The Food Court: La Nonna Bella in Garden City

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La Nonna Bella is the Perfect Place to Wow Your Friends & Family

I recommend a restaurant to someone everyday, mostly to people I do not know.  Sometimes to friends, which has its pressure,  but when I am picking the place and going with my “foodie” friends, I played it safe and went with La Nonna Bella of Garden City.  I have said it before, we have many great restaurants,  but a handful of “wow” restaurants.   La Nonna Bella is always a wow place for me.

Why I Chose La Nonna Bella

When I hear words from the “foodies” as we are leaving, like “memorable,” “special” and I even got an “epic,” I know I did my job and my buddies appreciate La Nonna Bella as much as I do.  It was everything and more that I needed from La Nonna… an escape from life for a couple hours, laughs with friends and their over the top wonderful food.  We ordered, we shared, and boy did we eat!

OK, let’s get to business

This is old school authentic Italian with a wonderful welcoming feel as it is owned by a husband and wife team.  No one nicer than Erica, who greets you when you walk in.  I found La Nonna, when Erica reached out to me and made the most generous contribution to a fundraiser I was working with.  Her husband, Lino, was raised in Conversano, Italy where he learned to cook, and boy can he cook.  Old school Italian style atmosphere,  beautiful bar area and terrific service (known for Susan Lucci sightings (I had one once there), she is a regular).

What We Ordered

The gluttony of food….each dish better than the next. Highlights of the highlights…. that mushroom risotto (wish risotto plates better) seemed to be the consensus favorite,  certainly mine. It had those taste buds jumping.  Their rigatoni with eggplant also stuck out as just that more special.  But as I am looking at the pictures, the vongole clams in wine sauce, oh the zucchini flowers (omg), but just everything.   

The main course… Miquel, our amazing server, steered me to the most amazing Osso Buco I have ever had…yum!!!  Just a perfect warm tomato sauce.  My much better half raved about her Veal Scaloppine.  My friend had the Veal Saltimbocca which I have had a few times, veal sautéed in white wine sage sauce topped with prosciutto & mozzarella served over spinach. Yea…he definitely enjoyed it as much as I have, highly recommend that one too!

Desserts at La Nonna Bella

And just when you are stuffed to the rim… you see the desserts,  and they may be even more special.   6 flavors of Gelato,  an out of this world lava cake, pastries…..  yup, it was just memorable, special and perhaps “epic,” but for me it was the perfect escape needed.

Give La Nonna a Visit!

I give it “2 yums up” for sure!!! Make sure to give this local owned Italian gem a visit and not only will you leave full, but you’ll also leave happy! For more information about La Nonna Bella, click HERE!

Hours

Tuesday5–9 PM
Wednesday5–9 PM
Thursday12–9 PM
Friday12–10 PM
Saturday4–10 PM
Sunday4–9 PM
MondayClosed
Hours
For more food reviews by Gary Dvoskin, click HERE!

author avatar
Gary Dvoskin
"Going Local Long Island" is excited to welcome Gary Dvoskin as their newest food reviewer, bringing his passion for local dining to a broader audience. Gary, who has been writing reviews for the past nine years, discovered his love for food writing as a refreshing escape from the increasingly heated political climate on Facebook. Stumbling upon the "Tri State Restaurant Club" back then, Gary found solace in sharing his dining experiences, where restaurants, unlike politics, offered a non-controversial and enjoyable topic for discussion. Gary’s approach to choosing restaurants to review is as organic as his love for food. Most of the time, he reviews places he happens to visit on a given night, especially if the experience stands out. However, he’s also intentional about seeking out lesser-known spots, particularly those that may be struggling or are hard to find. Through his connections with other food critics and his active participation in food communities, Gary is always on the lookout for unique, fun places to share with his readers. A Long Island native, Gary’s personal life is as deeply rooted in the community as his food reviews. He’s been married to his high school sweetheart, Lisa, since 1991. They first met while working at McDonald’s in 1983, sparking a romance that’s lasted over four decades. Lisa, whom Gary often refers to as his better half in his reviews, is a lawyer. Their daughter, Regan, 28, is a computer scientist living in England with her fiancé. When he’s not exploring local eateries, Gary is an avid power walker, averaging over six miles a day this year. He’s also a dedicated sports fan, with a particular passion for the Islanders, Jets, Giants, Mets, Yankees, and Knicks. A personal injury attorney by profession, Gary grew up in Plainview and now resides in Melville. His background as a jock, playing soccer and wrestling in his youth, has perhaps contributed to his discipline and drive in both his professional and personal life.
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