August 4, 2015 – Former Beach House chefs Briana Sammut and Guillaume D’Angio pulled out of a partnership with his brother Greg at Provence Bakery several months ago. Now the little outpost of France in Prunedale has closed and the chef couple is opening a new restaurant of their own in the Toro Park Shopping Center off Highway 68. The new project is a bittersweet tribute to Briana’s mother who passed away just a few weeks ago.
“When she saw how happy we were working together in Prunedale, my Mom found the new location and arranged the lease,” Sammut says. Unfortunately she passed away from a returning incidence of breast cancer, just as construction on the new place was set to start.
In her honor, the new eatery will be named Café Marie. It will be similar to the bakery in Prunedale, with authentic French croissants and baguettes, but with more space for up to 40 diners.
“We’re going to have a lot more people and it will be a lot more visible than hiding in that little shopping center in Prunedale,” says D’Angio. “We’re also hoping to attract people who commute back and forth on Highway 68.”
Café Marie will offer breakfast and lunch, including omelets and baguette sandwiches, as well as kid-friendly treats like brownies, cookies and muffins for families visiting Toro Park across the highway.
The couple hope to open Café Marie in about six weeks.
About the author
At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
