Arrive early if you want a seat.

I liked the food, the value, the service, but the ambiance? Indoors it is darkish and noisy. Outdoors it is a bit crowded, and so close to the freeway that the steady whoosh of cars becomes your soundtrack. With that warning, it's worth a try, especially if you arrive at happy hour for happy noises and special prices.
You'll find some creative specials on the menu, and generally attentive servers who know the menu well.
The cocktails looked carefully prepared, though I didn't imbibe.
The appetizers and salad were artfully displayed. I like a salad with plenty of color in it, and their regular dinner salad filled the bill.

Thank God Carlsbad has a new restaurant option like Bistro West. The ambiance is great. I recommend the bar with it's Plasma T.V.'s and nice mixture of low and high tables and also a couple booths. Happy hour has nice selections and the menu is a great mix of low to high end fare so you can go on a budget or splurge if you want. I think the food is great. The pot pie is huge and the spare ribs and filet combo is unbeatable.

<b> Overall:</b> Great food... Great Service... Friendly atmosphere... Always greeted with a smile... Carlsbad needed a new refreshing dining spot... <br /><br /><b>Service:</b> Great!!! Friendly and attentive from the moment you walk in the door....<br /><br /><b>Quality:</b> Food is always good... Great selection of entree's<br />

LOVE this place! !! Great atmosphere and family friendly... Service is always friendly from the time you walk in the door till the time you walk out... Greeted with a smile at the front door and always acknowledged on the way out... Servers are attentive and know their stuff... Atmosphere is up beat and very tastefully decorated....