Chez Loma French Bistro
This classy little bistro, housed in a historic cottage on the island city of Coronado, is just a bridge-ride away from San Diego. Chez Loma is famous for its classic French bourgeois cuisine, which has been drawing locals as well as tourists for more than 30 years to its quarters in the Carez Hizar House, built in 1889. The Pate du Chef (duck liver) is a must-try appetizer, while for dinner you can't go wrong with such specialties as boeuf bourguignon, saumon raifort (roasted salmon fillet in a horseradish crust) and canard rôti (roasted half duck).
Chez Loma French Bistro
1132 Loma Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 435-0661
chezloma.com
Tip Top Meats
The pride of Carlsbad, Tip Top Meats is a German market with a critically hailed Old World restaurant that serves hearty portions of German specialties such as bratwurst, Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef), Holsteiner Schnitzel (pork tenderloin, filled with ham and Swiss cheese) and Rouladen (round steak stuffed with bacon, pickle, onion and mustard). Owner "Big John" Haedrich has been in charge of the kitchen since 1967, and augments his German fare with thick, juicy steaks and prime rib.
Tip Top Meats
6118 Paseo del Norte
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 438-2620
tiptopmeats.com
Poseidon
The Poseidon is one of North San Diego County's most popular oceanfront restaurants, as popular with the surfing crowd as it is with the well-heeled professionals who call this part of the world home. Located directly on the beach, the Poseidon specializes in seafood and has recently launched a series of wine dinners. Menu favorites include Japanese crusted sea bass, iron-seared ahi and five-spice wild sturgeon; for meat lovers, the Colorado rack of lamb is another sure palate-pleaser.
Poseidon
1670 Coast Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 755-9345
poseidonrestaurant.com
Rongbranch
There's almost always a line at this rustic old restaurant and bar, located in the heart of Julian, a little mountain town 50 miles northeast of San Diego that's known as the gateway to the Cuyamaca Mountains as well as numerous parks with a wide range of hiking and mountain-biking trails. The specialty here is old-school country favorites, from liver and onions and chicken-fried steak to roast turkey and buffalo burgers.
Rongbranch Restaurant & Boar's Head Saloon
2722 Washington St.
Julian, CA 92036
(760) 765-2265
rongbranchrestaurant.com
Cimarron
This ritzy restaurant is part of the Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa in the little desert town of Borrego Springs. The resort is high end and so is its flagship restaurant, which offers three- and five-course tasting menus, with appropriate wine pairings, as well as such menu favorites as mushroom ravioli, citrus-marinated salmon and venison.
Cimarron
3845 Yaqui Pass Road
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
(800) 824-1884
borregoranchresort.com
