Restaurants in USA
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A
Chilango
Upgrade from taqueria to sit-down restaurant at this casual Mexican spot that uses all-organic ingredients in its Mexico City–derived cooking. Meals are served at tile-top tables with Frida Kahlo images embedded within. Everything is made to order, including guacamole and tortillas. Favorite dishes: filet-mignon tacos, duck flautas (deep-fried flour tortilla with filling) and succulent carnitas (roast pork).
reviewed
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C Level
The bay views are stunning from this airy, elegant eatery on Harbor Island, west of downtown; well-prepared seafood dishes include the popular seared Hawaiian 'ahi tuna, lobster truffle mac 'n' cheese and Japanese-style sesame salmon. The Social Hour (3:30pm to 5:30pm Monday to Friday) offers $5 'bites and libations.'
reviewed
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Coi
Chef Daniel Patterson's wild tasting menu featuring foraged morels, wildflowers and Pacific seafood is like licking the California coastline. Black and green noodles are made from clams and Pacific seaweed, and purple ice-plant petals are strewn atop Sonoma duck's tongue, wild-caught abalone and just-picked arugula. Only-in-California flavors and intriguing wine pairings ($95; pours generous enough for two to share) will keep you California dreaming for a while afterwards.
reviewed
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Commonwealth
California's most imaginative farm-to-table dining isn't in some quaint barn, but the converted cinderblock Mission dive where chef Jason Fox serves crispy hen with toybox carrots cooked in hay (yes, hay), and sea urchin floating on a bed of farm egg and organic asparagus that looks like a tide pool and tastes like a dream. Savor the $65 prix-fixe knowing $10 is donated to charity.
reviewed
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B
Commonwealth
California's most imaginative farm-to-table dining isn't in some quaint barn, but the converted cinderblock Mission dive where chef Jason Fox serves crispy hen with toybox carrots cooked in hay (yes, hay), and sea urchin floating on a bed of farm egg and organic asparagus that looks like a tide pool and tastes like a dream. Savor the $65 prix-fixe knowing $10 is donated to charity.
reviewed
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C
Cotogna
Chef-owner Michael Tusk won the 2011 James Beard Award for best chef. Ever since, it's been hard to book a table at Cotogna (and its fancier big sister Quince, next door), but it's worth planning ahead to be rewarded with his authentic rustica Italian cooking that magically balances a few pristine flavors. Pastas are outstanding, and pizzas have tender-to-the-tooth crusts. The $24 prix-fixe menu is a steal.
reviewed
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Crêpes of Brittany
Authentic savory and sweet crepes swirled by a French expat; expect long lines and shorter hours in winter.
reviewed
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Disney Dining
reviewed
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D
Firestone Grill
Sink your teeth into an authentic Santa Maria–style tri-tip steak sandwich on a toasted garlic roll, or a rack of succulent pork ribs.
reviewed
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E
Frances
Chef/owner Melissa Perello earned a Michelin star for fine dining, then ditched downtown to start this market-inspired neighborhood bistro. Daily menus showcase bright, seasonal flavors and luxurious textures: cloudlike sheep's milk ricotta gnocchi with crunchy breadcrumbs and broccolini, grilled calamari with preserved Meyer lemon, and artisan wine served by the ounce, directly from Wine Country.
reviewed
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Fremont Diner
Feast on Southern-inspired, farm-to-table cooking at this order-at-the-counter diner. Arrive early to avoid queues.
reviewed
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F
French Laundry
A high-wattage culinary experience on par with the world's best, French Laundry is ideal for marking lifetime achievements. Book exactly two months ahead: call at 10am (or try OpenTable.com at midnight). If you can't score a table, console yourself at Keller's nearby note-perfect French brasserie Bouchon; or with chocolate cake at Bouchon Bakery.
reviewed
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George's Bar
reviewed
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George's California Modern
reviewed
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Glen Oaks Motel
Chic, ecoconscious Glen Oaks Motel is a redesigned 1950s redwood-and-adobe motor lodge, where snug rooms and cabins have gas fireplaces.
reviewed
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G
Gott's Roadside
reviewed
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Gott's Roadside/Taylor's Automatic Refresher
A 1950s drive-in diner with 21st-century sensibilities: burgers are all-natural Niman Ranch beef or lean 'ahi tuna, with optional sides of chili-dusted sweet-potato fries.
reviewed
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Hodad's
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H
JoLé
Small plates, modest prices and outsize flavor – chef-owned JoLé evolves seasonally and scores high marks for consistency and farm-to-table flavors.
reviewed
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La Bicyclette
Rustic Euro-pean comfort food using seasonal local ingredients packs canoodling couples into this bistro, with an open kitchen delivering wood-fired pizzas. Excellent local wines by the glass.
reviewed
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Lilly's Taquería
There's almost always a line, so be snappy with your order – locals fight over adobada (marinated pork) tacos.
reviewed
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Little Saigon
If you need to steer totally clear of Mickey Mouse for a few hours, consider driving a few miles southwest to the ethnic community of Little Saigon In the commercial district around the intersection of Bolsa and Brookhurst Aves, you'll find authentic, no-frills Vietnamese food – many menus aren't in English, so just point at the photo of your chosen dish.
reviewed
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Luna Red
A locally inspired chef spins Californian, Mediterranean and Asian tapas, with a keen eye toward freshness and spice, bounty from the land and sea, and crazily creative cocktails, all with a surprisingly sophisticated ambience.
reviewed
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Moody's Bistro & Lounge
reviewed
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Mundaka
This courtyard hideaway is a svelte escape from Carmel's stuffy 'newly wed and nearly dead' crowd. Take Spanish tapas plates for a spin and sip housemade sangria while DJs or flamenco guitars play.
reviewed