San Diego’s own Claudette Zepeda, known for her appearances on Top Chef and Iron Chef, has officially opened Leu Leu, a cozy lounge and globally inspired restaurant in Leucadia. Nestled inside a 1930s bungalow on Highway 101, Leu Leu blends Zepeda’s Mexican-American heritage with Mediterranean, Moroccan, and Asian flavors.
Zepeda’s culinary journey began in her late teens, working in San Diego kitchens and training with James Beard Award winner Gavin Kaysen before earning acclaim as chef de cuisine at Javier Plascencia’s Bracero. She later competed on Top Chef Mexico and Top Chef U.S., earning a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in the Best Chef: West category while leading her own restaurant, El Jardin.
Since then, Zepeda has built a global profile, participating in culinary events in Australia, North Africa, and India. Now, she’s re-rooting herself in her hometown of San Diego with Leu Leu, a 60-seat lounge in Leucadia featuring a culinary team made entirely of women of Mexican heritage. Zepe
da designed the menu with shared plates and a “girl dinner” vibe, featuring vintage Pyrex and pink-hued ceramic dishes for a relaxed yet stylish dining experience.
Signature dishes include Baja yellowtail crudo with coconut lemongrass sauce, lamb shank pibil with pickled wild mushrooms, and a unique Fabergé egg-inspired creation combining sushi rice, wagyu beef tartare, and a spicy-sweet glaze. Guests can also enjoy creative “Super Sexy Sundaes” made with Oceanside’s Little Fox ice cream.
Leu Leu’s eclectic decor, designed by Design 4 Corners, creates a cozy, community-centered vibe reminiscent of a friend’s inviting living room. Zepeda plans to spend considerable time in the kitchen and will continue to share her culinary passion through travel and cooking events.
Leu Leu is located at 466 N. Coast Highway 101, Unit 1, Leucadia, CA. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with reservations available via Resy.
