La Nina - Caffè & Mercato
A relaxed interview with Monica Olivieri, owner, together with her partner Alberto, of La Nina - Caffè & Mercato, a family-run cafè/events space in the Isle of Dogs, that shows locals how valued their custom is and how warm, friendly and welcoming the Southern Italian culture can be.
Ciao Monica, tell us about yourself and what has inspired you to open La Nina Caffè & Mercato.
I'm a food marketing and events expert and a mother who learned to cook and to select the best ingredients for my daughters. This has inspired me to craft out not only a project, but a profession which focuses on the local community and our love for good food.
That’s how La Nina Caffe' & Mercato was born in 2021.
La Nina is in honor of my grandmother who was the first female entrepreneur in a small town in southern Italy.
She opened her first shop after the war and thanks to the shop she raised 4 children and 15 grandchildren. I grew up in that shop and now, in a more contemporary way, I am proud to share my experience as a child.
What is the concept behind La Nina?
We are all about letting our customers experience the true culture of Italian hospitality through the choice of food, wine, art and the typical Italian hospitality.
We want to make everyone feel at home here at La Nina, adults and children, and this is how the children's playroom, the dining room, the kitchen were created. In these spaces is where our customers can learn to cook, and where they may also share their own culinary tradition. In fact, our customers are invited to cook for us and for our guests from time to time.
I would say that La Nina is a democratic place that respects everyone's space and nature.
How important is the local community to you and how do you keep it always engaged?
Very important. We are proud to say that ours is a truly local business.
Locally we are known both as a family and as a café. People usually greet me by calling me 'Nina', which always puts a smile to my face and it also makes me understand how important it is being acknowledged as a family-run business.
Every day we collaborate with other local businesses to offer our community various culinary events.
How do you curate events at La Nina?
The events at La Nina are all focused on food and wine, but we also take care of the musical aspect, the playful aspect for children and we also organize yoga, art, writing and beauty workshops.
What’s in store for La Nina?
We are in the midst of launching our flagship event 'Carbonara Day in London', a one of a kind food festival entirely dedicated to the iconic Roman dish, Carbonara. It will be an unmissable series of four events starting on 29th April, which will host the Roman chef , Arcangelo Dandini and other great guests. We are also working on “La Nina in Viaggio”, a van trip on a quest to 'export' our grocery products around Great Britain on board of a van. La Nina in Viaggio is our next target.
If you were a customer of La Nina’s, what would you definitely buy?
Custard cream pasticciotto, a typical pastry from Lecce in Puglia, Spaghettone Bendetto Cavalieri, Guanciale Toscano, and Spunzillo tomatoes by Italianvera.
Your favourite five minutes recipe?
Carbonara, of course!
