While Californian and French foods are two distinct cuisines, Chef John Marquez of Artisan Bistro melds them with ease. At Artisan Bistro, he serves signature dishes that many area locals love, making this one of the most beloved eateries in the country.

Artisan Bistro dishes out creative, modern Californian-French cuisine using whatever local (and often organic) ingredients are in-season and available that day. The menu here changes constantly, but some of customers' favorite recurring dishes include rabbit croquets, beet salad, and sous-vide peppercorn-crusted duck breast. The wine and cocktail list is just as impressive as the menu, and it features perfect pairings to complete your meal.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr kurmanstaff