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| - Visited tonight for the first time with a couple of guests, including one from out of town. Hannah was our server and she was very attentive. I ordered the carne adovada plate, and I must say it was fantastic! The serving size was generous, it had great flavor, and came out sizzling - but without anything overcooked at the bottom, as can sometimes happen with a plate or skillet that hot. Served with a tortilla underneath and another on the side, it was enough food that I used both as makeshift burritos while still having plenty to spare! And while I am a fan of spicy food, this dish was actually quite mild, and would make a very good introduction to New Mexican cuisine.
The only reason I removed one star was because of the very loud, boisterous tables around us. This isn't really the fault of the wait staff as they couldn't predict it, but the restaurant is divided into a dining room, bar space with booths, and outdoor seating. They were putting almost everyone into the dining room, which meant we were seated between an oversized party at a long table and a small but extremely noisy group that came in sometime later and ideally would have been seated by the bar instead. Once they started laughing, it became a bit of a shouting match between the two groups to hear over each other. The outdoor area, however, was very peaceful and comfortable even in the evening heat thanks to the waterfall, fountains, and misters. If it's a nice night, I would certainly recommend the outdoor seating for the ambiance.
All in all, I would definitely recommend Carlsbad Tavern for its uniqueness and delicious food.
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