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I see why San Diego foodies are flocking to Fleurette — it's a gem. e long-awaited little sister to Callie, helmed by chef- owner Travis Swikard, quietly began taking reservations in early January. e large-scale room is beautifully appointed, comfortable, and a perfect setting for Travis's ambitious French Riviera-inspired cuisine. Pay no mind to Fleurette's location — a tech and medical office park on Executive Drive in UTC. is place is ambitious and is pulling it off. e plates are not rustic; the fare is light, brightly seasoned, and presented on beautiful, upscale tableware. Two standout dishes are the Duck Liver and Bone Marrow Pâté and the Sweetbreads à la Meunière (check with your cardiologist before ordering). I also loved the beet dish. My favorite, however, was the Roasted Golden Chicken & Vin Jaune (creamy wine and chicken sauce) with shaved black truffle. Advance reservations are in order. fleurettesd.com A new darling on the food scene, Marigold Bagels, which opened in late 2025, has been getting a lot of social media steam. Located in North Park on El Cajon Boulevard, this newcomer often has a line out the door starting at 7am. Michael Rabinowitz, a former chemist for Johnson & Johnson, grew tired of retirement and applied his exacting talent for precision and procedure to the art of baking (it's a similar skill set, oddly enough). Marigold's motto, "East Coast Soul with a West Coast Heart," about sums it up. While the varieties and ingredients are authentically East Coast (Acme whitefish spread, for example), he makes a smaller, chewier bagel with a blistered crust, unlike the larger, pillowy bagels you'll find in New York these days. "ese are not rolls with holes," he likes to say. Did I mention he's Brooklyn-born, Long Island-raised? marigoldbagels.com Pacific Beach has a recent addition to the dining scene: Cherryfish. e cuisine is described as American izakaya, a casual style of Japanese fare featuring smaller share plates. Chef Marcus Twilegar runs a product-driven kitchen. e night I dined, he brought out a tray of live spot prawns. He lowered them to our table and presented them as if he was charged with the crown jewels. He excitedly told me they had been delivered just ten minutes earlier and offered to prepare them for us. Heck yes. I loved that he shared that dish with us. e menu features hot and cold appetizers, sushi, sashimi, and entrées of beef and fish, plus sides like my favorite, Wagyu Fried Rice. I also loved the house-made kimchi flatbread — it's one of those flavors you'll get addicted to. It's an indoor-outdoor space (bring a layer), the crowd is young, and the energy is high. It's a fun spot. cherryfishsd.com Fleurette Cherryfish Marigold Bagels CHERRYFISH: PHOTO BY JAMES TRAN MARIGOLD BAGELS, FLEURETTE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERRYL GAVRE @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE MARCH 2026 73