San Diego’s original celebrity chef – Brian Malarkey – is taking an extended vacation from the restaurant business, namely from his very own highbrow eatery Oceanaire Seafood Room in the Gaslamp Quarter.

The restaurant and its chef are both well-known throughout the country; Malarkey as a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and now as a local celebrity chef with frequent TV appearances, and Oceanaire as a reliably delicious seafood restaurant. However, Malarkey’s leave comes almost immediately after the fall of a few Oceanaire restaurants across the country.

Malarkey's temporary departure, however, has nothing to do with the closings, and the San Diego restaurant is not in any danger. Rather, Malarkey is taking paid “daddy maternity” so that he can spend more time with his ten-month old son. One more reason to love Malarkey!

Malarkey’s stint on “Top Chef” made the Oregon native as an easily-recognized San Diego celebrity. Naturally the question has risen among his fans of whether Malarkey will open his own restaurant in San Diego, but he is remaining tight lipped on his future plans.

During his vacation, Malarkey is confidently relinquishing his title to sous chef Sean Langlais who has worked at Oceanaire for quite some time. Local foodies will surely miss Brian Malarkey’s flare, but Langlais certainly is ready for the responsibility of feeding the expectations and appetites of the cautious public. Not to worry foodies ... Malarkey will return, and until then, you're in good hands.

Insider Tip: The Oceanaire Seafood Room is still open, but the iconic labyrinth of Jack’s La Jolla closed its doors for good late July, 2009. Read details here.

For more information, visit San Diego Oceanaire in Gaslamp.