Where’s Malarkey Gone?

The latest on Brian Malarkey and Oceanaire, plus San Diego restaurant gossip

I am finally taking the time to address the rumors surrounding my leave of absence from the Oceanaire. The great state of California gives “daddys” the opportunity to spend six weeks with their child and receive a portion of their paycheck. Of course I’d be a fool not to take advantage of this great opportunity, and with my baby “Boots” quickly approaching his first birthday, the time was now.

As you know we’ve had some challenging times down at the OC as of late, but with the trust and support of all of our vendors and guests, the ship is sailing smoothly again after having survived a brief storm. I felt it was wrong for me to take all of this time off and leave my team of sous chefs to run the restaurant and not be financially compensated for the extraordinary job they do night after night, day after day. So I have stepped down so that Sean Langlais will be taking over for me in the kitchen and receive the padding in his wallet he so deserves. Sean has been with me for more than three years and has been the strongest support system I could ever hope for. Not only is he extremely talented (especially with seafood) but he is a great guy and an inspirational leader. He has Gerrard Meriwether and Tyler Thrasher, two extremely talented chefs to lend him support.

So to shine a light on the rumors that have swirled around the Oceanaire and its chefdom, the Oceanaire is in more than capable hands and has NO intention of shutting down or going away for a very long time! Stop by, introduce yourself to the boys and tell them I said “What UP?”

Now on to the next rumor: “When will I — or will I — return?” I will be on the sidelines enjoying my family and working on some secret projects that will materialize in the next few months. I am also fortunate to be traveling to Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand (watch out, Sauvignon Blanc) on a Food & Wine-sponsored cruise in November. However, I’ll always be one phone call away in case Sean or the boys want to reach out and pick my mind. The Oceanaire is my family and will always be my family, but now it’s family time and time to sit back and reflect on all of the great things that have happened over the past few years. Did I answer the rumors? No, really, but it’s always fun to keep you guessing.

Wouldn’t I be mad to leave one of, if not the busiest restaurant in San Diego after having just received San Diego Magazine’s Reader’s Poll “Best of the Best” Restaurant — Money No Object and the Chef of the Year vote? Leave one of the best staffs in Southern California? Leave great sous chefs who always have my back? Only time will tell ...

I’ve been traveling a lot lately and am not too caught up on what is going on in our local dining scene, but a few things I have heard are:
• Jack’s in La Jolla finally gave up its fight with the identity crisis it's had for so long.
• My good friends at Trattoria Acqua are revamping the menu and dressing this great San Diego staple up for many more great years to come.
• My baby’s godfather, Michael Mitchell, is working with Ingrid Croce and Croce’s, and they have hired a lot of old Oceaniare friends. Now I didn’t come up with this but I found it to be hilarious — nickname of the week: Crocenaire! Sorry Michael but I had to.
• The hottest restaurant in town is Cucina Urbana!

I have been working with Steve and Lisa Altman on their “Rock the Cure” event for Juvenile Diabetes on September 1 with musical guests Hall and Oates! I want to thank all of the great restaurants who are going to be helping out: Suite and Tender, Nine-Ten, Barbarella, The French Gourmet, Café Japenego, The Red Pearl, Stingaree, Café Moto, The Oceaniare, Kitchen 1540 and “The Bubbly Girl,” Maria Hunt. Thank you for all that you do for charity.

With Top Chef Masters over and Rick Bayless crowned the “Master,” it’s time to get on to Season 6, Top Chef Las Vegas. I missed the first episode, but with Bravo’s continued rolling reel of repeats I know I can catch it about a 100 times in the next week. I was asked this season to cook all of the winning dishes and make them healthy and easy for the home chefs. So after every episode you can get a little one-on-one cooking class with me at bravotv.com.

With so much time on my hands I will make it a point of keeping you up to date what is going on in my world and the San Diego culinary scene.

Take the opportunity to tell me what you know and see around town, current trends, rumors or just plain Malarkey.

Find my latest Bravo Get Fresh blog here.

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