San Diego Restaurant Week: Piper To Offer Special Coastal Dining Experience

OCEANSIDE, CA — San Diego Restaurant Week, one of San Diego's biggest foodie events, returns this month.

The bi-annual event, scheduled Jan. 25 through Feb. 1, will showcase more than 100 restaurants across the county offering specially curated two-course lunches and three-course dinners starting at $30.

• Also see: San Diego Restaurant Week Returning In January

With San Diego Restaurant Week just 10 days away, Patch is spotlighting some of the participating restaurants, including Piper, a farm-to-table cafe at The Seabird Resort in Oceanside.

Patch spoke with Mario Zambon, area director of food and beverage for Piper, about what's on the menu for San Diego Restaurant Week and more.

Patch: What's the story behind your restaurant? How and when did it all start?

Mario Zambon: Piper is a welcoming, California-inspired neighborhood restaurant that reflects the coastal lifestyle of Oceanside. Since opening, Piper has focused on creating an approachable yet elevated dining experience, one that emphasizes seasonal ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and genuine hospitality. The restaurant was envisioned as a place where guests can gather comfortably, whether for a casual lunch, a celebratory dinner, or a special occasion.

Patch: What makes your spot stand out in San Diego's restaurant scene?

Zambon: Piper stands out for its ability to balance refined cuisine with a relaxed, coastal sensibility. The menus are rooted in California flavors and seasonal ingredients, offering everything from pastas to elevated steak and seafood dishes, complemented by thoughtful desserts from Chef Jacquelin. The experience is polished but never formal, making Piper a versatile destination for both locals and visitors.

Patch: How long has your restaurant been participating in San Diego Restaurant Week?

Zambon: Piper has participated in San Diego Restaurant Week for four years. It remains a special event because it celebrates the region's diverse culinary landscape and encourages diners to explore local restaurants in a new way. For Piper, it's an opportunity to showcase the restaurant's signature style through a curated menu that highlights seasonal ingredients and guest-favorite dishes.

Patch: What's on your menu for Restaurant Week?

Zambon: During San Diego Restaurant Week, Piper is offering a limited-time prix fixe lunch and dinner experience.

The dinner menu features a three-course selection beginning with: Salanova greens with winter citrus, kabocha squash soup, or true story prosciutto with stracciatella. Entrée options include Piper's signature bolognese, seared salmon with spicy romesco, grilled prime flat iron steak, or a 20-ounce ribeye available as a supplement. The experience concludes with indulgent desserts by Chef Jacquelin.

The lunch menu offers a relaxed yet satisfying approach, with options such as: Salanova greens, butternut squash soup, a California crab melt, three cheese ravioli, or a bulgogi cheesesteak, followed by classic desserts including affogato or a brownie sundae.

Patch: What's next for your restaurant? Any news or something you'd like to highlight for 2026?

Zambon: Following Restaurant Week, Piper will spotlight Valentine's Day weekend with a special prix fixe dinner designed for sharing and celebrating. The menu will feature standout dishes such as a Chateaubriand for Two, served with bordelaise and celery root fondue, alongside indulgent options like oxtail raviolo, prosciutto-wrapped monkfish, and ramp risotto. To elevate the experience, guests may opt for curated wine pairings, including selections from Champagne, Burgundy, Oregon, and California all carefully chosen to complement each course and enhance the evening.

Looking ahead to 2026, Piper will continue to host a series of special wine and spirit dinners throughout the year. The next event is a Sake Dinner on March 26, featuring Omura Saki, crafted with organic California rice and timed to the cherry blossom season.

Piper is located at 105 Mission Ave. in Oceanside.

Reservations are not required but are recommended for San Diego Restaurant Week. See a full list of participating restaurants at sandiegorestaurantweek.com.