arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Chef Brian Malarkey Interview

One of San Diego's star chefs

July 2010 Q&A with Brian Malarkey, executive chef of Searsucker, and as seen on TV as a contestant on Bravo’s Emmy-nominated series, Top Chef 3 Miami or hosting TLC’s Mega Bites and Kick Off Cook Off.

One of San Diego’s Busiest and Most Recognizable Chefs

Maybe you’ve seen Brian Malarkey on TV as a contestant on Bravo’s Emmy-nominated series, Top Chef 3 Miami or hosting TLC’s Mega Bites and Kick Off Cook Off. In July 2010, Brian opened Searsucker in the heart of San Diego’s bustling Gaslamp Quarter to rave reviews for both his new American cuisine and the hot downtown “scene” he created. His empire continues to grow with new restaurant ventures throughout San Diego and beyond, including Herringbone, Herb & Wood, Herb & Eatery, Farmer & The Seahorse and Green Acre, the chef’s take on fast and casual—a farm-to-table oasis nestled among corporate offices providing delicious respite for busy North County workers.

A native of Bend, Oregon, Brian grew up on a horse ranch and spent his summers in the kitchen at his grandmother’s beach house where James Beard, her old friend and one of America’s most famous foodies, often joined them in the kitchen. After graduating from Western Culinary Institute’s Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Portland, Brian worked with Chef Michael Richard of Citrus in Los Angeles before moving to Minneapolis and The Oceanaire Seafood Room. In 2001, he returned to the West Coast to open Oceanaire’s new Seattle location. SanDiego.org caught up with him to get the scoop on how he ended up in San Diego and how the city stole his heart.

SanDiego.org: What drew you to San Diego? How did you find yourself here?

Brian Malarkey: I moved down here to open up San Diego’s Oceanaire Seafood Room as executive chef and operating partner. I had previously lived in the LA and Santa Barbara areas and fell in love with California from day one. While I’m originally from Oregon, the sun, sand, beaches, and of course, great restaurant opportunities captivated me.

SanDiego.org: What has made you stay in San Diego? Why do you choose to live, and cook, here?

BM: The strong sense of community down here is great. San Diego has a small city, big town feel to it. I especially enjoy the relationships formed between chefs and clientele. After competing on Top Chef, I realized that I had a whole city rooting for me and that I was representing the San Diego community as a whole. My support base multiplied and the love that I felt from the people of San Diego was overwhelming. San Diego is now my home and I will never go anyplace else.

SanDiego.org: What are your favorite San Diego ingredients and what are your favorite ways to prepare or showcase those local items?

BM: I love the ocean and many of the items on my Searsucker menu definitely reflect that. I love to get my oysters, mussels and clams from Carlsbad and Baja. I’m crazy about local lobsters when I can afford them. Some of my favorite local fishes include white sea bass and albacore tuna. I’m lucky to have easy access to local abalone. The way that I prepare these items is simple: clean, fresh and easy with butter, lemon and garlic.

SanDiego.org: Where do you eat on your day off? If you had friends or family visiting, where would you take them to eat?

BM: My favorite neighborhood spot is Bay Park Fish Company. My wife gets agitated if we don’t have brunch at Café Chloe at least once a month. Craft & Commerce and Neighborhood are definitely my go-to spots, and you can always find my family and I eating crepes at the Hillcrest Farmers Market on the weekends.

When friends and family come to town, I like to take them to Cucina Urbana—the menu is delicious and the atmosphere is fun and relaxing. I also take out-of-towners to Cowboy Star for great steak prepared by Jon Weber who is a wonderful man. I always have to take my guests to the Marine Room to experience the creations of Chef Bernard Guillas—both him and his food are so...pretty! And last of all, Island Prime - C Level for lunch. C-level displays all that San Diego has to offer—a beautiful bay, beautiful views and delicious food.

SanDiego.org: Finally, when you're not in the kitchen, what's your favorite way to enjoy San Diego?

BM: I’m always at the beach. My two-and-a-half-year-old son Hunter would spend every day at the beach if we let him. I recently went lobster diving and I have a friend who is teaching me how to spear fish. I also like to help out my good friend Izzy Paskowitz with Autism Family Surf Camps in July. And of course, you’ll find me (clad in a seersucker suit) at Opening Day at the Del Mar Racetrack every summer. I’m also very excited to be attending Polo Opening Day this weekend.


Experience Brian's amazing cuisine for yourself. Make a reservation at Searsucker or one of his other restaurants today!

For other amazing San Diego dining experiences, see our Official Guide to San Diego Restaurants.

If beer & wine is your thing, explore San Diego's award-winning craft beer breweries and some of California's most southern wineries.

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Tours & Sightseeing

Family Friendly- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Amazing Scavenger Hunts by Urban Adventure Quest
Valid: Feb 2, 2024 - ongoing

Enjoy an Amazing Race type adventure with your family and Save 20% when you use Promo Code SDFUN. Only $39.20 for a Team of 2-5 people. Have fun and do something unique! Covid Friendly outdoor...

Restaurants

HAPPY HOUR AT ALLEGRO

Allegro Restaurant and Bar
Valid: Apr 18, 2024 - ongoing

Join us at Allegro for our Happy Hour Specials! Available Sunday - Thursday from 4-6pm. $6 House Wine by the Glass, $8 Well Drinks, Oysters and more!   See why we've been rated one of Little...

Accommodation

Drink, Dine, & Dance Package

Humphreys Half Moon Inn
Valid: Nov 13, 2023 - ongoing

Experience the greatest aspects of staying at Humphreys Half Moon Inn - drinking, dining and dancing. Book now to receive a daily $50 food & beverage credit, along with two craft cocktails at...

Events to check out

Event

USA Ultimate National Championships

Oct 24 - Oct 27, 2024

The USA Ultimate National Championships represent the pinnacle of elite ultimate in North America and crowns champions in three divisions: men’s, mixed and women’s. 

Event

Fleet Week San Diego 2024

Nov 1 - Nov 11, 2024

Experience one of San Diego’s largest Military events featuring Military Displays, High Tech equipment in the Innovation Zone, Active Navy & Coast Guard Ship Tours, Live Music, Food, and Fun...

Event

Karaoke Night & Paint

The Mental Bar
Oct 12, 2024

Bring your friends and family along for a memorable night of entertainment. Let loose, grab the mic, and sing your favorite tunes. We can't wait to see you there!

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish