About Martin Gonzalez, Owner & Executive Chef

TOAST Enoteca & Cucina is the second concept from culinary visionary Martin Gonzalez, owner and executive chef of award-winning Acqua Al 2, San Diego’s authentic Italian ristorante.

During a life-changing trip to Italy, Martin Gonzalez was enlightened just as Michelangelo, Botticelli, and da Vinci had been before him. He soon fell in love with the country’s language, food and people and decided to spend more time immersing himself in the culture.

In order to learn Italian and better understand the customs, Martin enrolled in cooking classes at Instituto Culinario Apicius and was soon after awarded the title of “Best Student” at the prestigious culinary institute. While attending the school, Martin studied authentic Italian cuisine under Chef Stefano Innocenti, owner of a famed Italian ristorante in Florence called Acqua Al 2. Under Stefano’s mentorship, Martin mastered the secrets of the world-famous kitchen. He was so inspired with the Italian hospitality at Acqua Al 2 that he wanted to share the same experience with Americans back at home.

In September 2000, Martin opened Acqua Al 2’s second location in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, serving an identical menu to its sister restaurant in Florence. Since its opening, Martin continues to communicate with Stefano and makes frequent trips to Italy in order to keep the San Diego restaurant current with its Florentine sibling.

Now, after almost ten years in the Gaslamp Quarter, Martin has established Acqua Al 2 as the favorite Italian cuisine destination for locals and visitors alike. Under his leadership, Acqua Al 2 has won awards including “Favorite Italian Restaurant” in 2009 and 2003-2007; “Best New Restaurant” in 2001 by San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter Association; 944 magazine’s Platinum Awards for “Best Italian Dining” in 2007 and “Best Italian Food” and “Best Downtown Restaurant” in 2006. 

In 2010, Martin opened a new concept: TOAST Enoteca & Cucina. This chic, one-of-a-kind Italian experience brings the world’s premier wines to the charming East Village neighborhood of San Diego’s famous downtown. A truly unique concept, TOAST Enoteca & Cucina features up to 400 exceptional wines for tasting or purchase, many of which are traditionally difficult to come by in San Diego. Guests are able to taste a variety of these exquisite wines in small servings from state-of-the-art wine dispensing Enomatic machines, which are created and manufactured in Italy.

More than two years in the making, TOAST Enoteca & Cucina is the newest place in San Diego to celebrate fine wine, authentic Italian cuisine and great company. The mouth-watering TOAST Enoteca & Cucina menu features an array of authentic Italian cuisine that can’t be found anywhere else in town.

When he’s not working at Acqua Al 2 or TOAST Enoteca & Cucina, Martin Gonzalez can be found catering for the San Diego Padres baseball team. The Padres are huge fans of Martin’s cooking and he prepares their post-game meals at each home stay.

Martin currently lives in San Diego with his wife and two children. He is actively involved with autism charities and continuously supports his community.