San Diego Area Eatery Among 50 Best Restaurants In America: New List

CARLSBAD, CA — One of the country's best restaurants is in San Diego County, according to a new list from The New York Times.

To develop The Restaurant List, 14 New York Times reporters and editors took 76 flights to eat more than 200 meals in 33 states, according to the publication. The journalists showed up unannounced and made reservations through a smartphone app.

"We pay for all of our food, and we don't accept freebies," The Times wrote. "We eat like you do, with the same hope for a meal to remember, to be welcomed and delighted."

Of the 50 restaurants selected, six were from California and one was from the San Diego area.

Lilo, located in Carlsbad, features a multi-course tasting menu served around a 22-seat chef's counter. Chef Eric Bost and John Resnick, the co-owners of Lilo, opened the restaurant in April at 2571 Roosevelt St.

"Pretty surreal to see @restaurantlilo land on The New York Times list of the 50 best restaurants in America alongside so many incredible tables across the country," Bost said on Instagram. "So much love for this team and our community. Proud. Grateful. Wild!"

The other Golden State restaurants selected were Baby Bistro, Mori Nozomi and RVR in Los Angeles, Sun Moon Studio in Oakland, and Verjus in San Francisco.

Lilo is open from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Know of a business opening or closing in San Diego County? Email Kristina.Houck@Patch.com.