Exploring new restaurants is a favorite pastime of mine, as folks who know me or read my blog know.

 Today we decided to take an afternoon drive a bit inland through Rancho Santa Fe and to stop in for brunch at a restaurant good friends and neighbors of ours have recommended.

Cavaillon Restaurant is an award-winning French restaurant in the upscale community of Santaluz, located just south of Rancho Santa Fe and perhaps 8 miles from the ocean (more on the community of Santaluz at a later point) - and only about 30 minutes from Carlsbad.

Cavaillon is located in a charming Tuscan-style building across from a beautiful community park in Santaluz, blending perfectly into the architecture of the nearby homes. Without signage one would not know this was a restaurant but might mistake it for a large Tuscan home.

It is easy to see why Cavaillon Restaurant has won the awards that it has - Best Dessert, San Diego Magazine 2008, Best Sunday Brunch, San Diego Magazine 2007, Best New Restaurant, San Diego Magazine 2006, among others.

The restaurant is small, with room for 60 people or so (plus an additional outdoor dining patio), there is a comfortable bar to enjoy a drink before dinner, and large windows offering very pleasant views of the parks. Lighting, art work, a beautiful mural, and decor all combine to create a most welcoming ambiance reminiscent of dining in France.

And of course the food is a standout, by Chef and Owner Philipe Verpiand who grew up in the town of Cavaillon in Provence. Lunch and Dinner are served as well as brunch. The food, and presentation, was excellent; the service friendly and prompt. It is refreshing to find different offerings than the standard brunch fare, with subtle flavors and a delight to the eyes...and stomach. My croissant with tuna and avocado served with savory potatoes was outstanding (as was my wife's smoked salmon and spinach Benedict).

We are anxious to return for dinner - the menu, offering risottos and a variety of fish, beef and duck dishes, looks wonderful. Check out their menus.

Cavaillon Restaurant holds periodic wine tastings to compliment the dinner meal (single seatings); the next, on March 15^th, features wines of the Rhone region.

If dining in the French style is a pleasure for you, you will not go wrong making the journey to Cavaillon Restaurant in Santaluz. The restaurant is located at 14701 Via Bettona, off Camino Del Sur, a couple of miles north of the 56.

I've added Cavaillon Restaurant to my list of French places to enjoy - READ MORE - Viva la France: The French Have You Covered in Carlsbad (Le Passage French Bistro).

********************************

Subscribe in a reader

If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits