I haven't had a meal this amazing since...well, I can't even remember. This little gem is in Carlsbad and this was our first time dining with Jeune Et Jolie. If you have the time, try the four course tasting menu with the beverage pairing. We are not big drinkers and we went with our teens, so we all tried out the non alcoholic pairing. I love food. I love food experiences. This was a delicious food journey and I am thankful my family is always open to try things with me! Beautiful decor inside and out. We had made reservations and were sitting outside. It was like we had our own private seating area, even though there were other patrons. I didn't even notice them until I got up to wash my hands! If you want something more upbeat, inside seating looked like the place to be. Upbeat but relaxed and chill at the same time. The kitchen is mesmerizing and is out in the open so you can watch all the magic. Every member of the staff was SO welcoming from the moment you walk up. Our server Noah with the help of Chelsea led us on our food journey. They made it personal by learning each persons name & food style. Answered any questions and had the best recommendations. Ryan, the Sommelier had fun pairings. It was our first non alcoholic food pairing experience and he explained everything from ingredients and what flavors will bring out certain flavors in the food. He always followed up after each taste. There is literally an army of people taking care of you. The food...so many delicious & decadent layers of each dish. Fun combinations. Fresh, local ingredients. Perfectly seasoned. It was hard to pick one thing from each course! Each plate had a work of art, visually and flavors! I also liked the portions, not too big, not too small. We were able to even share bites with each other. Another fun thing, in the fourth course pairing in the Cerise & Cafe, the ice cube was actually clear without any imperfections. You don't see that every day and just shows the detail that goes into every single thing placed on your table. Already have the menu on my radar to watch for new dishes to go down to try! read more

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One Michelin Star, French-Californian restaurant and cocktail bar, Jeune et Jolie, is serving a dinner menu from their open kitchen in an intimate indoor, outdoor setting. Host, staff, and kitchen work in unison to welcome guests, announce orders, and deliver an experience. FOOD 5/5 CANARD rohan duck (tender), morel (stuffed w meat), strawberry (cooked, sweet), pistachio (paste) 5/5 MUSSELS salt-spring island (BC), sauce vierge (so flavorful) 5/5 PRAWN (chilled, tender) w tomato, horseradish (tangy kick) - OYSTER (shigoku, WA) on the half-shell (light flavors) - BAY SCALLOP pistachio, rose, honey (delicate flavors) read more

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Jeune is such a beautiful French restaurant that is well deserving of their Michelin star! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with the best staff who made my birthday celebration 100 out of 10! They had the beautiful idea of providing a bouquet of exotic flowers for our table from the florist next-door. This wonderful surprise made the entire experience! Even the hostess said that she took the time out of her day before the restaurant opened to run over to their sister restaurant to find a vase to put them in! Every bit of this restaurants details for my special day was so meaningful and I can't thank you enough! The dinner menu is set up in four courses where you get to choose one dish from each course. The chef surprised us with a special additional first appetizer that was mind blowing! Each dish we chose lit up a new taste bud on our palate! Every dish just riddled with in an array of intriguing nuances in each bite. We were told by our waitress that each dish is curated from locally sourced produce and meats, so the menu is always evolving and changing. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience and we are so excited to come back and try a different menu! read more

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What an enjoyable culinary experience! Watching the entire kitchen in action was both a treat and the highlight of the evening. I had a great view, though my partner's vantage point was more limited. The four-course menu was beautifully presented and delicious throughout. The non-alcoholic pairing complemented each dish perfectly and was well worth it. We were also pleasantly surprised by a few extra treats at both the beginning and end of the meal. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and there was no pressure to upsell additional items. Definitely will return for special occasions. read more

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There's a reason that this is a Michelin starred restaurant, the place is simply amazing! The quality of food & service is impeccable! First of all, I appreciate the casual vibe with rose touches throughout. I loved watching the food preparation at the open kitchen that was directly in front of us. From the amuse bouche to the after dinner candy and cookie, I loved every entree! For the four course menu I chose - Crudo - Super fresh with a light and delectable sauce Cabillaud - Black Cod was perfectly cooked, tender and flaky. Truite - Trout with the sauce was the perfect pairing. Caramel Normande - This actually tasted like deconstructed apple pie! I also enjoyed the after dessert cookie and candy. Thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and I would come back again to try another menu! It's definitely a must do for both locals and tourists! read more

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Came here with my husband for a date, and it was such a cute restaurant! We both had the set dinner menu. We both thought the food was very good, and I was full at the end of it, but my husband said it wasn't filling to him. It comes in four courses with little bites in between, and it's nice that you get to try a bit of everything. There is a big variety. The service was very good, and the staff were super friendly. Overall a great experience. Only criticisms were that it was pretty cold that day and the space heaters don't help all that much, so my husband and I were both shivering throughout dinner. And also, be warned that they automatically add a surcharge to your check, not including tip. You can ask for it to be waived, but I personally find this kind of awkward. read more

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My wife and I had a marvelous time dining here. The vibes are upscale and pure elegance. The decor is pristine and for a minute I felt like I was back in the French Riviera. Service is amazing, the staff is kind and very friendly. Decor-5/5 stars! Service-5/5 stars! Food-3/5 stars. The food was a bit of a disappointment, but maybe our expectations were too high considering the Michelin Star. Noting really stood out above normal . We'd love to come back and have drinks at bar and watch the action again. read more

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Excellent food with a laid back vibe. One of San Diego area's Michelin starred restaurants, Juene et Jolie is an amazing place for a date, a celebration or just a nice meal. Located in Carlsbad, the restaurant is has a small indoor space and a large patio. Tables are far enough away that you aren't listening in to someone else's conversation all night. Reservations are available online. For dinner they offer a 4 course prix fixe menu. The menu changes regularly, however, every time I've been here the food has been excellent. The prix fixe menu has 4 courses. There are a selection of 3 options for each course. The concept behind the menu is well thought out. The black cod with persimmon was a highlight as was the pork with quince, turnup and walnut. The combination of the sweet and savory flavors hit the spot perfectly. Service here is good. Not crazy like some places, but good and laid back. Drinks were refilled on time. The wait staff was super friendly and chatty. They added to the ambience nicely. If you're looking for a nice meal in the San Diego area this is an amazing option. read more

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So good! My family and I visited for my birthday and we had an incredible experience. We sat outside, which was beautiful, despite the weather. The staff was so kind to turn up the heaters and offer us blankets. Likewise, our server was extremely gracious and knowledgeable. The food and cocktails were all incredible, we enjoyed every bite. Will be back! read more

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Great ambiance at the bar The big platter was delicious. Best mussel i ever had in my life!!! Cocktails were unique and nice but not worth the price in terms of complexity and volume. Service was great too read more

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I returned for a 3rd time. The dishes are still the same, though I think some of the flavor lacked a bit of power compared to my previous times I've dined here. The staff delivers excellent service! I think I was mostly off put by the pork since I think it tends to be too thick and dry. read more

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A much anticipated resy, saved it for our milestone anniversary. Reservations can be made online (deposit), but they can't be changed or altered or you don't get much help via phone it leads to an automated system and sms/email don't get responses. There's street parking and easy access. The two seater tables are very small, barely hold the course and complementary sides. Service is alright, a bit lacking. And courses come out really slow. Food is ok/lackluster. We weren't wowed by anything and we did not like a few courses. So this is a prix-fixe - 4 courses with atleast one vegetarian option and pescatarian option. Further they gave us some options to accommodate our mushroom intolerance. It started with an amuse bouche made of cauliflower bread egg yolk and either truffle or caviar (based on diet). This was really obnoxious. Not at all amuse bouchey ! The yolk was so pungent and polarizing. The apps were buttermilk truffle salad and a crudo,both were ok. Next came some bread and butter with a chikpea pannise and a cod. The courses were better than app but still nothing extraordinary. Mains were lentil and trout (pretty sure this was salmon?!) and the server said morel mushrooms while there were none in the dish. Dessert was actually our least favorite and one we were most looking forward to. Coffee and chocolate based both felt neither sweet nor interesting. Coffee felt like milk pudding. Their drinks are nice - Sazerac and then milk punch in that order. The price is steep and at that point as well as the Michelin recognition I guess we expected much more. read more

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We had heard about Jeune Et Jolie from our friends and we wanted to give it a try. Upon arriving, parking was a little challenging to find. There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, but the lot was very full and dark. But lucky a spot opened up for us. When we made our way to the host station, we were greeted promptly and within a short time, escorted to our table. The restaurant was bustling and the kitchen looked like a well oiled machine ready for our orders. We ordered a couple of drinks that were delicious. The highlights were the foods though. Each dish came out meticulously plated. Each dish was flavorful and balanced. Overall a great experience. Looking forward to our next trip back. read more

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Let me just say, this opinion is coming from someone who has never ventured a michelin star restaurant before. This gem is located in the heart of Carlsbad. Tommy assisted my family and I and right off the bat, you can tell how knowledgeable he was of the restaurant and chef's mission. In addition, it was a huge plus to have Tommy serve us, because he was just so charismatic! We ended up coming here for the four course meal- my family and I tried to diversify so we can try most of the options, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I will also say, as a fairly adventurous eater, do not sleep on the vegetarian options! They were so delicious and each bite was packed with intentional flavor. The leeks were a stand out for me! Of the four dishes I picked, the only meat option I went with was the duck, and it was seasoned and cooked to perfection. What I also loved about Jeune et Jolie was how they also had a non-alcoholic pairing with the meal. This option makes me more inclined to come back with my s/o who chooses not to drink alcoholic beverages. Everything we ate and drank had such purpose. While you'd probably spend a pretty penny here, it was all worth it. The staff, atmosphere, food, and drinks were absolutely perfect. Thank you to Tommy and the staff for a wonderful experience! I highly recommend Jeune et Jolie to anyone looking for an upscale experience! - read more

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An absolutely stunning restaurant with impeccable service and food. Features an intimate, open kitchen with a quaint French menu and an unmistakable Carlsbad coastal vibe. (Cheers to the sommelier for the memorable and personable tasting experience.) read more

My friend invited me to join her for her birthday dinner celebration. I never been to Jeune et Jolie (aka Young and Beautiful) but heard the name a lot. I was sooo excited to finally try it. Come to find out later, it's one of the top Michelin restaurants in Southern California. I stepped into a dimly lighted restaurant filled with elegance in the air. It definitely had a youthfulness vibe based on the color scheme of the decor and was indeed beauuutiful in every way. My friend's choice in restaurant was exquisitely perrrfect for this occasion. The service was suuuper stellar from the start when engaging with the hostess outside then our waiter inside. When I looked at the prix-fix menu options, everything sounded delicious; although, it took some time to make a selection. I'm sure glad I did because my dinner was fabulously amazzzing. All I can think of is how each course had a lovely delicate artful appearance. My palate couldn't wait to enjoy each bite of the delightful picturesque dish. Oooh là là, this place is where food is elevated to the utmost and mastered as a true art form. My compliments to the chef. Très très magnifique!! So if you're into fine...fine dining, I highly recommend Jeune et Jolie :-) read more

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I've been here when it first opened and got lots of fanfare and wanted to come back. This time around, it was my birthday and my friend and I were originally heading over to Campfire for a casual dinner and it was a 45 min wait for a table so we walked around and ended up at Jeune et Jolie. They had immediate available tables on the patio and my friend was game to check out the prix fixe dinner menu. We started with a bottle of white burgundy wine- nothing terribly fancy but it went very well with the soft flavors of the fish courses and the sweet/savory of the appetizers. Each course came with an explanation and I didn't have to get the entire history of each ingredient-- it was approachable and understated. Every single dish was clearly prepared with immense detail and deserved its place in a Michelin starred restaurant. My friend decided to splurge on a few upgrades involving caviar so we just went for it and were not disappointed. Overall, I love that Jeune et Jolie continues to offer excellence- it's consistent and it's approachable. I wasn't expecting to get a table on a weekend night. Surprises are beautiful and that's was J &J offers- delightful unexpected experiences. read more

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Ahh, Jeune et Jolie. I was itching to come here, and so happy to have finally made the trek over. The Carlsbad fine dining establishment was my opportunity to make up for the fact that I had never gotten to visit Auburn in Los Angeles. Walking up to Jeune et Jolie, what can I say - the place is gorgeous! It's super cute, mixing fine dining and casual in a pleasant way, and just absolutely, well, welcoming. We sat outside and enjoyed the calm and the last of the summer sun. It got a little chillier in the evening. The menus are also rather simple and take a lot of the decision-making out of the struggle. There are a handful of options for each course, and honestly if you wanted, you could share the portions. They're small, but not that small. If you have a party of 3-4, feel free to literally get everything on the menu. I did enjoy the wine pairing, cocktails, and oysters we ordered as well. I'm not sure it's worth going into a course-by-course since I imagine it changes regularly, but the pictures should do some justice. I still think about the surprise bread course, and the steak tartare is a favorite. I struggle here on the final rating. I'm tempted to give it a 5 star review, but I think for the price range, there should be just a touch more of something - the service, the portions, something (not everything). The service was friendly but intermittent and could use some slight refinement around the edges. Not everyone will be filled up at the end of the night. In fact, I expect there is a large contingent that will want another course or two to finish things off. But maybe the argument is that this isn't true "fine dining", and that's what Lilo is for. Maybe. But for what Jeune et Jolie is? I appreciate it. I'm willing to try Chef Bost's other creations at Lilo and Wildflower. read more

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Not trying to be a hater, but honestly not worth a Michelin star. The only thing Michelin worthy is the amount of times they changed our utensils. It's an open concept kitchen with pretty cute diner-like vibes along the sides of the restaurant. Let's start out with the drinks. Aesthetically it was fun, because it came in a long milkshake glass, and being in a diner-like booth, it really gave me diner vibes. It was almost all ice and barely any drink. The taste was not too bad but a little overly sweet. We opted for the raw bar appetizer option (plateau de fruits de mer), which came with an oyster, prawn, bay scallop, and mussel. The bay scallop was my favorite but the rest were pretty good too. There were 4 people in our party so we pretty much tried everything on the menu. Honestly, the presentation was very good but the taste of everything did not live up to its Michelin name. The bread and butter was provably the best part of the meal along with the amuse bouche that were sprinkled throughout the meal. We opted for the more expensive beef option but it really wasn't worth it. The meat was pretty tough and I can make a better steak grilling a choice steak on a grill. The service was great and they constantly checked up on us and changed our utensils, but it was really overboard in my opinion. read more

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Wow, this was the best meal I had in ages! I was so happy we decided to stop by on the way to San Diego. Every dish was mindblowing - especially the uni, halibut, and crudo Loved the attention to detail in their dishes. They had superb service, and even gave us a celebratory toast for my birthday, along with a cute card. Vibes were super cozy, like a French bistro. I highly recommend this restaurant as a cute date night spot or girls night out. read more

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We visited Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad and made an early reservation right at the kitchen counter. The view was incredible watching the chefs work was the highlight of the night. We started with the seafood platter included scallops, oysters, shrimp, and mussels. Everything was so fresh and delicious. The shrimp was so sweet and crunchy and the scallops were so delicious. It even came with caviar and a unique banana pancake pairing which I didn't really liked. We also received a complimentary cauliflower croquette topped with caviar, which was a nice but was just okay for me. For the four-course menu, the food was tasty, but because of the Michelin star, my expectations might have been a bit too high. It was good, but not mind-blowing, and the wine pairing felt a little standard. I'd revisit just for that seafood platter and the atmosphere! Also loved open kitchen watching chefs cooking in close distance. read more

The first thing you notice when you walk in is the open kitchen with a small brigade of chefs moving like clockwork. If you can, sit inside. The outdoor seating is fine, but inside vibe is much better. We went for the 4 course menu, with one wine pairing and one sans esprits (non-alcoholic) pairing. I liked that the pairings are tailored to each dish you picked, makes it feel more personal and thoughtful. We also started with 6 oysters from California, Massachusetts, and Maine. The California ones were the clear winners. Maybe it's because they had less distance to travel? Ha. Every course was spot on, beautifully plated and delicious. My sans esprits pairing honestly impressed me; I never once felt like I was missing out on alcohol. The final drink, though, completely stole the show: it's called the cafe made w/ coffee, koji, kabocha, and cream. It tasted like what I wish my daily coffee could be if I wasn't trying to be healthy. The foam was this cloudlike, velvety dream. I loved it so much I ordered another one, this time with mezcal and it was just as amazing. We did the wagyu and lobster upgrades, two drink pairings, two 4-course menus, 6 oysters, and 3 cocktails. The bill came to ~$640. Pricey, yes, but worth it for a truly special experience. Overall, an incredible dinner from start to finish. Not a single disappointing bite or sip. Jeune et Jolie delivers on every level, creative, elegant, and thoroughly enjoyable. read more

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The food here is very good and well thought out. The service from each staff member was on par explaining each dish and checking in after each course. I will say the inside seating is a bit cramped but it felt cozy. If you are able to look past the ambiance the food is well worth it. The bread course was to die for. read more

Jeune Et Jolie - French Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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*THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE BATHROOM ONLY* No toilet seat covers! Functional, clean, nice in general. Nice paper towels, obligatory bag hook, spacious, so definitely nicer than a Costco bathroom. But for a nice restaurant that prides itself on taking special care in its food, that same sense of care is absent in the bathroom. Soap dispenser is drippy and not motion sensor, finicky! The motion sensor sink is finicky, the water is freezing cold if it's cold out, and the toilet paper is...2-ply. Not 3-ply. Not "plush"... Thus, good-ish but not great. 3/5 stars. read more

3.5 Stars - i expected more for a 1 michelin star restaurant. I wonder if having my reservation at 8:30pm was the mistake. Service: Overall friendly but seemed to lack experience. The waiters seemed nervous and couldn't explain the menu or dishes well. Our drinks sat empty for awhile before we had a refill. Also, our meal took incredibly long, with about 20-30 mins between each course. Ambiance: Great feel and decor. just know that a train runs nearby the restaurant and gets very loud with the horns every 20-30 mins. Food: 1. Bay scallops - small scallops with a nice acidic and slightly sweet touch. 4/5 2. Caviar blini - delicious start, the briny and savory combined had me excited for what would be coming up. 5/5 3. Tartare - veal with white soy, radish and aonori. It's lighter and milder than a beef tartare. I felt like the radish was overpowering and they went for beauty over balance. It would have been nice with a bit of added richness. It also felt a tad too cold so the sweet veal flavors were a bit muted. 3/5 4. crudo - amberjack, plum, shiso, konbu, verjus. Great combo of flavors to go with amberjack, one of my fav fish to eat raw. Lots of acidity. 4/5 5. milkbread with lemon butter - crispy outside, incredibly soft and fragrant inside. I wish i could eat this everyday. Butter was soft and complimented the savory bread with richness and a touch of citrus. 5/5 6. printemps - 2nd course veggies - an assortment of artichoke, zuchini, rhubarb, brocollini with savor bits of sauce and acidity. 4/5 7. Agneau - lamb with a blueberry sauce. Sauce was savory and sweet. Interesting combination. 4/5 8. sebaste - rockfish that was compliments of the chef for the delays in food. It looked very appealing with the crisped up scales. However i quickly realized it was only half crisped up so it was a weird combination of crispy and chewy. The fish itself was cooked well but dish was a bit cold when served 3/5 9. truffle puff - simple and delish 5/5 10. wagyu with sweetbreads - the bordelaise sauce perfect. Ribeye itself was not that impressive and not comparable to other a5 wagyu. Sweetbreads was served cold, so i did not get the nice crisp golden crust and the resulting taste was overly heavy. 3/5, the sauce saved this dish 11. poisson - seabass. Overcooked, half the fish was stuck to the skin side. Skin was very crisp, and probably too much. It was like the fish flakes were splinters off a piece of wood. 1/5 12. desserts chocolat and the grape fromage - both delicious but nothing out of this world. 4/5 13. extras - lemon cookie cups 5/5, chocolate ganache 4/5 read more

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My husband planned a special getaway for our anniversary and we were just so excited looking forward to our dinner at Jeune Et Jolie. The place itself is gorgeous! The staff are friendly and helpful they really do an amazing job with presenting the food and drinks, they sell it really well. Unfortunately, besides gorgeous presentation the food was not what we expected. We like eating (good) we appreciate high end ingredients, locally sourced, etc but there was just not much flavor in any of the four courses! My husband knows wine, he prefers Napa California wines. It was disappointing that although they claim to be New French with a touch of California, they don't carry California wine. We dressed up, I even got new heels and a dress for the occasion and what made the experience worse is seeing people next to us wearing sneakers, shorts, cut off shirts with armpit hair showing, backwards hats! I'm not sure why they don't have a dress code. Perhaps this is a new kind of trendy place where flavor and elegance don't really matter. Whatever the case, we will not be going back. read more

I had high expectations for this experience. My boyfriend surprised me with this dinner reservation and knowing that it was a Michelin Star restaurant, I couldn't wait. We arrived for our 8:30 reservation 30 minutes early, so they weren't able to seat us at our table, but they were able to seat us outside for drinks while we waited. The host was really nice and so were the staff, so it felt like the night was going to go pretty well. Oddly, they had to ask our party name multiple times and after watching multiple couples being placed at their tables, we were finally seated at 8:45. Our seats were great, I had a nice view of the kitchen. The decor was really cute. Our waiter comes by, starts explaining everything, and we go through my allergies, so I was feeling pretty confident in my selection. 30 minutes go by and we get our first course. My first course the Asperge which was essentially two large pieces of asparagus with caviar and a crème fraiche. It felt like I was eating blanched veggies to be honest. Nothing to remember it by, but i thought because it was 4 courses, starting light was good. After another 30 minutes have passed by, and they bring some sort of app prior to our 2nd course. I got a small bowl of local raw veggies on ice with a side of French butter. I've been to France many times in my life and have never had that combo. Another 30 minutes pass, and I actually had already started feeling nauseous, and our 2nd course is finally brought to us. I got the Royale De Brocolis, which was essentially more veggies, but it was missing the Dungeness crab. They pointed out it was because of my allergies, but I was very clear I only had a fresh fish allergy, not a shellfish or crustacean allergy. So all during this time I'm feeling very sick and tired because we are around 10:30, and we are only on the 2nd course. By this time I'm trying to power through so we can experience all courses, but it was taking too long. Especially when the crowd had definitely died down. What was a bit upsetting is that nobody came to acknowledge or apologize for how long everything was taking. We finally flagged down our waiter, who was honestly really nice, but when we asked if he could just box up our last courses, he then apologized for how slow everything was and that it was an exceptionally slow night for the kitchen. By that time I was over it, and it was a little past 11pm already. I really wanted to love this experience, but it just didn't hit for me, and I've been to plenty of Michelin Star restaurants around the world. What concerns me is that if we didn't ask for our food to go, we still would be sitting at the restaurant passed and we probably would not be done until midnight at the rate we were going. Although the staff was so nice, I felt that the staff were a bit inexperienced. I understand everyone has to start somewhere. Maybe it was just an off night, but with the amount of money spent ($400), I left sick, hungry, and tired. Sorry. read more

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Kinda typical overhyped Michelin experience. Food was tasty but very small portions and way over priced. Great service but a 4% "surcharge" added for the staff on a $1000 dinner for 3? Really? Do you think I'm not going to tip 20%?? It says I can refuse the surcharge. Oh sure, then I look like a douche to the folks that just worked hard serving us. Just charge 4% more please. I won't be going back. read more

He surprised me with dinner here for my birthday, and it was WONDERFUL. We haven't been to a lot of French restaurants, so I didn't have any expectations, but everything we had on the tasting menu was super delicious. I had a few food restrictions that I shared with our server and she went above and beyond to offer substitutions for everything, and all her suggestions were perfect. It was also such a sweet surprise to get little treats in between our courses that weren't on the menu. Wish the photos I took could convey how much we loved our experience here. Hoping to come back again sometime soon! read more

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Jeune Et Jolie takes the cake for the most personable and professional dining experience I've had to date. My friend and I reserved a table for a Wednesday evening in March and I can still remember almost every detail about our meal here. There's a large parking lot next to the restaurant itself and a heated patio to sit at while you wait for your table to be ready, or you can opt for a seat at the bar to do so like we did. The interior is warm and welcoming, with mirrors and light fixtures that walk the line between quirky and classy. Our bartender, Henry, took great care of us and obliged a request for one of his pens. Golden Cadillac: one of my top 3 drinks of all time. Sweet and citrusy with a little herbal bite - think a more fun orange cream soda. Also lays claim to the best tasting tuile I've ever had. Once we were seated in our booth, we met Paola, who took down our choices for the 4-course menu and happily added to our pen collection. My friend and I got different dishes for each course to maximize what we were able to try. Our dishes were paced very well and we had a great view of the open kitchen. We later met Taylor, who rotated with Paola as our server and showed us many more cool pens. There's something to be said about a restaurant's atmosphere when the staff they attract are so good-natured. Scallop supplement: fresh, clean, acidic, wish I remembered more. Amuse bouche: almond tartlette. Dainty but not super memorable. Crudo (amberjack, pear, celery, kombu, passionfruit): simple yet elegant. Truitte fumee (smoked trout, snap pea, celery root, caviar): trout was mousse-ified and hid under layers of celery root and other vegetables. Elegantly crafted and texturally and flavorfully complex. Swizzle: celery, lime, and pepper dominated "Middle Bread" with Meyer lemon infused butter: moist, pillowy rolls paired with a citrusy gourmet butter - we cleaned the plate and the bowl. Oursin (sea urchin, butternut squash, mushroom, coffee): decadent combination of uni and sauteed mushrooms in a sweet butternut squash foam. Agneau (+$25, lamb, black trumpet, pearl onion, black garlic): succulent and intensely flavored. Loved this dish! Poisson (sea bass, spinach, saffron, vanilla): crispy skin sea bass in a vanilla foam. Interesting to see vanilla used in a savory dish. Pintade (guinea hen, date, walnut, monococco, king trumpet): there's a special process where the hen is turned into a sausage with some other protein that I don't recall, but it was very cool to listen to when we first heard about it. A very warm and comforting dish. Lait et Miel (honey, chamomile, almond, blood orange): almond cake, gelato, sorbet. Leaned towards the sour side in profile with a honeycomb sugar tuile. Fruit de la Passion (passionfruit, chocolate, black sesame): passionfruit syrup in a wafer roll with chocolate, passionfruit gelato, black sesame crumble and reduction. An irreplaceable meal and a restaurant I'd love to come back to! See you next time :) read more

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Came here on weekday around 7. Place was full and busy. Liked how the server explained all the dishes. Sitting next to the kitchen, you can see them cook and call out. Reminds me of Japanese ramen restaurants. 1. Crudo: amberjack with plum and shiso 2. Oeuf: egg with corn, coffee and black truffle 3. Sebaste: rockfish with cucumber, fennel 4. Pigeonneau: squab with leek 5. Poisson: Sea bass with spinach and vanilla 6. Wagyu supplemental 7. Fraise: strawberry with mascarpone 8. Chocolat: chocolate with anise and cocoa nibs 9. Plateau de fruits de mer: oyster , musssl, scallop and shrimp: these were all pretty good. Nice flavors especially for the oysters and mussels The food comes out very slowly but otherwise the service was very good. All of the dishes were good to great; not one was a miss. Everything tasted good. The only caveat is that most of the dishes I chose were fish and by the end, they kinda had a similar flavor profile. Would recommend trying different proteins for each course. Overall 4.5 for the food and service. The menu changes every so often. Would come back to try. read more

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We are foodies and have visited several Michelin star restaurants. This one misses the mark completely. I am giving a star for the lamb tartare and the Canard (duck). The braised leek salad with truffles tastes like pure vinegar. The dumpling dish was so sour it was I edible. Desserts were probably the most consistent and the wine stewards were top notch. I would honestly save your money and go somewhere else. read more

Jeune et Jolie (Young & Beautiful in French) has been on my list since they earned their first Michelin Star in 2022. They are also on the Sapphire Reserve Tables list. IYKYK. My husband and I made a reservation and drove the hour or so down to Carlsbad. We parked for free in the lot behind the restaurant. We realized we could have taken the train since the restaurant is very close to the train station. Noted for next time. We were early so walked around before turning around and checking in with the hostess. Once checked in, we were immediately seated at a table with a view of the open-kitchen. The restaurant seemed to be quite busy. We were given the menus and asked if we wanted still, sparkling, or tap water. We opted for tap or "Carlsbad's finest" as one of our servers called it. We were greeted by several servers, a manager, and a pastry server throughout the evening. The service was exemplary. As it was a special occasion, we chose a few cocktails. I opted for the Old Fashioned ($20) while he went with the Margarita ($20). Both drinks were really good. From the prix fixe menu ($120), we chose the crudo and oeuf to start, the cabillaud and pigeonneau, the porc and entrecote (+$55), the Automne and chocolat for dessert. Once we ordered, we were given corn blinis as an amuse bouche. A lovely tasty bite to start our French dinner inspired by the California Coast. My husband and I split our dishes so we enjoyed at least a bite of everything. Crudo (amberjack, plum, shiso, kombu, verjus): Delightfully light and the flavors went well with each other as well as being visually pleasing. Oeuf (egg, sweet corn, chanterelle, coffee, black truffle): They made it rain truffles on this dish and it was so good and texturally pleasing. The egg white was served as a foam while the yolk was served a little hard. It was definitely interesting. Good for mushroom lovers. Cabillaud (black cod, porcini, persimmon, kombu): This was new on the menu and the cod was so soft. It went well with the mushroom and persimmon in the dish. They also used foam in this which made it a little whimsical. Pigeonneau (Hollander farms squab, green garlic, leek): This was a very small bite of squab but it was really tasty and pretty. Pain et beurre (milk bread with Meyer lemon butter): Delicious pillowy milk bread with the most delectable room temperature lemon zest infused butter. It was wonderful to use the bread to pick up sauce in our third course too. Porc (Klingerman farms pork fig, turnip, walnut): I was kind of thrown off by the leaves but the pork was tasty with the fig and tiny turnips. Entrecote (American wagyu long mountain ribeye, sweetbreads, Swiss chard, mushroom, bordelaise): I fully expected a bigger portion considering the $55 upcharge for this dish. It was good but did not justify the cost. The meat was tender and the sauce was lovely with the bread. Automne (date, molasses, pumpkin, toffee): This definitely hit all the notes for me. The caramel pour by the pastry server was a nice touch. I really enjoyed what was essentially a pumpkin toffee pudding. Fantastic. Chocolat (Chocolate, anise hyssop, cocoa nib): The chocolate dessert was also really good too and had a bit of ice cream with it which we forgot to inquire about. My husband who loves chocolate enjoyed sharing it with me. We were also served almond financiers and truffles with our check. It was a lovely end to a delicious meal. While this was a very good meal but my husband and I agreed that this was not our favorite Michelin Star restaurant. It is nice that they are one of the closer ones to us but I kind of expected more. read more

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Jeune et Jolie was genuinely one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've had in a while. It was our first time trying a French tasting menu, and from the moment we walked in, everything just felt thoughtfully done. The ambiance was effortlessly beautiful. Warm lighting, elegant but not intimidating, and you could tell a lot of intention went into creating the atmosphere. Dan, our waiter, was incredibly attentive and walked us through the menu with so much patience. We were a group of five and only three of us chose the four-course option while the others ordered à la carte. It wasn't an issue at all, which made the evening feel even more relaxed and accommodating. We also decided to do the beverage pairing, which ended up being one of my personal favorite parts of the night. Our sommelier was just as friendly and welcoming as our waiter, but what really stood out was his storytelling. Every pour came with context, why it was chosen, where it came from, what to look for, and it honestly made each course feel even more special. He brought this layer of charm that made the experience feel less like a traditional tasting and more like being let in on a really good secret. The food itself was full of surprises. Some combinations were unexpected but worked so well together. One that stood out was the Maine scallop with kiwi and Asian pear. I couldn't have imagined those flavors complementing each other, but it tasted fresh, slightly sweet, and balanced. My favorite dish was the gnudi it had ricotta with mimolette, carrot, lavender, and fines herbes. It was delicate, fragrant, and honestly just melted in my mouth. We also got the petite plateau from the raw bar, which had oysters, prawns, bay scallops, and mussels. Everything tasted ocean-fresh and clean, like it was prepared seconds after being caught. Another highlight was the stream of complimentary appetizers they brought out. Each one was small, creative, and absolutely delicious. It added a really thoughtful touch to the whole experience. What I also loved is that their menu rotates seasonally, so it gives you a reason to come back and try something completely different next time. Overall, everything felt elevated but not overdone. Just genuinely good food, a beautiful space, and people who clearly care about the experience they're creating. read more

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Picture this: it's our 23rd wedding anniversary, and my husband decides to surprise me with a full Michelin-star experience at Jeune et Jolie. Four-course prix fixe. Three choices per course. Optional wine or non-alcoholic pairings. I was already impressed before the first bite. The restaurant itself is effortlessly cool, casual California vibes with a beautiful interior and a warm, cozy exterior, just a stone's throw from the beach and downtown Carlsbad. It somehow feels intimate and elevated without being stuffy or intimidating. The staff? Flawless. Our server, Victoria, was an absolute standout! So knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely engaging. At one point, I honestly wanted her to just sit down and have dinner with us because she felt more like a friend than a server. That kind of hospitality is rare. Now the food... wow. The first course arrived and blew me away. The second course somehow leveled up. And then it just kept doing that with every plate. One of my pairings was Wagyu beef with oxtail, and I swear, when that oxtail hit my mouth, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. It was easily one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted in my life. Absolute perfection. A religious experience! By the time you reach dessert, you think, There's no way this can get better and then it does. The dessert was mind-blowing and the perfect ending to an already unforgettable meal. I cannot recommend this place enough. If you're looking to experience what a Michelin-star restaurant should feel like, especially for a wedding anniversary or special occasion, this is an incredible place to start. Romantic, thoughtful, elevated, and unforgettable. read more

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One of the best dinner experiences ever. The food was absolutely delicious. The favorite of the night was the duck (canard). We also had their oysters and they never disappoint. Service was very attentive. Our silverware was changed between every dish and we were well taken care of. We sat outside and the ambiance was amazing, weather was also wonderful. Four courses was $120. The amuse-bouche, milk bread, and mini desserts were complementary. The price is absolutely worth it. The portions were great and did leave you feeling satisfied. We did the wine pairing ($120) and i think that one i just wouldn't recommend. Price comes out to $30 a glass... which we did not see the value in, but if that's within your reach, go for it. Our server Gavin and his assistant Ally were very knowledgeable and kind, made the night extra special. Will definitely be coming back, Chef knows his stuff! read more

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My wife and I were so excited to try Jeune Et Jolie. We read so many rave reviews and had such high expectations. I really wish the food tasted as good as our server described it. Let me start by saying, if you force everyone to do a tasting menu for $120/ pp you better make sure each dish pops and stands out. That didn't happen. We started with the crudo. We both had bites that tasted fishy. The sauce was not bad but the fishy taste turned us off. I believe between the first and second or second and third dish they brought out the bread and lemon butter which was a huge highlight. For the second dish I had the canard and my wife had the homard. The duck had good flavor but lacked a thicker skin that would have added so much more flavor and texture to the dish. The homard was nothing special. Nothing stood out for the $25 added cost. For the third dish we ordered the Gnudi. Once again nothing stood out about this dish. The mushrooms gave some savory elements to the dish, but it was so below average. Neither one of us finished this dish. For desert we both had the Caramel Normand. We really enjoyed this dish. The thinly sliced apple and goat cheese was creative and flavorful. It was the best dish of the night. *Overall the food very disappointing. *The service was good. *The restaurant itself was nice and the heaters outside kept us warm. This review isn't to bash the restaurant. We really had high hopes. We love trying new restaurants and were really hoping Jeune Et Jolie would be one of our favorites. My wife and I were mixed on the rating. I gave it a 2 and she gave it 3 stars. read more

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The tasting menu for $120/person was very good, but you'll most definitely leave hungry. The portions are very small and the four courses probably aren't enough to make the average customer leave satisfied. The tasting menu does include an amuse bouche and a delicious mini loaf of bread between course one and two. The bread may have actually been the best (and most filling) part of the meal. The service was very professional and attentive and the ambience very warm and welcoming. The server was nice enough to offer us an a la carte menu based on the fact we had reserved bar seating, but ended up sitting at a table. On that note, due to the Michelin hype, you will definitely want to reserve your spot here well in advance. Of note, everybody at the table does not have to commit to the tasting menu, unlike at most other places that offer the same. The wine pairing for an extra $120/per person is 4 half pours, so opting for a bottle was a no-brainer. To no surprise, the wine menu is very French-focused. Based on the profile I wanted, the sommelier made a recommendation of a very affordable bottle which was not even on the menu. The $80 price point was probably the cheapest bottle available. I recognize he did not have to offer this and I was very appreciative that he did. Most of the bottles I was leaning toward on the menu were in the $90-140 range. The bottle was warm, so we asked the sommelier to chill it a bit and in the process learned that they do not have refrigerated storage for any of their bottles. They really ought to invest in that. It's not that big of an expense and it makes a world of difference. The sommelier went out of his way again to serve us a complimentary chilled half glass of white with our first course while our bottle of red sat on ice. Overall, the service and vibes are top notch and the food is very high quality, but you're bound to leave wanting more to eat. read more

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First, the ambiance was nice a little bit loud but it was okay, it was nice to sit at the end table where you can watch the chefs cooking. Second our waiter was really nice and they made us feel comfortable. Third, the food was okay... The meat though was perfectly cook! But my biggest disappointment is that there are just some dishes that don't go with wine or even with the next dish! There is a dish that will be so savory where you had it perfect in your mouth then all of a sudden the dish that would follow that will completely destroy it and just disappoint you as it isn't something that you would normally expect...which is that asian sour fusion that they always put in their dish is just disappointing for me. Very pricey for a meal that isn't worth as much as they mostly fed us with lettuce and decorations with a sour lime taste... read more

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Jeune et Jolie really punches above their weight. Had a spectacular evening recently. The food is great, but the service is pristine. We felt very well taken care of without wanting for anything...there were even unexpected elements like cards to remember the drink pairings and probably the most interaction we've had with the somm team in quite some time. We were early for our 8:30PM seating and enjoyed some drinks on the heated porch on a cooler late spring night. Their clarified milk punch is superb. I think I prefer outside seating...there's something so nice about an evening in Carlsbad where you feel a world away with French jazz playing in a hedge-lined courtyard. The meal was terrific. Execution is at a very high level on all fronts, though we felt the service alone was worth 2 stars. The most interesting thing here is the beverage program. They have 3 options: wine, beverage, and non-alcoholic. The beverage option is new and incorporates a mix of wines, cocktails, and sake. I quite liked the variety. I really enjoyed the cocktails and the sake the most. Also super cool is the welcome drink is L'Antidote, a nonalcoholic wine that smells like a great pizza parlor sauce, but tastes like sparkling fruit punch...really surprising and fun! In that the 4-course tasting comes in at $120 is a steal. Beverage pairing comes in at $100 and wine pairing is $120. The value here is incredible. The team here suggested we hit LILO next time we're in town...I wasn't able to secure reservations on such late notice. My only minor gripe is that the 2-top tables outside are too small. Imagine appetizer plates, water glasses and service ware for 2, 2 drinks from the bar, an iced-full seafood plateau...and I can't remember if there was a light/lantern or not. One false move and things could go crashing. The random trains coming through were fun. But I'd be pretty happy to make a return trip. read more

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