Little Nonna's

"While Little Nonna’s is one of the best Italian restaurants in Midtown Village, they’ve also got a large backyard patio complete with hanging lanterns, plants, and an overhead cloth covering that will make you feel like you’re in a fancy tent. When you’re there with a few friends, prioritize the massive meatballs and handmade pasta (go for the pan seared gnocchi with pancetta and english peas), and appreciate the fact that you can hang out on their completely covered patio even on rainy nights. " - candis mclean

"There aren’t many Italian spots in the neighborhood, so if a hankering for pasta hits, Little Nonna’s is the place to go. They have a spacious, twinkle-lit garden out back and candlelit leather booths inside where you can pass around plates of gnocchi, chicken parmigiana, and a creamy vodka rigatoni that’s topped with peppery garlic sausage. Because it’s one of the more popular spots in town, be prepared to make a reservation early—especially if you want the Sunday Gravy, packed with slow-braised short rib and broccoli rabe. If you’re not a planner, you can always grab a seat at the bar for an order of garlic bread and fontina-stuffed meatballs." - candis mclean

"The backyard of Little Nonna’s feels almost like a secret. From the outside, you would think you’re just passing by a bakery or small cafe, but that’s all just a front for what’s happening in the back—a big garden space with string lights hung up on the trellis that covers the whole heated patio. For an outdoor date in Midtown Village, you can’t do much better. The menu is full of classic Italian dishes, but the Sunday gravy is why you should come here—a decadent dish of braised short ribs and fennel sausage covered in marinara. They sometimes run out of it before the night is over, so make a reservation here on the earlier side." - candis mclean

"There aren’t many Italian spots in the neighborhood, but Little Nonna’s is one of our go-to spots in the city. They have a spacious, twinkle-lit garden out back and candlelit leather booths inside where you can pass around plates of gnocchi, chicken parmigiana, and a creamy vodka rigatoni that’s topped with peppery garlic sausage. Because it’s one of the more popular spots in town, be prepared to make a reservation early–especially if you want the Sunday Gravy, packed with slow-braised short rib and broccoli rabe. If you’re not a planner, you can always grab a seat at the bar and order some of the best meatballs in town. " - Candis Mclean

"Then again, Safran has a knack for naming in the zeitgeist, on through Little Nonna’s Italian American." - ByMaggie Hennessy