Picture yourself in a cozy, welcoming restaurant filled with the fragrant aroma of homestyle meals. As you peruse the menu, the dishes all have one thing in common: they are all prepared by grandmothers from various parts of the world.
This is the heartwarming and unique concept behind a renowned restaurant in Staten Island, New York, now creating a buzz among many food lovers and enthusiasts. Aside from the idea that grandmas, instead of chefs cooking the menu, this restaurant has much more to offer.
Read to learn more fun facts and inspiring stories about this restaurant run by grandmas!
What is Enoteca Maria?
Enoteca Maria is an Italian restaurant located in Staten Island, New York. This restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience as it features a rotating roster of “nonnas” or grandmothers. Enoteca Maria hired grandmothers to cook meals passed down to them for many generations. With that, it offers an excellent chance for many to get a taste of never before heard delicacies and unique recipes!
Who founded this restaurant filled with grandmas?
The restaurant was founded by Jody Scaravella in 2007 as a tribute to his Italian grandmother. He based this restaurant on the unique concept of having grandmas cook their special recipes instead of hiring chefs. The idea offers exceptional comfort to him and other customers who visit Enoteca Maria.
How it began and how it flourished
At first, the restaurant only accepted Italian grandmas to cook their regional dishes. Finally, however, Enoteca Maria provided comfort and a new home to grandmothers as their husbands or kids abandoned some.
Later, the restaurant started accepting grandmas worldwide who wanted to cook and showcase their homestyle cooking techniques. Some bring their dishes, recipes, and tools to make their favorite delicacies.
Today, Enoteca Maria has over 20 grandmas or nonnas who take rounds in serving customers. These grandmothers come from all corners of the world, like Argentina, the Czech Republic, Palestine, Nigeria, and more.
The restaurant also has a “Noonas Calendar,” which allows customers to see which grandma is in charge for the night. Also, the calendar tells other grandmas’ schedules. So you can quickly check your favorite grandma’s schedule and plan your visit accordingly.
Why do people love this restaurant?
Unique concept
Enoteca Maria offers a unique concept from the founder’s longing for his grandmother’s memories. Despite Jody Scaravella’s lack of experience in business and the food industry, he founded Enoteca Maria in 2007 to provide a welcoming space for grandmothers and diners seeking comfort food.
Nostalgic and cozy feeling
Enoteca Maria is a unique restaurant that offers an unparalleled dining experience. It provides a nostalgic and cozy feeling with grandma’s recipes and dishes. Customers who want to enjoy different dishes from other cultures also find solace at Enoteca Maria as grandmas only serve authentic foods they have learned from their elders.
Open to different cultures
Enoteca Maria is a restaurant that celebrates and welcomes different cultures. The restaurant showcases authentic Italian recipes and promotes cultural exchange and understanding by featuring grandmas from different cultures and cuisine. The commitment to diversity and inclusivity has made Enoteca Maria one of the most sought-after restaurants in the Staten Island community and beyond!
Grandmas showcasing their cooking techniques
Enoteca Maria does not only benefit the customers who want to taste different delicacies and home-cooked meals from grandmas. More than anyone else, this restaurant is a place of haven for many grandmas who want to find an outlet through cooking. Some grandmas at Enoteca Maria even bring their tools, recipes, and ingredients to create their favorite meals.
Those recipes are handed down from generation and cooked with much love and passion. As a result, its customers, even first-time visitors, immensely love Enoteca Maria.
Is Enoteca Maria worth a visit?
Enoteca Maria is far from your typical restaurant experience. Instead, it stands out as a unique dining destination that unites various cultures through the universal language of food. Grandmothers Worldwide is a diverse team that cooks authentic, homestyle meals, providing an unrivaled nostalgic atmosphere.
Enoteca Maria is a must-visit for those seeking the comforts of a grandmother’s cooking or trying something new. Stop by Enoteca Maria in Staten Island, New York, to experience the stunning effects of generational cooking and cultural diversity.
