Top Best American Restaurants in Cleveland National Forest

"Owned by restaurateur Bertrand Hug, the eponymous Bertrand at Mister A’s is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant featuring modern American cuisine imbued with French and Mediterranean flavours as well as an extensive wine list and signature cocktails. Whether in the casual yet elegant interior or outside on a balcony complete with stunning views of San Diego, diners can feast upon seasonal lunch, dinner and brunch dishes. Between the incredible view, delectable fare and attentive service, it is one culinary experience not to be missed."

"Is it a coincidence that celebrating marriage proposals, wedding anniversaries and Valentine’s Day in this swoon-inducing setting is practically the law in San Diego?. If you have to ask, you’ve never sat at tables 50 or 52, where your view of the city skyline and landing planes makes you feel up in the clouds."

"What is it: This stylized outdoor coop slings fried chicken and good times. Why go: The adorable setting features picnic tables and red farm chairs set under strung Edison bulbs, a lively al fresco bar and kitchen housed in a modern barn structure. Yet, there’s some serious brawn behind all the playfulness."

"Located next door to Juniper and Ivy, The Crack Shack is another of Chef Richard Blais' creations. It's comfort food thanks to locally-raised, free-range, antibiotic-free chicken and creative recipes."

"That's right, Juniper + Ivy is owned by the winner of Bravo TV's Top Chef, none other than Richard Blais. If you've seen him on TV you know that Richard is the molecular gastronomical guy - you know, the guy who likes to deconstruct and transform ingredients into new forms. Just saying because if you see things like Corn Dog or Mac N Cheese on the menu you should know upfront that the food they bring out might not exactly match your experience from the past."

"Juniper & Ivy’s “comfort food to-go” changes from week to week and can be available for a party of one up to six. Paste entrees have included braised short rib and Swiss cheese ravioli. Suggested wine pairings and batch cocktails can be included for an additional cost."

"The food here is delicate and unique, with flavors meant to be slowly enjoyed just like your experience there. Fish and other high end meats are the top selections here for one of the best dinner spots in San Diego ."

"A mainstay on State Street in Carlsbad, with a second location on Coast Highway just a few miles away in Oceanside, Don’s has been a big favorite of locals for decades. On any sunny morning, the umbrellas pop open and the sidewalk tables fill up with folks looking forward to having their eggs & bacon, machaca, or stuffed french toast while watching neighbors walk by with their kids on their way to dance class or walking their dogs to the beach. The weekend crowd always waits patiently because every morsel from this kitchen is worth it."

"Tony’s Wings in North Clairemont and Absurd Bird and Chicken Wing Co. in Carmel Mountain are some of the more affordable places from which to order Fast Food delivery. For other places in San Diego with budget-friendly options, look out for the places with one “$” as you browse."

"Another restaurant by Brian Malarkey, Green Acres is a farm-to-table concept restaurant. Focused on local and fresh cuisine, it has two locations and serves up breakfast and lunch menus inspired by what’s best in the markets. Though there are some menu staples, daily specials like this cajun salmon are the freshest and most creative items on the menu."

"The creative French-American bistro serving goat meatballs and braised short ribs draws a dedicated following to this casually elegant neighbourhood spot in North Park. The reasonable prices, including select bottles of wine offered at half-price on Wednesdays, and warm service helps to make it worth the trek from further afield. The Smoking Goat has an upscale farmhouse vibe with exposed-brick walls and a seasonal menu."

"Smoking Goat is a true neighborhood restaurant that's attracting quite a crowd for its upscale mash-up of California and French cuisine with a local organic and sustainable sensibility. With an elegantly rustic interior featuring exposed brick in a farmhouse setting, the Smoking Goat feels authentic and welcoming. One bite of the duck fat truffle fries and you know you've come to the right place."

"Everything from the scallops, octopus, and steak were so delicious, but the real surprise was how amazing the swordfish was."

"The Outback will make guests feel like they are in Australia. Guests can watch adorable koala bears, Tasmanian devils, and laughing kookaburra. Guests can also enjoy the Australian Wonders garden which includes eucalyptus trees, Queensland lacebark trees, and other “botanical wonders from Down Under”."

"The Outback represents some of Australia’s most well known creatures!. You’ll find the Tasmanian Devil, Kookaburra, koala, and camel here."

"Hosp Grove was founded by a group of investors called The Hosp Eucalyptus Corp in 1908. They planted 219 acres of trees in this Carlsbad grove hoping they could be harvested & sold to the Santa Fe Railroad as railroad ties. Much of the grove has been sold off, but what remains are fun, forested trails with plenty of inclines and twists & turns."

"After taking in some of the best restaurants in Escondido or best brunch spots in Carlsbad, head to Daley Ranch to walk off what you just ate. With over 3,000 miles of conservation area to explore, you can enjoy the natural vegetation, oak woodlands, grasslands, and more. And if you’re interested in some history, there are plenty of old buildings to explore on the property too."

"Daley Ranch was established in 1996 and covers a ground area measuring 3058 acres. The Ranch has been used as a conservation area for protecting and housing various species of animals and plants which are considered endangered in the area. The ranch is also home to a wide range of regional plant species that are not found at other places in the world."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Downtowngal used under CC BY-SA 3.0. A great way to explore true southwestern California, the way you’re supposed to, Daley Ranch has fresh air and rustic ambiance in a gorgeous location. The hiking trails are lovely, offering breathtaking views over Escondido ranch land."

"A five-minute drive from North Ponto Beach will get you to Ruby’s Diner, a perfect go-to place to after a day’s fun at the beach. This retro-style dining chain along Paseo Del Norte street has an exciting interior and serves a variety of kids’ menu items. Interesting dishes include “pigs in a blanket”, chicken fingers and Baro’s root beer float!"

"Upscale in decor but modest in price, Plumeria sits just at the very north end of Park Blvd. Featuring a menu based around South Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on Thai food, it’s the perfect place for a savory, spicy meal with menu items that eschew fish sauce and other animal products, save for an optional egg in a few instances. As with most South Asian food, Plumeria leans heavily on the spices, though these are adjustable to your taste."

"The restaurant itself is pretty small and the only thing I don't like about it is that there's only street parking so..."

"CarlsbadGorgeous ocean views, an innovative Baja California-inspired, locally sourced menu and a bespoke bar program are the hallmarks of Ponto Lago, the newly opened dining experience at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad. Under the helm of Executive Chef Pierre Albaladejo, who graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute Lycee d’ Enseignement Professionel de Capbreton in Landes, France, and had a stint at the Palais de L’Elysee in Paris in the private kitchen of President Francois Mitterand, you’ll enjoy brasa y leña (charcoal and firewood) dishes like organic peri peri chicken or a 20-ounce bone-in prime ribeye, or something from the Daily Roast, a rotating menu that consists of a beautiful wood-fired protein such as Moulard Duck Magret or suckling pig, served with roasted vegetables and bean ragout. There’s also an exclusive Surfing with the Chef program, taking guests from the kitchen to the beach, where Chef Pierre not only cooks for you, but surfs with you as well."