Twilegar is widely regarded as one of San Diego’s quiet powerhouse chefs, earning a reputation for Dockside Fish at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, his stewardship of Palmy’s next door, and for founding Fish to Families, which provides hundreds of meals weekly to food-insecure San Diegans. His deep ties to local fishermen and farms form the backbone of the menu, making Cherryfish his most personal - and ambitious - project to date.
Cherryfish aims to introduce a lively, coastal-California interpretation of izakaya dining, blending Japanese inspiration with bold, local ingredients. Twilegar describes it as the culmination of his culinary upbringing - San Diego seafood, global technique, and dishes built for sharing in a bustling, social environment.
The menu is extensive and creative. Highlights include the kimchi flatbread with shoyu-braised beef cheek and burnt pineapple, the Okinawa potato dumpling with yuzu-Parmesan cream, spiny lobster gyoza in miso butter ponzu, kanpachi sashimi in blood orange aguachile, and swordfish belly skewers glazed with tangerine and beet char siu. Larger plates feature a short rib tomahawk with Japanese sweet potato and sweet soy demi, sablefish with blood orange miso, and a charcoal-grilled Australian wagyu strip steak.
Twilegar’s sushi program leans modern, offering rolls like the “No Imitation” with snow crab and charred negi cream cheese, or the kanpachi roll topped with poblano tofu mayo and charred jalapeño. Late-night diners can stay for shishito peppers, spicy tuna, chicken katsu sandwiches, or a CB smash burger with furikake fries.
Twilegar’s sushi program leans modern, offering rolls like the “No Imitation” with snow crab and charred negi cream cheese, or the kanpachi roll topped with poblano tofu mayo and charred jalapeño. Late-night diners can stay for shishito peppers, spicy tuna, chicken katsu sandwiches, or a CB smash burger with furikake fries.
The bar menu is built around cocktails designed to pair with the food. Drinks showcase fresh citrus, yuzu, lychee, coconut, charred shishito, and even a playful Oreo-washed nigori sake used in an espresso drink. Wine, beer, and sake round out the offerings.
The space has been transformed into one of Pacific Beach’s most striking dining rooms. Jewel tones, fuchsia accents, rich woods, gold trim, and a glowing pink cristalio bar define the interior, while hanging greenery and a mural of a koi add texture and movement. A window into the kitchen and fish tank builds visual energy, and the patio features olive trees, fire pits, and a breezy indoor-outdoor feel. An intimate speakeasy-style private dining room will debut soon, hidden within the restaurant and designed for exclusive gatherings, celebratory dinners, and late-night sessions complete with unapologetically fun touches - karaoke included.
Originally published on November 16, 2025.
The space has been transformed into one of Pacific Beach’s most striking dining rooms. Jewel tones, fuchsia accents, rich woods, gold trim, and a glowing pink cristalio bar define the interior, while hanging greenery and a mural of a koi add texture and movement. A window into the kitchen and fish tank builds visual energy, and the patio features olive trees, fire pits, and a breezy indoor-outdoor feel. An intimate speakeasy-style private dining room will debut soon, hidden within the restaurant and designed for exclusive gatherings, celebratory dinners, and late-night sessions complete with unapologetically fun touches - karaoke included.
Cherryfish is backed by a group of Palmy’s investors and partners Carlos and Dannielle Becerra and Zachary Cohen. Carlos Becerra previously made headlines for hiring consultants during the opening of Parq nightclub who were later federally charged with funneling foreign money into San Diego political campaigns. The resulting investigation revealed aspects of Becerra’s tumultuous past, but he has since stabilized his public profile and now serves as chair of the Gaslamp Quarter Association.
Cherryfish opens November 20 at 966 Felspar Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, follow @cherryfishsd on Instagram and check out the menu below.
Cherryfish opens November 20 at 966 Felspar Street in San Diego's Pacific Beach. For more information, follow @cherryfishsd on Instagram and check out the menu below.
