Blade 1936 Restaurant

Savor Neapolitan style wood-fired pizza, freshly prepared pasta and succulent seafood at this modern Italian restaurant and bar serving fresh fare and creative cocktails in a celebrated historic newspaper building. Originally home to Oceanside’s Blade-Tribune newspaper from 1936 to the 1960s, the space was revitalized by the new owners, who paid homage to its journalistic history in the restaurant’s name, decor and menus.

Located just behind Regal Cinemas on Seagaze Drive, the property was designed by renowned architect Irving Gill. The notable motif in the front of the building was recently uncovered revealing Gill’s design and the name of Oceanside’s longest published newspaper.

Since its 2019 opening, the eatery has become a headliner on the sizzling Oceanside dining scene. Patrons rave about the dinner menu, the all-night Happy Hour (4-9 p.m.) on Tuesdays, and Date Night on Wednesdays, when couples enjoy a three-course menu with a bottle of chardonnay or cabernet for just $85.

Starters (also perfect as shared plates) include the tasty Bruschetta Classica, topped with cherry tomatoes, burrata cheese, basil and extra virgin olive oil; Antipasto Misto with smoked prosciutto, salami, Parma prosciutto, artichokes, olives, mixed cheeses; and Calamari Fritti with served with spicy arrabbiata sauce.

Pizzas created for Blade 1936 are all made with imported Italian flour, tomato sauce and cheeses, as well as oil made from olives grown in Italy. Among the many specialty pizzas is the Affumicata, with house-made fennel sausage and house-smoked Provolone cheese. The pizzas cook in just 90 seconds in a 900-degree wood-fired Stefano Ferrara brick oven, also imported from Italy. The pizza dough rises for 48 hours to make it lighter and fluffier.

Pastas include Italian classics such as Pappardelle alla Bolognese, and Linguine alle Vongole, both made in house. Other delicious dishes include Osso Bucco, Cioppino and Fresh Wild Salmon. Separate vegan and gluten-free menus, as well as online ordering, are also available.

For those desiring special event service, Blade 1936 features two private dining rooms. The private wine room can host up to 60 guests. It is perfect for rehearsal dinners, corporate dinners, graduation parties, guest speaker programs, wedding receptions, baby showers, and more. The Chef table can seat up to 10 guests and is perfect for a small intimate dinner to impress your VIPs. The restaurant also offers catering services.

Discover this gem of a sit-down restaurant starting at 4 p.m. every day (closed Mondays). Check out the Modern and Art Deco architecture, black and white photography on the wall, and toast to the venue’s newsworthy past, present and future. Blade 1936 is at 401 Seagaze Drive, Oceanside. Call (760) 231-1456 or visit blade1936.com.