North County and Around Restaurants

Dining in the North County tends to reflect the land where the restaurant is located. Along the coast, for example, there is one luxury fine-dining spot after another. Most have dramatic water views and offer platters of exquisite fare created by graduates of the best culinary schools. Right next door you can wander into a typical beach shack or diner for the juiciest hamburger you’ve ever tasted. Locally sourced food can be found at restaurants throughout the area, although a few chefs have adopted molecular gastronomic techniques. Backcountry cuisine is generally served in huge portions and tends toward home-style cooking, steak and potatoes, burgers, and anything fried.

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  • 1. AVANT

    $$$$

    The appropriately named AVANT—meaning stylistically advanced and original—delivers contemporary California cuisine—duck, lobster, lamb, fish, or the pride of AVANT, Wagyu beef—in an upscale setting. Dark woods, leather chairs, and pillar-candle chandeliers adorn the mission-style dining room, and the upper-level bar shakes up handcrafted cocktails with their own double-barrel reposado tequila. Start with the artisanal cheese platter with a side or Parker rolls sprinkled with sea salt and rosemary. The crudo bar draws a crowd with fresh oysters and ceviche.  For a VIP experience, reserve AVANT Table 65 where chefs prepare dinner in a private demonstration kitchen for up to 12 guests.

    17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., Rancho Bernardo, California, 92128, USA
    866-990–6845

    Known For

    • Local, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients
    • Their own double-barrel reposado tequila
    • $10 wines by the glass during happy hour 4–5

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 2. The Barrel Room

    $$

    A wine bar ambience and a simple menu set the tone for the unpretentious creations of chef Trevor Chappell. Shareable plates and innovative sides complement an impressive new-world wine list that includes more than 250 blends, plus four of their own beers on tap from Mason Ale Works. You can't go wrong with the house-smoked brisket or the pastrami with gruyere on rye.

    16765 Bernardo Center Dr., Rancho Bernardo, California, 92128, USA
    858-673–7512

    Known For

    • Flourless chocolate cake
    • Plates to share
    • Signature sandwiches
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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