Baton Rouge restaurant has new owners; to continue with scratch bread, pasta and ice cream (2024)

Across from Perkins Rowe, tucked into a corner in a strip mall at 7512 Bluebonnet Blvd., sits Nino's restaurant — which has been the go-to Baton Rouge Italian food spot for its loyal following for years.

Don't let the strip mall location throw you off.

Nino's chefs make everything from scratch— from the double-rolled sourdough bread to the sauces and pasta and, yes, even the raspberry swirl ice cream. (Full disclosure, the ladyfingers in the tiramisu are purchased.) See thefull menu here.

The farm-to-table spot now has new owners. Shannon and Jason Lopez gained ownership of the Italian place in July, quietly and respectfully, as to not disturb the loyal following the restaurant has gained over the years.

The Lopezes say none of the restaurant's legendary homemade goodness will change.

Even so, regulars have noticed a slight shift in the restaurant.

"The vibes are just different," Shannon Lopez said, regarding the new music and a heightened attention to detail for the 60-person restaurant.

Both Jason and Shannon are no strangers to the restaurant business. The pair have worked with the Cheesecake Factory as well as BJ's Brewhouse, Cooper's Hawk and Walk-On's.

The couple started a restaurant group, Around the Counter LLC, in March and Jason was the general manager ofBLDG 5— a trendy spot with killer shareables and a great patio beneath the Perkins Road overpass.

At Nino's, the Lopezes say that more calculated changes are coming— including aesthetic changes, lighting and curtains— as well as some menu changes that will focus on seasonal specialties.

Jason Lopez, along with the chefs, look forward to altering the menu to follow the changing season. He boasted of experimenting with squash gnocchi, sage pesto, beef cheeks and more.

"It's gonna feel like fall," he said.

'Todos mi gente'

The restaurant will not close to make these changes, according to Shannon Lopez. But, they are excited about the prospect of opening the restaurant's arms a little wider to welcome more clientele.

"My mother had a saying, 'todos mi gente,'" Jason Lopez said, of his mother who was originally from Mexico. "It means, 'all my people.' That means so much to me, and I want this place to feel like that."

Under previous ownership, Nino's was a "to-know" staple for its regulars — a little-known or talked about secret to keep between its loyal fanbase. The Lopezes hope to change that—a little.

"Exclusivity seems to be the opposite of hospitality," Jason Lopez said. "We love our regulars, but we want to reach everyone as well."

"Fresh pasta makes a difference," Shannon Lopez said as she talked about her huge Italian family— where she gets her love for sharing meals (and good food).

Both Jason and Shannon Lopez are passionate when speaking about Nino's and how much they are dedicating to the small, yet cozy restaurant — with hopes that the changes will welcome more people into the fold of Nino's.

"People choose to spend major events with us," Shannon Lopez said. "Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations that they will remember. We can't forget that what we do here means something."

Nino's, at7512 Bluebonnet Blvd., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. To make a reservation, visit their website or call (225) 757-9300.