.
2/2/2010
Maybe they were feeling a bit overwhelmed by Restaurant Week....maybe it was the tail end of Restaurant Week and they were slacking...maybe the Basil Lemon Martini went to my head OR wait...maybe ...actually I've run out of excuses. Its just when some of my favorite Yelpers give it 5 stars...I wanted to like it. Peer pressure is a helluva drug. But between our lukewarm Bouillabaisse, my overcooked pork, and my dining companions undercooked pork and chicken, this was a total miss for me. One of my friends actually felt sick the next day...I suspect his undercooked chicken may have been to blame. They managed to dry out pork belly....pork freakin' belly! Seriously, its like 50% fat.
Lest you think its just me (being the cranky curmudgeon I am when it comes to food and hype) not one but TWO chefs came out to field complaints from nearby tables during our meal...one bearing champagne apologies.
I did really like the comp Tapenade that was served with flat bead. I'm sure you could just order that at the bar. The servers and bartender were both great. If I worked in the area, I'd probably hit this spot up for happy hour (or liquid lunch...w00t!). There were lots drinks that sounded delicious and the ambiance was très classe and well suited to this cranky curmudgeon. -
Review from Melissa K.
Wichita, KS
5/15/2010
So I was dog sitting at the hotel and the dog's owner said why don't I get some food and charge it to the room. So I went down to get breakfast with the dog.
It is really nice to be able to eat on the patio with the dog and enjoy the views. The service was great. The food not so much.
I ordered the French toast and a smootie. The French toast was kind of mushy and the smootie was sour and chunky. Not really worth the 20 bucks.
The only reason for the for the three stars is the service was great.
This was the only time I have been there so maybe the lunches and dinners are better. -
Review from Steven D.
2/10/2010
I was recently here with some friends at the end of Restaurant Week. I'd actually give them a single star, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt in that perhaps during "normal" business conditions, circumstances would have been slightly more agreeable.
The staff, from the hostess, to the bartender (who was horribly overtaxed and understandably did not notice that my martini wasn't full enough to serve considering it cost $12), to the waiter (who was sycophantically nice but without a lot of personality) were all fine. Not amazing. Far from horrible. Simply efficient. They brought what I asked them to bring.
Although (enter gossiping here) I overheard the table of 6 next to us when we first arrived being placated by one of the chefs and at another point in the evening I saw a different chef placating a different table. One wonders if they have an entirely separate team of folks in cooking attire to do PR on the dining room floor. Maybe if the chefs were doing better quality control in the kitchen, and less PR on the floor, our food wouldn't have come out cold. But alas, I'm getting ahead of myself.
The food. Oh the food. It was kind of like a rollercoaster ride without the big ups and downs, and loopy-loops, and excitement. Actually, it was more like a slow-moving kiddie train - without even a kooky conductor to make you want to Choo-choo. Seriously.
Our bouillabaisse appetizer, which sounded (and in all fairness, looked) amazing, was served lukewarm. I would say cold, but to give them the benefit of the doubt (again) we'll say lukewarm.
Our second course, the pork trio, was delicious. It was portioned really well, and was presented nicely. A friend I was with had a very overcooked portion, while another friend had a portion of chicken which was raw in the middle. He ended up getting sick the same night. Coincidence?! Draw your own conclusions.
The dessert course was ridiculous. And not in a good way. They gave us a few bite sized portions of 6 different desserts. So the 6 of us each took a small bite of each and passed the individual containers around. We couldn't choose what desserts we received. And the majority of them were still frozen (or at least waaaaay to cold to serve as 'ready to eat').
All in all, after a trek ALL the way up the coast, I would have to say that this was a first and last. Sorry Twenty/20. Your flashy decor and high prices overpromised what your food couldn't deliver. -
Review from Melissa B.
Oceanside, CA
12/14/2009
COLDEST BEER IN TOWN! And as you can tell from my reviews, I am a beer drinker.
I went here for lunch one day. Everything was great; the food, the service, the beer, the decor and atmosphere. Plenty of outside seating and private dining rooms off of the main dining room. Come to think of it, I don't know why I don't go by more often. I think I'll pop by on Thursday for happy hour. Care to join me? Haha.
