Enoteca Maria, an Italian wine bar and restaurant, is owned and operated by Maria Gialanella, 88, and a group of senior women from all over the world in Staten Island, New York. In this well-known restaurant, the matriarchs serve a variety of cuisines and show that they aren’t content to just stand by and observe just because they have reached the age of 60. The “nonnas of the world,” or the matriarchs who run these various nations, regularly prepare meals for the restaurant. They add dishes from other countries to the menu.
Nonnas Of The World Cooking At Enoteca Maria
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One of the most well-liked chefs at the establishment is Maria Gialanella, and some customers only come on her cooking days. She relocated to the United States in 1961, and for the past ten years, she has worked at Enoteca Maria. Six grandchildren later, she learned about the restaurant from her daughter, who encouraged her to apply for a cook position. She is not even 5 feet tall, but she is a powerhouse, according to Joe Scaravella, the restaurant’s owner. Maria wanders around taking selfies. She gives everyone hugs all night long.
There is never a shortage of patrons at the restaurant. In fact, it is very difficult to get a seat there. People must make reservations weeks in advance of their intended visit. When the food is delivered, the patrons applaud the nonnas who work in the kitchen. At first, the restaurant only hired Italian grandmothers as chefs. But soon, the requirements were widened to include women from different cultures who are 50 to 90 years old and have a thorough understanding of their cuisine.
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A Must-Visit For Yummiest Meals
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It’s not necessary for the women to be grandmothers, like Yumi Komatsudaira, who prepares traditional Japanese food. Despite being in her mid-50s and having a son who is 17 years old, Komatsudaira enjoys the title “nonna” that has been given to her. The restaurant’s nonnas prepare a variety of dishes. They use ingredients from Greece, Hong Kong, Poland, India, Taiwan, Egypt, Argentina, and Brazil.
So when do you plan on visiting this unique restaurant? Don’t forget to tell us about your experience in the comments below!
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/enoteca_maria