Cafe Rustica
10 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley
(831) 659-4444 www.caferusticavillage.com
At this valley destination you can bring your family dog to accompany you on the pet-friendly patio while you enjoy a little sunshine and a delectable lunch. Thin-crusted, wood-fired pizzas are quite the rave here, especially the Flammekueche (an Alsatian family favorite), with prosciutto, onions, fresh thyme and crème fraîche. Or go for the bolder Lorraine, covered with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, maple-smoked bacon and Italian parsley. For dinner you might be surprised to find Hungarian paprika-beef goulash, a stew served atop egg noodles, crème fraîche and roasted red peppers. But you shouldn’t be surprised they’ve been named Best Of before, many times over.