How Joe Scaravella Made a Global Feast Out of Grief at Enoteca Maria
The heartwarming true story behind Netflix’s Nonnas, the latest series starring Vince Vaughn, is the story of Scaravella, who lost his grandmother, mother, and sister. After losing his grandmother, mother, and sister, Scaravella found a unique place to take his pain—opening Enoteca Maria in Staten Island, where grandmothers worldwide cook authentic food.
This article goes behind the scenes of the restaurant, how it became the center of global culture, what’s fact versus fiction in the film, and what Joe is up to today. Scaravella’s story remains an inspiration, as well as collecting family recipes of the nonnas worldwide.
The Real Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Nonnas’
The Netflix film Nonnas isn’t fiction — it’s inspired by the real life of Jody “Joe” Scaravella. Portrayed by Vince Vaughn, the role’s arc parallels Scaravella’s own: In mourning his mother’s and grandmother’s deaths, he uses his inheritance to open a restaurant.
That restaurant, Enoteca Maria, opened in 2007 on Staten Island. Scaravella, who had worked for the transit system, was inexperienced when running a restaurant, but led with his heart more than his head, he said.
Enoteca Maria Was Born Of Love And Loss
Scaravella’s grandmother Domenica, mother Maria, and sister Mariana all passed away in 1999. These losses are what inspired him to find a way to help people honor their loved ones. He found an old building at a local farmer’s market and used his mother’s insurance money to buy it.
With no business plan and no culinary bona fides whatsoever, he opened Enoteca Maria in 2007. The name was an homage to his mother, and the chefs were Italian grandmothers cooking recipes handed down through the generations.
Nonnas Of The World: The Worldwide Transformation
In 2015, Scaravella broadened the restaurant’s mission to include the emancipated child. He invited grandmothers from other countries to explain their cultures and home recipes. This resulted in a double kitchen dynamic: one always assigned to Italian nonnas and another to a rotating cast of nonnas from Japan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Mexico, and beyond.
Branded as the “Nonnas of the World,” the women are now infusing each dish with global tradition and care. Enoteca Maria became more than a restaurant — a celebration and cultural exchange of heritage.
Fact Vs. Fiction: What Did The Movie Change
While the film Nonnas is true to some of Scaravella’s emotional arc, it is also a work of fiction. The movie depicts his early trials in dramatic and intense terms. But in fact, Enoteca Maria was a hit from the very beginning.
And it quickly caught on, finding an audience through word of mouth. Unlike the restaurant in the fictional version, the authentic restaurant was never hurting for patrons. Famous faces, including Susan Sarandon, couldn’t even get a table, indicating the soaring popularity of this heartfelt concept.
Today, Enoteca Maria Is Operated By Joe Scaravella
Joe Scaravella, now 69, is still the captain at Enoteca Maria. The restaurant is open Friday to Sunday and is still one of Staten Island’s most unusual places to eat. He collaborates with the Nonnas and his partner, Yumi Komatsudaira, another contributing chef.
And still, Scaravella remains steadfast to his original mission: to unify people through love, tradition, and food. His involvement in creating Nonnas helped shape the story and ensured that it was portrayed realistically on screen.
Love, Not Money, Is What Preserves Recipes
Scaravella wants Enoteca Maria to be about culture, not cash. He declines to put the restaurant on food delivery apps and prefers to take reservations by phone. He hopes to turn the restaurant into a nonprofit. Instead of searching for profits, he’s been providing free cooking classes.
+He is now starting an online community where readers, followers, and participants upload recipes, photos, and stories about their grandmothers. Often, with handwritten notes and their native language, the donated and contributed recipes add a personal touch to each dish.
A Vision That Keeps Growing
Scaravella is developing the Nonnas’ curated ingredients into a branded line. This project will bring you the flavors directly from their homeland. He also co-wrote a book, Nonna’s House, chronicling his life, difficulties, and beloved recipes.
Still, even with all the global media exposure and Netflix adulation, his vision remains firmly grounded in love, family, and the tradition of sharing stories around a lovingly prepared meal. The story shows that with heart, healing, and heritage, a small kitchen can gather into a worldwide movement.
FAQs
How did Enoteca Maria get to be an authentic restaurant?
Enoteca Maria is a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Staten Island, New York. It opened in 2007 and is still operating.
Can you visit Enoteca Maria?
Yes, but you will need a reservation—usually made two weeks before your visit—because these things book up.
Is the film Nonnas a true story?
Yes, it is inspired loosely by the sly life of Joe Scaravella and the actual Enoteca Maria restaurant.
Is Joe Scaravella still the owner?
Yes, at 69, Scaravella is still running Enoteca Maria and has not removed himself from the day-to-day operations.
What makes Enoteca Maria unique?
The chefs are grannies from different countries, each cooking the traditional dishes served at their culture’s lunch.
Final Words
Joe Scaravella translated such a personal loss into a mission of tradition, culture, and love through food, a testament to what food can do. Enoteca Maria is more than a restaurant — it’s an homage to everyone’s mother and grandmother.
Scaravella has established a place where memory resides in every bite by paying tribute to heritage and providing worldly tastes. His journey serves as a reminder that healing and connection can begin with a single home-cooked meal.
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