Netflix’s new heartfelt movie Nonnas is a tribute to grandmothers everywhere. Co-written by Liz Maccie and directed by her husband Stephen Chbosky, the movie draws inspiration from the real story of a New York man who set out to open an Italian restaurant after losing some of the most important women in his life.
In Nonnas, released on May 9, Vince Vaughn stars as Joe Scaravella, a New York man grieving the deaths of his mother and grandmother. With the help of his friends and his inheritance, he opens an old-school Italian restaurant. He names the spot “Enoteca Maria” and hires Italian grandmothers – known as nonnas – as its chefs. The four “nonnas” featured in the film are Roberta (Lorraine Bracco), Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), Teresa (Talia Shire), and Gia (Susan Sarandon).
What makes the film even more special is the fact that it’s based on a true story. Yes, the restaurant Scaravella opens in Nonnas is a real place – a restaurant you can sit down and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal. Keep reading to learn more about the inspiring story behind the movie and how to make a reservation at Enoteca Maria.
Is Nonnas On Netflix Based On A True Story?
Netflix’s Nonnas is based on the true story of Joe Scaravella, who opened his Staten Island, New York, restaurant, Enoteca Maria, in 2007 – and it’s still operating today.
While Vaughn’s character, Scaravella, is based on a real person, the nonnas in the film are not modeled after any specific women who worked at Enoteca Maria. Linda Cardellini’s character, Olivia, was also invented for the big screen, according to Decider.
After his grandmother, Domenica, his mother, Maria, and his sister passed away, Scaravella missed their authentic Italian cooking. “After losing all those matriarchal figures in my life,” he said in a 2017 New York Times profile. “I wanted to try to recreate that, you know, grandma in the kitchen cooking.”
Although he had no business plan or previous restaurant experience, he opened up Enoteca Maria as a way to “comfort” himself. He previously worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for more than a decade.
When Enoteca Maria first opened its doors, all of the “nonnas” were Italian. But in July 2015, Scaravella switched things up by bringing in the first non-Italian cook: a grandmother from Pakistan. From there, the restaurant expanded into “Nonnas of the World,” inviting grandmothers from around the globe to add their personal touch to an ever-changing menu.
“In the beginning, when we were all Italian nonnas,” he told the newspaper. “There might have been a little bit of jealousy. You know, who makes the best lasagna, or who makes the best sauce?”
According to Atlas Obscura, at any given time, two nonnas are working in the kitchen – one as the head chef, and the other as the sous chef. This means that two grandmothers from different cultures could be working side by side in the kitchen, learning from each other’s recipes.
“Most of these ladies, their husbands have passed away, the children have grown up and they’ve moved out,” Scaravella told People. “They’re packed with culture and they need an outlet. And that’s what we do — we provide that outlet.”
How To Visit Enoteca Maria, The Restaurant That Inspired Netflix’s Nonnas
You can dine at Enoteca Maria, the real-life restaurant that inspired Nonnas. Each night, a “nonna” from a different country creates a unique menu that honors her native cuisine.
Located in the historic St. George neighborhood of Staten Island, Enoteca Maria is a cash-only restaurant open just three days a week – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, according to its website.
Do You Need A Reservation For Enoteca Maria?
Yes, you need a reservation to eat at Enoteca Maria. It’s recommended that you book well in advance because of its popularity and limited seating. To make a reservation, call 718-447-2777 or message via WhatsApp at 917-803-1394.
The restaurant currently offers four seating times: 12:30, 2:30, 5:30, and 7:30 PM. Enoteca Maria is located at 27 Hyatt Street, Staten Island, New York 10301.
On weekends, the restaurant offers a free cooking class program called Food, Family, Culture and Nonna, which “aims to keep alive the passing down of technique and knowledge from one generation to another, and from one culture to another,” according the restaurant. You can sign up here.
Nonnas is streaming on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.
