The Plot - Oceanside

"Through the restaurant’s three locations in Southern California, power couple Jessica and Davin Waite offer a culinary journey where vegetable creations captivate even the most committed omnivores. Start with dishes like the panko crusted charcoal roasted eggplant with tomato jam or a Reuben made with pastrami-spiced marinated beets and house-cultured sauerkraut. Don’t miss the Shepherd’s Pie, which, despite being meatless, is one of the best versions in San Diego." - Kelly Bone

"The award-winning vegan restaurant, helmed by restauranteurs Jessica and Davin Waite, uses many of their ingredients from their backyard chef’s garden. Try their beet Reuben sando or carrotfish tacos (literally made with carrots, not fish). Their extensive drinks menu includes expressos, kombucha and beer on tap." - Helen I. Hwang, Eater Staff

"The Plot helped kick off the trend of sit-down vegan restaurants around San Diego and is still the quintessential spot for meatless dining. Go for lentil- and wild rice-based meatless loaf and soft Okinawan sweet potato gnocchi that gets a nice zing from cherry tomatoes and nori tapenade. The plant-based proteins are particularly good and all made in-house, including chickpea “tuna” and lion’s mane mushroom crab featured in sushi rolls. While there’s another location in Carlsbad, we like this one because of its huge patio—it feels less like a restaurant and more like a fancy friend’s backyard complete with an herb garden, heat lamps, and spare blankets for when the weather has the nerve to dip below 70 degrees." - ligaya malones

"For a vegan alternative to the holidays, the Plot in Oceanside is offering tasty options like wild rice and lentil roast, gluten-free cornbread stuffing, and braised Southern-style garden greens with ingredients from their garden space. Pre-order by December 22 for Christmas Eve pickup. The cost is $40 per person." - Helen I. Hwang

"For a vegan alternative to the holidays, the Plot in Oceanside is offering tasty options like wild rice and lentil roast, gluten-free cornbread stuffing, and braised Southern-style garden greens with ingredients from their garden space. Pre-order by December 22 for Christmas Eve pickup. The cost is $40 per person." - Helen I. Hwang