Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub — Restaurant in Oceanside

For those of us locals who grew up here we have a strong fisherman/seafood upbringing. We love sushi/seafood and the ocean it comes from. We've been swimming, surfing, sponging forever and fishing the pier since childhood.

Sushi is not an exclusively Japanese endeavor anymore. In fact most Japanese restaurants are owned by non Japanese. Does that make them less authentic or less amazing? No, not at all. In fact I think that the creativity of not being tied to tradition or culture in the ethnic sense allows chefs and owners to explore the quality of our local product.

Not everyone will get their name or their eclectic décor, but in speaking with Dave, Lawrence, Jennifer or anyone tied to this place you'll see what they are all about. Their biggest champion is the fact that they have strong ties to the already popular and local Fish Joint. I admit this place is not Fish Joint 2.0, and it really isn't trying to be. It's something completely different from Gerard the gecko to the size and location shared with Bull Taco and the menu size.

Protip: You can order anything from Bull Taco and brought to you if you're eating at here. Kind of this symbiotic relationship.

Their bar only has 7 seats and the whole place only seats less than 40 inside so it's intimate.

Spiced melon soup with local Bluefin, WHAT? First off it's a pulpy concoction with Korean peppers and watermelon topped with Bluefin slices/chunks. This should not work, but it's pleasant. Don't think it's refreshing like sandia, it's spiced. And the Bluefin is some of the freshest local I've seen, probably because they use the same Fish Monger I do for my personal needs. Tommy Gomes at Catalina Offshore Products. Their yumo oysters go quick and the fresh or baked scallops are somewhere between U8 and U12, not sure if they are diver caught. Mine were torched because their toaster was down, sweet, soft, buttery and topped with a sauce that when torched gives an umami flavor.

The salmon they carry is a firm Scottish variety lightly salted and marinated in chardonnay then washed in cold water, so the ends bear more flavor than the center cut, but it's suble, Ever so slightly firm and fatty almost has the traditionally salty smoked flavor. Hawaiian albacore was much more rich in color and delicate, while the local Bluefin was buttery. White fish is a very rare variety and changes daily. Octopus with a miso reduction and garlic sauce went well with the lemon. Not tough at all like some octopus can be. The tempura shrimp is well done, not too flakey, a more substantial batter.

Must try the sauces as each is handmade daily ranging from the roasted banana habanero, celery based roasted Anaheim chili sauce to the white truffle oil infused olive oil. This stems from the genius minds that came from Fish Joint and their amazing sauces, though not exactly the same the creativity keeps them both unique. They have a very small beer selection, but it's local and it's craft, which kind of sums up the owners. Prices are very manageable, in fact cheaper than Harney's and Fish Joint for a night out. Service is great at the bar, but with a packed house I can see their size bottle necking things. Square is used for card payment.

Dave and his very mistakable brother Lawrence have done an amazing job keeping it quirky, local, creative and fresh as a spring rain in terms of fish quality and straying from the traditional Japanese shackles. It's firmly new age American style sushi. Locals will totally get what's going on here, but not locals only....

I'll start this off with the easy way out of an AI or chat GPT review was not taken and would be easier, but I'm taking time away from my kids and family to share my experience in hopes others will read it and enjoy the experience of Wrench and Rodent.

Our first trip was a surprise after I secured coverage to watch our 6 & 7 year old one night before our 11 year anniversary. Some app offered 50 bucks off a 150 tab. We tried hard and even though the food was amazing, and drinks were tasty, we struggled to hit 150 and I happily covered the tried to spend more than the139.99 tab.

2nd night we went right back when my wife's surprise hit, and we had our second night out without kids. (It is kid friendly but our culinary experience was kid free)

All day we talked about how delishious the wings of the sea appetizer was. We talked about the creative menue that changes based upon what was the most fresh. We both agreed that even though the taste, texture, presentation, and deivery/ service from the night before was unmatched we had to try more.

We tried to order a little bit of everything from the menue, and every dish equally impressed. I even bugged my friends to tell them how amazing the food, service, and quality were. The people mentioned below had a major impact the first and or second night. Glenn, Shaeahn, Gabe (especially Gabe) turned a culinary experience into a feeling of comfort, care, compassion with a true appreciation for what the chef has created.

Down right amazing. Some picture are funny some show tasty food, all live in a memory of the amazing experience their team provided. 5 stars, what is Micchelen doing not eating here and bringing the first star...

Formerly the Whet Noodle. Today, the same owners and chef. Asian influenced. Our party of four arrived on a Saturday evening without reservations and we only had to wait 15 mins. Inside it was loud due to a large group celebrating a birthday party. There are tables out in the back patio, but we were seated in front on Coast Hwy as our view. The heaters were Great! The atmosphere was cozy.The food here is very unique. The chef has a creative streak which is nice.

There are several sushi rolls to choose from the menu. My friend ordered a spicy tuna with albacore, avocado and more. I tried it and it was VERY tasty!

The chicken yakisoba is a generous portion with chicken. My husband I split it. It was delicious.

The roasted cauliflower dish is a colorful array and roasted perfectly with nice flavors.

I ordered an item from the daily menu, October 9,2021. Seared Wahoo, charred rice, roasted veggies $16. Beautifully presented, but it was a bit bland. I wanted more flavors. Looking back at my photo, there wasn't charred rice or roasted veggies. There are micro greens and radishes with a puree of something green which had no flavor. Perhaps I didn't get the correct dish? I won't order it again due to the blandness.

Dessert: we shared the PLOT CAKE ( also on the daily menu) with coconut creme. The cake was a bit dry but the berries were nice!

Despite my dish, everyone loved theirs and I would try this place again next time we are in town. I just wish my dish was the one described...