A tiny joint nearby, this has a sort of oddly sweet sign on the outside announcing that the garage door actually works. And inside, there are both friendly folks (Grace and Ray are the owners; Philip serves me breakfast once in a while when I go there), local free papers of various sorts, and good food. It is not perfect; once in a while the pasta is a bit heavy and I have to admit there is better coffee in the neighborhood. And yes, I yearn for fresh squeezed oj when I have breakfast out (or at least something not from a bottle labeled tropicana). But, I like Nonna's and go there regularly. Maybe I like it because the owners live upstairs, and they are sort of pursuing a dream running the place. They're almost always there, and Grace is often at a table hunched over her computer.
Here's a link to all sorts of reviews.
But why else do I like it? I like the eats. For example, there is a polenta appetizer which is more or less always on the menu (even though it seems to be a special), which has some lovely olive tapenade and artichokes on it. The first time I had it it was perfect; I keep trying to get back to that moment of "oh my god this is in my neighborhood" but have not quite had as good an experience since then. Still, it's pretty good. And the place just reminds me of the Jersey Shore -- and not just because I know the owners are from New Jersey.
Another reason? They know what Taylor's Pork Roll is, and it is one of the meat options for their breakfast sandwich, which also comes on a very good roll. For me, Taylor Pork Roll is, among other things, a dash of nostalgia. And this is just the right thing with their imperfect coffee (too weak, alas) and tropicana juice in a bottle.One thing I do like about the juice, is here it feels right just to get it out of the refrigerator yourself. (Sometimes I have a black cherry soda.)
Besides all this, or maybe also, once I had a sandwich and several times pasta. The pasta is, as I say, not perfectly light, but pretty good and the servings are big. No, -- huge. Dinners also come with salad and I get the blue cheese vinagrette. And a roll. (same one as they use for the breakfast sandwich.) Once I had a way too garlicky chicken and pasta dish, but I have also had some pasta meals there that were quite good. And I did have a shrimp corn chowder one evening that was nicely spicey.
Besides the restaurant, you can also buy cheese and meat there, as well as some other things. In the main it is Boar's Head meats.
As I have said, the people are nice, the ambiance friendly, and it's nearby. For their menu, click here. Then go for it. I do.
