Nonnas of the World
Italian restaurant · St. George
27 Hyatt St, Staten Island, NY 10301
Highlights
Grandmothers from around the world cook traditional dishes, offering diverse flavors.
Grandmothers from around the world cook traditional dishes, offering diverse flavors.
"Opened in 2007 by Jody Scaravella and named for her late mother, this Staten Island restaurant is built around a single, memorable idea: a rotating cast of grandmothers who cook specialties from their hometowns. Today it employs more than two dozen nonnas from places as varied as Italy, France, Ecuador, Bangladesh, and Syria, offering regionally specific, nostalgia-heavy comfort food and home recipes that have charmed both critics and diners. The concept turns food into a vehicle for memory, community, and emotional warmth, giving older women visibility and celebrating their culinary traditions; a short feature about the real-life nonnas is especially moving. The restaurant’s theatrical, intergenerational atmosphere and treasured family recipes have even inspired a film adaptation that amplifies its blend of humor, grief, and affectionate Italian-American tropes." - Amy McCarthy
"Enoteca Maria is the nonna restaurant. If that means nothing to you, it's a place in St. George where grandmothers are the chefs, and one of the most wholesome operations this city has to offer. They’re open from Friday to Sunday, and there's a head nonna who's always there, making Italian food. Other grandmothers make food from wherever they’re from (check the calendar for details). On a recent visit, we had Peruvian ceviche by Rosa, and Nonna Yumi made Japanese eggplant—they both tasted comforting, like something you’d eat in a home setting (except you can keep your shoes on)." - willa moore
"People really enjoy saying things like, “These meatballs taste like something an Italian nonna would make.” But at Enoteca Maria on Staten Island, those meatballs were actually made by a nonna, who walks around the long, narrow dining room, and will be very pleased if you order the whole roasted lamb’s head. That’s head nonna—think of her as the lead singer of the nonna band—and she cooks Italian food alongside a rotating cast of grandmothers from all over the world. Come with a group for a slightly boozy late weekend lunch or early dinner, and load up your table with ceviche made by Peruvian nonna Rosa, Japanese nonna Yumi’s grilled eggplant, or another special from whoever is on the roster that night. It’s a wacky array of food, but a heartwarming one—and will make you want to hug your own grandma tight. Enoteca Maria is open Friday through Sunday; call to make a reservation. photo credit: Willa Moore" - Willa Moore
"No need to venture far on Staten Island for excellent Italian. Enoteca Maria is just blocks from St. George Terminal and brought to you by Joe Scaravella, whose cookbook, Nonna’s House, has been earning him (and this tiny gem) much applause. With its Carrara marble and lively vibe, most foodies flock here for a certain authenticity that is rarely sacrificed. Each night, the menu changes depending on which nonna is presiding over the kitchen, as in Nina from Belarus, who might serve a salat Odessa mingling grilled eggplant, red onion, tomato and parsley. Lasagna di Adelina arrives as an inspired layering of zucchini, basil pesto and creamy cheese, all topped with parmesan. And for a bit of sweet, try the torta di vaniglia di Melissa served with whipped cream." - Michelin Inspector
"No need to venture far on Staten Island for excellent Italian. Enoteca Maria is just blocks from St. George Terminal and brought to you by Joe Scaravella, whose cookbook, Nonna’s House, has been earning him (and this tiny gem) much applause. With its Carrara marble and lively vibe, most foodies flock here for a certain authenticity that is rarely sacrificed. Each night, the menu changes depending on which nonna is presiding over the kitchen, as in Nina from Belarus, who might serve a salat Odessa mingling grilled eggplant, red onion, tomato and parsley. Lasagna di Adelina arrives as an inspired layering of zucchini, basil pesto and creamy cheese, all topped with parmesan. And for a bit of sweet, try the torta di vaniglia di Melissa served with whipped cream." - Michelin Inspector
