PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
These San Diego restaurants are favorites for fresh, locally sourced seafood dishes.
Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar
Serving upscale San Diegostyle surf and turf since the Morton family opened its first restaurant on Shelter Island in 1969, the Brigantine brand is known for high-quality seafood and service. Visit locations in Coronado, Del Mar, Escondido and the new Embarcadero branch launched in 2020 for hit dishes like fish tacos and marinated grilled swordfish. Multiple locations, brigantine.com
The Fishery
Judd and Mary Anne Brown teamed up with loyal locals to open The Fishery just three blocks from the Pacific Ocean in 1997. Th s belovedrestaurant contains a seafood market at the center and an open kitchen off to the side—where chef Mike Reidy prepares seasonal lunch, dinner and weekend brunch dishes. Drop by for seafood towers, grilled oysters or locally caught whole fish. 858.272.9985, thefishery.com
George’s at the Cove
Located in the heart of La Jolla overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this waterfront dining destination offers a choice of environments in which to dine and myriad menus showcasing fresh, delicious dishes. Eat outdoors at the Ocean Terrace rooft op to enjoy a bar; panoramic views of La Jolla Cove; and popular grilled fish tacos, salads, sandwiches, pastas and seafood. Level2 is an open-air space with a casual lunch and dinner menu, and the lower level is perfect for events. 858.454.4244, georgesatthecove.com
Herb & Sea
Chef Brian Malarkey’s coastal counterpart to Herb & Wood in Little Italy, Herb & Sea brings East Coast culinary traditions to Encinitas. Dishes—such as raw oysters on the half shell, crudo, smoked fish and ceviche—evoke the nostalgia of a seaside escape. Don’t miss new summer favorites like a rotating by-catch menu item—with profits benefiting WildCoast’s conservation eff orts—shrimp linguini; woodgrilled tuna; and sous-chef Marissa Williams’ award-winning Uni-der The Sea, an uni dish featuring whiskey barrel-aged shoyu, tamarind paste shoyu, sesame oil, sea moss, shisho, galangal root and masago. 760.704.8300, herbandsea.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Ironside Fish & Oyster
This Little Italy gem, housed in a historic auction house on India Street, is a modern reinterpretation of a classic fish house and oyster bar. Ironside’s extensive raw bar combination platters come in four size options, and the ever-evolving menu also features favorites like oysters Rockefeller, lobster rolls, ceviche and whole fish a la carte—plus creative cocktail options. 619.269.3033, ironsidefishandoyster.com
Lionfish
The elegant interior of Water Grill in the Gaslamp Quarter. PHOTO; COURTESY OF KING’S SEAFOOD COMPANY
This two-story seafood spot located at the Pendry San Diego hotel epitomizes modern coastal cuisine through fresh fish and fun twists by San Diego-bred chef JoJo Ruiz. The menu is stacked with specialty rolls, fresh catches, daily oyster selections and creative dishes—such as tuna pizza or the new specialty king salmon sashimi made with chile garlic, bubu arare, white truffle honey ponzu and market truffle. 619.738.7200, lionfishsd.com
The Marine Room
Executive chef Mike Minor’s newly revamped menu at this 80-yearold La Jolla fine dining favorite reflects his love for Latin flavors and local ingredients through dishes like Baja California swordfish and coconut miso king salmon. Special High Tide Dinner events July 11 to 13, Aug. 9 to 11 and Sept. 8 and 9 will feature a four-course prix fixe menu—alongside scenic ocean views. 858.459.7222, marineroom.com
Point Loma Seafoods
Come for the scenic views of San Diego Bay and Downtown, and stay for the selection of fresh seafood, sushi, wine and beer. Established in 1963 when Kelly and Marie Christianson began selling fish from a single display case, Point Loma Seafoods serves—as well as sells—fresh fish brought in daily, relying on in-house sauces and simple, generational family recipes. 619.223.1109, pointlomaseafoods.com
Sally’s Fish House & Bar
A San Diego Bay staple, this waterfront dining experience at Manchester Grand Hyatt serves guests on the recently expanded deck with fire pits, or inside the elegant dining room and bar. Summer standouts on the coastal-inspired menu include the seafood tower and Sally’s famous oysters and steamed coconut mussels with truffle fries. Four-legged friends are not only welcome on the patio, but catered to with a specialty pup-friendly menu. 619.358.6740, sallyssandiego.com
Summer favorites at Herb & Sea include shrimp linguini PHOTO: BY KIMBERLY MOTOS
Serẽa Coastal Cuisine
Ironside Fish & Oyster serves rotating specials like this seasonal fish with yellowtail PHOTO: BY SHANNON PATRICK
Just steps from the beach at the famous Hotel del Coronado, this comfortable but sophisticated eatery honors its coastal setting with sustainable seafood by chef JoJo Ruiz. Enjoy freshly caught whole fish filleted tableside, seafood towers and other elegant Mediterranean-influenced dishes made with the bounty of the sea. 619.435.6611, sereasandiego.com
Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab
This Texas-founded formal seafood and crab house with outposts around the country keeps everything upscale, from the dress code to the menu. Guests at the La Jolla location can indulge in Truluck’s classics, from New England sea scallops to fresh crab claws to Black River Oscietra caviar. 858.453.2583, trulucks.com
Water Grill
This hip national seafood eatery has SoCal locations in Downtown L.A., Santa Monica, Orange County and San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. For summer, try new dishes like wild Copper River salmon and soft-shell crab from Chesapeake Bay along with fish-focused appetizers, sushi and iced shellfish platters. 619.717.6992, watergrill.com
South African lobster tail at the La Jolla location of Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab PHOTO; COURTESY OFTRULUCK’S OCEAN’S FINEST SEAFOOD & CRAB
This laid-back SoCal beach town boasts stunning strips of sand—but also cultural landmarks, cutting-edge restaurants and bars, scenic hotels, and historic architecture and art.
BY CLEO KANTER
Relax in Mission Pacific Hotel’s courtyard, complete with a fireplace PHOTO: COURTESY OF MISSION PACIFIC HOTEL
WHERE TO SIP
Cococabana Bar
Housed in a historical building from 1888, the new Brick Hotel features 10 guest rooms and two eating-drinking establishments opening in July. The ground-floor restaurant, Q&A Restaurant & Oyster Bar, is helmed by executive chef Quinnton Austin, and the Cococabana Bar occupies the Brick’s 2,100-square-foot rooftop. Operated by Grind & Prosper Hospitality, this Caribbean-style cocktail bar boasts captivating coastal views, ample cocktail options and its own menu of small bites. Be among the first to sip summer drinks from the Brick’s chic rooftop. 760.519.7163, thebrickhotel.com
WHERE TO DINE
Matsu
Chef William Eick’s 48-seat fine dining restaurant marries Japanese traditions and techniques with the Southern California environment. In June, the sleek and sophisticated eatery moved to a single 10-course tasting menu that showcases ingredients from local farms as well as products directly from Japan. Guests can add on A5 wagyu or wine pairings to the meal—or opt for the 10-course vegan version. 760.681.6152, eatatmatsu.com
Miso grilled fish from chef William Eick’s 10-course tasting menu at Matsu. PHOTO; BY LEO CABAL
Dija Mara
Dija Mara combines Southeast Asian flavors with Japanese cooking techniques and Western flair to arrive at its unique Balinese-inspired cuisine. Local chef Jason Ambacher helms the kitchen, putting out creative fusion dishes including grilled roti flatbread, Chinese yu choy, beef short rib rendang and wok-fried rice—which you can pair with equally inventive craft cocktails. 760.231.5376, dijamara.com
WHAT TO SEE
New Exhibits at Oceanside Museum of Art
The Gail Roberts: Color Field exhibit at Oceanside Museum of Art opening July 30 showcases over 130 oil paintings of flowers. PHOTO; BY LILE KVANTALIANI
Explore new, relevant and historical art of Southern California in these side-by-side buildings designed by two renowned SoCal modernist architects, Irving Gill and Frederick Fisher. Beginning July 30, Gail Roberts’ latest show, Color Field, will showcase over 130 oil paintings of singular flowers created over five years, exhibiting the beauty of all that blooms, from flowers and fruit trees to succulents and more. Opening Aug. 13, Pop Smoke: A Veteran Art Exhibition explores the work of veterans, who use bright colors, basic shapes, commonplace images and repetition in their art. 760.435.3720, oma-online.org
WHERE TO STAY
The Seabird Resort
A perfect seaside getaway for the whole family, this reimagined classic beach resort boasts ocean estate architecture and picturesque Pacific views. Stay in one of 226 airy guest rooms and unwind at the expansive pool, indoor-outdoor living room or Sunny’s Spa, which offers farm-to-sea treatments. For top California coastal cuisine, indulge in handmade pastas, garden-to-table dishes and breakfast at the hotel’s vibrant signature restaurant, Piper. Pasta lovers looking to experience styles from around the world won’t want to miss the The Pass, Piper’s new pasta bar tasting experience. 855.413.7573, theseabirdresort.com
Cocktails and small bites await in The Shore Room at The Seabird Resort PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE SEABIRD RESORT
Mission Pacific Hotel
The Seabird Resort’s sexy sister property, neighboring Mission Pacific Hotel is a dreamy oceanside boutique situated on 700 feet of prime beachfront space. Guests staying in the 161 sleek rooms—including 38 suites—can partake in a variety of biking, skating and surfing experiences. Chef Roberto Alcocer transports patrons to Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley with boldly flavored dishes at the hotel’s restaurant Valle, and The Rooftop Bar is a perfect pick for alfresco cocktails. This summer, the new Top Gun House—the restored 1887 bungalow featured in the 1986 film—houses HIGH-pie dessert shop, which serves signature hand pies filled with fruity compote. 855.365.5078, missionpacifichotel.com
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