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The Story of Oceanside’s Hot New Space: Merenda

Aaron and Lauren Crossland—the Oceanside local and food anthropologist duo behind north county’s newest arrival—discuss how the seaside neighborhood has evolved

By Jackie Bryant January 2, 2025

The Story of Oceanside’s Hot New Space: Merenda — Courtesy of Yelp

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

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.

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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