Toasted Gastrobrunch + Sammy's Dinner To Replace Carte Blanche In San Diego's North County

September 29, 2022

The veteran restaurateur behind Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza is taking over Carte Blanche restaurant in San Diego's North County to open a combined brunch and dinner concept dubbed Toasted Gastrobrunch + Sammy's Dinner. 

Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar certainly didn't have the best timing, as they opened right at the start of the global pandemic in early 2020. Founded by the family behind Old Town San Diego restaurants Fiesta de Reyes and the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Carte Blanche announced its impending closure earlier this week after only two full years in business. The restaurant will shutter after end of service on Sunday, October 2. 

"We are sad to say goodbye…," read the closure announcement on Carte Blanche's social media channels. "It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to close our doors at Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar. Unfortunately, these past two years have been years of unforeseen circumstances both for our business and family. As for most in the restaurant industry, the realities of the COVID-19 health crisis have put extraordinary stress on running a business. In addition, we have experienced a challenging health issue in our family that has refocused us on the importance of family in our lives. We could not be more proud of the restaurant we built and we especially want to thank our amazing team, past and present, for being a part of our incredible journey that is Carte Blanche. We are grateful to the Oceanside community for welcoming us with open arms and all the support shown to us throughout our time in Oceanside."

Upon Carte Blanche's closure, the 4,300 square-foot space at the base floor of the SALT Complex in downtown Oceanside will be taken over by veteran restaurateur Sami Ladecki, who began his restaurant empire in 1989 with the opening of his first Sammy's Woodfired Pizza in downtown La Jolla. Ladecki will open a second location of his Toasted Gastrobrunch all-day brunch concept in Oceanside. The new restaurant will also transition into "Sammy's Dinner" in the evening hours, offering new supper dishes and entree favorites from the Sammy's Pizza menu. Ladecki operates a similar concept dubbed Toast Gastrobrunch in Carlsbad and has the original Toasted Gastrobrunch restaurant in the Green Valley area of Las Vegas. 

Toasted Gastrobrunch will serve brunch fare daily until 3pm, offering a menu of eclectic-topped toasts, pancakes, Benedicts, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and unique egg dishes like smoked beef brisket hash with sunny side-ups. In the late afternoon, the restaurant will begin selling dinner-focused fare including value-oriented entrees, salads, burgers and more. The restaurant will also have a full bar with craft cocktails, mimosas, wine and beer. 

Toasted Gastrobrunch + Sammy's Dinner is expected to open by year's end at 339 North Cleveland Street in San Diego's North County city of Oceanside. For more information, visit toastedgastrobrunch.com.