LA NONNA RISTORANTE BRINGS ITALIAN FLAVOR TO WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN
- Charmaine Swasey
- Jan 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 9
WILLIAMSBURG’S HOT SPOT FOR ITALIAN FOOD
La Nonna Ristorante and Bar expanded their eatery at a second location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, fulfilling a cozy, zestful atmosphere just like their first restaurant under the same name located in Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn.
Chef and Owner, Cono Morena
Photo: La Nonna Ristorante
Meet CONO MORENA, OWNER and CHEF of La Nonna Ristorante
Originally born and raised in Teggiano, a town in the province of Campania, Italy, Morena grew his inspiration for cooking Italian cuisine after moving to New York City in 1995 and worked at San Marco, a pizzeria belonging to his wife Anna Morena’s grandfather. Later in 2007, Morena opened his own pizzeria restaurant and named it La Nonna after his grandmother who taught him the values and traditions he still holds dear in his passion for cooking and his desire to share the practice of restful dining. Being a self-taught chef gave Morena great advantage to explore his food creativity, and motivated him to open his second most popular La Nonna restaurant in 2014, with a menu reaching far past the classic Italian specials.
Moreover, once you step into the second expanse, in a landmark building on 184 Kent Avenue, you would not believe the same place once began as a grocery trade then a bourbon distillery soon after. This is due to the restaurant’s warm string lights and graceful curve chandeliers adorning the high ceilings to create a homey-like presence, including sizable seating perfect for families and party gatherings.
Image by Charmaine Swasey
A beautifully adorned Christmas tree is situated at La Nonna Ristorante on the far right, opposite the restaurant bar.
La Nonna’s menu is a step up from traditional pizza with various daily specials and flavorsome pasta dishes such as their Tortellini Al Pollo, which is tortellini filled with cheese, pink cream sauce, peas, mushrooms, chicken, and prosciutto for just $23. Another menu option worth tasting is the Salmone, which is a pan seared salmon crusted with crab meat along with shrimp and mango sauce, and asparagus for $35. And lets not forget the Chicken Parmigiana alla Vodka, containing chicken cooked with parmesan cheese served with Mezzi Rigati (ridged pasta) in vodka sauce for $29. All are well-rounded dishes with savory elements and tender mouthfuls, so you may feel your tastebuds grasping the essence of fine Italian cuisine.
What’s more is La Nonna’s remarkable drink menu counting Negroni, white and red wines, and Espresso Martinis.
