New Brunch Spot Specializing in Toast Now Open in Missoula

Nonna's Neighborhood Eatery hasn't even held a Grand Opening yet, and they are already closing early, on the days that they are open, due to popularity. For now, the mindful, all inclusive brunch spot is serving a menu of coffee drinks, toasts, a few baked goods, granola (served w/ cold milk for more of a cereal, or steamed milk for more of an oatmeal - both with fun toppings), and salads, with plans to expand the menu soon.

Nonna's is in the former location of The Buttercup, at 1221 Helen Avenue, just west of Arthur Avenue, near campus. The owner is a young business woman named Tadra who moved home to Missoula earlier this year to begin her new adventure as a small business owner. And she's blown away by her early success.

"This is the first cafe I've owned, and it came about pretty suddenly.  I was working away in Spokane, looking for my next chapter in life but not quite sure what that was going to be.  Then my mom sent me the listing for The Buttercup.  I didn't know anything about it, as I was living in Spokane during it's time here, but I looked at the listing and something called to me."

Tadra continued, "I knew I wanted it, so we went for it.  But I had ZERO plans for a menu, design, name, anything....so while I got the keys on April 1st, and I had zero plans for a menu, name, design.....it took quite some time to get it all figured out, we scrubbed the place from top to bottom, and had MANY repairs to existing equipment, but we finally opened the doors to the public on August 22nd.  I'm thankful we got the doors open just in time for school to start!"

U of M students are glad too! During Nonna's soft opening days over the past two weeks, Tadra has had to close the doors early due to sold out product. So, what's with the toast? Tadra explains.

"Our toast is made with bread from Grist Milling and Bakery.  I've been in Spokane for the last nine years managing a small bar/restaurant and I fell in love with a bread there by a local bakery.  When I moved back home to open Nonna's, I'd been searching for a similar bread - I knew I wanted a whole grain, hearty bread.  The whole grain is so important, it gives you all the nutrients, plus it's more filling!  I searched high and low for this bread and nothing was quite right - then along came Grist.  I fell in love with their 7 Grain Black Sesame bread....it's everything I wanted....chewy, seedy, filling.  And for the Vegan & GF crowd we've got a whole grain from David at Tandem Bakery!  We also carry their donuts which have been a huge hit.  Then we load this amazing bread with all sorts of toppings.  Everything from savory to sweet - we wanted something for everyone.  The kiddos LOVE the Sweet T - Nutella, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, honey drizzle, and chia seeds.  My personal favorite is also an amazing hangover cure, the SOS (shit on a shingle) - a house made pork sausage gravy, a fried egg, smoked cheddar cheese, Papa Lou's Verde sauce, and Arthur Wayne's Haba Haba Dime Sauce.  We are using as little "junk" as we can (aside from the Nutella...because....Nutella,) for instance, the cream cheese on the NOLA toast is sweetened with madjool dates instead of sugar."

Check for current hours and days Nonna's is open at their Facebook page.