To kick off 2025, Troy and Jackie sit down with Aaron and Lauren Crossland—the Oceanside local and food anthropologist duo behind north county’s newest arrival, Merenda Wine Bar & Retail Shop. Lauren talks about what she’s learned getting her PhD in studying the cultural pathways of food, and Aaron gives his take on how O’Side has evolved. Designed by Bells & Whistles (Starlite, Jeune et Jolie), their wine shop/restaurant/third space is named after a chapter in the book of famed rogue food writer Patience Gray—and they enlisted beverage director Heidi Greenwood (Juniper & Ivy, etc.) to pair wines with dishes like grilled duck and rockfish carpaccio from chef Xavier De La Cruz.
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