Dockside Inn to reopen as Nonni's Italian Kitchen

CADILLAC — An Italian restaurant will once again serve customers in the Cadillac area, and at a very familiar location.

The Dockside Inn, which closed in the spring of 2024, will soon be reopening as Nonni’s Italian Kitchen.

For decades, the same building at 2404 Sunnyside Drive was home to the Marina Ristorante, one of the only Italian restaurants in the area.

Restaurant co-owner Mike Blackmer said he’s excited to reopen the business, which he believes will do very well in Cadillac.

“It’s something new for Cadillac,” Blackmer said. “Something needed for this town.”

The word “Nonni” is Italian for “grandparents” and the cuisine offered at the restaurant will lean heavily on this theme, with traditional dishes and recipes that one would expect to find at an Italian Sunday dinner.

Here are a handful of items on the menu, just to get an idea what the restaurant will offer: Italian hot beef sandwich, chicken Parmesan sandwich, spaghetti and meat sauce, linguine bolognese, Parmesan crusted tilapia, mussels Arribiatta with linguine, baked Ziti, beef Braciole, portobello cream fettuccine, Italian meatloaf, Manicotti, fried artichoke hearts, baked lasagna, pork Piccata, veal marsala, Formagio flatbread, and sausage, pepper and onion.

There also will be a selection of wines on hand. Wait staff will recommend wines that best compliment whatever dish is ordered by the customer.

Blackmer said he learned a lot from running the Dockside Inn and while the restaurant was successful, he made a number of mistakes in running it, which contributed to it being closed down.

“We’ve got everything down now,” said Blackmer, who added that he and his management team have a much better handle on food costs and other aspects of the business, which he thinks will make a big difference in its success.

“It will be a lot more affordable than the original Dockside,” Blackmer said. “People are going to see a difference.”

They’re in the process of hiring all restaurant staff positions and Blackmer said they’ll be hosting a job fair this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

The plan is to have the restaurant open by early to mid-May.