When Matt Hensley decided to open a pub in Carlsbad, he knew exactly what he wanted it to look, feel and taste like. After traveling the world as a member of the rock group, Flogging Molly, Hensley hoped to bring the diversity of the world palate to his newest endeavor, Hensley's Flying Elephant Pub and Grill.
Reminiscent of an Irish pub, Hensley's Flying Elephant gives diners a true pub experience. In addition to offering an extensive array of beers on tap including Guinness and Boddington's, Hensley's boasts a pool room, dart boards and live music.
“Some of my fondest memories are in pubs around the world,” Hensley said.
The walls inside the pub are painted black and red, a color scheme chosen because of its contrast, Hensley said.
Accordions adorn the walls – Hensley played the instrument in Flogging Molly – and framed classic photos and drawings decorate the interior.
“It's just a great atmosphere. (The restaurant is) going to be great,” said Lou Storrow, an attorney who frequents the pub.
Because of the location's history as a dive bar, Hensley worked hard to change the pub into a positive, safe and friendly establishment.
“The prior establishment was really kind of a mess, it was rundown,” Storrow said. “The people that used to go to (the previous restaurant) are not the same people that will be coming (to Hensley's).”
Diners at the pub will be pleasantly surprised by its broad menu. Taking inspiration from the world cuisine, Hensley incorporated Indian, English, Mexican and American food into the pub's menu.
Appetizers include potato skins, grilled chicken marinated satay with spicy peanut sauce, vegetable curry samosa, onion rings and other delectable choices.
For the main course, diners can choose from a variety of items including chicken curry, fish and chips, seared ahi salad, veggie pasta and the pub's signature burger, the Elephant Burger, which is made of an eight-ounce burger, bacon, cheese and onion rings served on a home-baked roll.
Vegetarians will feel right at home with tofu substitute available and vegetarian curry samosa or vegan chili soup on the menu.
Children can select from Ollie's Menu, which features a chicken sandwich, fish tacos and a quesadilla.
“It seemed like an authentic Irish pub and the food was good,” said Jeff Lynch, who dined at the restaurant in July.
And the malt vinegar on his table, a pub staple, impressed Lynch.
“I think it's important for an Irish pub to have malt vinegar on the table, which there was,” Lynch said.
The pub has a stage for live music and Hensley hopes to circulate local bands through the pub in the future.
Reminiscent of an Irish pub, Hensley's Flying Elephant gives diners a true pub experience. In addition to offering an extensive array of beers on tap including Guinness and Boddington's, Hensley's boasts a pool room, dart boards and live music.
“Some of my fondest memories are in pubs around the world,” Hensley said.
The walls inside the pub are painted black and red, a color scheme chosen because of its contrast, Hensley said.
Accordions adorn the walls – Hensley played the instrument in Flogging Molly – and framed classic photos and drawings decorate the interior.
“It's just a great atmosphere. (The restaurant is) going to be great,” said Lou Storrow, an attorney who frequents the pub.
Because of the location's history as a dive bar, Hensley worked hard to change the pub into a positive, safe and friendly establishment.
“The prior establishment was really kind of a mess, it was rundown,” Storrow said. “The people that used to go to (the previous restaurant) are not the same people that will be coming (to Hensley's).”
Diners at the pub will be pleasantly surprised by its broad menu. Taking inspiration from the world cuisine, Hensley incorporated Indian, English, Mexican and American food into the pub's menu.
Appetizers include potato skins, grilled chicken marinated satay with spicy peanut sauce, vegetable curry samosa, onion rings and other delectable choices.
For the main course, diners can choose from a variety of items including chicken curry, fish and chips, seared ahi salad, veggie pasta and the pub's signature burger, the Elephant Burger, which is made of an eight-ounce burger, bacon, cheese and onion rings served on a home-baked roll.
Vegetarians will feel right at home with tofu substitute available and vegetarian curry samosa or vegan chili soup on the menu.
Children can select from Ollie's Menu, which features a chicken sandwich, fish tacos and a quesadilla.
“It seemed like an authentic Irish pub and the food was good,” said Jeff Lynch, who dined at the restaurant in July.
And the malt vinegar on his table, a pub staple, impressed Lynch.
“I think it's important for an Irish pub to have malt vinegar on the table, which there was,” Lynch said.
The pub has a stage for live music and Hensley hopes to circulate local bands through the pub in the future.