There’s something about May that you can’t quite replicate any other time of year. Maybe it’s the longer days and that first stretch of truly comfortable evenings. Or maybe it’s just the feeling that, after a long winter and a busy spring, we finally exhale. Whatever it is, I feel the shift almost overnight, and in our world at Neroli, that shift always shows up at the table.
The quiet dinners of February and March turn into larger celebrations. Tables get a little bigger and those, “we should get together soon,” conversations finally turn into actual plans.
At Neroli, May is when the energy changes. We see it in the way people linger a little longer. You hear it at the bar, in the dining room and outside on our patio… more laughter. Friends reconnect and families celebrate milestones. What’s most fun is when couples decide, on a whim, that it’s just too nice of a night to stay in!
Spontaneity is what makes this time of year so special. During the colder months, going out can feel like a production since you have to bundle up, but in May, a beautiful evening has a way of making decisions for you. You finish your day, step outside, and suddenly the idea of cooking feels optional, at best. This is when some of the best nights happen.
From our perspective, everything starts to open up, literally and figuratively. Our patio comes back to life and Mario Lepori’s specials reflect the lighter, brighter flavors of the season. We can tell people are ready to enjoy themselves again, and we complement that emotion with our food and drinks. We always want to create an experience you remember.
Of course, May also brings a calendar full of reasons to gather, like graduations, communions, end-of-season celebrations, and everything in between. What I’ve come to appreciate most over the years are the moments that don’t make it onto the calendar. The last-minute dinners. The “let’s just go out tonight” decisions. The nights that weren’t supposed to be anything special, but somehow turn into something memorable. These are the nights we talk about.
In a town like Westwood, where community matters and connections run deep, moments like this feel even more meaningful. Our tables are where stories are shared, relationships are strengthened, and memories are made. As we move through May and into the summer months, my advice is simple: say yes a little more often. Make the reservation. Call a friend. Bring the family together. Take advantage of the nights that feel too good to waste.
This is the time of year when your table truly comes alive.
