Clara in Carlsbad Review — The Best Flatbread You Haven't Tried Yet
Spring has officially sprung … and it’s … gonna be MAY (insert Justin Timberlake meme). With more daylight hours (hooray!) and the weather starting to warm up a bit, it’s the perfect time to go out on the town and check out some new spots in your neighborhood — which is exactly what I’ve been doing — and it’s time to report back!
I may be a little late (actually, extremely late, I’ll admit it) to the game on posting this review, but better late than never, right? Clara opened last summer in downtown Carlsbad and while I was skeptical at first, it has surpassed my expectations and continues to impress me every time I visit … because as you’ll find out, I’m basically a regular now.
Read my review of Clara in Carlsbad and let me know if you get a chance to go eat there!
The Location
Situated on the upper level of Carlsbad’s downtown Village Faire, Clara brings a cool, modern and upbeat vibe to the local scene. I am obsessed with the interior design of this place — it’s so simplistic, yet so chic. In my dreams, my house would have a bar like the one in Clara’s … but I digress.
The bar of my dreams Photo credit: Clara
The Drinks
Aside from Clara’s atmosphere, the food and drinks are the stars of the show. Craft cocktails are shaken, stirred and poured on the regular and their menu changes frequently showcasing fresh, seasonal foods. Although I’ve only tried one cocktail so far and a few wines, I can attest to the establishment’s fine bartenders and attention to detail.
Paloma
Try one at happy hour.
Try this: sparkling rose or a Paloma. Also, they have a list of ‘patio pounders’ that look like they live up to their name.
Seasonal pesto and veggie flatbread
The Food
Now, let’s get to the food. I’ve tried several flatbreads from Clara in Carlsbad — unfortunately, not all of them were documented because I have an appetite that cannot be tamed. But here’s a rundown of the flatbreads I’ve tried so far (more to come!):
Margherita — simple, classic, delicious. This flatbread is topped with fresh yellow tomatoes, basil and just the right amount of mozzarella cheese.
Mushroom — I’m not typically a mushroom girl, but BOY did this flatbread change my mind. Topped with arugula, tomatoes and of course, mushrooms, this flatbread is one that you should not pass up. Currently at the top of my favorites list.
Seasonal Vegetable (this one isn’t on the menu currently, I ordered it in the fall). Grilled veggies, pesto and a white sauce made this seasonal flatbread drool-worthy.
Clara in Carlsbad: made for (hungry) triathletes.
My bro agreed: these flatbreads were the perfect post-race meal. (We ordered these to-go)
Even though this is a pizza blog, I’m going to go out on a limb here and also recommend the Chimichurri Steak dish - the plate is served with Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes and broccolini … and don’t forget the perfectly grilled steak! This plate quickly became my go-to dinner entree order. So much so that I ordered it for my pre-race dinner before Ironman Oceanside 70.3 triathlon (race recap coming soon) … I guess Clara is partially to thank for my 23 minute PR.
Chimichurri steak on point.
The perfect pre-race meal.
Pro Tip: Clara in Carlsbad offers happy hour every day (yes, every. single. day. of. the. week.) Drop by from 3 pm - 6 pm or all day on Monday!
If you’re in the mood for lighter fare, Clara also offers a list of appetizers that are sure to fit the bill. My current favorites include the cauliflower and fish tacos.
Every dish I’ve ever ordered from Clara tastes fresh and never too heavy. I love their salad and entree options (and obviously their flatbreads) along with their light and refreshing cocktails. So the next time you’re looking for a place to grab after work drinks, celebrate an occasion with a group of friends or go out on the town with a hot date — put Clara in Carlsbad on your list.
