San Diego Beach Town Dining: Herringbone and Land & Water Co

If you are ever adventuring in San Diego, two of my favorite choices for California coastal cuisine are Herringbone in La Jolla and Land & Water Co in Carlsbad. I know without a doubt, I can count on these restaurants to serve up fresh fare and satisfying, healthy dishes that keep me feeling light and energized. (A necessity for the California coast lifestyle, no?) I thought I would highlight some of the delicious dishes at these restaurants, just to whet your appetite. 🙂

An arugula “panzanella-esque” salad with salmon

Herringbone in La Jolla is all about the atmosphere and the experience. The decor and style of the restaurant are not to be missed. I always love taking selfies with the puffer fish that are overflowing in the restaurant (really cool/crazy design element), and the indoor trees and high ceilings make you feel like you are dining al fresco. Love it! What excites me about the food here is that they aim to serve really unique dishes that focus on fresh seafood and seasonal produce. I love how they put a modern spin on some unbeatable classics. ( See the yummy nicoise below).

nicoise-inspired salad featuring fresh ahi tuna

Between the decor and the food, Herringbone exudes an air of the “forever on vacation” mindset. The dining experience is so fun and relaxing that even locals can’t help but leave feeling breezy and at- ease.

A playful heirloom tomato and melon salad with fresh herbs and a strong cheese: perfect flavor balance!

Land & Water Co is located in the heart of Carlsbad Village. I love everything about their food philosophy: they serve what they call “hyper-local” seafood, meats, veggies, and drinks. Even better, they stand for serving sustainably and humanely raised foods. Can I get an Amen?! The menu is out-of-this-world cool and cutting-edge, and everything on the menu tastes just as good as it looks. We all know that I am obsessed with sushi, so the fresh spin on Japanese-fusion and sushi at LWC is right up my alley.

Do not leave LWC without trying the tsukemono: pickled veggies including  miso-cured burdock root, daikon, carrot, cucumber, beet. I need to find a way to make this at home!!!

We all know those restaurants where you cannot get anything healthy. Too greasy, creamy, massive, whatever. LWC is perfect counterpart to those types of joints. The menu’s mix of healthy and “yolo” dishes makes it the ideal hangout for groups of friends that are a mix of health-conscious foodies and those who haven’t been converted yet. :p There are gourmet options for those who want something leaning on the side of indulgence (crispy beef skewers with Japanese whipped mayo), but they have plenty of veggie and lean protein- based dishes (see my personal fave below). LWC knows how to please all palates, making it easy to squeeze in some tasty and totally nutritious, good-for-you eats.

The Green Roll: Quinoa, enoki mushrooms, house pickles, Haas avocado & kale chip roll, wrapped in steamed swiss chard

I love any restaurant that can serve up some really good lean, clean, and green dishes, and Herringbone and Land & Water Co do just that. The fact that they are situated so conveniently in San Diego beach neighborhoods is just icing on the cake!

Medeterranean-style salmon sashimi salad at LWC- perfect for a light summer lunch!

Let me know in the comments if you have  any go-to choices for healthy coastal dining in SoCal. I am always game for trying new restaurants! Have a fab weekend!

XO,

Alexandra