2 Best Restaurants in North County and Around, California

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.

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.