On Target

On Target

Posted: Dec. 12, 2016

It may not be a neighborhood spot just around the corner in the Ranch or on the coast, but taking a seat at Decoy Dockside Dining, a brand-new spot overlooking Lake San Marcos, one can feel plenty at home. Nestled in this rapidly growing inland community, a gourmand’s point of view is delivered by a menu that features a medley of Mediterranean and New American dishes. The high-ceilinged combo bar and dining room feels like an upscale lodge.

Start with house-cured charcuterie, a strawberry-adorned take on caprese with a chilly burrata component, or a surf-and-turf of sorts: roasted bone marrow with bay scallops. House-made pastas are toothsome and different — buccatini and duck confit replace the traditional spaghetti and pancetta in a carbonara preparation. The gnocchetti are topped by rabbit sugo with roasted carrot.

For main courses, a hefty filet of salmon comes with a spicy, well-crisped skin and a delightful and unexpected sweet-and-sour raisin condiment. Request a seat on the back patio overlooking the lake, or get close to the action downstairs at the more casual Dock Bar, which offers salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired flatbreads.

Try a lake boat ride from 4-8pm — it’s an experience that’s as immersive as you’d like it to be, and another brilliant addition to San Marcos’ pace-setting Lakehouse Hotel & Resort. 760.744.0120, lakehousehotelandresort.com/decoy   Brandon Hernández