Billy Joel sings a song called "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and I couldn't help but find myself humming the story of Brenda and Eddie as I dove into my plate of gnocchi and marinara sauce at Caldo Pomodoro one recent afternoon. Cozy tables, twinkling white lights and friendly service makes you want to settle down for a hearty helping of comfort food.
Situated on one of the recognizable corners in the Village of Carlsbad, "hot tomato", the Italian translation of Caldo Pomodoro, has an extensive menu of Sicilian cuisine with a Cajun kick. And for those of you who find yourself constantly reaching for the Tabasco sauce, Caldo Pomodoro will not disappoint your lively taste buds. As Bill Lockhart, the restaurant's manager, says, it's the "hottest place in Carlsbad."
"All of our food is made fresh to order and we have a one to five star system," Lockhart said. "You can order anything as hot as you like."
If you are looking for a little kick in your marinara, order your pasta with the hot and spicy sauce. The secret behind the spice? Grated jalapenos, said Lockhart.
The restaurant has sat at the corner of State Street and Grand Avenue for 15 years. Owned by Fran and Gina Brancis, a brother and sister team from Connecticut, the indoor and outdoor dining area accommodates 60 guests and is usually filled to capacity during dinner. Lockhart said 60 percent of their guests are repeat customers, half of whom are tourists who find their way back to the firey eatery each year.
Lockhart said customer favorites include the shrimp ravioli which consists of tiger shrimp in a garlic sauce with sun dried and chopped tomatoes on a bed of cheese ravioli. The restaurant is also famous for their generous slices of garlic bread, smothered in butter, chunky garlic and plenty of herbs and spices.
Of course, anyone who has strolled through the Village knows there are a plethora of tempting restaurants but Lockhart said Caldo Pomodoro stands out, in part, due to their unique hours. The restaurant stays open until 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on weekends, making it easy to satisfy that late-night craving for New York-style pizza or a nice stop-off after taking in a performance at the Carlsbad Village Theatre.
Caldo Pomodoro employs a staff of approximately 15, including five chefs. Parking is plentiful and the eatery opens at 11:30 a.m. for the lunch crowd. The restaurant is located at 2907 State Street. For more information, call (760) 720-9998.
Situated on one of the recognizable corners in the Village of Carlsbad, "hot tomato", the Italian translation of Caldo Pomodoro, has an extensive menu of Sicilian cuisine with a Cajun kick. And for those of you who find yourself constantly reaching for the Tabasco sauce, Caldo Pomodoro will not disappoint your lively taste buds. As Bill Lockhart, the restaurant's manager, says, it's the "hottest place in Carlsbad."
"All of our food is made fresh to order and we have a one to five star system," Lockhart said. "You can order anything as hot as you like."
If you are looking for a little kick in your marinara, order your pasta with the hot and spicy sauce. The secret behind the spice? Grated jalapenos, said Lockhart.
The restaurant has sat at the corner of State Street and Grand Avenue for 15 years. Owned by Fran and Gina Brancis, a brother and sister team from Connecticut, the indoor and outdoor dining area accommodates 60 guests and is usually filled to capacity during dinner. Lockhart said 60 percent of their guests are repeat customers, half of whom are tourists who find their way back to the firey eatery each year.
Lockhart said customer favorites include the shrimp ravioli which consists of tiger shrimp in a garlic sauce with sun dried and chopped tomatoes on a bed of cheese ravioli. The restaurant is also famous for their generous slices of garlic bread, smothered in butter, chunky garlic and plenty of herbs and spices.
Of course, anyone who has strolled through the Village knows there are a plethora of tempting restaurants but Lockhart said Caldo Pomodoro stands out, in part, due to their unique hours. The restaurant stays open until 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on weekends, making it easy to satisfy that late-night craving for New York-style pizza or a nice stop-off after taking in a performance at the Carlsbad Village Theatre.
Caldo Pomodoro employs a staff of approximately 15, including five chefs. Parking is plentiful and the eatery opens at 11:30 a.m. for the lunch crowd. The restaurant is located at 2907 State Street. For more information, call (760) 720-9998.