Praise the evening gods, Nonna Mercato is back with dinner service via its Summer Nights—which debuted in 2024 to merited applause—running June 19 through Aug. 29.
Yes, unfortunately, a month has been shaved off this year as they expand the bakery side of Nonna. And that means reservations will be even harder to snag. But if one is lucky enough, do not skip out on what Chef Cameron Slaugh—joined by his wife, Stephanie, heading front-of-house—has created: A multi-course dinner that explores the Italian regions of Campania, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily.
Even more (and very much like the sunset hours at Alder & Sage’s weekend dinners), there is something quite magical about the space during the summer evening months. A golden glow sets upon the patio as the sun lingers until setting, providing quite the perfect space for what is, indeed, Long Beach’s finest purveyor of handmade pasta.
How the Nonna Mercato Summer Nights menu works.
The table gets every part of the opener: fried summer long beans—both green and golden—served with a Calabrian chile aioli along with chunks of focaccia and the best damn mozzarella di bufala and olive oil you’ll have this side of Italy…