Our Story

Nina May is the brainchild of Co-Owners: Executive Chef Colin McClimans and Restaurateur Danilo Simic. McClimans and Simic, who had both worked together in the past, set out to create a true neighborhood restaurant.

Nina May is a New American restaurant in the neighborhood of Shaw, DC. This family style restaurant offers seasonal and hyperlocal ingredients, sourced from farms within 150 miles of the city. Committed to supporting local small businesses and sustaining the farms and fisheries of the community, McClimans allows the best regional ingredients to be the spotlight in his unique cuisine. 

Due to the strictly seasonal ingredients, the menu is ever-changing. This allows guests to experience a wide variety of dishes through small and large shared plates. Nina May offers a unique dining experience called “Chef’s Choice”. We invite you to try this unique, seasonal dining experience. Chef’s Choice allows you to taste and explore some of our favorite dishes on the menu. This menu is designed to be shared, so we ask for a minimum of
two people to participate.
A la Carte options are also available.

In addition to the gastronomic experience, Nina May has a strong cocktail program formed by Simic, an experienced mixologist. A creative take on classic cocktails, Simic highlights the perfect balance of simple ingredients and modern infusions. With two full-service bars, Nina May offers an extensive cocktail list as well as unique wines.

Family owned and run, McClimans and Simic have truly opened their home to the neighborhood, and hope that those who visit will feel like family.