As long as Leucadia keeps nurturing little patches of quirkiness like Haggo's Organic Tacos(1114 N. Coast Hwy. 101), I think my sidewalk-eschewing, new-agey former hometown will remain firmly connected to its funky roots.
Box'd has taken over the corner of State Street and Carlsbad Village Drive (430 Carlsbad Village Drive). It's not so much a restaurant as a shipping container and a large patch of soft, artificial turf.
Iris occupies a busy little twist of residential road at the southern end of Del Mar (2334 Carmel Valley Road); if it didn't sit just west of Interstate 5, we'd call it Carmel Valley.
Some days, the quest to find a cool place to eat (and a fun place to write about) involves getting in my car and driving directly to the next place on my “gotta try” list.
I had such high hopes for Chandler's Restaurant and Lounge. There it sits, facing the bright, blue ocean, separated from the sand by a particularly fast section of Highway 101.
Sometimes, I get an email telling me that "this café serves everybody—not JUST Sabre Springs Swingers!" Nutmeg Bakery & Café in Poway? You had me at swingers.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere with no diminishment in quality of food, grab a casual lunch or dinner at Panca Peruvian Rotisserie in Oceanside.