Chef Aron and Pam Schwartz bustling new restaurant is the new hotspot in the North County restaurant scene and recently named one of the best new restaurants in Encinitas by Coast News Lick the Plate columnist David Boylan
ENCINITAS, Calif., Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Blank Slate is inviting North County diners to experience their world class cuisine with new expanded hours. Chef Aron Schwartz and co-owner Pam Schwartz bring decades of culinary and hospitality experience to an intimate setting near Moonlight Beach. Open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, the restaurant pairs seasonal cooking with the personal attention of a husband-and-wife team whose careers span acclaimed restaurants and major hospitality venues.
Located at 101 N. Coast Highway 101, next to Encinitas Surfboards, Blank Slate offers an inviting destination for a date night, dinner with friends or an evening exploring the best of the Encinitas dining scene. Blank Slate gives guests an opportunity to experience the Schwartzes’ food and hospitality, alongside the private dining and events that also take place in the space.
The restaurant has already earned an enthusiastic response from David Boylan, longtime host of Lick the Plate and culinary columnist for The Coast News. In his May 20 feature, “So much to love about Blank Slate in Encinitas,” Boylan described his dinner as “a perfect meal.” He has since named Blank Slate one of the best new restaurants in Encinitas: “I’ve covered Aron and Pam for years and loved every one of their projects based primarily on their combined culinary talent, not to mention their prowess at pairing wine with and fabulous winemaker dinners. I don’t know another restaurant in Encinitas that has their level of culinary experience in the kitchen and updates their menu as frequently based on the best and freshest ingredients. All that combined makes Blank Slate one of the best restaurants in Encinitas.”
Boylan’s visit featured a wedge salad, pan-seared ocean trout with roasted potatoes, local vegetables and charred lemon, followed by mixed berry crisp with vanilla ice cream. That meal illustrates the restaurant’s approach: familiar dishes prepared with care, seasonal ingredients and a chef’s attention to flavor. Offerings evolve, so guests should check the current menu when reserving.
Both owners trained at the Culinary Institute of America. Aron’s career includes L’Auberge Del Mar, Lutèce in Las Vegas and the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. He spent nearly 15 years at the Marriott Marquis, including eight as executive chef, developing a reputation for cooking that emphasized local farms and quality ingredients.
Pam brings an equally accomplished background spanning professional kitchens, wine service and restaurant leadership. Her experience includes Nobu in Las Vegas, Pamplemousse Grille in Del Mar, Arterra, General Manager at Hello Betty Fish House, co-founder of Ranch 45, and culinary director a Sur La Table in Carlsbad. She has worked as a sommelier, general manager and director of food and beverage, and her culinary career includes a dinner at the James Beard House. Together, they formed APS Hospitality Group and created Blank Slate.
At Blank Slate, that experience translates into a restaurant centered on seasonal food, wine and welcoming service. The couple’s connections to growers and purveyors inform the cooking, while the intimate setting encourages guests to settle in and enjoy the evening. Wine dinners, community nights and visiting culinary collaborations add variety to the restaurant’s calendar.
Expanded dinner hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Guests can view upcoming experiences and make reservations at www.blankslate101.com or contact 760-454-9991. Check the reservation calendar for availability and special events.
About Blank Slate
Blank Slate is a restaurant and private dining venue in Encinitas, California, created by chef Aron Schwartz and Pam Schwartz of APS Hospitality Group. Located near Moonlight Beach, it offers dinner service, wine experiences and private gatherings rooted in seasonal cooking and personal hospitality.
Media contact: Pam Schwartz | 422737@email4pr.com | 760-454-9991
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SOURCE Blank Slate Encinitas
