Honest thoughts on Wildland Carlsbad

A surprisingly different experience between lunch and dinner—but overall, the restaurant holds its own.

Lunch was delightful. The space is beautiful and we had a chance to really take it in. We enjoyed “A Very Green Salad,” a selection of pizzas, and a standout rotisserie chicken served with chili oil—crisp, flavorful, and well-executed. The pastas didn’t impress our group as much, but the overall experience was positive and the service was excellent.

We returned for dinner and, unfortunately, left with the unanimous decision that this spot is best reserved for breakfast or lunch. The prosciutto toast was enjoyable, but the rotisserie chicken—so perfect at lunch—was a disappointment in its dinner form. It came smothered in a heavy, stew-like sauce with smoked bacon, potatoes, roasted dates, and kale. While the dates were a nice touch, the bacon had an oddly fishy flavor and the dish as a whole was overly rich and unbalanced. Gone was the clean, crispy-skinned chicken we’d loved earlier.

The pizza also felt like a completely different product—flat, lifeless, and lacking the texture and flavor we’d enjoyed at lunch.

That said, we’ll definitely be back—but only during the day.

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