608 – Setting a New Standard for Oceanside Dining
Oceanside has without a doubt become the hottest spot in all of San Diego County for up and coming chefs to experiment with new, bold and, in many cases, visionary flavor combinations.
The newest player on the scene, 608, so named because of its address on Mission Ave just a block or so from the epicenter of all the cool happenings along Coast Highway is no exception to this trend. In fact, with Chef Willy Eick, a 26 year old phenom at the helm, 608 is proof of concept that Oceanside is attracting some of the finest young and fresh culinary talent in the county.
There’s something on menu for the entire family at 608. In fact, sharing is encouraged. Starting with these succulent lobster tacos, you might want to bring an appetite. Each taco boasts a full ½ lobster – that’s a lot of crustacean packed into a small package, my friends!
Continue with the Coastal flair with Chef Willy’s roasted bone marrow topped with a savory shrimp ceviche. After being placed on the bone marrow, the ceviche is basted with the warm drippings to help marry all of the flavors. It’s a match made in…well…Oceanside!
Beautifully presented beef tartare may not be everyone’s thing, but accompanied by charred green onions and a bed of crispy, toasted crostini, this one-handed wonder provides a light bite with mild flavors and all of the heartiness of a steak meal.
Southern California has become known for its fresh catch, hours out of the water, local sushi. This Bluefin sashimi topped with sorrel and strawberries from Cyclops Farms, an urban, organic certified farm which is located minutes away from 608, is a refreshing, quintessential Oceanside take on a sushi classic.
Freshly made in house, both the pudding and the tortillas pack a hefty, yet delicate chocolate punch to end the meal on a sweet note. With the addition of some local tangerine slices, the memory of the meal is allowed to linger while the palate is refreshed.
Here’s the Rundown on 608:
Location/Ambience:
608 is located at 608 Mission Ave, just over a block east of S. Coast Highway. The recently renovated space is open and airy with a casual vibe, a perfect place for an afternoon beer or a great sidewalk dinner watching the sunset. Parking in the area is plentiful, but, hey, it’s Oceanside – a great town to take a stroll in!
Cuisine/Cost:
The concept here is small plates/tapas. Ordering several items and sharing will allow you to take a little journey through the many varied flavors that San Diego has become known for. Locally sourced produce, daily fresh fish, south of the border flavors and fine cooking techniques fuse to allow for a relaxed dining experience with upscale food. Small plates range in price from $8-$13 and sharing is encouraged.
Enjoy, and, Cheers, my friends!
-Sheen Fischer, The Foodie Whisperer
About The Author
For Sheen Fisher food and the entire experience of eating – the catching, growing, preparing, sharing and enjoying have become the landmarks by which he’s charted his travels and journey through life. On his food-centric blog, The Foodie Whisperer, Sheen discusses how food, the people we share it with and the places we discover it can inspire, amuse, stimulate and transport us beyond the limits of the familiar into a realm without boundaries.
