An impressive number of fine dining establishments can be found in and around Rancho Santa Fe. Here, we recognize known standouts and a notable newbie.   ANDREA NAVERSEN & MIA STEFANKO

1  Mike Morehead and Tom Fulkerson, owners of Bentley’s Steak & Chop House in Rancho Santa Fe Plaza, are dedicated to providing a top-notch dining experience in classic steak house ambience complete with the highest quality meats, seafood, and produce, and an extensive wine list. (760/632-9333, www.bentleyssteak.com)

2  Something good is cooking in The Restaurant at Rancho Valencia. Executive chef Eric N. Bauer, who cut his teeth at Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons around the world, is earning accolades for his coastal ranch cuisine inspired by seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. At a recent dinner in the resort’s updated restaurant, rustic yet elegant, guests raved about the rib cap steak and beef cheeks with asparagus, leeks, parsley vinaigrette and bone marrow jus with potato mousseline. For seafood, try harpooned swordfish with quinoa, Chino’s cucumbers and heirloom tomatoes. Bauer teams up with sommelier Jayson Knack at 6:30pm on September 14 for tapas and wine tasting in the resort’s fountain courtyard featuring Spanish wines from Miura Vineyards and Flamenco music by Gypsymenco. (858/756-1123, www.ranchovalencia.com)

3  Dolce Pane E Vino is a neighborhood favorite that boasts small plates of Italian favorites for lunch and dinner — think Yellowtail Tartare, Carlsbad Mussels, Roasted Bone Marrow — paired with a wine list and full bar as carefully crafted as the food. (858/832-1518, www.dolcepaneevino.com)

4  Under the direction of owner Barry Podwell, Firenze has long been acclaimed for its fresh ingredients, savory Tuscan fare, and exemplary wine selections. Dine al fresco in the charming patio, or in the inviting dining and bar areas — perfect environments in which to enjoy appetizers and antipastos, soups, salads, pasta, poultry, seafood, beef, nightly house specials, and elegant desserts. (760/944-9000, www.firenzetrattoria.com)

5  Innfusion features the finest local ingredients presented by award-winning executive chef John Beriker, whose acclaims and awards include Chef of the Year by the Knights of the Vine, Best Dining Experience by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board in 1996, Best New Chef of the Year by Gault Millau, Hamburg, Germany in 1999, among many others. Beriker is also publisher of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Cookbook. (858/756-1131, www.theinnatrsf.com)

6  Coffeeman Tim Cusac brews a great cup of Joe, buying fancy grade green coffee beans and roasting them himself. His Caffe Positano, on Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe, and Caffe Positano Due in Del Rayo Village, offer single origin coffees with flavor characteristics that are a bit more individualized, like his current favorite Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Specialties include affogato, vanilla frozen yogurt with a shot of espresso over the top, which Cusac says is “out of this world.” Cusac bakes stuffed croissants, muffins, cookies, and other pastries at the cafes, and also serves yogurt, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies at the Del Rayo location and at Rancho Sandwich off Via de Santa Fe. (858/759-1940, 858/756-1921, www.ranchoroast.com) 

7  Since 1985, Mille Fleurs continues to reign as a favorite with locals and visitors. The restaurant’s culinary magic is orchestrated by chef Martin Woesle, who melds European traditions with California ingredients in daily-changing menus. Featured here is a delectable antelope filet with chanterelle mushrooms, spinach spatzle, carrots, and blueberries in a cacao-red wine sauce. Chef Woesle’s many awards include the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s Great Regional Chef in America. (858/756-3085, www.millefleurs.com)

8  Located in the heart of the Ranch, Pantry offers new American comfort food favorites with fresh flavors and refreshing twist. Consider the bone-in all-natural pork chop, served with an eggplant relish, seasonal vegetables and red bliss potatoes. Those with a sweet tooth are likely already familiar with Pantry’s bakery goods, available at the restaurant and also at Stump’s Village Market and Cardiff Seaside Market — absolutely to die for! Try the brownie chunk cookies — you’ll be hooked. (858/756-1221, www.eatpantry.com)

9  For more than 30 years, the Lemon Twist farm stand has been a familiar sight off Del Dios Highway just past Cielo near Lake Hodges. Reopened earlier this year after being destroyed in the Witch Creek Fire, the stand sells local citrus, exotic fruits, flowers, seasonal produce, garden art, pottery, and plants. But the real standouts are luscious strawberries, dipped in dark milk and white chocolate and sprinkled with nuts, coconut and confections —perfect for parties or when you need a bit of indulgence. (Call ahead for large orders.) Started in 1980 by college friends Katie Shull and Trudy Tunstall, Lemon Twist is now co-owned by Shull and her son Robin. (858/756-0826, www.lemontwistfruitstand.com)

10   Oooh La La! You don’t have to go far for a taste of France. Löic Bistro Restaurant, Patisserie and Coffee Shop off Del Dios Highway at Cielo has locals lining up for puffy croissants, pain de chocolate, Parisian macaroons, and baquettes warm from the oven. And did we mention the crepes? Löic Laffargue, named Western Regional Pastry Chef of the Year by the American Federation of Chefs in 2008, was raised in Brittany, apprenticed in kitchens in France and England, traveled the world as a pastry chef for a cruise line, and worked at the Bellagio and Wynn in Las Vegas before settling in San Diego. The restaurant adjoining the patisserie serves salads, sandwiches, and panini for lunch during the week. For dinner, Tuesday through Saturday, sample classic French bistro fare, including Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Chicken Cordon Bleu, duck confit, and of course, pomme frites with white truffle oil and Parmesan. Loic calls the menu “French comfort food,” the home cooking he learned from his mother, with whom he still exchanges recipes. “When I was a kid, I saw my Mom struggle,” says Laffargue, who grew up poor and without a father. “I wanted her to be proud of me.” Her paintings of Brittany now decorate the restaurant he runs with partner Heather Allen, who always greets customers with a welcoming smile. You can book the restaurant for a special occasion, or the couple will cater your dinner party from tarte flambé to crepes Suzette. Bon appétit! (858/759-4409, www.loicrestaurant.com)

11  Cherished for its delicious coffee and the combination of the glorious outdoors melded with the flair of a European café, patrons return to Thyme in the Ranch time and again for its homemade cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, sweet breads, brownies, cinnamon rolls, savory salads, and sandwiches. (858/759-0747, www.thymeintheranch.com)

12  Delicias Restaurant has been delighting guests with award-winning California fresh cuisine since 1990. Today, under the helm of executive chef Michael Knowles, Convenant residents can take advantage of at-home delivery from 5:30-8pm Monday through Saturday. Wine and beer can also be delivered to those 21 and up. (858/756-8000, www.deliciasrestaurant.com)

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