13 hours ago
De La Nonna Expands to Big Bear With a Dazzling Lakeside View
Over the last few years, Los Angeles operators have opened new locations in adjacent getaway cities like Santa Barbara (Ospi Montecito, Marisella, and the Window) and Palm Springs (Bar Issi debuted in June). Big Bear is the latest to experience this type of expansion: The De La Nonna team, who introduced their casual restaurant to the Arts District in 2021, opened a Big Bear outpost on June 4 that overlooks Big Bear Lake from inside the recently reimagined Hotel Marina Riviera.
De La Nonna Big Bear resides just yards away from the water and has massive floor-to-ceiling windows that face north. A handful of area operators have a similar vantage point (like the Pines Lakefront and Santana Mavericks Bar), but De La Nonna's expansive display comes alongside one of Los Angeles's most popular menus. Partners Jose L. Cordon, Lee Zaremba, and chef Patrick Costa brought the hits (focaccia sandwiches, whipped eggplant dip, salads, and thick, rectangular Sicilian-style pizzas) along with new additions like the tinned fish with butter crackers, a chopped ocean smoked trout dip, and rotating soft serve flavors finished with Maldon salt and olive oil. No crudos for now, though Costa says they'll try to keep a seasonal menu.
De La Nonna's wine list showcases biodynamic and organic smaller producers, while the staff prepare cocktails for summer or ski season, such as a frozen Aperol spritz and espresso martini. They've got an orange bitter soda with zero-proof sparkling wine and Skyduster Italian Pils on draft.
Boutique hotelier Casetta Hotels approached the De La Nonna trio about expanding in Big Bear while partnering with them on their next restaurant project inside Silver Lake's forthcoming Hotel Lucille. Big Bear's Hotel Marina was originally built in 1968 with a new design by Electric Bowery, who kept the mid-century bones but took a modern sensibility with a cluster of custom banquette tables, high top chairs overlooking the lake, and Adirondack chairs surrounding two fire pits. In all, the restaurant seats approximately 120 diners.
'We saw the vision,' says Costa. 'We walked around the town, saw the beautiful settings, surroundings, and great community. We thought we could bring nothing new to that area, but something great and approachable for the Big Bear community.'
De La Nonna Big Bear is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 40770 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315. See More:
