This summer, foodies of the Quad Cities can enjoy a trip back in time to 1960s coastal Italy at the new pop-up restaurant Café San Lorenzo.
Set in The Half Nelson’s patio space, Café San Lorenzo offers an authentic alfresco dining experience right in the heart of downtown Davenport’s Motor Row.
The Half Nelson is located at 321 E. Second St. Call (563) 424-1124 for more information.
“A fantasy of mine for a while now was a standalone Italian restaurant,” said Matt Osborn, owner of The Half Nelson. “If it’s always going to be muggy and in the upper 80s this summer, you might as well pretend you’re in the Mediterranean.”
The patio transformation began simply enough with a bright blue patio table and red Campari umbrella and quickly evolved to include thrifted plateware from estate sales, red checkered tablecloths and custom Italian tile-inspired artwork by local artist Heidi Sallows.
“The goal is not only that you ended up in Rome, but also that you stumbled back in time,” Mr. Osborn said.
Mr. Osborn hosted an invite-only soft opening of Café San Lorenzo on Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1. The pop-up is expected to operate during The Half Nelson’s regular hours throughout the summer season. The Half Nelson is open Tuesday through Thursday, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 4:30 to 10 p.m.
Upscale casual vibe
While seating is initially limited, there is room to expand based on demand. This culinary venture follows the success of last year’s Halloween tasting menu, which included themed cocktails and bites inspired by cult classic horror films.
The pop-up’s vibe is upscale casual with a menu curated by Executive Chef Connor Larson. It will embrace the traditional Italian dining structure, featuring everything from summer drink staples like the Aperol spritz (known as aperitivo) and artisanal meats and cheeses (antipasti), to handcrafted pasta, fish and meat dishes, and ending with classic after-dinner drinks (digestivo).
“The experience I want to create for people is a more continental way of eating with a lot of sharing and enjoying small plates that come out very quickly,” Ms. Osborn said. “Guests can eat a little bit and enjoy another drink while deciding if they want more. I see it as sort of a ‘choose your own adventure’.”
The name Café San Lorenzo is a sweet nod to Mr. Osborn’s past. When The Half Nelson was prepping to open in the spring of 2019, his grandmother gave him a prayer medal of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of cooks, chefs and restaurateurs.
Surviving a close call
Opening day, however, it was sidelined when the raging floodwaters of the Mississippi River burst through a flood wall, placing much of downtown Davenport underwater.
Mr. Osborn and his team were in the restaurant when it happened and spent days tending to finicky pumps and generators to keep the floodwaters at bay. It was a close call, but The Half Nelson survived the disaster that decimated several neighboring businesses. MR. Osborn attributes this to his dedicated team first and foremost, but part of him thinks something bigger might’ve been at work.
“I remember I stood on the roof of the restaurant while it was raining and I made a plea to St. Lawrence to please save the restaurant and I would somehow make it up to him,” Mr. Osborn said. “We made it through OK, and ever since I’ve wanted to do a celebration dinner on the feast day of St. Lawrence, which is in August, to make good on my end. At the very least, the name ‘San Lorenzo’ seemed like a natural fit.”
The Half Nelson and Café San Lorenzo are located near the Emerson Place alley that was recently upgraded to host summer events.
