From Staten Island to Netflix: Joe Scaravella and the Global Table of Enoteca Maria
How One Man Turned Grief into a Global Celebration of Grandmothers, Culture, and Cuisine
This weekend, the world got a taste of something truly special.
With the release of NONNAS on Netflix, Joe Scaravella’s heartwarming vision—a restaurant run by grandmothers from around the globe—has finally been served to the world.
I had the absolute joy of interviewing Joe about his journey, the birth of Enoteca Maria, and what it’s like to see this soul-filled Staten Island spot take center stage on a global platform.
“No Menu. Just Memories.”
Joe’s idea was simple, radical, and deeply personal.
After losing his grandmother and mother, the heart and soul of his family’s Sunday gatherings, Joe found himself seeking meaning—and healing. What he came up with was a tribute, a love letter to the women who had quietly shaped generations with their hands, their food, and their wisdom.
In 2007, Enoteca Maria opened its doors. The twist? Every night, a different grandmother—from Italy, Syria, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and beyond—cooked the food of her homeland. No formal chefs. No fancy titles. Just real people, real stories, real food.
“I didn’t want a menu,” Joe told me. “I wanted stories.”
Funny Moments from the Kitchen Frontlines
Joe laughed as he described his early days as “culinary UN peacekeeper.”
“You haven’t lived until you’ve seen an Italian nonna and a Sri Lankan nonna argue over spice levels.”
He recalled one particularly fiery exchange between two nonnas: one swearing oregano belonged in the tomato sauce, the other threatening to walk out if it touched her pot.
They argued. Then they laughed. Then they shared a meal.
“It’s chaos,” Joe shrugged, “but it’s beautiful chaos.”
NONNAS on Netflix: Serving Soul by the Spoonful
The new Netflix documentary NONNAS isn’t just about food. It’s about cultural pride, healing, and the power of shared experience. Watching these women stir memory into every dish is moving and magical.
Joe got misty-eyed talking about it.
“These women never asked for applause. But now, the world gets to see their genius.”
Takeaways from My Conversation with Joe
Legacy is best served warm.
These recipes are handed down not on paper, but through taste, instinct, and love.The kitchen is a place of healing.
Joe’s grief was transformed into purpose—one plate at a time.Diversity is delicious.
The world needs more shared tables and fewer borders.Never underestimate a nonna.
They are historians, comedians, healers, and heroes in aprons.
If you’re in Staten Island, make the pilgrimage to Enoteca Maria. If you’re not, NONNAS on Netflix is the next best thing.
Call your grandmother. Make her meatballs. Thank her.
And if you’re a Nonna, or a Mimi, or a Grammie, or a Grandma (or a Papa or Grandpa for that matter) embrace every loving moment with those precious grands who add a special spice to your life.
✨ Because grandparenting isn’t what it used to be…
It’s even better.