This year marks the 40th anniversary of Broadway Stages. In celebration of our 40th trip around the sun, we are shining the spotlight on the heart of our community – the local businesses that provide the essential or simply enjoyable goods and services that allow us to thrive and delight in this great city we call home. We continue our series in Staten Island and feature the local establishments that line our streets, providing a livelihood and rich culture for our neighbors, family, and friends. Join us as we get to know the people and organizations that make our community home. Today, Broadway Stages takes you to everybody’s grandma’s restaurant, Enoteca Maria, in the St. George neighborhood of Staten Island!

Jody Scaravella grew up with his grandmother (nonna) as the de facto head of the household and the repository of the family culture and identity. His nonna was the one who passed down the family’s culture, and heritage with her culinary traditions.

So, when he opened Enoteca Maria in the St. George neighborhood of Staten Island, he thought of a novel idea… invite Italian grandmothers from different regions of Italy to cook their own menus on a rotating schedule.

But there was just one small problem. “I learned at that moment that you cannot put two ladies from the same culture in the kitchen at the same time,” said Scaravella.  “I’m sure it’s with every culture — there’s competition, and there’s proprietary issues and all of that.”

He said customers often share their stories of their grandmothers’ cooking. “People are always talking about their mothers and grandmothers and the way they cooked,” Scaravella said. “It really takes you by the hand and leads you down memory lane.”

Today, real grandmothers from countries around the globe are invited and hired as chefs. “It’s OK to put ladies from different cultures because they don’t really know what the other one is doing,” Scaravella said. “There’s an interest, and the wall comes down.”

The roster of grandmothers with secret family recipes come from Japan, Peru, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Egypt, Taiwan, Azerbaijan, and more. They cook the recipes handed down to them, the recipes that they cook at home for their families, the recipes that make up the fabric of the culture they were born and raised in. We encourage you to visit Enoteca Maria. Talk a look at their calendar to find out which nonna and cuisine will be featured next?

Enoteca Maria aspires to build cultural connections through the universal language of food. Next to eating, the best way to do that is by teaching the craft! Enoteca Maria holds classes where aspiring chefs can get the opportunity to learn from the nonnas in the kitchen. If you are interested, you can learn more HERE.

Another way they try to preserve and respect the legacy of these matriarchs is with the virtual book, Nonnas of the World. The book has recipes from nonnas from 5 of the 7 continents. And they are accepting more every day! For instructions to get included, check out page 5!

Seatings are limited to 2:30pm, 5:30pm, and 7:30pm on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. And before you go, make sure to note that they only take payment in cash and Venmo. For reservations, call (718) 447-2777. And be sure to follow them on Facebook for more stories and photos about the nonnas and browse their thorough website!

Enoteca Maria is truly a remarkable story and a great way to take a culinary world tour without ever leaving Staten Island. Broadway Stages loves that this neighborhood business is built on respect and honor for tradition, no matter where it comes from. We can’t wait to see which nonna is up next! Make your reservation today, and don’t forget to tell them that Broadway Stages sent you!