OCEANSIDE — The city is kicking off the new year with its new “Swell Plates Series,” a month-long culinary celebration aimed at highlighting the area’s dining scene and supporting local restaurants during the quieter winter months.
Aligning with California Restaurant month and running Jan. 15 through Feb. 13, the Swell Plates Series invites diners to explore Oceanside’s culinary world.
“Oceanside’s dining scene continues to impress and delight, earning numerous awards and accolades for culinary excellence,” said Visit Oceanside CEO Leslee Gaul. “This is a fun way to highlight our city’s diverse array of indulgent-worthy dining experiences, each with its own unique spin on our destination’s flip-flop fine dining style.”
From fresh fish purchased directly from Oceanside Harbor’s boat-to-consumer Fishermen’s Market to locally grown produce from South Morro Hills, participating chefs are crafting exclusive dishes to embody Oceanside’s “swellness” spirit. These items will be marked on menus with the “O’side Season of Swellness” logo in 14 popular restaurants, including the bar at Michelin-starred Valle, Bib Gourmand Dija Mara, allmine, 24 Suns, Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub, The Plot and more – each offering their own signature dishes inspired by the city’s coastal vibe and agricultural heritage.
One of the standout offerings, inspired by Oceanside Museum of Art’s Getty-sponsored “Transformative Currents” exhibit, is from 24 Suns, a new restaurant started by two former chefs of Michelin three-starred Addison.
The dish is served in an abalone shell bowl, an homage to one of the exhibit’s striking pieces. Inside the shell is a layering of rice noodles to evoke plastic, black abalone and smoked vegetable mole representing oil, and sustainable bycatch sausage symbolizing hope — resulting in a melding of art and environmental awareness.
“Our visit to OMA’s ‘Transformative Currents’ exhibition was incredibly moving, as it highlighted the devastation in our waters while inspiring reflection and action,” said Chef Nic Webber of 24 Suns. “To honor that message, we’ve created a dish that embodies the exhibition’s themes, incorporating elements of the artwork itself. Our dish is delicious while symbolizing hope and encouraging embracing seafood choices that help restore balance to our oceans.”
Another swell plate example includes allmine’s partnership with Loose Leaf herbalists to create a nutrient-rich, hand-pulled burrata salad with organic greens, winter vegetables and a botanical herb dressing, celebrating Oceanside’s agricultural roots and healing coastal energy.
Additionally, Chef Davin Waite’s “Living” Fisherman’s Special at Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub showcases the week’s freshest catch from the Oceanside Fishermen’s Market, one of only two boat-to-consumer markets in San Diego.
Diners who try three or more dishes from participating restaurants can enter to win an Oceanside getaway. Diners can also share photos of “swell plates” on Instagram and tag @VisitOceanside to earn gift cards to participating restaurants.
Swell Plates Series passports will be available at participating restaurants or the California Welcome Center Oceanside beginning Jan.15. town.
For more information about the Swell Plates Series, including a list of participating restaurants, featured dishes, and a downloadable mobile guide, visit www.visitoceanside.org/swell-plates-series.
