North County Chef Previews Modern Japanese Restaurant

<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nJ6eab0ApzK_ORriLEw0KzzVeEk=/236x0:4007x2828/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65017127/dsc_0813.0.jpg"> <small>Tempura king crab | Courtesy photo</small> <a title="View Matsu Menu on Scribd" href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fdocument%2F421862282%2FMatsu-Menu%23from_embed" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matsu Menu</a> by <a title="View EaterSD's profile on Scribd" href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fuser%2F189245035%2FEaterSD%23from_embed" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EaterSD</a> on Scribd </p> Last year, chef <strong>William Eick</strong> (Real Bar & Bistro, George’s at the Cove), <a href="https://sandiego.eater.com/2018/2/21/17036174/608-chef-joining-mission-avenue-bar-and-grill-in-oceanside">joined Oceanside mainstay Mission Avenue Bar and Grill</a> after the shutter of 608, his neighboring restaurant that garnered acclaim for its prix fixe menu of artfully-presented small plates often based on foraged ingredients or seasonal produce procured from nearby Cyclops Farms. <figure> <img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2F2UfoSfpC2vo_cEho8BmMr9EZI=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/18971761/eick.jpg"> <cite>Courtesy photos</cite> <figcaption>Chef William Eick/King crab with uni</figcaption> </figure> <div> The chef tells Eater that he and Mission Avenue’s owners are looking for a standalone spot to land Matsu in North County. With a simple and elegant decor focused on warm wood — Matsu means “pine” in Japanese — the intimate restaurant would serve select a la carte options as well as a chef’s tasting menu. Eick and his partners are also planning a counter-service version of Matsu down the road; his take on tamago sando, the popular Japanese-style egg salad sandwiches, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0eL7-Lg5px/">are regularly offered at Oceanside’s Panels Comic Book Coffee Bar.</a> </div> In early 2019, via pop-ups at local businesses, Eick unveiled <strong>Matsu</strong>, his new restaurant concept based on modern Japanese fine dining, and last month, started serving a special Japanese tasting menu at <a href="https://www.missionavebarandgrill.com/">Mission Avenue Bar and Grill</a>. Offered Sunday through Thursday to just one table per night, reservations must be made in advance through the <a href="https://eatatmatsu.com/">Matsu website</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matsu_restaurantsd/">Instagram</a>. In early 2019, via pop-ups at local businesses, Eick unveiled <strong>Matsu</strong>, his new restaurant concept based on modern Japanese fine dining, and last month, started serving a special Japanese tasting menu at <a href="https://www.missionavebarandgrill.com/">Mission Avenue Bar and Grill</a>. Offered Sunday through Thursday to just one table per night, reservations must be made in advance through the <a href="https://eatatmatsu.com/">Matsu website</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matsu_restaurantsd/">Instagram</a>. Oceanside chef William Eick gives diners a taste of Matsu