Check out the close-to-home travel fun with our on-going series on travel to the San Diego area. From great places to stay to great things to do and eat, we’re serving up some sweet ideas for an escape from LA.
What better spot to enjoy beautifully fresh fish than La Jolla, where executive chef Brian Malarky’s Herringbone is housed in a beautiful brick warehouse that is truly stunning at first glance, and even more so at first taste. No longer will diners need to look to La Jolla’s stellar scenery or a trip to Sunny Jim’s cave for excitement while noshing on pedestrian fare: Herringbone is hip, fun, and a complete dining experience. You’re not just eating great food, you’re eating great food in a restaurant with a vision both stylistic and gastronomical.
The lounge area looks like an elegant, lived-in beach house. Old olive trees grow between tables in the dining room. Light fixtures feature puffer fish, and a replica of a Beluga whale hangs over the bar. You’d never be able to tell the space was once an Oldsmobile dealership, unless general manager Alex Maynard told you, that is. “The space was dormant before we leased it. The trees were definitely not a part of the space. They’re a hundred years old – we had them shipped from the Bay Area to give the space a warm yet open feeling. We had to have them craned in,” he explains. The look was worth the effort.
Of course, as wonderful as the space is, it’s the food that draws diners. And the craft cocktails. At lunch, we had a beautiful selection of both to choose from.
The Peter Rabbit, made with Pimm’s #1, basil, lemon and pickled carrot; a perfectly balanced mimosa, and a tasty Bloody Mary, as well as a full selection of wine and craft beers were available to accompany the food. The Peter Rabbit is perfect for a daytime beverage, light, but with a slightly spicy edge.
As a starter, we shared the seafood ceviche tostada, made with local yellowtail and accented with red onion, radish, Serrano chile, and guacamole. Bursting with flavor and freshness, it was an unforgettable dish. What could top that? Well, the entrees. We chose one salad and one sandwich. Neither in the least bit ordinary. The melt-in-your mouth tender albacore tuna in the Albacore Nicoise was beautifully complimented by crisp arugula, a soft boiled egg, roasted red peppers, olives, and absolutely perfect fingerling potatoes. Possibly the best take on a traditional Nicoise I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve had quite a few.
The sandwich was a bursting-with-flavor Maine Lobster roll with house made lemon mayo, tomato, pickles, and a house-made roll that was light and buttery enough that I broke my “I don’t eat the bread” rule. I have no such rule about the house-made chips, which were also great.
But we had to save room for dessert…
Chef Tony Torres is a visionary in the kitchen: from appetizer to dessert.
Yes, dessert was as strong a finish as the cocktails and tostada were openers. If you’re going to indulge, this is the place. The Chocolate Hazelnut Bar features raspberry confit, brown crunch, honey chocolate mousse, and chocolate sauce. We shared one, but sure, I could’ve easily devoured one all myself.
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Should you eat here? Yes. For the beautiful setting, the lovingly prepared food, the inventive ingredients, and an overall sensation of consuming flavors as artistically arranged as the decor. And, also – the friendly and accommodating staff.
Herringbone is located at 7837 Herschel Ave, La Jolla.
And if you want superlative pescatarian fare without leaving LA? Herringbone has an outpost in Santa Monica, too, at 1755 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica. The chic garden setting there is worth a “swim,” too.
