As part of a restoration of historic sites in the North County San Diego beachside community, Italian-born chef Mario Cassineri is opening a modern Italian restaurant and cocktail bar in the 6,000 square-foot, 1936-built, art deco building that once served as the headquarters for Oceanside's Blade-Tribune newspaper. The restoration of the building’s front facade uncovered the original sign that reads "Blade Tribune and News", as well as other features that had been hidden by stucco since the 1950s. The redesign of the building's interior will pay homage to its history with newspaper-themed art and features, and there will also be a rooftop cocktail bar added in 2019.
Born and raised in Milan, Italy, Mario Cassineri boasts an impressive background of culinary training. Mario began his culinary career working at several well-regarded restaurants in Milan, including positions at the famous Splendid Hotel in Baveno, Italy on Lake Maggiore. From there, Mario joined three of the most celebrated chefs in Italy, Claudio Sadler, Maurizio Bosotti and Gaultiero Marchesi, to collaborate with them on a highly successful restaurant and hotel consulting business. With a desire to spread his passion for food to others, Mario also taught culinary arts at the internationally renowned Costigliole d'Asti in Piedmont, Italy. In 2005, Mario joined the BICE Restaurant Group as Executive Corporate Chef, and along with his wife and pastry chef Francesca Penoncelli, opened BICE Beirut in Lebanon, and other BICE concept restaurants in Miami, Bethesda, Chicago, Kansas City, and others, until finally landing in San Diego. From 2009 until its closing in 2017, Mario operated BICE Ristorante in downtown San Diego as the head chef and owner. He has also consulted on the openeing of Madison on Park in University Heights, Officine Buona Forchetta in Liberty Station, and, most recently, Amici Ristobar in Del Mar.
Blade 1936 will be located at 401 Seagaze Avenue in Oceanside. For more information, visit blade1936.com and check out the draft menu below.
