NEGAUNEE — A new restaurant and bar is coming soon to Negaunee. Strega Nonna will host a multi-course dinner event to prepare for its upcoming grand opening March 9.

According to Strega Nonna’s Facebook page, the dinner is inspired by the staff who have been working to renovate, plan and set up the restaurant for its opening.

“They all share a love for this space, the food and the hospitality we are striving to provide,” Strega Nonna said on Facebook. “These three pisces happen to share back-to-back birthdays in March and what better way to celebrate than to open our doors to cook and serve for you.”

Strega Nonna Owner Rachael Grossman said that renovations have been going on for about a year. A few months ago, Grossman found help from Duane Korpi and Nehal Elramly with several setup tasks such as building shelves, construction cleanup, heavy lifting, painting and building table tops. Both will continue working once the restaurant opens.

“Nehal will be the darling of the front. Serving, bartending and taking care of our guests,” Grossman said in an email. “Duane will be helping in the kitchen with cooking and with prep. He will continue to be the in-house handyman.”

One day about two months ago, Elramly and Grossman were working in Strega Nonna when Elramly asked when Grossman’s birthday was.

“I told her it was March 11 and she laughed and said she knew it because I seemed like a fish (pisces). She said her’s is March 10,” Grossman said. “The next day I asked Duane when his birthday was and sure enough it is on March 12.”

Grossman said the goal has been to open Strega Nonna by their birthday weekend to launch an inaugural event series to celebrate. The biggest challenge Grossman said they have faced with getting ready to open is not having enough time in the day. On top of not having enough time, renovations, permits, paperwork and the winter weather-related problems like frozen pipes and water lines have been a challenge.

But with challenges are rewards.

“I feel so full of joy with all of the community support and enthusiasm for this project. Thank you, Negaunee,” Grossman said. “Many people in the community and neighboring communities have showed up for several ‘work bees’ and helped with painting, cleaning and renovation. All of the love and support and hours of sweaty and hardwork help to make this dream of revitalizing downtown Negaunee a reality.”

The event will be from 5-8 p.m. on March 9, 10 and 11. The cost will be $65 per person for dinner with wine pairings available for an additional $35. Tax and gratuity are not included in the price. Craft cocktails, beer and other drinks will be available as well.

According to the Facebook post, the menu will most likely include fresh oysters on the half shell, pickled fish, smoked local fish, tinned fish, more shellfish, handmade pasta with seafood and octopus.

The dinner event will also feature live music from local performers. Costumers are encouraged for the event based around the dinner theme. Costume ideas could be witch outfits, ocean or water-related outfits and anything with bright colors and sparkles.

Reservations are required for the dinner event. To place a reservation, call 906-236-2891.

For more information, visit Strega Nonna on Facebook.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 248. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.