Meet Nathan Long | Owner, Nate’s on Marsh

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nathan Long and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nathan, what’s your definition for success?
Of course most think of success, especially in the restaurant and hospitality industries, in terms of profits. However for me, true success is achieving personal happiness and gratitude within your professional life. I believe people are at their highest productivity level when they enjoy where they work and the team they spend time with. Nate’s On Marsh is truly emblematic of that philosophy. I attribute a tremendous amount of our success to the energy that our team exudes. From the moment guests click on the website to book a reservation, to their greeting at the door, to the Spumoni ice cream cake they order for dessert, our team genuinely has fun delivering an unforgettable experience.

What should our readers know about your business?
Nate’s on Marsh is a Michelin Guide mentioned restaurant that’s known for robust contemporary spins on American-Italian classic dishes. And while no attention to detail is spared from the meticulously crafted cocktails to the comforting homemade pasta dishes, it’s really our high-energy yet intimate atmosphere that distinguishes us. We’ve designed an environment that is electric yet ethereal at the same time. It’s a place where people know they can unwind, be surrounded by style, and most importantly have fun while enjoying a fantastic meal. And that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

It wasn’t easy to get to where I am today, and honestly there were a ton of missteps along the way. But without those failures and moments of unease, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take the risk of opening Nate’s on Marsh and creating something entirely unique yet genuine to me.

Over the years, I’ve learned to trust my intuition. Like I mentioned before, this industry can be extremely challenging. If you don’t have a clear vision of what you want, it’s easy to be influenced to make choices that aren’t right for you, your team and the people that step inside your restaurant.

With that, Nate’s on Marsh is the first project of the NRL Food Group brand and we have many more exciting projects coming. My brand is true and authentic to myself and I hope to show the world that by following your passion, hard work, and consistency, anything is possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many places to experience in San Luis Obispo that you really can’t go wrong! When I have friends come into town, I always recommend they stay at Madonna Inn. It’s architecturally distinct with its classic 50’s whimsical style and opulent themed rooms. It happens to be where my parents got married, so it’s a sentimental spot for me as well! Aside from Nate’s on Marsh, we typically dine at Ember, My Friend Mikes for pizza and of course, Spoon Trade. You can’t come to SLO without visiting our beaches, so Avila is a must. I also love taking folks to Hearst Castle and Covell’s Clydesdales – I’ve been riding horses since I was a kid and you could say I’m a true horseman at heart.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The restaurant industry isn’t always the easiest to thrive in, and it can be challenging without inspirational people to guide you along the way. I worked my way up San Francisco’s top restaurants with acclaimed mentors like Chef Joseph Manzare of Postrio and Spago fame and his wife Mary Klingbiel. Under their guidance I managed and marketed a number of celebrated restaurants including Globe, Zuppa, and Joey & Eddie’s. Driven to develop new skills, I coordinated private dining experiences, tended bar, curated impactful wine lists, and learned to ensure busy kitchens keep up with dining demands. During this time I discovered the secrets to lasting success in this industry: clear communication, consistent and quality menu offering, and a commitment to exceeding standards. All these skills were revealed to me by the hard working hands of Joseph and Mary.

Website: https://www.natesonmarsh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natesonmarsh

Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/nates-on-marsh-san-luis-obispo

Other: www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g33026-d23688119-Reviews-Nate_s_On_Marsh-San_Luis_Obispo_San_Luis_Obispo_County_California.html

www.exploretock.com/nates-on-marsh-san-luis-obispo