Malva

From its idyllic location on the Mina Penélope vineyard to its talented chef, Roberto Alcocer, who is also the chef/owner of San Diego's Valle, Malva is a hard one to beat. This open-air restaurant's setting is certainly a scene stealer, but the season-driven, Mexican cooking commands equal attention. Two menus of four or eight courses are on offer, and the kitchen delivers elegant, original dishes. Served in a shell, paper-thin slices of scallop layered with thinly sliced cucumber on top of a classic aguachile simply shines. As Malva is the Latin name name for the mallow plant, the namesake mallow coulant is a must, and the green-tinted, molten cake accompanied by goat cheese ice cream certainly doesn't disappoint with its subtle vegetal and floral notes.