Oceanside’s Matsu restaurant earns global honor and expands its Tsuki nights

William Eick, the chef and owner of 4-year-old Matsu modern Japanese restaurant in South Oceanside, has announced the expansion of his popular Tsuki Night events.

Originally created as a more casual izakaya-style alternative to Matsu’s fine-dining, tasting-menu service, Tsuki Night has become so popular that on Dec. 9 it will move from a monthly event to twice a week, on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings, with the exception of previously scheduled special events.

“With how successful each one has been, we have heard our guests asking for us to make it a more regular thing,” Eick said. “We are excited to share these nights with our community until the end of the year, and will run the upcoming Hawaiian theme all month long. Im really excited to be able to expand our vision, and bring something unique to Oceanside.”

The a la carte Tsuki menu features eight dishes, including items such as grilled prawns with banana curry, garlic rice, poke, beef rib, unagi musubi and a langostine mac salad.

In October, Matsu was honored with 4 Radishes on the international We’re Smart Green Guide. The designation, which ranges in scale from 1 to 5 Radishes, recognizes restaurants that practice vegetable-forward gastronomy and sustainability.

Matsu, which offers a 10-course vegetable tasting menu option, is the only restaurant in San Diego County to receive recognition from We’re Smart.

Just five U.S. restaurants earned 5 Radishes (including Michelin three-starred spots Eleven Madison Park in New York City and the French Laundry in Yountville). And just 10 earned 4 Radishes, including the Michelin three-star restaurants Atelier Crenn in San Francisco and Single Thread Farms in Healdsburg.

“This recognition means a great deal to our entire team,” Eick said of the We’re Smart designation. “Our cuisine draws inspiration from Japanese philosophy, where simplicity, seasonality, and respect for nature guide everything we do. To be recognized alongside restaurants like SingleThread and Atelier Crenn, who share that same vision for sustainability and craft, is truly an honor.”

Also last month, Eick hosted Atelier Crenn chef-owner/ Dominique Crenn in a sold-out, eight-course collaboration dinner at Matsu on Oct. 12.

“I’ve always admired Chef Crenn’s ability to tell profound stories through food. To have her join me at Matsu is not only surreal, it’s a reminder that passion connects us as chefs,” Eick said of the experience.

Crenn said in a statement that she was also honored by the experience. “Accolades are a nice thing, but they don’t define us. For me, I am more interested in continuing my quest to my own truth, and I love that chef Eick and I get to collaborate together, he is an inspiration as well.”

Eick said the popularity of the dinner with Crenn has encouraged him to plan future collaboration dinners with other high-profile chefs.

Matsu is located at 626 S. Tremont St. in Oceanside. For reservations, visit opentable.com/r/matsu-oceanside.