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Inside Le Coq’s Revival with Brian Malarkey and Chris Puffer

We sit down with San Diego’s longtime restaurant power duo to unpack their two-decade partnership and their latest La Jolla project

By Jackie Bryant December 4, 2025

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES Know the Neighborhood Where to eat, where to drink, and what it's like to live there. EXPLORE THE GUIDES

On this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson catches up with chef Brian Malarkey and restaurateur Chris Puffer to explore the story behind their newest venture inside the iconic former Herringbone space, now reborn as Le Coq. The trio rewinds through the early days at Ocean Air, the explosive rise of Searsucker, and the city-shaping impact of Herb & Wood—while reflecting on the hard work, near-misses, and creative friction that have defined one of San Diego’s rare enduring restaurant partnerships.

About Jackie Bryant

Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.

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Inside Le Coq’s Revival with Brian Malarkey and Chris Puffer

About Jackie Bryant

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Inside Le Coq’s Revival with Brian Malarkey and Chris Puffer

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