There’s something shifting in the way we think about going out to eat. More restaurants and bars are starting to feel less like dining rooms and more like living rooms, designed around belonging rather than just service. It’s a trend playing out across the country, and now it’s landed in Ocean Beach in a very literal way.
Elvira, the Roman osteria from Chef Cesarina Mezzoni (of MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-awarded Cesarina Ristorante), just launched Cucina di Nonna, a private dining experience that ditches the typical banquet hall vibe for something that feels like stepping into a 1970s Italian grandmother’s home.
This isn’t a tasting menu or a chef’s counter with all the theater. It’s dinner at someone’s house, if that someone happens to be Roman and takes pasta very seriously.
How it Works
The experience unfolds over five-plus courses, served family-style with the team acting as hosts rather than traditional servers.
There are ritual moments woven throughout: a baked timpano sliced tableside from a cart, a wood-fired roast carved for the table, Roman “first tastes” passed around, zabaglione whipped by hand, and coffee brewed together in a vintage moka pot.
At the end, there’s complimentary limoncello and digestivi dropped “grandpa style.”
You can participate as much or as little as you want, but the whole thing is designed to feel generous, unhurried, and immersive. It’s the kind of meal that prioritizes connection and storytelling over precision plating.
The Space
Cucina di Nonna is offered in two private settings at Elvira, including a newly built greenhouse space. It’s available for groups up to 14 people, starting at $105 per person, with seasonal customization options depending on what you’re celebrating or craving.
The format fits into a broader shift we’re seeing in dining right now. As more people seek out curated, intimate gatherings over traditional restaurant experiences, operators like Mezzoni are leaning into immersive, home-style formats that prioritize warmth and ritual.
It’s less about being served and more about being welcomed.
See you there!
Step into Nonna’s kitchen and experience Roman hospitality the old-school way, right here in Ocean Beach.
📍4996 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!