WildFox, near the Best Western on Alameda del Prado in Novato, is a find. It has a warm, rustic atmosphere, patios with outdoor fireplaces and robust, imaginative food. Picture a ski chalet crossed with a gentlemen's club - a large, airy room with peaked roof, stone walls, wooden beams and huge windows. On one wall, tables overlook an outdoor patio, roaring fire, and tree-covered hill. The acoustics are good and table size is generous.

Wild Fox serves a variety of dishes using fresh, local ingredients and house-made sauces, but its naturally aged mesquite-grilled meats and ribs are exceptional. Portions are huge, and the restaurant has a comfortable lodge-like feel.

No matter how hungry you are or aren't when heading for a meal at the Wild Fox Mesquite Grill in Novato, it's hard not to suddenly crave something juicy the moment you enter the door; the smell of the grill is just too enticing.