Carlsbad Village’s Cbar Gets a Michelin-Trained Chef and a Menu Built From Scratch

Carlsbad Village has a new reason to linger, and it starts at Cbar on State Street. The cozy coastal wine bar and bistro has just welcomed Chef Jarle Saupstad to the kitchen. Furthermore, the menu he’s brought with him is worth the visit on its own.

A Wine Bar That Feels Like a Living Room

Founder Toni Spilsbury designed Cbar to feel like a coastal living room, and it shows. Additionally, string lights, warm wood, communal tables, and tucked-away corners make it the kind of place you settle into. You can visit from a morning cappuccino all the way through to a late-night glass of wine.

Meet the Chef Behind the New Menu

Saupstad brings over 25 years of culinary experience, Michelin-level training, and a career shaped by travels through Europe. His philosophy is straightforward: technique that serves the ingredient, not the other way around. Everything on the menu is made from scratch – bread included.

The naturally leavened sourdough and focaccia are baked in-house. Meanwhile, vegetables from Fox Point Farms are grilled, pickled, blanched, or marinated to let each one shine. Proteins lean toward slow-cooked preparations. This is a reflection of the time-honored methods Saupstad favors.

What’s on the Menu

Standout dishes include Cavatelli with Pea Tendrils, Mussels in Escabeche, Pâté de Campagne, Shrimp Lollis, and the showstopper Beef Wellington for Two. There are also seasonal options like Quince Glazed Duck Confit with Cassoulet that round things out. All are designed to pair with the boutique wine program led by Sommelier and Partner Mike Cusey.

The chocolate program deserves a mention too – plant-based, single-origin (Peru or Madagascar), and made with just four ingredients. The Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème is an espresso-infused crowd favorite that uses the cacao in its entirety.

Live Music and More

Weekends at Cbar come alive with live music – acoustic sets, smooth jazz, and laid-back reggae that fit the space perfectly. On March 27, singer-songwriter Shane Hall brings his folk-grunge sound to State Street for what should be a great evening.